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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jefff on October 13, 2002, at 2:33:28
I just got my prescription on friday from my shrink for Klonopin at 2mg a day...
but when I got the bottle it was labeled Clonazepam (the generic name?) and the pills (.5mg each) are round, light yellow with a big M on one side and a small c and number 13 on the other side. Do these sound correct or is it possible they gave me the wrong prescription?
thanks,Jeff
Posted by viridis on October 13, 2002, at 3:32:23
In reply to Klonopin: What color/shape should they be?, posted by Jefff on October 13, 2002, at 2:33:28
Hi Jeff,
Clonazepam is the generic name for Klonopin, and it's unlikely the pharmacy would have given you the wrong drug (although not impossible). I'd just call the pharmacy to confirm if you're unsure.
In another post, you said you were disappointed with Klonopin (compared to Xanax) in terms of anxiety relief. People respond differently to different benzos, and maybe Klonopin isn't for you. But, give it a chance. For me, it's more subtle than Xanax -- I can feel Xanax coming on, whereas Klonopin just works without any noticeable onset or dulling.
Remember, the idea isn't to be numbed, just normal and able to deal with things. If you're expecting to "feel" it (and enjoy the feeling) well...that's what doctors are worried about when they claim that benzos are "addictive".
Benzos are great drugs for many, but they should just calm your anxiety, the same way aspirin or whatever would get rid of a headache. It may take a few days to achieve this effect, especially with a low-key (but usually very effective and potent) drug like Klonopin.
As for your pdoc's spiel about addiction etc. -- if Klonopin does work, then great, and if you do become dependent then you're just like many others on blood pressure meds, insulin, etc., who certainly shouldn't stop treatment suddenly, if at all. And if it doesn't work, at least you know that you need to move on to something else, until you find the right med for you. There will be some treatment or combination that works, and you'll be amazed at how much better you feel -- it just may take some trial and error to find it.
Posted by judy1 on October 13, 2002, at 10:16:07
In reply to Re: Klonopin: What color/shape should they be?, posted by viridis on October 13, 2002, at 3:32:23
I agree, the colors are all different depending on what generic company is producing them- I've had white, green and blue that were all the same strengths. take care, judy
P.S. Can the M be a W for Watson?
Posted by Jefff on October 13, 2002, at 20:04:42
In reply to Re: Klonopin: What color/shape should they be?, posted by viridis on October 13, 2002, at 3:32:23
Howdy,
Thanks for your repsonse. I guess I was just being paranoid as far as getting the wrong drug from the pharmacy... I just needed reasurance : )
Im definitely hoping it just may take a few days for the Klonopin to kick in like you said, yet Im just very worried that it may not work for me since the 2mg is not doing much at all...and much less not giving me the same wonderful effect as did the .50mg of Xanax.
I must admit that I would kill for that "feeling" all of the time (that the xanax gave me) since its probably the best and most at ease I can recall feeling probably ever in my entire lifetime..and Id gladly risk beind addicted to them if I could ever get them (which would be better than living the living hell that my life is and has been).
As I said to Glenn, its amazing that my Doc had/has no problem with my beind "addicted" to paxil for the past three years... which he claims isnt addictive and he minimizes the withdrawl symptoms.
Jeff> Hi Jeff,
>
> Clonazepam is the generic name for Klonopin, and it's unlikely the pharmacy would have given you the wrong drug (although not impossible). I'd just call the pharmacy to confirm if you're unsure.
>
> In another post, you said you were disappointed with Klonopin (compared to Xanax) in terms of anxiety relief. People respond differently to different benzos, and maybe Klonopin isn't for you. But, give it a chance. For me, it's more subtle than Xanax -- I can feel Xanax coming on, whereas Klonopin just works without any noticeable onset or dulling.
>
> Remember, the idea isn't to be numbed, just normal and able to deal with things. If you're expecting to "feel" it (and enjoy the feeling) well...that's what doctors are worried about when they claim that benzos are "addictive".
>
> Benzos are great drugs for many, but they should just calm your anxiety, the same way aspirin or whatever would get rid of a headache. It may take a few days to achieve this effect, especially with a low-key (but usually very effective and potent) drug like Klonopin.
