![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by thinkfast on January 22, 2004, at 5:46:44
I've made the decision to reccomend Klonopin to my doc after reading all of your personal success stories. The dosage is the next question. The SAD is fairly severe and also seems to be getting worse. Some info on the number of doses per day could be helpfull. Thanx guys!
Posted by missinglynx on January 22, 2004, at 6:49:04
In reply to Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by thinkfast on January 22, 2004, at 5:46:44
Tranxene is great also! Try it if you dont like the Klonopin.
Posted by micro on January 22, 2004, at 9:34:08
In reply to Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by thinkfast on January 22, 2004, at 5:46:44
> I've made the decision to reccomend Klonopin to my doc after reading all of your personal success stories. The dosage is the next question. The SAD is fairly severe and also seems to be getting worse. Some info on the number of doses per day could be helpfull. Thanx guys!
Could someone inform me as to where all the data is coming from regardin SAD and klonopin? Do or have any of you tried full spectrum lighting instead of medication. Sad is thought to be induced by inadequate levels of light. Therefore, it is sensible to note that the sunshine states have much a lower incidence of SAD if at all. Thanx Micro
Posted by zeugma on January 22, 2004, at 21:17:50
In reply to Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by thinkfast on January 22, 2004, at 5:46:44
I believe thinkfast is referring to Socail Anxiety Disorder, and not Seasonal Affective Disorder, for which lighting would be the appropriate treatment.
Posted by thinkfast on January 23, 2004, at 6:44:07
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by zeugma on January 22, 2004, at 21:17:50
I go to the doc in 4 hours and I would like to have a dosage recomendation to give to him. He's is fairly un-educated in pycho meds. Perhaps 0.5mg x 2 daily?
Posted by micro on January 24, 2004, at 0:32:32
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by zeugma on January 22, 2004, at 21:17:50
> I believe thinkfast is referring to Socail Anxiety Disorder, and not Seasonal Affective Disorder, for which lighting would be the appropriate treatment.
Okay! I am all aboard now. Also, When everyone speaks of their pdoc, I assume that they are referring to a psych doc. Clarification please. Anyone? PCP is short for primary care physician [My colleagues and my interpretation]and Pdocs,we call Psychiatrists. Sorry for any misinterpretations. That's the way I learned it. Thanks Micro.
Posted by krybrahaha on January 24, 2004, at 3:03:07
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by missinglynx on January 22, 2004, at 6:49:04
> Tranxene is great also! Try it if you dont like the Klonopin.
>I agree that Tranxene is also great for SAD. It has worked wonders for my anxiety when everything else failed. I have also tried Klonopin but didnt work as well as the Tranxene does.
Posted by thinkfast on January 24, 2004, at 7:26:13
In reply to Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by thinkfast on January 22, 2004, at 5:46:44
Well, I ended up getting some samples of Neurontin after a suggestion to the doc. He was not fond of the Klonopin idea and was baffled when I told him there are many people that take Neurontin for anxiety. I'm pleased with the results so far at 100mg x 3 daily, which doesn't sedate me like the doc said it would..it actually is quite stimulating which interestingly makes me feel 'normal'. That will throw him for a loop.lol. I was supposed to take it all before bedtime, but everyone here takes it 3 to 4 times a day. That makes sense, as it only lasts for 5-7 hours. If you have any comments on Neurontin let me know. Peace.
Posted by john557 on January 25, 2004, at 19:51:44
In reply to Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by thinkfast on January 22, 2004, at 5:46:44
Hi, I am 17 and I am suffering from generalized SAD. It controls my life. I am miserable when I am at school because I cant talk even when I want to, and when I do my muscles get tense and my voice comes out shaky. I hate my social life. I havent had a girlfriend since 6th grade! I am in 11th grade now! I cant even talk to males much less females. I am at about 85% of my true self at home, 60% around my few friends, and ONLY about %20 at school. I would like to get up to at least 75% of myself at school. I have been doing extensive research on SAD for about 8 months when I discovered that it even existed. I always thought i was just weird and shy, but thats not true because when I'm in the house i'm playful and funny not shy. Deep down inside im not a shy person, I could never figure out why I couldnt express myself at school or at social gatherings but now I know why. But anyways since I have learned that I have a disorder I have a new sense of hope. I have been taking paxil for about 3 weeks and have seen no side effects but no results, and from what I have read paxil is not very effective in treated SAD. When i informed my pdoc of my illness he prescribed paxil. I would like to try Klonopin since alot of people have had success with it. If it makes you have a drunkish feeling then I want in because when I got drunk before I felt so good and it took away all my anxiety. So this drug would definitely be effacious for me if it does that. I'm not a drinker though I've only done it twice and I got in trouble so I wont do it again till I am of age. Will someone give me some advice.
