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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TheOutsider on December 26, 2004, at 17:56:47
High all
I'm currently taking Klonopin as needed to combat my social anxiety.
I'm slightly concerned about Klonopin because of the risk or tolerance and withdrawals.
How long does one have have been taking Klonopin in order to develop withdrawal symptoms if its discontinued?
Also I can't seem to get the dose right, 0.5mgs doesn't seem to work for my social anxiety, 1mg leaves me feeling very sedated, sleepy and apathetic. 1mg also seems to be rather a high dose, most people seem to be on a much lower dose.
Should I try 0.75mgs? Is this the obvies answer!
Posted by anxiety_free on December 26, 2004, at 18:27:15
In reply to Klonopin questions, posted by TheOutsider on December 26, 2004, at 17:56:47
I'm a big Klonopin fan. I just replaced my 4-6mgs/day with buspar. Withdrawal was pretty painless, even though I'd been on it for about 2 years. A quickie way to get rid of the excess sedation: use it as a sleeping pill for a while, maybe a week. I used it initially, 1mg at night, as a sedative. You get great sleep, and then your tolerance is built up a bit so you can take it in the day and function normally.
Posted by KimCarnes'Gardener on December 26, 2004, at 20:34:27
In reply to Klonopin, posted by anxiety_free on December 26, 2004, at 18:27:15
This is reassuring, should I ever need to go off it. Stevie Nicks has spoken frequently of the "nightmare" of weaning off Klonopin, that it was worse than her other, assorted rehabs.
Not that Stevie Nicks is my psychiatric barometer or anything...
Posted by anxiety_free on December 26, 2004, at 22:30:09
In reply to Re: Klonopin, posted by KimCarnes'Gardener on December 26, 2004, at 20:34:27
yeah, celebs have really given useful drugs, especially benzos, a bad name. From what I've read aboutt the stevie nicks case is that her doc thought klonopin could help her come off coke (it doesn't really do that) and she apparently was takinig ungodly amounts of the stuff. Since your doc probably isn't an Elvis doctor, i wouldn't worry. My dose was in the high end and I came off of it relatively quickly and easily.
Posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 8:08:44
In reply to Klonopin questions, posted by TheOutsider on December 26, 2004, at 17:56:47
>
> I'm slightly concerned about Klonopin because of the risk or tolerance and withdrawals.> How long does one have have been taking Klonopin in order to develop withdrawal symptoms if its discontinued?
~~~Tolerance develops pretty quickly for most. Finding a good maintainance dose can take a little time. Slow taper is the best way to avoid withdrawal symptoms but doesn't guarantee one will not have withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms vary as to who going to have them and what length of use or dose will cause them, so it's not an easy question to answer from one individual to another. Some sources cite three weeks of use can set one up for withdrawal symptoms. Abrupt discontinuing should never happen, IMO.
> Also I can't seem to get the dose right, 0.5mgs doesn't seem to work for my social anxiety, 1mg leaves me feeling very sedated, sleepy and apathetic. 1mg also seems to be rather a high dose, most people seem to be on a much lower dose.~~~Dose ranges can be 2-4 mgs per day with alot of variation - some need a little more, some a little less....
> Should I try 0.75mgs? Is this the obvies answer!
~~~(Smile) - that could be the obvious answer for you.
Posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 8:25:48
In reply to Re: Klonopin questions » TheOutsider, posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 8:08:44
>
> ~~~Tolerance develops pretty quickly for most....For folks who are going to experience the problem of tolerance.
Posted by awatts on December 27, 2004, at 9:41:11
In reply to Klonopin questions, posted by TheOutsider on December 26, 2004, at 17:56:47
> High all
>
> I'm currently taking Klonopin as needed to combat my social anxiety.
>
> I'm slightly concerned about Klonopin because of the risk or tolerance and withdrawals.
> How long does one have have been taking Klonopin in order to develop withdrawal symptoms if its discontinued?
> Also I can't seem to get the dose right, 0.5mgs doesn't seem to work for my social anxiety, 1mg leaves me feeling very sedated, sleepy and apathetic. 1mg also seems to be rather a high dose, most people seem to be on a much lower dose.
> Should I try 0.75mgs? Is this the obvies answer!From my personal experience, Klonopin is not best used on an "as needed" basis. You need to take it on a regular basis for a few weeks to let it build up in your system, and for your system to adjust to the initial sedation. Try 0.5 mg morning and night for at least 3 weeks before making any changes. If you're still sedated, but your anxiety is under control, reduce the bedtime dose to 0.25 mg (0.75 mg per day, total). You may become anxious again for a while because of withdrawal, so give the new dosage at least 3 weeks before you make each dosage adjustment.
Posted by jujube on December 28, 2004, at 13:03:29
In reply to Re: Klonopin questions, posted by awatts on December 27, 2004, at 9:41:11
I have a question for those of you who have tried both Klonopin and Xanax. Which did you find better for social anxiety and anticipatory anxiety/irrational fears? How has Klonopin affected your energy and cognition?
Thanks. Any information would be most appreciated.
Tamara
Posted by TheOutsider on December 28, 2004, at 17:07:03
In reply to Re: Klonopin questions, posted by awatts on December 27, 2004, at 9:41:11
It probably would be best if I were taking Klonopin on a regular basis, unfortunatly I only have a limmited supply, and so am forced to use it "as needed".
The chances of getting a doctor to prescribe benzo's long term in the UK is miniscule!
This is the end of the thread.
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