![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 41. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pinkeetoz on February 24, 2006, at 17:49:00
I have been taking klonopin for about 9 months, lmg at bedtime (helps with anxiety and sleep). I started having anxiety during the day, and not wanting to take too much klonopin, called my doc, and he gave me xanax to take. At that time, before the xanax, I was having extreme anxiety. So, I took xanax during the day and klonopin atnight. The anxiety seemed to have gotten worse. Went to hosital and they placed me in detox for 6 days. While there, they gave me ativan for the first 3 days to help with anxiety, which it did, than nothing at all. They sent me home on 15mg Remeron and 100mg of seroquel. I'm so anxious I can't stand it. They took me off of meds for anxiety, I still have the anxiety problem. So, what now? Help!
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2006, at 19:39:27
In reply to Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help, posted by pinkeetoz on February 24, 2006, at 17:49:00
Same thing I had to do last year. Saw a neurologist he said to find a pdoc who isn't benzophobic. And I did and am taking valium. There are a lot of docs out there who aren't benzophobic you'd be amazed. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by RobertDavid on February 24, 2006, at 21:46:19
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help » pinkeetoz, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2006, at 19:39:27
I agree with Phillipa. You need to find a doctor that isn't benzo phobic. I can't imagine a doctor taking you off those meds in just 3 days. The taper should have been much slower.
But benzo's like klonopin do work for anxiety and many like myself have been on them years (2mgs klonopin). They continue to work for me and many others.
So if you don't have luck on your new meds I'd suggest you find a doctor that has experience with anxiety who will get you back on a benzo and as important find the right dose. A savvy doctor may even recomend Nardil or Parnate depending on your anxiety issues.
Klonopin may have worked fine for you by itself without having to add xanax, but you might not have taken a high enough dose or perhaps should have split klonopin doses for better coverage. Valium would be another option depending on what type anxiety your dealing with and your individual chemistry. Both have long half lifes compared to Ativan or Xanax.
I can understand why your feeling so poorly and I hope that you can find someone find relief.
Posted by ed_uk on February 25, 2006, at 13:05:50
In reply to Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help, posted by pinkeetoz on February 24, 2006, at 17:49:00
Hi
I would recommend that you restart clonazepam (Klonopin) immediately, 0.5mg in the morning and 1mg at bedtime. You really do need to find a new doc.
Ed
Posted by blueberry on February 25, 2006, at 14:04:53
In reply to Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help, posted by pinkeetoz on February 24, 2006, at 17:49:00
If seroquel and/or remeron are going to help you, they should do so within one day to a week. If they aren't helping by then, then I would get to a doctor and get back on a benzo. Maybe all you needed was a small dose increase. Or maybe just the addition of an ssri or remeron to a slightly higher dose of the benzo.
Compare the costs of seroquel/remeron against a benzo, the longterm risks and complications, and the overall benefits/side effects for most people, and I think the benzo wins by a long shot. Just my opinion though.
And if you are comparing longterm physical dependence of a benzo to an antipsychotic, they are both very strong in that department. It has taken me 4 months to wean down from 5mg zyprexa.
Posted by TylerJ on February 25, 2006, at 19:10:19
In reply to Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help, posted by pinkeetoz on February 24, 2006, at 17:49:00
Call your Doctor and tell him you NEED SOMETHING for severe anxiety!! If he's not willing to listen or help, find another pdoc asap. Your current doc doesn't sound like the greatest anyway. Don't wait. Best of luck!
Tyler
Posted by Toothy on January 7, 2008, at 8:34:53
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help, posted by RobertDavid on February 24, 2006, at 21:46:19
> I agree with Phillipa. You need to find a doctor that isn't benzo phobic. I can't imagine a doctor taking you off those meds in just 3 days. The taper should have been much slower.
>
> But benzo's like klonopin do work for anxiety and many like myself have been on them years (2mgs klonopin). They continue to work for me and many others.
