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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jboud24 on October 24, 2004, at 19:14:13
I have to go see my new (and hopefully improved?) psychiatrist in about a week, and my condition is social anxiety disorder along with generalized anxiety disorder and depression. I will be requesting a trial of an MAOI inhibitor along with a benzodiazepine for the anxiety since I've had no luck with the SSRI's. In regards to the MAOI, I'm leaning towards trying Parnate first, and if that doesn't work then Nardil, mainly because Parnate seems to have fewer side effects, gainning more weight would be unnacceptable, and Parnate has a shorter washout period if it doesn't work out.
My big questions for everyone is in regard to the benzo. I've taken Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax before, but I've only taken Ativan and Xanax long-term. Mostly I'd get the Valiums and xanax from friends from time to time. However, I don't really remember what the SUBJECTIVE differences between the 2 were. I remember they both lasted a long time (as per their half-lives), but I don't recall their effectiveness and the way they differ in their feel. This question is aimed at those that have taken both Valium and Klonopin and can compare and contrast them.
Thanks for any help,
Justin
Posted by jboud24 on October 25, 2004, at 11:35:07
In reply to Valium vs. Klonopin for Social Anxiety, posted by jboud24 on October 24, 2004, at 19:14:13
Posted by mattw84 on October 25, 2004, at 13:33:53
In reply to Valium vs. Klonopin for Social Anxiety, posted by jboud24 on October 24, 2004, at 19:14:13
Klonopin is more typically prescribed for social anxiety (0.5 mg BID). If you are going to go the MAOI route you might want to wait on the benzos, I would recommend starting with Nardil, and if that doesn't suite you then trial parnate.
Concerning valium vs klonopin, I wouldn't recommend valium for social anxiety. Not that it wouldn't be effective, but it is more sedating and "euphoric" than klonopin in the long term. I hav taken valium to control muscle spasms in the past and subjectively it is much more intoxicating than klonopin at effective doses. I don't notice the cognitive effects of klonopin anymore but it remains effective as treatment for social anxiety. Either way you would likely not have any success getting a doc to prescribe valium for social phobia. Generally valium is indicated for panic PRN, epilepsy, or alcohol withdrawal. I would recommend Xanax (XR if possible) or Klonopin for SP. Good luck
Matt
Posted by jboud24 on October 25, 2004, at 22:07:03
In reply to Re: Valium vs. Klonopin for Social Anxiety, posted by mattw84 on October 25, 2004, at 13:33:53
Thanks a bunch Matt.
That is what I seem to recall I think as well. My social phobia is pretty bad. Panic attacks daily. I've already been down the xanax road, but it just doesn't last long enough for me. Like 3.5-4 hours tops before I HAVE to redose it. Yuck!
Anyone else wanna contribute here?
Thanks again,
Justin
Posted by Kon on October 25, 2004, at 22:54:52
In reply to Valium vs. Klonopin for Social Anxiety, posted by jboud24 on October 24, 2004, at 19:14:13
I've taken valium, ativan, clonazepam, xanax, prn. They all work for my anxiety, but for any given level of anxiety relief, clonazepam seems to have the lowest cognitive impairment for me. It has the least "drug-feeling" properties. Valium seemed to cause the most cognitive impairment. I felt relaxed but mentally slow (I felt like I was seriously "drugged up", somewhat like alcohol but not exactly). Ativan and xanax are somewhere in between the two.
Posted by woolav on October 26, 2004, at 12:25:30
In reply to Re: Valium vs. Klonopin for Social Anxiety, posted by Kon on October 25, 2004, at 22:54:52
Hey, just wanted to say I am on Klonopin now (i was taking xanax for years) but my tolerance got up there and my pdoc didnt want to go higher on the dosage) Anyway. I have not tried valium for SP, but have tried ativan. (didnt do a thing) But, by far, the best med for anxiety to me is xanax. Only because it didnt have the depressant side effects that klonopin can have. I just think that valium would not be strong enough for SP, unless you took a high dose, which causes cognative impairment....hope this helped.
S
Posted by jboud24 on October 26, 2004, at 13:35:49
In reply to Re: Valium vs. Klonopin for Social Anxiety, posted by woolav on October 26, 2004, at 12:25:30
Thanks Kon and woolav. Yes, all the info I can get will help me try to make an as-educated-as-possible decision.
Justin
This is the end of the thread.
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