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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by franky74 on November 16, 2009, at 23:07:10
Hi Folks,
First post, I am new to the world of benzos so please excuse my potential ignorance. Here's my story:
I have major anxiety issues with the dentist. So much so that I've avoided going for 17 years. I can only describe it as a paralyzing, irrational, phobia that no one without this fear can begin to understnad. I recently was forced to go because of an abscess. And, I need alot of work done and want to follow through with it. I recognized that I needed help, this is the first time I have taken medication ever in my lifetime, and I am 35.
I went to my doc to ask for medication to help me follow through with the dental treatments. I have been having daily, intense anxiety over this, to include diarrhea everyday, constant persistent dread thinking about it, the feeling of just being punched in the gut, you get the idea! She prescribed klonopin twice daily .5 mg, which worked beautifully for the first week. It took away the fear, anxiety, and obsession. What a wonderful feeling! She explained to me that this was only temporary, until I make it through my dental treatments and hopefully overcome my fears, and at that point she'd need to help me wean off. I've found a good dentist and I think I can beat this thing. I just knew I needed help.
THen I got a mild rash, the rash began after about 4 days of use. One morning, the abscess was hurting so I took a leftover antibiotic pill. On that morning, the rash becamr red blotches. Still no itching or discomfort, it was just not very pretty. My doctor recommended I stop taking it, even though I expressed to her that I felt it was really working. She prescribed Buspar. Buspar, for me, has been USELESS!! It makes me super dizzy, and it does nothing for the anxiety. Doc says it takes a few weeks for full effect, but all of my dental appointments begin within the next week and I am freaking out!
Doc seems to think that I will react similarly to other benzos. I am so frightened that I considered just going back on the klonopin and dealing with the rash. What are the chances my body may adjust to this and I won't get the rash again? Is it true that other benzos will probably create the same reaction? This is my first experience with benzos, any help or advice will be GREATLY appreciated!!!! I have never been allergic to anything, ever
Posted by delna on November 17, 2009, at 4:24:49
In reply to Klonopin help, please!, posted by franky74 on November 16, 2009, at 23:07:10
> Hi Folks,
>
> First postHi, welcome....:)
> THen I got a mild rash, the rash began after about 4 days of use.
Very strange..
>One morning, the abscess was hurting so I took a leftover antibiotic pill. On that morning, the rash becamr red blotches. Still no itching or discomfort
Are you 100% sure that the rash is not being induced by the antibiotic? Or maybe the interaction between this particular antibiotic and Klonopin? Maybe the antibiotic can be changed if so.
> Doc seems to think that I will react similarly to other benzos.
Hmmm....I don't know about adjusting to the benzo, if this is indeed a side effect of the benzo. Plus if she see this as a dangerous skin reaction then I wouldn't risk it.
I can't speak too scientifically but I can say that although all benzos act in a similar fashion, they are quite different molecules.
I for one can tolerate Klonopin no problem but get puffy allergic eyes with Xanax (another benzo). So for me a bad reaction to one does not mean a bad reaction to another.I'm sure more people will comment and shed some light on this. I can only share my experience but many other babblers are more confident about the scientific facts..
Incidentally, I have used Propranolol (Inderal- a beta-blocker) for anxiety. It is especially good for situational anxiety as you seem to have. It has been very effective for me and unlike Buspar, it acts at once. (well 10-20 mins). You can either take it just before the dentist visit or if you have anxiety leading up to it (which it seems you do) you can take it like I have; dosed 3 times daily at 20mg (instead of a benzo).
You can get lightheaded on it so you need to be careful and adjust the dose accordingly. This is usually an SOS treatment.Hope you get some help with this...
Take care
D
Posted by franky74 on November 17, 2009, at 4:40:55
In reply to Re: Klonopin help, please! » franky74, posted by delna on November 17, 2009, at 4:24:49
Thanks for your responses, Much appreciated :o)
I can't say for certain whether the antibiotic was just a coincidence or whether it contributed to the rash. I had taken it for 9 days with no issues. But, that was prior to me starting the Klonopin. So, who knows. I did mention this to my doctor and she didn't seem to think it was related.