>
> So if you don't have luck on your new meds I'd suggest you find a doctor that has experience with anxiety who will get you back on a benzo and as important find the right dose. A savvy doctor may even recomend Nardil or Parnate depending on your anxiety issues.
>
> Klonopin may have worked fine for you by itself without having to add xanax, but you might not have taken a high enough dose or perhaps should have split klonopin doses for better coverage. Valium would be another option depending on what type anxiety your dealing with and your individual chemistry. Both have long half lifes compared to Ativan or Xanax.
>
> I can understand why your feeling so poorly and I hope that you can find someone find relief.Robert,
Are you still taking Klonopin 2 mgs per day? Is it still working for you without. I love knowing that you have not developed tolerance issues to the anti-anxiety effect. I know some websites are totally anti-benzo and say it only helps for 3-4 months but this is not what the anxiety disorder specialists tell me. They say that it works for years.
Have you ever tried to taper to see if you still need it?
Toothy
Posted by RobertDavid on January 7, 2008, at 11:32:31
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help, posted by Toothy on January 7, 2008, at 8:34:53
> Robert,
>
> Are you still taking Klonopin 2 mgs per day? Is it still working for you without. I love knowing that you have not developed tolerance issues to the anti-anxiety effect. I know some websites are totally anti-benzo and say it only helps for 3-4 months but this is not what the anxiety disorder specialists tell me. They say that it works for years.
>
> Have you ever tried to taper to see if you still need it?
Toothy:I went down to 1.5mgs Klonopin for about a year and did pretty well, but about a month ago met with my doctor, the same one I've had for 14 years, and went back up to 2mgs. I'm feeling much less anxiety and overall much better, more social. I had some significant life issues so I seemed to need a little more relief so I went back up on dose.
I'm not trying to suggest that my doctor is better than anyone elses, but I will say that he is one of the leading researchers on anxiety disorters in the nation and chairs a major Los Angeles hospital. It has always been his take that Klonopin can be taken at the same dose long term without the need to go up on dose. The anti anxiety relief remains constant and I have not developed tolerance to it. That has been the case with me.
He also suggested once a day dosing (I take at night) as when blood levels stablilize there's no need for split dosing. Again, this is what I do. Klonopin has a long half life.
He is also pretty adimate that with klonopin (as opposed to many other drugs) to use brand. I have tried both and did better with brand. He told me he has had other patients who with issues using generic and when switched to brand they did much better. The reason is that generic allows for a 20% variance in strength and it is important to keep your blood levels at a stable dose. With the 20% variance you could have a significant differnce in strength from refill to refill (as the refill can come from a differnt batch from the drug co - many of which are overseas) which can cause problems in how you feel with your body constantly adjusting to dose. I know there are many who argue this point which I have debated before (don't care to again), I'll just say I take brand and pay the difference and believe in it.
A few years back I wanted to see how I'd feel off Klonopin so I did a very slow taper and was totally off it. Though my doctor did say there was a chance I could do ok without klonopin he reminded me of how poorly I did before I took Klonopin many years when we first met and that my original symptoms may return. I was so socially anxious at that time that I could harldly leave home. Long story long my symptoms did come back and after a few months I went back on Klonopin (thankfully).
I have known many people (here and personally) who say they tried Klonopin and that it did not help them with their anxiety symptoms (it certainly does not work for all). But I found that many took a small dose, didn't feel better and moved on saying klonopin was a bust. Everyone is different and it's my opinion that if you are treating SAD and or GAD and you don't get yourself up to at least 1 mg (and perhaps as high as 3) you may be missing a drug that will really help you because you never took a theraputic dose. When I first started Klonopin I remember being very disapointed as I had high hopes for relief after avoiding a "benzo" for so long (I was benzo phobic too at the time), but it was because my doctor did a slow titrate up in .25 increments. It wasn't until weeks later when I was over 1mg that I begain to feel better and ultimately feel great and actually for the first time in 30+ years know what it was like to be free from social anxiety, to feel normal.
