Posted by Chloe on June 14, 2003, at 9:55:29
In reply to Re: SWITCHING Benzo's ..., posted by avid abulia on June 13, 2003, at 22:26:52
> it sort of depends on you, because the benzodiazepine receptors are fairly complex, with different subtypes having different effects. valium and klonopin are the usual anticonvulsant benzos used in psychiatry (clobazam is usually reserved for extreme cases of refractory epilepsy, as it is very strong and it poops out quickly.) in addition, the different benzos have different tissue affinities as well as relative sub-type affinities-- valium has a greater affinity for the spinal chord and is a better muscle relaxant than klonopin, whereas klonopin is generally regarded as having more of an antimanic effect. it is also more common to see epileptics taking klonopin prophylacively, as opposed to valium which is more often used prn immediately upon getting an aura (not always the case, though, and if anyone out there thinks i am wrong, please correct me) it also induces tryptophan hydroxylase, leading to more serotonin production, but that isn`t always as good a thing as you would think. serotonin is one neurotransmitter that releases corticotropin releasing factor and raises blood cortisol.
I know that each benzo affects different receptors. Years ago I had a paradoxical effect to ativan, and became psychotic with Xanax...I have never had a trial of Klonopin. But I do like the idea that it has antimanic qualities. Lately I am just trying to function is a scary, angry, agitated mixed state. AP's have been useful for this, but the side effects (TD/EPS) are too great to take regularly.
Getting more depressed with K is a concern...I have never investigated Cortisol levels. Humm
>
> i personally do better on valium than klonopin, i got pretty depressed on klonopin. and i realize that i am talking to mostly psych-only cases here, but there are similarities between epilepsy and mental illness.I imagine there are similarities between mental illness and epilepsy. A good deal of the meds in the psych arsensal are anti-epileptic.
Thank you and take care,
Chloe
poster:Chloe
thread:233756
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030614/msgs/233914.html