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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 3:49:09
I've been taking klonopin, 1 mg(.5x2) per day for social phobia. It's been 4 days, however I feel less sociable, and slightly depressed as well. Any comments?
Posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 7:22:00
In reply to klonopin/social phobia, posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 3:49:09
You may want to give it a little time. My two weeks of initial startup had sedation and foggy brain feelings. After the that, the antianxiety properties remained and the untoward effects left.
Some folks do have a problem with Klonopin causing or worsening depression, so that is something to carefully watch.
There is a thought benzo's work immediately. For me, relief was fast, but working out the "kinks" and getting accustomed to routine use took a little time. I suggest a little more time and working closely with your doc.
Posted by awatts on December 27, 2004, at 9:44:51
In reply to klonopin/social phobia, posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 3:49:09
> I've been taking klonopin, 1 mg(.5x2) per day for social phobia. It's been 4 days, however I feel less sociable, and slightly depressed as well. Any comments?
Give it at least 3 weeks. You are experiencing side effects that usually go away with time.
Posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 16:20:59
In reply to Re: klonopin/social phobia, posted by awatts on December 27, 2004, at 9:44:51
Thanks for the feedback. Going from .5mg/day to 1mg /day is a substantial increase, relatively speaking. Maybe I'll try .75 mg, taken in 3 seperate doses and gradually increase to 1mg daily.
Also, I'd appreciate feedback on what to expect in terms of results. What have others experienced?
Posted by Dan Perkins on December 27, 2004, at 16:35:55
In reply to Re: klonopin/social phobia, posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 16:20:59
I have found that while klonopin helps me in the short term with my social phobia, it leaves me feeling terribly depressed for days after I take it.
> Thanks for the feedback. Going from .5mg/day to 1mg /day is a substantial increase, relatively speaking. Maybe I'll try .75 mg, taken in 3 seperate doses and gradually increase to 1mg daily.
>
> Also, I'd appreciate feedback on what to expect in terms of results. What have others experienced?
Posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 16:40:58
In reply to Re: klonopin/social phobia, posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 16:20:59
> Also, I'd appreciate feedback on what to expect in terms of results. What have others experienced?
~~~I titrate with my dosing. I've been as high as 1 mg per day and low end is .25 mgs per day - divided twice per day on frequency of dosings.
In terms of results, it just makes me feel "normal". Nothing really dramatic at this point of my usage. It takes away my ruminations, anticipatory anxiety, agoraphobic tendencies, panic attacks, and my physical symptoms of anxiety. These symptoms are generally a feeling of being physically "uncomfortable" with alot of muscle tension.
Not having these symptoms makes it much easier to be in social situations and certainly makes social interaction easier for me. I can't say it's "pro-social" for me and I think a number of folks expect that. I think we have to consider our hardwiring in that regard, Klonopin did not "make me over into a brand new me", but it did give the me I desired to have back and had lost to toxic anxiety.
Posted by sdb on December 27, 2004, at 16:57:56
In reply to Re: klonopin/social phobia » luca1975, posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 7:22:00
What is your maintaining dose per day now?
In the shortterm many have problems with mental sharpness, memory; do you have this side effects yet after taking Klonopin longterm?> You may want to give it a little time. My two weeks of initial startup had sedation and foggy brain feelings. After the that, the antianxiety properties remained and the untoward effects left.
>
> Some folks do have a problem with Klonopin causing or worsening depression, so that is something to carefully watch.
>
> There is a thought benzo's work immediately. For me, relief was fast, but working out the "kinks" and getting accustomed to routine use took a little time. I suggest a little more time and working closely with your doc.
Posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 17:18:26
In reply to Re: klonopin/social phobia to glydin, posted by sdb on December 27, 2004, at 16:57:56
> What is your maintaining dose per day now?
~~~Usually, the .25 mgs per day.
> In the shortterm many have problems with mental sharpness, memory; do you have this side effects yet after taking Klonopin longterm?
~~~No I've really not experienced problems with memory, mental sharpnness, retention, etc... I think I've been quite lucky as I know people do report these problems with short and long term use. My dosing is low, so that may be the reason for the lack of those problems. Now, what was your question? (kidding, just kidding - small humor injection)
I don't really have any side effects from Klonopin. When my dosing is a bit on the high side (for me), I may tend to be more drowsy, but that hasn't been extremely problematic and has been something I could deal with.
Posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 19:54:35
In reply to To: sbd » sdb, posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 17:18:26
Today I took the same dose, but spread out over 4 applications, versus two previously, and it seems to help. From the research I've done, the ideal maintenance dose for social phobia is 1mg. However, I'll experiment until I find the ideal dose.
As well, I'm taking 300mg of wellbutrin, so this should keep any depressive side-effects at bay.
I'm curious, how many people are using klonopin 'when needed', or everyday for social phobia?
Posted by roobie on December 29, 2004, at 22:21:10
In reply to Re: Klonopin/social phobia, posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 19:54:35
Hi. I've written in the forum regarding EFFEXOR. Every now and again I get super tense and irritated, so I was prescribed klonopin; I'm waiting for the prescription to arrive, so I have not tried it yet. My plan is this to be on an 'as-needed' basis.
I too am curious to see the input.
Posted by Wildflower on December 30, 2004, at 11:50:04
In reply to klonopin/social phobia, posted by luca1975 on December 27, 2004, at 3:49:09
I know that this isn't what the thread is about but I'm just curious about klonopin. It seemed like I had to jump through hoops to get this. My pdoc didn't have samples and the pharmacy needed to have two people check the order before giving it to me - some policy.
I know that Xanax is sold on the streets as a "party drug". Is klonopin also sold illegally? (No, I don't want to sell mine, I just want to know what type of drug I've been given.)
Posted by mikerush on December 30, 2004, at 14:27:53
In reply to klonopin-restricted drug?, posted by Wildflower on December 30, 2004, at 11:50:04
Klonopin is a Schedule IV drug in the US and this means it has therapeutic value with some chances for addiction. I have never had a problem getting Klonopin, Xanax or any other benzo from any Dr. or pharmacy, I would switch pharmacies if they do that much of a background check. As for a party drug, I have heard of people taking benzo's and liquor because it intensifies the effect ie. you get drunker quicker. Other than this I feel the benzo's are some of the best anti-anxiety drugs offered today.
Posted by stresser on December 31, 2004, at 15:13:25
In reply to Re: klonopin-restricted drug?, posted by mikerush on December 30, 2004, at 14:27:53
In the US, Klonopin is a conrolled substance, and I cannot get my presctription re-filled until I am on my last few days. I have been on it for around six years, and have always had the same problem getting my re-fills too early. I do think that there may be problems with people becomimg addicted to this medication. -L
This is the end of the thread.
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