Thank you,
john
Posted by thinkfast on January 26, 2004, at 5:59:43
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD?, posted by john557 on January 25, 2004, at 19:51:44
Thanx for posting john...our experiences are much the same. I also had extreme anxiety at school, and pretty much in any social gatherings. I didn't really try to work on this problem until a couple of years ago, and I'm now 22....So, I'm glad you started earlier. I also like how you broke down the different social circumstances into catagories and rated them...mine was and still is about the same as yours, except that I go to work instead of school. The earlier you start working on this, the earlier it will come to an end. As far as medication goes, they probably won't give you klonipin given how addictive it is. That was my doctor's reasoning for not giving an Rx for it. I was on paxil also, and from my own experience with it, the anxiety wasn't lessened any. I would give it a couple more months just to see if it helps in the social areas, then tell the doc your thoughts on some different meds if continues to be inaffective. Neurontin seems to be doing the trick for me, and is somewhat similar to Klonopin but without the addictive properties. Good luck. Peace
Posted by john557 on January 26, 2004, at 7:07:33
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD--john, posted by thinkfast on January 26, 2004, at 5:59:43
Thinkfast thanks so much for your reply. One question though: You said neurontin is "doing the trick" does this mean you don't feel anxious in social situations?
Posted by thinkfast on January 26, 2004, at 7:11:07
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD--john, posted by john557 on January 26, 2004, at 7:07:33
Yes, it has be lessened considerably after just a few days of use....hope it lasts!...
Posted by BackOfClass on January 26, 2004, at 17:44:11
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD--john, posted by john557 on January 26, 2004, at 7:07:33
I disagree with thinkfast - demand that you be given klonopin. A time is a wasten. You can try the rest but expect the best to work. I wanted that to rhyme! If you doc don't give it to you then switch. You just need to be responsible and have the support of your family, even if it is only 85% support. Bring a parent with you to the doctor that will tell how anxiety has effected you. A doctor will be more willing to prescribe Klonopin if he/she knows mommy or daddy is looking over your shoulder. Have your parents do the research and have them bring up Klonopin because it is the FIRST line of defense against anxiety. Hope all goes well and above all, BE RESPONSIBLE.
Posted by john557 on January 26, 2004, at 20:30:26
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD--john, posted by BackOfClass on January 26, 2004, at 17:44:11
Thanks for your reply Backofclass, have you personally enjoyed the benefits of clonazepam? If so, describe the difference in your life. If this question applies to someone please post all your replies.
thanks
John
Posted by Kon on January 26, 2004, at 23:12:44
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD--john, posted by john557 on January 26, 2004, at 20:30:26
> If this question applies to someone please post all your replies.
I've used generic clonazepam for a little over 1.5 years on an as-needed basis.I had free access to any medication for my severe performance anxiety and mild SAD and chose clonazepam over other drugs after doing a lot of research (I'm a pharmacy student). I chose not to go with any of the SSRIs, because I'm convinced that their effectiveness for anxiety has been greatly exagerrated and their side-effects greatly under-played.
Clonazepam has been an exceptional drug for me. When I'm on it (0.5-1.5 mg/day), I have no symptoms of SAD whatsoever. I can do things without feeling anxiety that I would normally dread without the medication. So far, I've had no side-effects at all except sedation if I take a long break without using them. If I use them for a few days in a row, sedation is gone. The most difficult part for me is trying to decide if I should use them on a continual basis because they work so damn well. I'm still reluctant, however, because like any drug, long-term continual use does carry some risk of side-effects.
Posted by thinkfast on January 27, 2004, at 4:58:15
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose for SAD--john, posted by BackOfClass on January 26, 2004, at 17:44:11
The doc's I've seen will hear nothing of any benzo's. I personally think they would work great, but they cannot look past my background of drug abuse. Should I go doctor hopping again to get what I think would work? I just don't see it happening, especially if I'm demanding.
Posted by Jayslace on January 28, 2004, at 12:32:30
In reply to Re: Klonopin-an exceptional drug, posted by Kon on January 26, 2004, at 23:12:44
Hi, my neurologist suggested me to use Klonopin instead of Ambien10mg for sleep. My Ambien isn't working at all. I'm on Lexapro 20mg now since Jan 1st, ( I was on 10mg for 3-4 months. ) I'm also on Topamax200mg BID for epilepsy. (Status Post brain tumors 2001.)
I just need a good nights sleep, like 7 days of good nights sleep. Last night I finally took Xanax .5mg and slept 6 hours , but I don't want to resort to that.
Can you tell me what to look for with the Klonipin if I call my doc and tell him I'll go ahead with it?
Thanks for your input!!
Ruthie
Posted by thinkfast on January 28, 2004, at 14:08:50
In reply to Re: Klonopin-an exceptional drug » Kon, posted by Jayslace on January 28, 2004, at 12:32:30
Posted by Jayslace on January 28, 2004, at 14:15:43
In reply to Re: Ambien is junk (nm), posted by thinkfast on January 28, 2004, at 14:08:50
Thank you for your input there, but actually, Ambien worked great for me back in 96 when I wasn't on any medicine at all and was going through my divorce. I took it and within 15 minutes was out. Of course I was a nurse, working 9 hours a day, my kids were 1 and 4 yrs old, and I was exhausted by the end of the day anyway.
Now I'm on SSDI and frustrated as hell because I can't be a nurse anymore,etc. etc.
So, I think if the only thing wrong with a person is they just need an occ night sleep, Ambien would work fine. I know a lot of friends who use it and love it. But, yes, I agree with you right now, it's no good for me , that's for sure.
Ruthie
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.