Sorry for the book, but that's my take on Klonopin, it gave me the quality of life I had missed out on for so long after years of failed trials on so many other anti depressants and other meds. I believe there are to many primary doctors and others who are just benzo phobic. Working with a doctor familiar with klonopin (or other benzo's is key. All that said, I am not a doctor and this is just my experience and understand that everyone is different. Those that may read this can take it for what it's worth.
Anyway, I hope this will be of some help to you in your search for answers.........
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2008, at 20:25:34
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help » Toothy, posted by RobertDavid on January 7, 2008, at 11:32:31
Robert was thinking of you today seriously and wondering about you. Does klonopin not quit working as it seems the valium has? Love Phillipa
Posted by Toothy on January 8, 2008, at 8:52:31
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help » Toothy, posted by RobertDavid on January 7, 2008, at 11:32:31
>
> > Robert,
> >
> > Are you still taking Klonopin 2 mgs per day? Is it still working for you without. I love knowing that you have not developed tolerance issues to the anti-anxiety effect. I know some websites are totally anti-benzo and say it only helps for 3-4 months but this is not what the anxiety disorder specialists tell me. They say that it works for years.
> >
> > Have you ever tried to taper to see if you still need it?
>
>
> Toothy:
>
> I went down to 1.5mgs Klonopin for about a year and did pretty well, but about a month ago met with my doctor, the same one I've had for 14 years, and went back up to 2mgs. I'm feeling much less anxiety and overall much better, more social. I had some significant life issues so I seemed to need a little more relief so I went back up on dose.
>
> I'm not trying to suggest that my doctor is better than anyone elses, but I will say that he is one of the leading researchers on anxiety disorters in the nation and chairs a major Los Angeles hospital. It has always been his take that Klonopin can be taken at the same dose long term without the need to go up on dose. The anti anxiety relief remains constant and I have not developed tolerance to it. That has been the case with me.
>
> He also suggested once a day dosing (I take at night) as when blood levels stablilize there's no need for split dosing. Again, this is what I do. Klonopin has a long half life.
>
> He is also pretty adimate that with klonopin (as opposed to many other drugs) to use brand. I have tried both and did better with brand. He told me he has had other patients who with issues using generic and when switched to brand they did much better. The reason is that generic allows for a 20% variance in strength and it is important to keep your blood levels at a stable dose. With the 20% variance you could have a significant differnce in strength from refill to refill (as the refill can come from a differnt batch from the drug co - many of which are overseas) which can cause problems in how you feel with your body constantly adjusting to dose. I know there are many who argue this point which I have debated before (don't care to again), I'll just say I take brand and pay the difference and believe in it.
>
> A few years back I wanted to see how I'd feel off Klonopin so I did a very slow taper and was totally off it. Though my doctor did say there was a chance I could do ok without klonopin he reminded me of how poorly I did before I took Klonopin many years when we first met and that my original symptoms may return. I was so socially anxious at that time that I could harldly leave home. Long story long my symptoms did come back and after a few months I went back on Klonopin (thankfully).
>
> I have known many people (here and personally) who say they tried Klonopin and that it did not help them with their anxiety symptoms (it certainly does not work for all). But I found that many took a small dose, didn't feel better and moved on saying klonopin was a bust. Everyone is different and it's my opinion that if you are treating SAD and or GAD and you don't get yourself up to at least 1 mg (and perhaps as high as 3) you may be missing a drug that will really help you because you never took a theraputic dose. When I first started Klonopin I remember being very disapointed as I had high hopes for relief after avoiding a "benzo" for so long (I was benzo phobic too at the time), but it was because my doctor did a slow titrate up in .25 increments. It wasn't until weeks later when I was over 1mg that I begain to feel better and ultimately feel great and actually for the first time in 30+ years know what it was like to be free from social anxiety, to feel normal.
