Posted by Mitch on July 12, 2001, at 13:13:51
In reply to Re: Depakote, Klonopin, Wellbutrin, posted by Peter on July 12, 2001, at 12:24:32
> > Hi Mitch - thanks for the follow-up. I'm encouraged to hear that Wellbutrin helped, instead of exacerbated, your social anxiety. I'm looking forward to baing able to go out more and do stuff without being so overly self-conscious. Also, I'm curious to know about the Wellbutrin counteracting Depakote weight gain. I've heard from so many people that they lost weight on Wellbutrin. Finally, I just wanted to ask you about klonopin. How long have you been taking it and what daily dose? The reason I ask is I have been on it for about 3 years. When I began it it did wonders for my social phobia - especially in talking situations like you said. But since then it began to make me more tired, spacey, and "inward," so I had to reduce the dose. I used to take up to 2 mg per day and now I only take .25 during the day to take the edge off without making me spacey and .5 at night to help me sleep. I'm curious if you've maintained the social-phobia benefits of klonopin and how?
Peter,
I started off with 1.0 mg/day and I have been up to 1.5mg/day, and now *back* to 1.0mg/day off and on (mostly on) for the last three years like yourself. Yes, I did notice the pronounced pro-social effect it had right off when I started it, it is still with me I just don't notice the difference as much (because I am used to it). I have not had any full-blown panic attacks while I have been on it-so that's good enough reason for me to continue it.I think what is happenening to you (as far as being tired and unmotivated) is your Depakote dosage. I *never* got much of an AD effect from Dep. I *do* with Neurontin, however (at lower doses). 875mgs is actually quite a lot if you haven't ever had a full-blown manic episode. I have heard people bitch a lot here about 750mg. I never needed more than 500mg/day to keep hypomania away. This is just a hunch..but what if you could swap out some Depakote for some Neurontin instead and see if it helps (of course with the *same* Klonopin/Wellbutrin dose)?? I found 600/day of Neurontin really helped the SP and 300/day has an AD effect for me. However if I went 900mg+ I got tired and sleepy.
Depakote may be *potentiating* the *unwanted* side-effects of your Klonopin, so you may have went down with the Klonopin (to "wakeup") and your SP got worse.
My bottom line-get the Depakote dose down some, and perhaps the Klonopin back up a little. Try the Wellbutrin with it and see how it goes. I have heard that Wellbutrin can really kill your appetite (I noticed that too), while we know how HUNGRY you can get on dep. It might work ok.
good luck
Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:69570
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010708/msgs/69854.html