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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by porkpiehat on October 9, 2011, at 10:20:52
We're looking at adding a little Klonopin to my Celexa and Lamictal to aid in 1) concentration 2) social anxiety and 3)the slightly manic tendencies I get from the aforementioned drugs.
My hope is that I can reduce my Celexa for less blunting and sexual side effects. We tried doing the same thing with Buspar but it made me too angry/sad.
It seems like a much cleaner approach than adding an AP or switching antiseizures, but it's a pretty permanent decision, no? I'm so sensitive that I imagine once I start Klonopin I'll never be able to stop!
My scrip is waiting at CVS :o/
Posted by Chairman_MAO on October 9, 2011, at 10:30:58
In reply to Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by porkpiehat on October 9, 2011, at 10:20:52
You can always stop with a proper taper, and it can be fairly painless if done according to the Ashton method. However, it is not always easy to find a doctor willing to do that.
Honestly, I guess they work for a lot of people, but frankly I think the SSRIs are worthless--unless what you _want_ is emotional blunting, in which case they certainly work.
What are the drugs that you are taking for?
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2011, at 10:59:51
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it?? » porkpiehat, posted by Chairman_MAO on October 9, 2011, at 10:30:58
For over 40 years low dose benzos worked for me never taking more than prescribed. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on October 9, 2011, at 11:49:16
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2011, at 10:59:51
Hello,I was able to keep zoloft at 25mg by adding klonopin .5mg at night. Ive been on Klonopin for 3yrs,never going above 1mg,Ive stayed mostly at .5mg. I was able to stop Zoloft for awhile, but have recently started 25mg again. The zoloft helps me with mind stuff and the klonopin helps me with physical stuff-have gad,panic,depression.I did gain some weight,but will just watch my diet more. I have missed the zoloft/klonopin combo, so now I will try it again! Nearing menopause,my motherinlaw swears by zoloft for menopause symptoms.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on October 9, 2011, at 13:27:02
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2011, at 10:59:51
> For over 40 years low dose benzos worked for me never taking more than prescribed. Phillipa
I don't doubt it.
For you and I'm sure many others, too. They'd probably work for me, too--but I'd have to take something else along with them, at minimum Dexedrine.
The biggest problem I see with _low-dose_ benzo use is the the fact that you always need someone to prescribe them to you. Doctors tend to be "benzophobic"--I can get 60mg/day of dextroamphetamine from my doctor, and he's even done it with an MAOI. He's given me PRN lorazepam. But he will not use benzos long-term as a treatment for anxiety.
I have a fairly liberal doctor--most would never touch an MAOI + psychostimulant combination.
Posted by gadchik on October 9, 2011, at 14:25:28
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it?? » Phillipa, posted by Chairman_MAO on October 9, 2011, at 13:27:02
My psychiatrist put me on klonopin, and my pcp,who was an internal medicine specialist,told me it was safe to stay on indefinately, as long as my blood work stayed normal. Then I got switched to a d.o. pcp when my dr left the practice, and he stated,"my patients just love their klonopin.But its just alcohol in a pill."He then proceeded to list all the great things about ssris. Im skeptical of that statement,but I will make sure to get the blood tests.I was planning to stop seeing my psych dr due to the expense, but after talking to my new pcp, I think I will continue with her.
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2011, at 21:16:31
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it?? » Phillipa, posted by Chairman_MAO on October 9, 2011, at 13:27:02
I agree so what I have done over the years is the docs always want me on a higher dose so they prescribe it at the higher dose and I take less so I have a lot put away. I also have a friend another countrie that will send it to me. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 9, 2011, at 23:38:17
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it?? » Chairman_MAO, posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2011, at 21:16:31
My psychiatrist was quite comfortable with long term alprazolam, once we had tried the alternatives and failed with them - he wouldnt prescribe anything other than diazepam 5mg along with the usual antidepressants etc initialy.
When SSRI's, NARI's, Buspar and Atarax had failed, he told me the down sides of long term Xanax use (dependence etc) and we decided to see how I did on it, and I've done well. My GP on the other hand is terrified of Xanax, I think he'd rather I committed suicide or ended up in a mental institution rather than prescribe 50 Xanax
Posted by Chairman_MAO on October 10, 2011, at 7:50:18
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it?? » Chairman_MAO, posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2011, at 21:16:31
> I agree so what I have done over the years is the docs always want me on a higher dose so they prescribe it at the higher dose and I take less so I have a lot put away. I also have a friend another countrie that will send it to me. Phillipa
That's a good strategy for living in a largely uncaring world. I wish I implemented it and just stayed at 2mg/day of clonazepam (while receiving 4). Then I'd have twice as much left over and I'd be able to taper myself.
It would be annoying to cut the tablets into quarters, but I could do it.
Posted by porkpiehat on October 10, 2011, at 15:40:22
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it?? » porkpiehat, posted by Chairman_MAO on October 9, 2011, at 10:30:58
sorry for the delay my email notification was off. I am taking celexa 25mgs for depression/GAD/PTSD/social anxiety. We added Lamictal when the celexa began making me manicy. Then we tried buspar to help with my concentration and interpersonal anxiety.
Buspar makes me sad and angry but the anxiolytic effects really helped my concentration.