>
> Sorry for the book, but that's my take on Klonopin, it gave me the quality of life I had missed out on for so long after years of failed trials on so many other anti depressants and other meds. I believe there are to many primary doctors and others who are just benzo phobic. Working with a doctor familiar with klonopin (or other benzo's is key. All that said, I am not a doctor and this is just my experience and understand that everyone is different. Those that may read this can take it for what it's worth.
>
> Anyway, I hope this will be of some help to you in your search for answers.........
>Robert,
Thank you for your thoughtful response to my questions. I find it comforting to know that the anti-anxiety effects of the Klonopin have not lessened for you. I find your experience and your doctor's advise to be consistent with several other nationally recognized anxiety disorders specialists who state that tolerance to the anti-anxiety effects do not develop in Anxiety Disorder Patients.
Also, the well known psychiatrist I talked to personally said that he preferred the high-potency benzos like Klonopin and Xanax to the low potency ones and does not see tolerance develop. He also was doubtful I was getting much benefit from the 20 mgs of Valium I take because of its low potency. I have been pretty symptomatic on this dose.
I'm gratified to hear your experience is positive and you are doing well. We have to do whatever gives us the best "quality of life" given whatever disorder we have.
Toothy
Posted by RobertDavid on January 8, 2008, at 14:13:14
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help » RobertDavid, posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2008, at 20:25:34
It's my experience and I have been told by my doctor that Klonopin's anti anxiety benefits will not poop out in time. I've been on it about 13 years now without losing benefit.
Posted by RobertDavid on January 8, 2008, at 14:23:01
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help, posted by Toothy on January 8, 2008, at 8:52:31
Toothy:
Sounds like you're on the right track and have a good doctor to work with. Once you land on the benzo that works best for you it's just a matter of tweeking the dose. You're going to be the best judge of where you end up dose wise. I wish you all the best...
Posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2008, at 19:11:00
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help » Toothy, posted by RobertDavid on January 8, 2008, at 14:23:01
Toothy so I take exactly what you take with small 50mg of luvox and you're saying klonopin is stronger. After being on them over last 35years and back to valium and it no longer relieves anxiety you think it's weaker than Klonopin. I know Robert does well on klonopin brand and my valium is generic. Love Phillipa ps did try brand at one time and didn't notice a difference wonder why. Either of you have any insight? Love Phillipa
Posted by Skylor on January 8, 2008, at 20:14:06
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help » Toothy, posted by RobertDavid on January 7, 2008, at 11:32:31
>
> > Robert,
> >
> > Are you still taking Klonopin 2 mgs per day? Is it still working for you without. I love knowing that you have not developed tolerance issues to the anti-anxiety effect. I know some websites are totally anti-benzo and say it only helps for 3-4 months but this is not what the anxiety disorder specialists tell me. They say that it works for years.
> >
> > Have you ever tried to taper to see if you still need it?
>
>
> Toothy:
>
> I went down to 1.5mgs Klonopin for about a year and did pretty well, but about a month ago met with my doctor, the same one I've had for 14 years, and went back up to 2mgs. I'm feeling much less anxiety and overall much better, more social. I had some significant life issues so I seemed to need a little more relief so I went back up on dose.
>
> I'm not trying to suggest that my doctor is better than anyone elses, but I will say that he is one of the leading researchers on anxiety disorters in the nation and chairs a major Los Angeles hospital. It has always been his take that Klonopin can be taken at the same dose long term without the need to go up on dose. The anti anxiety relief remains constant and I have not developed tolerance to it. That has been the case with me.
>
> He also suggested once a day dosing (I take at night) as when blood levels stablilize there's no need for split dosing. Again, this is what I do. Klonopin has a long half life.
>
> He is also pretty adimate that with klonopin (as opposed to many other drugs) to use brand. I have tried both and did better with brand. He told me he has had other patients who with issues using generic and when switched to brand they did much better. The reason is that generic allows for a 20% variance in strength and it is important to keep your blood levels at a stable dose. With the 20% variance you could have a significant differnce in strength from refill to refill (as the refill can come from a differnt batch from the drug co - many of which are overseas) which can cause problems in how you feel with your body constantly adjusting to dose. I know there are many who argue this point which I have debated before (don't care to again), I'll just say I take brand and pay the difference and believe in it.
