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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by winterbluez on April 3, 2008, at 9:33:34
hello,
i have been switched from xanax .5mg2/day to 1mg klonopin2/day i had been on xanax for over 10 years at this dose, i have had no cognitive impairment from the xanax. i believe the klonopin is a higher dose than the xanax correct? and iam afraid i may have cognitive,memory,motor impairment on the klonopin also being that it will be in my system all day now as apposed to the short acting xanax,, anyone with any insight to this? is 2mg. of klonopin /day alot or is it
a common dose for most? i am a 185 lb. malealso i read someones post stating chronic benzo users had a high morbidity rate? that kinds scares me but i attribut that to the fact that maybe people using benzos sometimes have other health issue to boot??
any info/response would be so appreciated i am struggling with this whole new med switch,
also is 5mg. lexapro a high enogh dose to help with depression? i'm on that too
thanx so much
Posted by Glydin on April 3, 2008, at 10:59:12
In reply to klonopin/xanax questions, posted by winterbluez on April 3, 2008, at 9:33:34
You may find some mental fogginess within the first weeks of using Klonopin routinely. That cleared for me after about two weeks but was present on startup.
2mgs. appears to be a reasonable sounding dose to me for Klonopin.
Folks vary with their Lex dose. I'm on 20 mgs. and have been in remission for three years for unipolar depression and various very life impacting anxiety disorders. I weaned off any benzo use two years ago.
Morbidity or mortality regarding that part of your post?
Posted by Phillipa on April 3, 2008, at 11:28:36
In reply to Re: klonopin/xanax questions » winterbluez, posted by Glydin on April 3, 2008, at 10:59:12
Agree with above poster for klonopin doseage. But second what you mean by mortality vs morbidity. I've never heard that before was it posted on this site? Phillipa
Posted by cactus on April 3, 2008, at 14:02:30
In reply to klonopin/xanax questions, posted by winterbluez on April 3, 2008, at 9:33:34
i agree too with the above posters. The mental fogginess will go away after a while. 2mg of klonopin isn't too high and you might be able to dose once a day if you and you pdoc agree to try flexible dosage. That might also help with some mental fogginess, but your pdoc might be trying to stabilize you first. If you take it at night it should cover you the next day, but this doesn't work for everyone. I'm sure you'll sort it out, all the best and good luck. Benzo's have been a life line for me.
Posted by 4WD on April 3, 2008, at 20:54:13
In reply to klonopin/xanax questions, posted by winterbluez on April 3, 2008, at 9:33:34
I don't find that I have any memory or cognitive impairment from Klonopin at 2mg a day. In fact, I had none when I was at 6-8mg a day. For me, the Klonopin is not that long lasting. It wears off in about 6 hours.
Why were you switched?
As to the Lexapro, that's a pretty low dose but some pdocs like to start out low and go up from there. Does you pdoc intend to keep you at 5mg or raise your dosage once you adjust? Did you just start it or have you been on it awhile. Really, the best test is IS it helping with depression? If it's not, then you might need to raise the dosage. Again, how long have you been on it? Long enough for it to start working?
If you have been on the lexapro a while and you are still depressed then I would think you either need to raise the dose or switch to a different med.
Hope this helps a bit.
Marsha
> hello,
> i have been switched from xanax .5mg2/day to 1mg klonopin2/day i had been on xanax for over 10 years at this dose, i have had no cognitive impairment from the xanax. i believe the klonopin is a higher dose than the xanax correct? and iam afraid i may have cognitive,memory,motor impairment on the klonopin also being that it will be in my system all day now as apposed to the short acting xanax,, anyone with any insight to this? is 2mg. of klonopin /day alot or is it
> a common dose for most? i am a 185 lb. male
>
> also i read someones post stating chronic benzo users had a high morbidity rate? that kinds scares me but i attribut that to the fact that maybe people using benzos sometimes have other health issue to boot??