So the hope is now that Klonopin will help with the concentration and interpersonal stuff, and allow me to pull back a little on the Celexa. Hopefully it will also rein in the SSRI hypomania a little.
I think it's fair to say that I have a drinking problem and an addictive personality. So that's a complication. Plus I'm CONSTANTLY obsessive over my medication and mental processes.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 10, 2011, at 18:26:52
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it?? » Phillipa, posted by Chairman_MAO on October 10, 2011, at 7:50:18
I have managed to put aside 100 x 1mg alprazolam, which I keep "in stock", so if my supply was suddenly cut, I could easily taper over 6-8 weeks, which for me would be easy.
That said, my psychiatrist seems quite happy for me to keep using them for as long as I need them/continue to get benifit. If I tried to increase the dose or started running out early, he would be onto me like a ton of bricks, but as long as I use them sensibly as directed, he seems happy to prescribe.
I too tend to under use them, I am prescribed 1mg tid, but only take the three pills on "bad" days, on avarage days I take one in the morning and one at night, so my prescription invariably lasts me longer than planned.
Posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2011, at 18:37:38
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 10, 2011, at 18:26:52
Mine is retiring in December and have to see a new one here and here the docs like antipsychotics. I can't take them too strong and also diabeties runs in family. So got to figure out a plan. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 10, 2011, at 18:54:05
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2011, at 18:37:38
Prepare your case - you have been taking diazepam or whatever for X years, the dose hasnt crept up, you nearly always take less than is prescribed, and you still derive benefit from it.
Given a case like that, I think any reasonable psychiatrist would continue to prescribe and monitor your progress.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 10, 2011, at 18:56:14
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by porkpiehat on October 10, 2011, at 15:40:22
Porkpie - it might be better to start off with a lower potency, longer acting benzo, such as Tranxene, Valium, Librium...... these are less likely to lead to problems with dependence etc when compared to the high potency benzos such as Klonopin, Ativan and Xanax
Posted by porkpiehat on October 10, 2011, at 18:58:57
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 10, 2011, at 18:56:14
Interesting. I always thought those other benzos were really heavy hitters. Never even heard of Tranxene!
Thanks I have to call pdoc on Tuesday anyway.
Posted by porkpiehat on October 10, 2011, at 19:32:59
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 10, 2011, at 18:56:14
Interesting. I always thought those other benzos were really heavy hitters. Never even heard of Tranxene!
Thanks I have to call pdoc on Tuesday anyway.
Posted by gadchik on October 11, 2011, at 7:04:55
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by gadchik on October 9, 2011, at 14:25:28
Saw my psych dr yesterday.She upped my klonopin,and told me that panic/anxiety pts tend to take too little. So now I get 120 pills per month.I wouldnt be afraid to start klonopin if your dr recommends,but I would be vigilant about taking no more than what is prescribed.I also keep a stockpile in case.I wonder how long they stay potent?
Posted by Laney on October 11, 2011, at 10:45:38
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by gadchik on October 11, 2011, at 7:04:55
I've been taking Klonopin for just about 18 years. Same amount .5mg daily. The only thing about K that I've heard is that if you take too much then it could cause or contribute to depression.
I've really never needed more and I don't think I'd have any problem going off of it if I used the Ashton method.
Laney
Posted by Phillipa on October 11, 2011, at 19:15:53
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by gadchik on October 11, 2011, at 7:04:55
This is heresay but was told the military uses meds for years only antibiotics age. I've taken some other meds had for years and years. Just make sure stored in airtight dry place. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 11, 2011, at 21:51:01
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it?? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on October 11, 2011, at 19:15:53
Rotate your stockpile to keep it fresh - every so often, take the stockpile and use it, and replace it with new pills from that months prescription.
Generaly the shelflife would be a couple of years, if you roatate it annualy you'll be fine.
Posted by Porkpiehat on October 11, 2011, at 22:52:03
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 11, 2011, at 21:51:01
So if I may interject, having started a few days ago, I'm worried about my drinking and addictive nature. I feel it may be increasing my urge to drink. It's like you've already had a beer or two and you want to continue. The conscientiousness and the concern over drinking melts away. There is no urge, however, to pop more pills.
Posted by gadchik on October 12, 2011, at 9:02:25
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by Porkpiehat on October 11, 2011, at 22:52:03
> So if I may interject, having started a few days ago, I'm worried about my drinking and addictive nature. I feel it may be increasing my urge to drink. It's like you've already had a beer or two and you want to continue. The conscientiousness and the concern over drinking melts away. There is no urge, however, to pop more pills.
I used to drink a beer or 2,glass of wine or 2, every night. After I started Klonopin, I never had any desire for my nightly drink.I was afraid I'd stop breathing if I combined them! But really, I just feel I used the alcohol to calm down, and now the klonopin does that.It didnt at all make me crave alcohol, though it could have a different effect on others.
Posted by Phillipa on October 12, 2011, at 19:15:27
In reply to Re: Klonopin and the slippery slope...should I do it??, posted by gadchik on October 12, 2011, at 9:02:25
I drank beer or wine for years and years on benzos and that was 4-6 beers a night. Never had a problem and honesty felt great. Now 15 years since last drink and feel miserable. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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