>
> A few years back I wanted to see how I'd feel off Klonopin so I did a very slow taper and was totally off it. Though my doctor did say there was a chance I could do ok without klonopin he reminded me of how poorly I did before I took Klonopin many years when we first met and that my original symptoms may return. I was so socially anxious at that time that I could harldly leave home. Long story long my symptoms did come back and after a few months I went back on Klonopin (thankfully).
>
> I have known many people (here and personally) who say they tried Klonopin and that it did not help them with their anxiety symptoms (it certainly does not work for all). But I found that many took a small dose, didn't feel better and moved on saying klonopin was a bust. Everyone is different and it's my opinion that if you are treating SAD and or GAD and you don't get yourself up to at least 1 mg (and perhaps as high as 3) you may be missing a drug that will really help you because you never took a theraputic dose. When I first started Klonopin I remember being very disapointed as I had high hopes for relief after avoiding a "benzo" for so long (I was benzo phobic too at the time), but it was because my doctor did a slow titrate up in .25 increments. It wasn't until weeks later when I was over 1mg that I begain to feel better and ultimately feel great and actually for the first time in 30+ years know what it was like to be free from social anxiety, to feel normal.
>
> Sorry for the book, but that's my take on Klonopin, it gave me the quality of life I had missed out on for so long after years of failed trials on so many other anti depressants and other meds. I believe there are to many primary doctors and others who are just benzo phobic. Working with a doctor familiar with klonopin (or other benzo's is key. All that said, I am not a doctor and this is just my experience and understand that everyone is different. Those that may read this can take it for what it's worth.
>
> Anyway, I hope this will be of some help to you in your search for answers.........
>Hey. I have been on Xanax for almost a year now, but started with Klonopin. I started at .5mg, then moved to 1mg of Klonopin, then 1mg of Xanax
(both have always been twice a day, though).My doctor is a friend of my mother's, so he usually doesn't even charge me co-pay, which is nice. He won't listen to a word I say, though. he gives me the choice between Xanax or Klonopin, but that is it. He literally ignores me when I make suggestions/requests (he even admits it). He won't let me take a higher dose, and wants me to see a psychologist. I had to drop out of college, since I couldn't cope with the anxiety. I even weigh 300 lbs. Why won't he let me take a higher dose? I have also been on Lexapro since day one of the other medicines, until I ran out a month ago. I just stopped taking it, since I really don't see/feel any imporovement from it (haven't seen a difference whatsoever since I stopped taking it, 20mg daily), and I really don't like talking to my doctor (refill), especially without anxiety medication, which I have been out of as well, for about 2 weeks. Actually I have 3mg left of Xanax, which is about half of what I used to take before going to college (after saving up my medication, since it was useless in the dosage in which I had/have it). I will probably take it before I go see my doctor tomorrow, if I even do. I guess I will ask him one last time to raise my dosage before I lose all hope in him. I will definitely lie to him about my Lexapro being gone, since I hate hearing him say he is so worried about my health when he won't even help me. If he doesn't increase my dose this time, I don't know what I will do. I want to go back to college, and I HAVE to get a job, which isn't my idea. I kept having panic attacks right before walking in the door to class. I tried to explain this to my parents, but my mom could care less, and my dad doesn't believe in psychological illnesses. I don't know what to do.
Posted by RobertDavid on January 8, 2008, at 21:54:23
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help, posted by Skylor on January 8, 2008, at 20:14:06
You have got to find a doctor experienced with benzos. Benzo's typically work best with Social Anxiety as you describe. If you are still unable to enter classes at school it would seem you're not at a theraputic dose. I dropped out of school when I was younger for the same reason. I believe Klonopin would be the best choice for SAD and that most take between 1 and 4mgs a day to treat it. I found that counceling alone was not the solution for me and that it was the 2mgs of Klonopin that have allowed me to get a life. You have to find a doctor that you feel comfortable with, one that is not benzo phobic. There is hope for you...........
