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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tampagirl70 on June 23, 2004, at 9:40:45
my pdoc gave me a script for klonopin which i'm picking up today to help with anxiety. does it work the same as xanax? i take .25mg xanax a couple times a day when i get too anxious and it helps quite a bit, but it sometimes makes me drowsy. does klonopin do the same thing?
Posted by tampagirl70 on June 23, 2004, at 11:14:30
In reply to xanax vs klonopin, posted by tampagirl70 on June 23, 2004, at 9:40:45
how often can i take these throughout the day when i feel anxious?
Posted by stalwart on June 24, 2004, at 3:47:23
In reply to another question Re: xanax vs klonopin, posted by tampagirl70 on June 23, 2004, at 11:14:30
I have yet to find a benzo like drug that doesn't cause some tiredness....during the day.
Have you tired the extended release Xanax?
Posted by tampagirl70 on June 24, 2004, at 7:46:36
In reply to Re: another question Re: xanax vs klonopin, posted by stalwart on June 24, 2004, at 3:47:23
no, i haven't. i recall seeing it now that you mention it though. i'm ok with the .25mg, but i've found that its only good for about 4 or 5 hours at the most. i just got a script filled for klonopin and i took .25mg last night to see how i'd react to it. it made me feel like spaghetti, but not overly drowsy. i took .125mg this morning and i don't feel as "loose" as i did last night, but the anxiety is under control. if i decide that i don't like this as much as the xanax, i'll ask my pdoc to call in a script for the xanax xr.
Posted by Glydin on June 24, 2004, at 8:49:16
In reply to Re: another question Re: xanax vs klonopin, posted by tampagirl70 on June 24, 2004, at 7:46:36
Klonopin stays in the system longer, so you don't dose as often. It's onset of action isn't as fast as regular Xanax. It's not a particularly good med for "as needed" use, although some do use it in that manner. Klonopin also tends to not make you "feel GOOD" like Xanax is reported to in some people. It takes care of the anxiety, but doesn't tend to produce euphoric feelings. It took 2 weeks for my drowsy head and sluggishness to pass on startup, but it was worth it for the relief of my anxiety.
Posted by tampagirl70 on June 24, 2004, at 9:14:08
In reply to Re: another question Re: xanax vs klonopin, posted by Glydin on June 24, 2004, at 8:49:16
like i said in my last post, last night i felt kind of "drunk" after taking the .25mg klonopin and this morning the .125mg seems to be doing ok for me, although i have noticed i feel a little light-headed. i'm actually starting to feel a little like my old self (knock on wood), but this anxiety is really bothering me. i've never had a problem with social anxiety, but most days i don't want to go anywhere unless i absolutely MUST. i feel tension in my neck which i usually don't have and i get anxious when talking to my boss or other people at work. is that all from the anxiety and will it eventually fade since i didn't have these problems before?
Posted by Glydin on June 24, 2004, at 13:05:56
In reply to Re: another question Re: xanax vs klonopin, posted by tampagirl70 on June 24, 2004, at 9:14:08
> i'm actually starting to feel a little like my old self (knock on wood),
<<<<That's a good finding to report.
but this anxiety is really bothering me. i've never had a problem with social anxiety, but most days i don't want to go anywhere unless i absolutely MUST.
<<<<It can hit at any point in life and is very impacting. That's why I think it deserves the same attention we give to other mood disorders.
i feel tension in my neck which i usually don't have and i get anxious when talking to my boss or other people at work.
<<<<Sounds like anxiety symptoms to me. There is much research to be found and doing so might help you realize how common a problem this is and there is effective treatment.
is that all from the anxiety and will it eventually fade since i didn't have these problems before?
<<<<There is good treatment to be found. If your anxiety is "freestanding" or related to other mood disorders, I believe there are effect ways to deal with it. I don't believe in "cures" and I don't think these things enter in our lives and don't effect us for the future, but we can learn alot and we find out what can work for us to rid us of overwhelming toxic anxiety. Our lives will never be free from normal copeable stressors and anxiety.
Posted by chemist on June 24, 2004, at 16:44:15
In reply to xanax vs klonopin, posted by tampagirl70 on June 23, 2004, at 9:40:45
> my pdoc gave me a script for klonopin which i'm picking up today to help with anxiety. does it work the same as xanax? i take .25mg xanax a couple times a day when i get too anxious and it helps quite a bit, but it sometimes makes me drowsy. does klonopin do the same thing?
hello there, chemist here...i have read you later posts and those of stalwart and glydin as well...in my opinion, you need a little bit of time to get used to the klonopin, and your last post that indicated that a reduced dose seemed better is a good sign. xanax is quite good for breakthrough anxiety/panic, but if you can get up to speed on klonopin, you will find that you will more than likely need to use xanax less often as you do now. klonopin will build up in your system and keep your daily anxiety under control in a more even fashion than acute dosing with xanax will. fyi, the doses you are taking are quite low, and additive: you ought to take it slow as you are doing, in my opinion. the klonopin drowsiness ought to go away as your system gets used to it. all the best, chemist
Posted by tampagirl70 on June 25, 2004, at 8:07:42
In reply to Re: xanax vs klonopin » tampagirl70, posted by chemist on June 24, 2004, at 16:44:15
hi chemist, thanks for your response. my anxiety is part of my ocd/depression combo. you said that klonopin will build up in my system - so does that mean i can't just stop taking it, i have to titrate down? are there withdrawal symptoms if i just stop taking it? is klonopin addictive? i took .50mg last night to see how i'd feel and it made me totally relaxed and i fell asleep much easier, but i don't want to depend on something to go to sleep every night. thanks for your input.
