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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MissyMissy on May 2, 2001, at 10:47:06
I have Xanax on hand for extreme anxiety/ panic attacks. Works well, but the .25mg even makes me REALLY tired. I have young twins and I can't afford to be tired in the middle of the day! Is there a benzo out there that doesn't make you so damn tired?? Valium?? Any input is appreciated!!! Thanks!
Posted by katrina on May 2, 2001, at 11:26:24
In reply to Anit-anxiety med that doesn't make you tired???, posted by MissyMissy on May 2, 2001, at 10:47:06
> I have Xanax on hand for extreme anxiety/ panic attacks. Works well, but the .25mg even makes me REALLY tired. I have young twins and I can't afford to be tired in the middle of the day! Is there a benzo out there that doesn't make you so damn tired?? Valium?? Any input is appreciated!!! Thanks!
klonopin doesn't make me tired
Posted by Bill L on May 2, 2001, at 12:15:27
In reply to Anit-anxiety med that doesn't make you tired???, posted by MissyMissy on May 2, 2001, at 10:47:06
You said in your other post that you are on Wellbutrin and Buspar but that you have a hard time sitting still and concentrating. If you have just recently started these drugs, then they may need more time to work.
If you have been taking them for a long time, maybe you should consider Celexa. It works well against both anxiety and depression. People who use Celexa, such as myself, generally feel tired at first, but that eventually goes away. If your doc agrees to add Celexa, he may want you to take it in addition to your Wellbutrin.
> I have Xanax on hand for extreme anxiety/ panic attacks. Works well, but the .25mg even makes me REALLY tired. I have young twins and I can't afford to be tired in the middle of the day! Is there a benzo out there that doesn't make you so damn tired?? Valium?? Any input is appreciated!!! Thanks!
Posted by MissyMissy on May 2, 2001, at 12:34:14
In reply to Re: Anit-anxiety med that doesn't make you tired???, posted by Bill L on May 2, 2001, at 12:15:27
Wow, thanks for the responses. My first time using this site- I can tell it will be a big help. Does anyone (Katrina?) know if Klonopin is fast-acting like Xanax and can it be taken on an "as needed" basis??
Thanks, Bill - I will talk to my doc about Celexa. I'm new at this drug thing! I've refused them for years, but I'm glad I'm now giving them a try...
Posted by Cindylou on May 2, 2001, at 19:27:53
In reply to Re: Thanx for responses- 1 more ? about klonopin, posted by MissyMissy on May 2, 2001, at 12:34:14
Yes, Klonapin does act quickly and lasts about 8-12 hours in your system. I am on a small dose (about 1/4 of a tablet in the morning and night; sometimes half if I'm really stressed). It is a MIRACLE that it doesn't make me tired, since most drugs do, especially SSRIs.
I do think it can be taken on an "as-needed" basis since it only lasts 8 or so hours. But my doc has me taking it morning and night, I suppose since I need it all the time!
Good luck!
-cindy
> Wow, thanks for the responses. My first time using this site- I can tell it will be a big help. Does anyone (Katrina?) know if Klonopin is fast-acting like Xanax and can it be taken on an "as needed" basis??
>
> Thanks, Bill - I will talk to my doc about Celexa. I'm new at this drug thing! I've refused them for years, but I'm glad I'm now giving them a try...
Posted by Cindylou on May 2, 2001, at 19:32:15
In reply to Re: Thanx for responses- 1 more ? about klonopin » MissyMissy, posted by Cindylou on May 2, 2001, at 19:27:53
P.S. I have an 18-month old, and can't imagine how hard it would be having two, especially with the exhaustion you feel (I've been struggling with it for months, too.)
Hope Klonapin or Celexa work for you. I can't tolerate Celexa or any other SSRIs -- they make me very tired and foggy headed. For me, those side effects didn't go away. (But I am in the minority by far.)
Keep us posted!
-cindy
> Yes, Klonapin does act quickly and lasts about 8-12 hours in your system. I am on a small dose (about 1/4 of a tablet in the morning and night; sometimes half if I'm really stressed). It is a MIRACLE that it doesn't make me tired, since most drugs do, especially SSRIs.
>
> I do think it can be taken on an "as-needed" basis since it only lasts 8 or so hours. But my doc has me taking it morning and night, I suppose since I need it all the time!
>
> Good luck!
> -cindy
>
>
> > Wow, thanks for the responses. My first time using this site- I can tell it will be a big help. Does anyone (Katrina?) know if Klonopin is fast-acting like Xanax and can it be taken on an "as needed" basis??