Posted by brooke484 on January 8, 2008, at 22:41:24
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam (klonopin), Help » Toothy, posted by RobertDavid on January 7, 2008, at 11:32:31
How long did it take for you to feel better on 2 mgs? Was it right away? .5 used to work for me, but now 1 mg doesn't even do anything and I've been off it for years. Some days I'll just decide to try it, but it's like taking a placebo (and I even have the brand). So I wasn't sure if it takes awhile for it to kick in, or if it's immediate.
Thanks,
brooke
Posted by RobertDavid on January 8, 2008, at 23:17:13
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam - RobertDavid, posted by brooke484 on January 8, 2008, at 22:41:24
> How long did it take for you to feel better on 2 mgs? Was it right away? .5 used to work for me, but now 1 mg doesn't even do anything and I've been off it for years. Some days I'll just decide to try it, but it's like taking a placebo (and I even have the brand). So I wasn't sure if it takes awhile for it to kick in, or if it's immediate.
Brooke: I started at .5mgs Klonopin with very high hopes and my doctor made me feel this was finally going to be the medicine that was going to takle my social anxiety. It was my first try at a benzo. But I was initially disapointed as I did not feel much different. My doctor raised dose by .25mgs every 5 days and it wasn't till I was up over 1mg and was at the higher level for about 3 weeks (taking it daily) that I felt a suttle improvement. From there I raised the dose and was stable at 1.5mgs for about a month, then went up to 2mgs for a few weeks and ultimately went as high is 3mgs. I noticed that I didn't feel any better at 3mgs than I did at 2 and was a bit more sedated so we slowly dropped back down to 2.5mgs. I was doing great, but had it in my mind that I wanted to take the smallest dose necessary while still getting full relief from anxiety. Ultimatly I found that 2mgs was just right and is pretty much where I have been over the last 13 years. Most do feel some daytime sedation for the first week after uping the dose, though that side effect lessens when your body adjusts, at least it did for me. My opinion is that you have to get up in dose and stay there for a few weeks to get stable blood levels to determine how you are doing at that dose. If you just go up or down every few days or take it here or there I don't believe you'll be successful treating SAD/GAD. Though klonopin works much faster than other class drugs you still need to give your body and blood levels time to adjust and stabilize. I don't know all the facts of how long you have tried sticking with a 1mg dose, but if you didn't take it for at least few weeks I don't think you can determine if it was or would work to treat your anxiety. If your saying that you have taken it at 1mg for an extended period and still feel nothing I'd consider going up on dose in .5 increments and giving each new higher dose a few weeks to access how you feel. I'm assuming you want relief for SAD and or GAD and if so it sounds like your not on a high enough dose to be of help. Over the years those I have talked with who felt nothing at lower dose were not taking enough and when they went to a higher dose and stayed there for a few weeks got significant anxiety relief. I know a few people that had to go to 4mgs, everyone is different. If you google klonopin dose ranges for SAD I believe you'll find that the typical range for treatment is between 1 and 4mgs, though there are those that find relief from both higher and lower doses. I hope that helps!
Posted by brooke484 on January 9, 2008, at 11:30:49
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam - RobertDavid » brooke484, posted by RobertDavid on January 8, 2008, at 23:17:13
You answered my question perfectly. Thank you!
I do only take it every once in awhile and always wonder, "Hmm, why isn't this doing anything?" Years ago I took .5 mgs and then I found myself needing more, so I went up to 1 mg. Then I panicked and wanted off because I thought I would need more and more and more and I would never be able to get off it. So I withdrew from it all by myself (it took a year). I have often thought about trying it again, but am always too afraid. My biggest fear is that I'll need more and more and I'll be up to like 3 or 4 mgs and it will stop working. That is why I don't know if I can ever take it again, even though it was a miracle drug for me for awhile. Of course, now I'm so bad off I would do anything, so maybe I should reconsider. I suffer from major depression and anxiety.