Posted by traveler on June 25, 2004, at 13:06:43
In reply to Re: xanax vs klonopin » chemist, posted by tampagirl70 on June 25, 2004, at 8:07:42
Hi there
I too have recently started taking Klonopin (.5 mg) to help me sleep at night. It seems my anxiety usually rears its ugly head at the same time I want to go to sleep. Does anyone have an opinion on how long it takes to get "addicted/tolerant" to Klonopin on the .5 mg/night dosage and what is the best way to assure that doesn't happen?
Thank you
Posted by Glydin on June 25, 2004, at 13:40:17
In reply to Re: xanax vs klonopin, posted by traveler on June 25, 2004, at 13:06:43
I was on a low dose of Klonopin for 2 1/2 years and have weaned off. Addiction is characterized by several factors, by DMS standards:
"Preoccupation with use of the chemical between periods of use.
Using more of the chemical than had been anticipated.
The development of tolerance to the chemical in question.
A characteristic withdrawal syndrome from the chemical.
Use of the chemical to avoid or control withdrawal symptoms.
Repeated efforts to cut back or stop the drug use.
Intoxication at inappropriate times (such as at work), or when withdrawal interferes with daily functioning (such as when hangover makes person too sick to go to work).
A reduction in social, occupational or recreational activities in favor of further substance use.
Continued substance use in spite of the individual having suffered social, emotional, or physical problems related to drug use."Current research shows that most who use meds with "addictive" properties for the treatment of extreme anxiety states use those meds approiately. Most find a maintance dosing that works on a long term basis for them and DO NOT abuse. Physical dependence differs from addiction.
My key to successful use was good followup with a SUPPORTIVE doc (no self treatment and internet self ordering) and finding the lowest possible dose for symptom relief. Also, the realization that healing took time and I needed to give my med time to work. A strong conviction that a benzo would help me and I WOULD avoid the pitfalls, didn't hurt either.
Benzo's have a very good track record, when used approiately, with safety and effectiveness with comparitively low SE profile. Klonopin is an older med and lots is known about it.
There are horror stories and there are success stories, but that's the case for all meds.
Posted by chemist on June 25, 2004, at 18:37:30
In reply to Re: xanax vs klonopin » chemist, posted by tampagirl70 on June 25, 2004, at 8:07:42
> hi chemist, thanks for your response. my anxiety is part of my ocd/depression combo. you said that klonopin will build up in my system - so does that mean i can't just stop taking it, i have to titrate down? are there withdrawal symptoms if i just stop taking it? is klonopin addictive? i took .50mg last night to see how i'd feel and it made me totally relaxed and i fell asleep much easier, but i don't want to depend on something to go to sleep every night. thanks for your input.
hello there...i was assuming the goal was to get on klonopin to the point where your anxiety as a whole would be relieved, and less use of xanax called for...klonopin does have addiction potential, and withdrawl from extended use should be done slowly. if you reach the righ dose - perhaps splitting them during the day - then there should be a more or less steady amount of klonopin in your system, and you should not have to take a large dose to fall asleep. when anyone takes a medication - benzo or otherwise - they must ask themselves, do the risks outweigh the rewards? if your quality of life improves and you need to take, say, 1 mg klonopin for the rest of your life, it is probably better than not taking it at all, in my opinion. klonopin is not abused nearly as much as valium, ativan, or xanax, and contrary to a few posts i made months ago when i suggested that there was evidence of dose escalation with klonopin, this is not the case and i was corrected by other posters who clearly showed that long-term maintainence with klonopin is pretty safe. should you wish to withdraw, do so under the supervision of your doctor and do it slowly. i hope this helps, and all the best, chemist
Posted by traveler on June 25, 2004, at 21:47:02
In reply to Re: xanax vs klonopin » tampagirl70, posted by chemist on June 25, 2004, at 18:37:30
I know this is going to sound like a stupid question - but how do you know if you are addicted? If you take it four nights in a row, and leave it alone for three nights - can you still get addicted?
thanks for any insight.
Posted by chemist on June 25, 2004, at 22:36:39
In reply to Re: xanax vs klonopin » chemist, posted by traveler on June 25, 2004, at 21:47:02
> I know this is going to sound like a stupid question - but how do you know if you are addicted? If you take it four nights in a row, and leave it alone for three nights - can you still get addicted?
> thanks for any insight.hello there, chemist here....there are no stupid questions. your protocol is exceptional for preventing addiction. the answer is no. please let me know if i or others can be of further help. all the best, chemist
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