> >
> > Thanks, Bill - I will talk to my doc about Celexa. I'm new at this drug thing! I've refused them for years, but I'm glad I'm now giving them a try...
Posted by MissyMissy on May 2, 2001, at 22:31:27
In reply to Re: Thanx for responses- 1 more ? about klonopin, posted by Cindylou on May 2, 2001, at 19:32:15
It's so much easier to get feedback from people who have EXPERIENCED these meds- we're only allowed an hour with the doc and there is a chance he/she never experienced what the script is for!
Posted by jimmygold70 on May 3, 2001, at 9:01:18
In reply to Re: Thanx for responses- 1 more ? about klonopin, posted by MissyMissy on May 2, 2001, at 12:34:14
Klonopin is more sedating than Xanax. If you get tired on 0.25mg Xanax which is the minimum effective dose to my best knowledge, you're not going to tolerate Klonopin.
Jimmy
> Wow, thanks for the responses. My first time using this site- I can tell it will be a big help. Does anyone (Katrina?) know if Klonopin is fast-acting like Xanax and can it be taken on an "as needed" basis??
>
> Thanks, Bill - I will talk to my doc about Celexa. I'm new at this drug thing! I've refused them for years, but I'm glad I'm now giving them a try...
Posted by jimmygold70 on May 3, 2001, at 9:03:36
In reply to Anit-anxiety med that doesn't make you tired???, posted by MissyMissy on May 2, 2001, at 10:47:06
Generally speaking, benzodiazepines (like Xanax) are more sedating than SSRIs. You should cosider an SSRI seriously. The group includes: Celexa, Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft.
Jimmy
> I have Xanax on hand for extreme anxiety/ panic attacks. Works well, but the .25mg even makes me REALLY tired. I have young twins and I can't afford to be tired in the middle of the day! Is there a benzo out there that doesn't make you so damn tired?? Valium?? Any input is appreciated!!! Thanks!
Posted by MissyMissy on May 3, 2001, at 22:45:03
In reply to Re: Anit-anxiety med that doesn't make you tired???, posted by jimmygold70 on May 3, 2001, at 9:03:36
Two people have mentioned Celexa. I've read about it. I'm a little hesitant because when I tried an SSRI (Paxil) I had a lot of GI side effects, killed libido and was tired.
I'm currently taking 300mg Wellbutrin, 20mg Buspar and 20mg Adderall (big time ADHD). My doc is attempting to treat mild depression (delayed post-partom, maybe), anxiety (occasional panic attacks) and my most problematic issue- ADHD.
Suggestions for modifying my "cocktail" and / or how to incorporate Celexa?? Thanks AGAIN
Posted by Rick on May 5, 2001, at 3:37:38
In reply to Celexa mentioned twice- advice on this cocktail, posted by MissyMissy on May 3, 2001, at 22:45:03
> Two people have mentioned Celexa. I've read about it. I'm a little hesitant because when I tried an SSRI (Paxil) I had a lot of GI side effects, killed libido and was tired.
>
> I'm currently taking 300mg Wellbutrin, 20mg Buspar and 20mg Adderall (big time ADHD). My doc is attempting to treat mild depression (delayed post-partom, maybe), anxiety (occasional panic attacks) and my most problematic issue- ADHD.
>
> Suggestions for modifying my "cocktail" and / or how to incorporate Celexa?? Thanks AGAINHi, Missy-Missy
Whether a given benzo causes sedation depends on how much you take (and they all have different potency per milligram). And just as importantly, it can vary greatly by whether you take it on a regular basis or as-needed. Part of my med history (for Social Anxiety):
-- As-needed Xanax made me groggy and sedated, and didn't help my social anxiety much
-- After 7-10 days of sedation, TWICE-DAILY Klonopin produced NO fatigue or doped-up feeling as long as I stayed below 1.5 - 2.0 mg, and never a single dose above 1.0. I didn't feel anything at all physically...just wonderful mental benefits. I'm now taking 1.0-1.25 BID.
-- At one point I added Celexa 20 mg. The Celexa made me very tired and rather apathetic (and completely killed my ability to orgasm), and added little to the anxiety treatment. That experiment lasted about four months.
-- I find Serzone (known for both anti-anxiety properties and *lack of* sexual effects) and Klonopin to be a dynamite combination for my Social Anxiety, although the combo might be sedating without the 100 mg/day of the gentle stimulant Provigil that I also take. But since you *are* taking a stimulant, the combo of Serzone and lowish-dose Klonopin might work very well for you.