Thanks again for your reply. You answered all of my questions. I'm glad you found what works for you and are willing to share your experience with others.
Brooke
Posted by RobertDavid on January 9, 2008, at 12:49:08
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam - RobertDavid, posted by brooke484 on January 9, 2008, at 11:30:49
> I do only take it every once in awhile and always wonder, "Hmm, why isn't this doing anything?" Years ago I took .5 mgs and then I found myself needing more, so I went up to 1 mg. Then I panicked and wanted off because I thought I would need more and more and more and I would never be able to get off it. So I withdrew from it all by myself (it took a year). I have often thought about trying it again, but am always too afraid. My biggest fear is that I'll need more and more and I'll be up to like 3 or 4 mgs and it will stop working. That is why I don't know if I can ever take it again, even though it was a miracle drug for me for awhile. Of course, now I'm so bad off I would do anything, so maybe I should reconsider. I suffer from major depression and anxiety.
Brooke: I understand how you feel. Years ago I was so afraid to take a "benzo" for the reasons you mention. But after trying all other SSRI's SNRI's and other psycho tropic meds without any relief I decided a quality life with a benzo, assuming it would work, would be better than the awful life I was living. That's when I sought out and found a doctor who was savvy about treating anxiety disorters. He put it to me like this. Anxiety is bad for you, its bad for your health and of course your quality of life. Klonopin has corrected the chemical imbalance, I finally have a life. He changed my thinking to "it's good for me, like a vitamin". When I take my 2mgs at night I have this sense that I'm taking something that is positive, that's good for me, it gives me comfort knowing that I'm so lucky to be taking it. That it is a medicine that has been taken by millions since the 70's. Well tested and little to no side effects (for me) compared to anti depressants that I don't believe are all that useful for treating SAD/GAD as primary disorters. That I can take it the rest of my life without concern of having to go higher on dose (though I do think there are periods where slight adjustments up or down should be expected). In fact, it was originally used to treat epilepsy (as I recall) and it's my understanding is approved at doses as high as 20mgs (I can't imagine taking that much!). So at doses of 1 to 4 mgs there isn't any safety issue as far as I'm concerned. And the "benzo fear" so many doctors and consumers have with "addiction" is mearly that if you want off, you just have to do it very slowly, but you can get off. But I think, why would I want to do that anyway???? I did get off it once just to see how I'd do, but it was just a reminder to me of how my old life was filled with fear. Though I realize benzo's are not for everyone, I do think there are so many who would get their SAD/GAD under control if they'd give it a legitimate try at a high enough dose to work. I suspect when you got stable at 1mg and didn't get all the relief you were looking the next step might have been to go up in dose in .5 increments and reevaluate every few weeks. I really strongly believe this, but my disclaimer is that I am not a doctor. My only knowledge of all this is from a decade of searching for my own solutions to treat SAD. Klonopin has turned out to be the single strongest tool I've come across. I have no doubt I will take it for the rest of my life assuming no breakthrough drug is approved down the road. I wish you all the best as no one deserves to suffer from these disabling anxiety disorters especially with a few good medicines that can help. Good luck!
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2008, at 19:33:09
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam - RobertDavid » brooke484, posted by RobertDavid on January 9, 2008, at 12:49:08
Robert you said it so well and it's so true to me. Maybe I should go back to the klonopin as see pdoc tomorrow yes same one. I think she likes klonopin better than valium and I've refused to up the dose any further. Love Phillipa
Posted by brooke484 on January 9, 2008, at 22:22:44
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam - RobertDavid » brooke484, posted by RobertDavid on January 9, 2008, at 12:49:08
If I knew for sure I would be able to stay at one dose, no matter how much it was, and never have to increase it, I would take it tomorrow. I see my doctor in 2 weeks and I'll bring it up again. It might be worth talking about.