>
> any info/response would be so appreciated i am struggling with this whole new med switch,
>
> also is 5mg. lexapro a high enogh dose to help with depression? i'm on that too
> thanx so much
Posted by winterbluez on April 3, 2008, at 22:41:38
In reply to Re: klonopin/xanax questions » winterbluez, posted by 4WD on April 3, 2008, at 20:54:13
hello,
thanx for the input~ i believe the meant motality rate because the post i read was from a hospital worker who claimed to have experienced
these results? it was on another site i googled about benzos, i dont remember which site but the message stuck with me,,
as for the lexapro i started on 10 mg. and i instantly could not sleep almost all night for a week and had no sexual sensation at all downstairs~ totally numb~ which is as depressing as depression! for me anyway.....
i'm still not sure if i'm clinically depressed, the klonopin and 5mg. of lex wipes my anxiety out such that i dont feel depressed virtually at all so my problems may rise mostly from chronic anxiety?
thanx for your concern/help!
Posted by Fivefires on April 4, 2008, at 10:38:53
In reply to Re: klonopin/xanax questions, posted by winterbluez on April 3, 2008, at 22:41:38
I, and I think quite a few others here, have a greater problem with anxiety than depression.
It seems to be a popular belief depression precedes anxiety, or, you are anxious because you are depressed. For myself, this is backwards. Maybe you as well.
best wishes, 5f
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2008, at 19:45:04
In reply to Re: klonopin/xanax questions, posted by Fivefires on April 4, 2008, at 10:38:53
FF same here as well as current pdoc and the one had last summer . Phillipa
Posted by cactus on April 5, 2008, at 1:24:15
In reply to Re: klonopin/xanax questions, posted by Fivefires on April 4, 2008, at 10:38:53
> I, and I think quite a few others here, have a greater problem with anxiety than depression.
>
> It seems to be a popular belief depression precedes anxiety, or, you are anxious because you are depressed. For myself, this is backwards. Maybe you as well.
>
> best wishes, 5f5f, I'm exactly the same, anxiety comes a very big first for me, then depression if the anxiety isn't controlled.
That's why I'd rather take benzo's than AD's or AP's any day. If benzo's keep my anxiety under control I now know that I personally don't need AD's anymore and I'm living a much, much happier and productive life. In combination with modafinil and CPAP for OSA and therapy for anxiety I'm now tapering my dose of benzo's down.
Posted by Fivefires on April 5, 2008, at 16:20:34
In reply to Re: klonopin/xanax questions » Fivefires, posted by cactus on April 5, 2008, at 1:24:15
Cactus ... I 'was' doing very well and functioning well on just the anxiety medication, but,
I don't think I've been totally forthcoming w/ the degree of my depression here.
The overwhelming anxiety I experienced yesterday just to leave my house for an appt. left me so angry and upset and embarrassed w/ myself and my life, I came home, ran for a pepsi, ran for my pills, swallowed 'em down, and curled up like a baby in my deceased father's throw.
I'd probably be there right now if I weren't here and if I weren't on modafinal (Provigil).
I was raised to present myself as having it all together and I don't mean to lie or deceive, but
I think it's about time I fess up to really having gotten to the point where 'the anxiety which once really was my only emotional problem', had, 'alongside some very bad life events', now pushed me into a deep depression.
It's damn hard for me to say this.
5f
Posted by cactus on April 5, 2008, at 16:50:12
In reply to Re: klonopin/xanax questions, posted by Fivefires on April 5, 2008, at 16:20:34
Good for you to get that out of your system and voice it, I was in a similar situation but the depression has abated for now. I hope it never comes back but I know the warning signs and have better skills to cope if I feel it coming back on.
I'm now just focusing on my anxiety and other obscure ailments, good luck, hang in there 5f. Take care.
Posted by Fivefires on April 5, 2008, at 17:03:26
In reply to Re: klonopin/xanax questions » Fivefires, posted by cactus on April 5, 2008, at 16:50:12
Tks cactus.
Now to do something about it.
There's that voice in my head saying 'what do I do?' 'what do I do?' ... 'which med shall I try?', but at the same time I'm, literally, a nervous wreck!
I didn't take my xanax as I should have, like two hours ago, and I am totally a nervous wreck. Too nervous to leave the freakin' house or communicate even.
Just took it and when it sets in and I'm calmer, will I then be able to admit to this? (U don't have to answer cactus.) I'm scared to do so.
whatawimp, 5f
This is the end of the thread.
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