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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 TrishP on December 21, 2005, at 10:01:46
Ok - so I took my 100SR Wellbutrin yesterday and my .25 of Klonopin. Didn't feel like I got enough Wellbutrin (maybe because I was used to taking 200mg).
Last night I took 50mg of Trazodone to sleep. Slept great. But I took .25 of Klonopin and 100SR Wellbutrin this morning and I feel good, but a little sleepy.
Maybe the sleepiness will wear off once I get used to taking both Traz and Klonopin.
I know someone suggested I take 1mg of Klonopin at night and that would carry over into my next day, so I wouldn't have to take it during the day, plus it would help me sleep. Maybe that's a good option? Or is Trazodone better? Will the Klonopin really carry over to the next day, or will I still need something to take the edge of the Wellbutrin?
I haven't tried the Buspar yet (instead of Klonopin). Maybe the Buspar wouldn't make me as sleepy during the day.
I like that I don't feel manic, but it would be nice to not be so relaxed!
Posted by inquisitive1 on December 21, 2005, at 10:54:50
In reply to Will this wear off?, posted by TrishP on December 21, 2005, at 10:01:46
Hello Trish P,
I'm not certain why your doctor prescribed both Buspar and a benzo. Personally, I would pick Buspar if i had the luxory of it working for me. Please follow your doctor's choice and rationale.
It's been a long time since I tried Trazadone, but you will wake up with residual drowsiness which you will adapt to over time.
As far as Klonopin, it has a very long half life(30-40hours). It would take 5-7 half lives depending on your heaptic and kidney function.(150-240 hours) to actually eliminate completely from your system. You are correct when assuming the Klonopin will last you all day long. No way would you develop tolerance and adaptation to drowsiness for a very long time if taken responsibly. If your doctor wants you to take the Klonopin, I'd take it at night. It's not a great idea to be snowed under and feel nothing during the day. I'd still recommend asking your doc as to exactly how he/she wants to structure your regimen.Good Luck and Happy Holidays
Posted by RobertDavid on December 21, 2005, at 16:47:51
In reply to Will this wear off?, posted by TrishP on December 21, 2005, at 10:01:46
Trish: Taking Klonopin at night helps me sleep, particularly when I got over 1mg. Klonopin didn't help me or my mom when we took less than 1mg (I have taken as much as 3mgs, now taking 2mgs and have taken klonopin for 12 years).
I have tried on occation to take .5 during the day, but just felt a little tired. I will do that on occation such as before a flight which does help, but otherwise only take it at night.
My doctor was involved in some of the klonopin studies for anxiety. He said to take it at night for sleep and less sedation during the day. That it had a long half and single daily dosing should and has worked fine for anxiety relief the next day. He told me once that many patients don't take a high enough dose of klonopin for it to be work and pm dosing helps with that.
Before klonopin I tried Trazodone to sleep, but it didn't work well for me. I think there are better choices of meds to take if your just looking for something to help with sleep. Occationally I take Lunesta which is the best sleeping drug I've tried (I take it as needed).
You're right, the side affect of drowsyness should wear off in time, but the anti anxiety benefits remain - klonopin).
I tried Buspar before klonopin. Buspar doesn't seem to work well with those that have Social anxiety (me), but some report it works good with Generalized anxiety (me again). All it did for me was make me so tired I could hardly function. Everyone is different.
Since your already taking the klonopin I'd consider taking a larger dose at night, none in the morning. See how it works. Just a one or two day trial and go from there. You many be able to eliminate the need for the Trazodone.
Just my take, everyone is different. A klonopin -anti depressant combo works well for many. Once you've found the right meds (sounds like you may have) just got to play with the dose and when to take it to fine tune it.
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2005, at 18:56:24
In reply to Re: Will this wear off? » TrishP, posted by RobertDavid on December 21, 2005, at 16:47:51
I thought lunesta was not as strong as klonopin? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by RobertDavid on December 21, 2005, at 20:07:29
In reply to Re: Will this wear off?, posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2005, at 18:56:24
I'm not sure how I would compare the strenght of Lunesta and Klonopin.
For me Lunesta has been great for occational nights I can't fall asleep or when I need to be certain that I'm well rested the next day.
The klonopin does help me sleep, but I take it specifically for anxiety. I don't think the Lunesta does anything but help me sleep. I don't feel tired in the morning if I take Lunesta and I don't feel it knock me out when I take 3mgs at night to sleep. But I always take it when I'm in bed.
Sometimes I'll take the klonopin an hour or so before bedtime it doesn't really matter. I feel a suttle relaxation from it, not a rush. There have been times where I needed to stay up hours after my 2mg night dose of klonopin and I was fine, functional. I'm not sure what would happen if I did the same with Lunesta. They say to take Lunesta "at bedtime."
I know this med stuff isn't the same with everyone, just my experience.
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2005, at 22:02:15
In reply to Re: Will this wear off?, posted by RobertDavid on December 21, 2005, at 20:07:29
So you'd recommend it before valium or klonopin for sleeping all night? See I have a pdoc appointment tomorrow with a new doctor and sleep is a big issue with me. After four hours I wake up and have to repeat the dose of valium. And I did try ambien and it didn't work. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by RobertDavid on December 22, 2005, at 0:49:05
In reply to Re: Will this wear off? » RobertDavid, posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2005, at 22:02:15
Abmien didn't work for me either. Nothing has worked well for sleeping. I have never been one of those that would ever feel like I could get a good nights sleep (I hate that!).
The klonopin I take may help some, but benzo's aren't good as long term sleeping aids. The sedation part that helps you sleep wears off in time and of course there's the dependency factor (as you know I take it for anxiety).
If I was going to use a benzo specifically to help with sleep and nothing else I'd go with Halcion.
That being said I think Lunesta is a break through sleeping aid. It's non narcotic and you're supposed to be able to use it long term without a dependence problem (we'll see).
My doc really likes it as a sleeping aid (and knows I take klonopin every night). He said to take it as needed, but I could take it every night for a while and would be okay.
I've been through about 50 pills over the last three or four months. My experience with other sleeping pills is when I stop taking them I really have a worse time sleeping than before. That hasn't been the case for me with Lunesta. I swear by it, but as you know it works differently for everyone.
I never wake up tired and feel more rested, but it's more of a natural rested feeling vs being drugged. Best thing I've EVER tried specifically for sleeping. A clean med. In my opinion it's gold, one of the few meds that has delivered as promised.
Okay, sorry to go on. I love it! I see no reason why you shouldn't try it as you'll know in one night if you like it or not. Get a small perscription with refils just incase. That's my 2 cents worth. Good luck tomorrow.
This is the end of the thread.
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