Thanks again for all your great advice. I'm glad you found what helps you.
brooke
Posted by CoutureMan on January 10, 2008, at 4:43:19
In reply to Re: Anxiety without clonzapam - RobertDavid, posted by brooke484 on January 9, 2008, at 22:22:44
I'm glad Robert is doing well on a steady dose of klonopin but each person is different. I suffer from unipolar depression with severe anxiety. Twenty years ago I went through a horrendous withdrawal from xanax which required hospitalization. It was in the early days of xanax when Drs. thought it could be used as an antidepressant. I was taking it in combination with nardil. I swore I would never take a benzo again in my life.
I was hospitalized 4 years ago with unrelenting suicidal anxiety after having gone off buspar that I was taking in addition to Lexapro. Going back up on the buspar did not relive the anxiety. In the hospital the Drs. suggested klonopin as a treatment but I told them I was terrified because of the reaction I had to xanax years earlier. I was told klonopin is different and that I would not habituate to it. I was skeptical but they told me that there really wasn't any other treatment that they could provide me.
I finally relented and went home a week later stabilized on 1 mg. klonopin. I lasted 6 months at 1 mg. and then the anxiety came back full force. I up the dose to 2 mgs. and lasted 3 months at that dose. I tried to go higher but started having paradoxical reactions to the klonopin. I was terrified again and it took going on a low dose of depakote to somewhat stabilize the anxiety. But the addition of depakote has caused severe constipation requiring high doses of miralax to be able to go. So I'm miserable and stuck in this circular quandary. Chronic GI distress caused by miralax needed because of the depakote required by the tolerance to klonopin and unable to increase klonopin because of the paradoxical reactions to the klonopin ... and the cat in the hat ... and bull sh*t etc. etc. etc.
We are all different but I wish I could live without a benzo. It took a hospitalization to get me back on one and I'm screwed again in spite of the best advice of the hospital staff at a highly rated Psch unit. Just something to think about Brooke.
Take Care,
CM
> If I knew for sure I would be able to stay at one dose, no matter how much it was, and never have to increase it, I would take it tomorrow. I see my doctor in 2 weeks and I'll bring it up again. It might be worth talking about.
>
> Thanks again for all your great advice. I'm glad you found what helps you.
>
> brooke
Posted by brooke484 on January 10, 2008, at 12:16:51
In reply to A personal caution » brooke484, posted by CoutureMan on January 10, 2008, at 4:43:19
You're right. We are all different. WHat I need is for the Marplan to kick in so I won't have think about Klonopin!
Are you still taking it now?
Posted by Abby Cunningham on January 10, 2008, at 16:25:14
In reply to Re: A personal caution, posted by brooke484 on January 10, 2008, at 12:16:51
I agree that benzos are a cruel treatment for many people for anxiety.
I am one of them. I was put on xanax 20 years ago and have struggled to go off it a couple of times, and I did cut my dosage in half from 3mg. to 1.5mg.I don't have tolerance withdrawal, just take it though so I won't get withdrawls now.....wish the stupid doctor had never put me on it, as my anxiety is no better at all and you cannot keep updosing this drug.
And according to some on this forum, the benzos change your brain chemistry forever, as do many of the psych drugs. I feel trapped just as many others. No psych drug has ever cured anyone. If one can use therapy for help and natural treatments, you are much better of in my humble opinion.
Posted by 4WD on January 10, 2008, at 21:12:39
In reply to Re: A personal caution, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 10, 2008, at 16:25:14
For me Klonopin definitely has a tolerance issue. At first .5 mg helped immensely. After a few months, I had to go to 1mg. Then 2mg. Then 4mg. Now I am on (after about 3 and a half years of using klonopin)6-8 mg a day and it doesn't faze me. It does help some with the anxiety but I am still scared a lot of the time. Two mg is like water off a duck's back. I can't even tell I've taken it. My pdoc has prescribed up to 6mg a day. But some days I have been so anxious and so terrified that I have taken as much as 10mg. It didn't even make me sleepy.
I wonder if I should change to a different benzo.
Marsha
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