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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JohnSky on September 25, 2007, at 13:00:08
My doc wants to switch me from Ativan to clonazepam because the Ativan "runs out" during spots during the day before I take the next dose whereas clonazepam provides a more uniform coverage. I take 2mg of ativan 3 times a day. My doc wants to switch me to 2mg of clonazepam at night and 1mg during the day. He said to just make the switch in one day. He also said the molecule of the drugs are so close I shouldn't have much trouble with the switch.
I'm frankly afraid of alot rebound anxiety from the ativan... but the doc says the clonazepam will take of that.
Anyone else done a similar switch before and what happened? Hard? easy?Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2007, at 13:03:37
In reply to Help - benzo change, posted by JohnSky on September 25, 2007, at 13:00:08
My pdocs always said a benzo is a benzo. No trouble switching. But for me klonopin was depressing did better on valium and xanax but we're all different good luck. Phillipa
Posted by JohnSky on September 25, 2007, at 13:10:07
In reply to Re: Help - benzo change » JohnSky, posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2007, at 13:03:37
Thanks Phillipa.
My doc thinks the ativan I am on is depressing me some. I think the longer term plan is to get me off of benzos... and getting off clonazepam should be easier than Ativan..... either way I will go very slow. The psychiatrists around here will not prescribe Xanax for some reason.
> My pdocs always said a benzo is a benzo. No trouble switching. But for me klonopin was depressing did better on valium and xanax but we're all different good luck. Phillipa
Posted by cactus on September 27, 2007, at 17:46:29
In reply to Re: Help - benzo change, posted by JohnSky on September 25, 2007, at 13:10:07
well to cut a long story short, clonazepam is known to be the most depressing benzo on the market. I take it and it doesn't do this to me but I do not drink alcohol and when I did on clonazepam I got very depressed. I think valium might be a better choice. It's long acting like clonazepam and you can take it once a day too. Or twice if you need to and I had no change over effects when I went from valium to ativan and then back to valium.
Posted by JohnSky on September 28, 2007, at 9:39:09
In reply to Re: Help - benzo change » JohnSky, posted by cactus on September 27, 2007, at 17:46:29
Thanks for the input. I have heard clonazepam can be depressing. I think that is the effect I am getting from Ativan. I don't drink so I don't see any issues there. I need to do something as this "roller coaster effect" I get from Ativan during the day as it burns off and I take more is tough. I know alot of people take clonazepam with good results. I just want to get away from a short acting benzo... then in time I plan to get off of all benzos.
John
> well to cut a long story short, clonazepam is known to be the most depressing benzo on the market. I take it and it doesn't do this to me but I do not drink alcohol and when I did on clonazepam I got very depressed. I think valium might be a better choice. It's long acting like clonazepam and you can take it once a day too. Or twice if you need to and I had no change over effects when I went from valium to ativan and then back to valium.
Posted by JohnSky on October 1, 2007, at 13:56:32
In reply to Re: Help - benzo change, posted by JohnSky on September 28, 2007, at 9:39:09
Well so much for a smooth change over. This has hit me hard. I started Friday. Two nights of very tough sleep. Intense anxiety from the ativan withdrawal I think. This should all pass in a few day I think but what a hard ride. I just seem so sensitive to any med change.
Jeez... I need a break. Today the anxiety is better. Should get better as the clonazepam works.
> Thanks for the input. I have heard clonazepam can be depressing. I think that is the effect I am getting from Ativan. I don't drink so I don't see any issues there. I need to do something as this "roller coaster effect" I get from Ativan during the day as it burns off and I take more is tough. I know alot of people take clonazepam with good results. I just want to get away from a short acting benzo... then in time I plan to get off of all benzos.
>
> John
>
>
> > well to cut a long story short, clonazepam is known to be the most depressing benzo on the market. I take it and it doesn't do this to me but I do not drink alcohol and when I did on clonazepam I got very depressed. I think valium might be a better choice. It's long acting like clonazepam and you can take it once a day too. Or twice if you need to and I had no change over effects when I went from valium to ativan and then back to valium.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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