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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on October 28, 2011, at 17:45:57
I have been doing better since switching back from lorazepam to clonazepam.
I had my first week in a while of decent sleep (7+ hours per night) 5 days in a row. Its been a while.
Linkadge
Posted by gadchik on October 28, 2011, at 18:08:21
In reply to doing better (clonazepam), posted by linkadge on October 28, 2011, at 17:45:57
this is good to hear, esp since I am on klonopin as well.i've been sleeping good for 3 yrs,since beginning klonopin, altho i have,at times,added small dose of remeron,good luck, what dose is the best for you?
Posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2011, at 18:11:50
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam), posted by gadchik on October 28, 2011, at 18:08:21
Link so glad to hear this. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 29, 2011, at 4:49:39
In reply to doing better (clonazepam), posted by linkadge on October 28, 2011, at 17:45:57
> I have been doing better since switching back from lorazepam to clonazepam.
>
> I had my first week in a while of decent sleep (7+ hours per night) 5 days in a row. Its been a while.
>
> Linkadge
I hope you continue to have success with clonazepam. Does the increased time sleeping help with depression?
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on October 29, 2011, at 7:12:27
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam) » linkadge, posted by SLS on October 29, 2011, at 4:49:39
>I hope you continue to have success with >clonazepam. Does the increased time sleeping >help with depression?
Thats an interesting question. I feel more stable and certainly less burned out. I think the clonazepam lowers my mood a bit, mut still better than the insomnia.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on October 29, 2011, at 7:24:33
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam) » SLS, posted by linkadge on October 29, 2011, at 7:12:27
> >I hope you continue to have success with >clonazepam. Does the increased time sleeping >help with depression?
>
> Thats an interesting question. I feel more stable and certainly less burned out. I think the clonazepam lowers my mood a bit, mut still better than the insomnia.
>
> Linkadge
>
There are two possibilities that I can think of why you might feel somewhat "off". Clonazepam can make people feel more depressed or flatten affect (perhaps by reducing serotonin release), but these things are usually not severe. The other possibility is that you experienced a sort of circadian phase delay, which is known to cause depression to worsen temporarily. (This is the antithesis of sleep deprivation, where the circadian clock is advanced). Since your flattened affect has lasted beyond 5 days, I would guess that the clonazepam is to blame. Perhaps adding a low dose of lithium would help counteract the anti-serotonergic effects of clonazepam.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2418653
- Scott
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 29, 2011, at 7:28:23
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam) » linkadge, posted by SLS on October 29, 2011, at 7:24:33
Or change to a benzo that is a good sedative, but without that effect, for example temazepam (short acting) or flurazepam (long acting), replacing 1mg of clonazepam with 15-30mg of either of these.
Because of its long half life, flurazepam will excert a calming efect throughout all of following day with regular use
Posted by SLS on October 29, 2011, at 7:47:33
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam), posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 29, 2011, at 7:28:23
> Or change to a benzo that is a good sedative, but without that effect, for example temazepam (short acting) or flurazepam (long acting), replacing 1mg of clonazepam with 15-30mg of either of these.
>
> Because of its long half life, flurazepam will excert a calming efect throughout all of following day with regular use
Perhaps skipping a dose every now and then will help prevent chronic daytime sedation.Historically, a great many of the elderly whom were prescribed flurazepam as a sleep aid suffered falls and broken hips. Of course, their ability to metabolize and clear the drug might be reduced.
- Scott
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 29, 2011, at 17:01:22
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam) » jono_in_adelaide, posted by SLS on October 29, 2011, at 7:47:33
Well, if link is worried about breaking his hip, he should stick to temazepam!
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 29, 2011, at 17:11:34
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam) » jono_in_adelaide, posted by SLS on October 29, 2011, at 7:47:33
Seriously, yes, daytime sedation can be an issue with long acting hypnitics, it can be a two edged sword, the long acting nature of the drug means you are unlikely to need Xanax or Valium during the day, but your performance can be impaired as though you had taken a Xanax or a Valium.
If you regularly need a tranquiliser during the day, long acting flurazepam would be a good bet, if you just need help sleeping, then the shorter acting temazepam would be the go.
Posted by linkadge on October 29, 2011, at 17:59:38
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam), posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 29, 2011, at 17:11:34
Part of the problem with the lorazepam is that it was wearing off at the end of the day which was creating a cycle of anxiety at the end of the day.
The clonazepam does impair my memory and make me a little depressed, but it exerts a more predictable effect.
Posted by crazyjoe on October 29, 2011, at 18:28:17
In reply to doing better (clonazepam), posted by linkadge on October 28, 2011, at 17:45:57
i agree with you linkage ...ativan is great for 5/6 hrs. but them boom anxiety....i use 1.5 klonopin to sleep and .5 day what are your doses?
Posted by Phillipa on October 29, 2011, at 19:29:43
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam), posted by crazyjoe on October 29, 2011, at 18:28:17
Link or valium as pretty unsedating to me but allows muscular relaxation for sleep. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 30, 2011, at 7:00:24
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam), posted by gadchik on October 28, 2011, at 18:08:21
Might be worth taking a look at Tranxene (chlorazepate), its a long acting, smooth benzo, you take it at bedtime, and it helps you sleep, and it produces a non drowsey anxiolytic effect throughout all of the next day.
Posted by linkadge on October 30, 2011, at 17:40:50
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam), posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 30, 2011, at 7:00:24
I have only been taking 0.5mg of clonazepam.
I could probably stand more, but am just trying to get by with the least effective dose.
Linkadge
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 30, 2011, at 18:23:33
In reply to Re: doing better (clonazepam), posted by linkadge on October 30, 2011, at 17:40:50
Link, take a look at the wikipedia article on Chlorazepate - one tab at night would do you for a full 24 hours, it is also less likely to become habit forming than the more potent shorter acting drigs like clonazepam.
Dose for you would be 7.5-15mg at bedtime
This is the end of the thread.
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