>
> As for your pdoc's spiel about addiction etc. -- if Klonopin does work, then great, and if you do become dependent then you're just like many others on blood pressure meds, insulin, etc., who certainly shouldn't stop treatment suddenly, if at all. And if it doesn't work, at least you know that you need to move on to something else, until you find the right med for you. There will be some treatment or combination that works, and you'll be amazed at how much better you feel -- it just may take some trial and error to find it.
Posted by viridis on October 14, 2002, at 2:53:11
In reply to Re: Klonopin: What color/shape should ?Viridis, posted by Jefff on October 13, 2002, at 20:04:42
Hi Jeff,
I know exactly how you feel. A few years ago, when I was in a major state of agitated depression, I managed to get my GP to prescribe a short course of Xanax. The sense of calm was great, and I did get a mild buzz as well. Mainly, though, it was just the relief from constant stress and tension that seemed so amazing. Plus, I could finally sleep after weeks of terrible insomnia.
Then I went back to using various antidepressants that made me feel awful, with intermittent psychotherapy that helped a bit, but didn't address the real problems (which are biological). Finally, I found my current psychiatrist, who prescribed both Klonopin and Xanax. The funny thing is, once I got used to the Klonopin (which took a week or two), I stopped using the Xanax, except for really intense situations. I have tons of Xanax around, but I have no desire to use it unless I'm faced with an especially stressful situation. I've never exceeded the prescribed dose of either benzo, and now that I feel normal, I can't imagine doing so.
But, when I do take Xanax, I can definitely feel it. I can't say the same for Klonopin -- it just does what it's supposed to, no more. I suspect that if you can get stabilized you may feel the same way. And hey -- maybe Xanax is what you need. Just be careful if you continue to enjoy it beyond its anxiety-relieving effects. If you have a real anxiety disorder, chances are that benzos won't appeal to you recreationally, and you'll just gradually become accustomed to feeling normal.
By the way, "addiction" is a very misused word, even by doctors. As I understand it, there are three terms that are often confused:
1) Tolerance: you take a medication and over time, need more to achieve the same effect, without becoming obsessed with it or suffering negative effects;
2) Dependence (usually = medical dependency): you take a medication long enough that your system needs it to function normally, and you react badly if the med is stopped suddenly ;
3) Addiction: you become fixated on a drug and often escalate doses despite negative consequences.
Condition 1 sometimes applies to benzos, but apparently is quite rare for people with real anxiety disorders. For us, once the appropriate dose of benzos is reached, the same response is usually achieved long-term, and in fact, some anxiety sufferers voluntarily decrease the dose over time.
Condition 2 is very common with benzo users, and with users of antidepressants, blood pressure meds etc. There are many prescription drugs that shouldn't be stopped suddenly, but this doesn't make them "addictive". They are "habit forming", but only in the sense that you physiologically adjust to them and need time and gradual decrease to discontinue the med (this is common with Paxil, for instance).
Condition 3 appears to be quite rare with benzo users, especially those with a legitimate need, yet ironically the term "addictive" is often applied selectively to this class of drugs. Some people here suggest that this is because they're cheap (off-patent) and have the potential to eat into the patented AD market. I can't say I disagree.
Anyway, it sounds like you're taking the steps that are necessary to get well. I hope the Klonopin helps, and if not, just keep bugging your doctors (politely, and in an informed way) until you get the prescriptions that you need. Then, you should be able to make lifestyle changes that will allow you to be happy in the long term. Good luck!
Posted by Jefff on October 15, 2002, at 22:21:59
In reply to Re: Klonopin: What color/shape should ?Viridis, posted by viridis on October 14, 2002, at 2:53:11
Earlier today I spent about two hours responding to all three of you, thanking you for the info and support and asking some questions too (and giving Denise that link), however all of those particular responses of mine seem to have been deleted (unless Ive just completely lost my mind, which is possible)...
I dont know why they wouldve been deleted and at this moment my head is about to explode while trying to figure out the complicated, delicate rules of this board.
But thanks again to Viridis and Glenn for your support, info and for sharing your experiences.
Jeff
This is the end of the thread.
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