I really feel as though I can overcome my dental fear with positive experiences. My new dentist is very caring, non-judgmental, and understanding. I will be totally sedated for most of the work, and be gassed for some. But I felt so much better with the klonopin, just after one week. The first day or too I felt a bit "wonkie", but soon adjusted and realized that it was doing me a world of good. From everything that I read it seems that this rash is a very strange reaction. Lucky me, :(
Posted by franky74 on November 17, 2009, at 4:43:35
In reply to Re: Klonopin help, please! » franky74, posted by delna on November 17, 2009, at 4:24:49
"Incidentally, I have used Propranolol (Inderal- a beta-blocker) for anxiety."
Thank you for this suggestion. Anything that might get me through the next couple of weeks would be wonderful! Now if only doc can be convinced...I am not sure she "gets" the severity of this fear for me.
Posted by delna on November 17, 2009, at 9:04:03
In reply to Re: Klonopin help, please!, posted by franky74 on November 17, 2009, at 4:40:55
> Thanks for your responses, Much appreciated :o)
NP, anytime
> My new dentist is very caring, non-judgmental, and understanding. I will be totally sedated for most of the work, and be gassed for some.
That is really good news. The gas part especially. That should really help.
> But I felt so much better with the klonopin, just after one week. The first day or too I felt a bit "wonkie", but soon adjusted and realized that it was doing me a world of good. From everything that I read it seems that this rash is a very strange reaction. Lucky me, :(
Sorry about the Klonopin- it sucks :(
Take care
Love
D
Posted by delna on November 17, 2009, at 9:08:10
In reply to Re: Klonopin help, please!, posted by franky74 on November 17, 2009, at 4:43:35
> "Incidentally, I have used Propranolol (Inderal- a beta-blocker) for anxiety."
>
> Thank you for this suggestion. Anything that might get me through the next couple of weeks would be wonderful! Now if only doc can be convinced...I am not sure she "gets" the severity of this fear for me.Well, it seems that your dentist takes your fear seriously. Maybe you can suggest inderal to her and if she feels it is a decent enough idea,she can give you a prescription. Dentists are allowed to prescribe stuff.
Tc
D
Posted by maxime on November 17, 2009, at 10:06:43
In reply to Klonopin help, please!, posted by franky74 on November 16, 2009, at 23:07:10
I wouldn't think that you would get a rash to another benzo like say Ativan. It's like anti-pressants, some people get rashes from some and not from others.
If she won't give you a benzo you can ask her for something like largactil/thorazine which in low dosage is very good at cutting anxiety. I was on it for two years myself.
I hope you get to try another benzo, but if not that you are at least given something else to take the edge off. I am sorry about all the dental work you are having done.
Posted by franky74 on November 17, 2009, at 12:12:11
In reply to Re: Klonopin help, please! » franky74, posted by maxime on November 17, 2009, at 10:06:43
Well, I just spoke to my doctor and she will not prescribe a different benzo. She says if I react to this one, I will react to any. I am not sure that I agree, but what can I do?
So I am going to try the Klonopin again and see what happens. Don't know what else to do. :( The reaction was so mild that the doc doesn't seem to be concerned. She thinks that more than anything it will just be bothersome for me. I don't know!
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2009, at 10:34:39
In reply to Re: Klonopin help, please!, posted by franky74 on November 17, 2009, at 12:12:11
Did you try the klonopin again? Any reaction? Phillipa
Posted by franky74 on November 18, 2009, at 10:45:53
In reply to Re: Klonopin help, please! » franky74, posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2009, at 10:34:39
Yes, I am back on it, it's been 2 days now. So far no rash. But, it took a few days last time. I was on it a full week before I got the red blotches. My oral surgeon's appointment is on Monday, only 5 days away, YIKES!! So, if I can hold out on the klonopin until then it will be a huge success. Then perhaps I can stop if I have to until I am nearing the next appointment. Maybe I won't have to, fingers crossed!
Thanks for asking ;O)
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2009, at 19:24:53
In reply to Re: Klonopin help, please!, posted by franky74 on November 18, 2009, at 10:45:53
Franky well keep us posted and good luck. Sounds positive. Phillipa
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