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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by becksA on December 23, 2006, at 11:41:46
ive been on 900mg daily of lithium for a few weeks now, and it seems to be helping a bit, but hard to tell as we're tapering off the 14mg daily dosage of klonopin i've been on for so long. we think when all is said and done that may work better, and klonopin, although it worked, was not the best approach.
My questions are how long after each dosage increase does your mind level back out if that makes any sense. In other words, I may be more anxious obviously because it's less klonopin, but how do i know when the rebound anxiety and withdrawl effects are gone so I can assess how I truly feel at that dosing level?Secondly can withdrawl of this drug cause depression?
Thanks
Posted by laima on December 23, 2006, at 11:41:46
In reply to klon w/d effects, posted by becksA on December 16, 2006, at 18:21:20
In my own experience, klonopin withdrawal definately caused very bleak depression as well as much worse and far more agitated anxiety than before. The good news is that less than a month after last bit of klonopin, I am pretty certain I'm over the withdrawal effects. I'm also MUCH less agitated than I was while using it and definately MUCH MUCH less than during the withdrawal month. It helped me to keep reminding myself that I was experiencing drug withdrawal effects, and that they would pass. Vigourous excercise, such as biking outside, helped calm me down. I started to believe I was over the withdrawal when I calmed down. Now, I'm still anxious and medication is being tweaked, but I lack the agitation and panickyness that I was feeling before. I feel almost "unplugged" (in a good way) compared to how I felt before. I was coming off using 2 mg for over 4 years, tapered it pretty fast, less than 4 weeks. Good luck to you.
how do i know when the rebound anxiety and withdrawl effects are gone so I can assess how I truly feel at that dosing level?
>
> Secondly can withdrawl of this drug cause depression?
Posted by bassman on December 23, 2006, at 11:43:34
In reply to Re: klon w/d effects, posted by laima on December 16, 2006, at 22:20:23
I didn't experience any depression or anxiety while withdrawing-just a bit of a "too much coffee" feeling in the morning as I woke up, but only for a day or two. It was not unpleasant in the least. I withdrew at a rate of 0.25 mg every 9 days.
Posted by jimmygold70 on December 23, 2006, at 16:26:13
In reply to klon w/d effects, posted by becksA on December 16, 2006, at 18:21:20
> ive been on 900mg daily of lithium for a few weeks now, and it seems to be helping a bit, but hard to tell as we're tapering off the 14mg daily dosage of klonopin i've been on for so long. we think when all is said and done that may work better, and klonopin, although it worked, was not the best approach.
What were you taking it for? Bipolar disorder?
> My questions are how long after each dosage increase does your mind level back out if that makes any sense. In other words, I may be more anxious obviously because it's less klonopin, but how do i know when the rebound anxiety and withdrawl effects are gone so I can assess how I truly feel at that dosing level?
Takes some time. 1-2 weeks my experience. Up to one month to be on the safe side. Depends on your brain chemistry.
> Secondly can withdrawl of this drug cause depression?
Sure. But much less so if you add Tegretol 200 MG twice daily. Discuss this with your PDoc.
> Thanks
Anyway 14 MG Klonopin is a lot. How did you get that high? WOW! Are you epileptic? If you get from this dose cover yourself with some anti-epileptic. Now Taking it down to 1.5-2.5 MG is the easy part. Taking it down fro there is the tricky part. Keep me posted - I've got some tricks.
Cheers!
J
Posted by crazy777girl on December 28, 2006, at 6:37:45
In reply to klon w/d effects, posted by becksA on December 16, 2006, at 18:21:20
Greetings, I have felt a bit 'cloudy' after each bump up on lithium as well. But as I was (am) also coming off my klonipin, my docs said it was mostly due to the withdrawl, or said that once the withdrawl was over (could be several more months) I'd notice it less.
I'm up to therapeutic level now at 1500mg daily, and I don't feel like myself, but it isn't as bad as half the psych meds I've taken. I truly believe that my fog is still primarily my brain adjusting to the lack of a benzo.
Incidentally, klonipin causes depression, not the other way around. Although certainly the changes your body and brain are now going through (temporarily) can feel like depression. They will pass as you adjust.
Good luck,
a
> ive been on 900mg daily of lithium for a few weeks now, and it seems to be helping a bit, but hard to tell as we're tapering off the 14mg daily dosage of klonopin i've been on for so long. we think when all is said and done that may work better, and klonopin, although it worked, was not the best approach.
> My questions are how long after each dosage increase does your mind level back out if that makes any sense. In other words, I may be more anxious obviously because it's less klonopin, but how do i know when the rebound anxiety and withdrawl effects are gone so I can assess how I truly feel at that dosing level?
>
> Secondly can withdrawl of this drug cause depression?
>
> Thanks
This is the end of the thread.
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