Posted by MissyMissy on May 5, 2001, at 19:23:21
In reply to Re: Celexa mentioned twice- advice on this cocktail, posted by Rick on May 5, 2001, at 3:37:38
THANK YOU! Awesome feedback! Your opinion about Klonopin substatiates the recent research I've done and it will be the next suggestion to my doc. Hmmm, Serzone- time to read about that one. Paxil did the same thing to me (killed my sex drive completely). That's not acceptable! :) How does provogil compare to Adderall??
Posted by Rick on May 6, 2001, at 4:24:06
In reply to Thanks, Rick!!!, posted by MissyMissy on May 5, 2001, at 19:23:21
> THANK YOU! Awesome feedback! Your opinion about Klonopin substatiates the recent research I've done and it will be the next suggestion to my doc. Hmmm, Serzone- time to read about that one. Paxil did the same thing to me (killed my sex drive completely). That's not acceptable! :) How does provogil compare to Adderall??
You're welcome!
First, one clarification: When I said I'm currently taking 1.0-1.25 mg Klonopin BID, I should've said 1.0-1.25 *daily*, in two doses (usually 1.0 first thing in the morning and then .25 around 1 or 2 p.m.).
The only other meds I've ever taken as stimulants are small amounts of Wellbutrin and selegiline. Both were indeed stimulating, especially the selegiline, but added back a little anxiety. I can tell you that one difference between the Provigil and Adderall would be cost. If you don't have a liberal insurance plan, Provigil is waaaaayyyy expensive. I don't have ADD myself, but anecdotally, Provigil has shown promise for that disorder. It's especially valuable for my Social Anxiety treatment because it not only gently adds wakefulness and alertness, but also boosts my confidence and enthusiasm. I don't believe you mentioned what kind of anxiety you're dealing with, but if you now benefit from Adderall and tolerate it well, it would seem logical to keep it as a part of your cocktail and see how things go. IF you ever want to read up on Provigil (modafinil) on Medline and elsewhere, you'll find that it seems to have some interesting and beneficial psychotropic and neuroprotective mechanisms and benefits. The official designation is for narcolepsy, but from what I've read, it's used just as often for other mental disorders. I should point out that a number of people posted here that they didn't have great experiences with Provigil. I'm by no means doubting that it's not for everyone (what is?), but I do wonder if some folks might have been taking too much taking too much, or mistaking the quick passing of a mild-euphoria side-effect for poop-out.
Good Luck!
Rick
Posted by Rick on May 6, 2001, at 4:35:36
In reply to Re: Thanks, Rick!!!, posted by Rick on May 6, 2001, at 4:24:06
> > THANK YOU! Awesome feedback! Your opinion about Klonopin substatiates the recent research I've done and it will be the next suggestion to my doc. Hmmm, Serzone- time to read about that one. Paxil did the same thing to me (killed my sex drive completely). That's not acceptable! :) How does provogil compare to Adderall??
>
> You're welcome!
>
> First, one clarification: When I said I'm currently taking 1.0-1.25 mg Klonopin BID, I should've said 1.0-1.25 *daily*, in two doses (usually 1.0 first thing in the morning and then .25 around 1 or 2 p.m.).
>
> The only other meds I've ever taken as stimulants are small amounts of Wellbutrin and selegiline. Both were indeed stimulating, especially the selegiline, but added back a little anxiety. I can tell you that one difference between the Provigil and Adderall would be cost. If you don't have a liberal insurance plan, Provigil is waaaaayyyy expensive. I don't have ADD myself, but anecdotally, Provigil has shown promise for that disorder. It's especially valuable for my Social Anxiety treatment because it not only gently adds wakefulness and alertness, but also boosts my confidence and enthusiasm. I don't believe you mentioned what kind of anxiety you're dealing with, but if you now benefit from Adderall and tolerate it well, it would seem logical to keep it as a part of your cocktail and see how things go. IF you ever want to read up on Provigil (modafinil) on Medline and elsewhere, you'll find that it seems to have some interesting and beneficial psychotropic and neuroprotective mechanisms and benefits. The official designation is for narcolepsy, but from what I've read, it's used just as often for other mental disorders. I should point out that a number of people posted here that they didn't have great experiences with Provigil. I'm by no means doubting that it's not for everyone (what is?), but I do wonder if some folks might have been taking too much taking too much, or mistaking the quick passing of a mild-euphoria side-effect for poop-out.
>
> Good Luck!
> RickP.S. Sorry for the typos and repetition in a few spots, although I kinda like those "beneficial benefits".
This is the end of the thread.
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