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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by male34 on June 19, 2003, at 13:45:51
i get agoraphobic, dont like to travel feel anxiuos when away at parties,far trips from home make me very anxious , anyone feel like this what has helped you cure this agoraphobia if so, please write back im on lexapro 10 mgs and only 6 mgs of diazapm (2mgs 3Xs a day), im still anxiuos at these times any suggestions?
Posted by Nissy on June 19, 2003, at 17:59:54
In reply to Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help, posted by male34 on June 19, 2003, at 13:45:51
Hi there,
I use to have agoraphobia real bad several years ago myself. I was put on 150 mg of Desipramine and .05 of Klonopin. I took the klonopin as needed. I wouldn't wish this condition on my worst enemy. I know what you are going through. Just try to remember, and I know this is hard to do but remember, you are not dying, having a heart attack or going crazy. I felt like that alot of the time when I would get panic attacks.
Are you doing any kind of psyco-therapy for this? I did and it did help me.
Hang in there,
Nissy
Posted by Ritch on June 19, 2003, at 23:33:39
In reply to Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help, posted by male34 on June 19, 2003, at 13:45:51
> i get agoraphobic, dont like to travel feel anxiuos when away at parties,far trips from home make me very anxious , anyone feel like this what has helped you cure this agoraphobia if so, please write back im on lexapro 10 mgs and only 6 mgs of diazapm (2mgs 3Xs a day), im still anxiuos at these times any suggestions?
I 2nd Nissy's idea about a tricyclic. If desipramine is too activating try a more sedating one like nortriptyline, amitriptyline (Elavil), or doxepin.
Posted by daizy on June 20, 2003, at 5:06:48
In reply to Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help, posted by male34 on June 19, 2003, at 13:45:51
Not that long ago, I was feeling exactly the same as you, anxious about going out, social situations ect.... I think with Agorophobia, you need a therapist to help. Once you've made the first few steps of going outside, you gain confidence very easily, although its not something that goes away instantly, it does take time and effort.
Posted by male34 on June 20, 2003, at 8:29:18
In reply to Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help, posted by daizy on June 20, 2003, at 5:06:48
ok these other meds you speak of should i suggest to my doc, or my doc say up the lexapro to 15 mgs(oh boy it makes me shaky) and go see therapist ,what is a thereapist what do you do is there any good books? etc.. please reply back
Posted by Ritch on June 20, 2003, at 10:18:06
In reply to Re: Agoraphobia,REPLY BY ME, posted by male34 on June 20, 2003, at 8:29:18
> ok these other meds you speak of should i suggest to my doc, or my doc say up the lexapro to 15 mgs(oh boy it makes me shaky) and go see therapist ,what is a thereapist what do you do is there any good books? etc.. please reply back
The shakiness ought to settle down on the Lexapro after awhile as you adapt to the med. If it doesn't I would mention that to your doc-and ask him about tricyclics, and whether they might work better for you. Lexapro is a lot like Celexa and I found Celexa to be a little buzzy (like most SSRI's). Paxil might be a better SSRI for you. Remeron is another possibility you might discuss with him.
Posted by Viridis on June 21, 2003, at 4:03:41
In reply to Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help, posted by male34 on June 19, 2003, at 13:45:51
Have you tried Klonopin (clonazepam)? I'm not agoraphobic, but I do suffer from episodes of severe, crippling anxiety, and Klonopin has eliminated that almost completely, with no need to increase the dose after two years of use. I didn't react well to Valium (diazepam), so different benzodiazepines can have very different effects on individuals.
Posted by McPac on June 21, 2003, at 14:51:12
In reply to Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help » male34, posted by Viridis on June 21, 2003, at 4:03:41
Is Klonopin okay to take on an 'as-needed' basis OR does it need to be taken daily to establish an effective blood level? Thanks!!!
Posted by Viridis on June 21, 2003, at 15:23:45
In reply to Ritch/Viridis,Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help, posted by McPac on June 21, 2003, at 14:51:12
People certainly take Klonopin PRN, but based on my experience and that of some others here, it may take a while to get used to it. In my case, the anxiety relief was immediate, but for the first week or so it had side effects like mild sedation, clumsiness, forgetfulness, etc. These completely disappeared with daily use, but the anti-anxiety effect remained. However, if I just took it occasionally, I'd probably have those side effects each time (but still achieve temporary anxiety relief).
Some other posters have said they didn't get the full effect until after taking it for a week or two. I guess we're all different.
For me, the best PRN benzo I've tried is Xanax (alprazolam). It works very well at low doses (0.5 mg or less) without side effects; over 0.5 mg makes me sleepy. I also find that my mood is especially good the day after I take Xanax -- nothing dramatic, but there's definitely an effect. Others have mentioned this too. I still take it occasionally for "breakthrough" anxiety, and it doesn't seem to interact with Klonopin in any substantial way.
Posted by Ritch on June 21, 2003, at 18:21:45
In reply to Ritch/Viridis,Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help, posted by McPac on June 21, 2003, at 14:51:12
> Is Klonopin okay to take on an 'as-needed' basis OR does it need to be taken daily to establish an effective blood level? Thanks!!!
I have been scripted it both ways by different pdocs. It really depends on the person and the pdoc writing for it. If you take something PRN for panic (i.e.), it might as well be something that is going to kickin faster like Xanax or sublingual Ativan. I know they have those Klonopin "wafers" now, but I still wonder if it takes quite a bit longer than those other two.
Posted by McPac on June 21, 2003, at 23:59:08
In reply to Re: Ritch/Viridis,Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help » McPac, posted by Ritch on June 21, 2003, at 18:21:45
I'm wondering if Klonopin could be used successfully to keep dysphoric anger/rage at bay? (or at least 'soften' it?)
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!
Posted by Viridis on June 22, 2003, at 0:39:33
In reply to Ritch and Viridis,Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety , posted by McPac on June 21, 2003, at 23:59:08
I'd think so -- K has a calming, mellowing effect that's subtle, but very real. Why don't you try it and see?
Posted by Ritch on June 22, 2003, at 11:11:15
In reply to Ritch and Viridis,Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety , posted by McPac on June 21, 2003, at 23:59:08
> I'm wondering if Klonopin could be used successfully to keep dysphoric anger/rage at bay? (or at least 'soften' it?)
> THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!YEP, it does.
Posted by judy1 on June 22, 2003, at 13:07:51
In reply to Agoraphobia,anxiety ,people,help, posted by male34 on June 19, 2003, at 13:45:51
Benzos are the proper med for panic disorder/agoraphobia and ADs often make it worse. As a fellow sufferer, I can't emphasize therapeutic intervention enough (especially CBT) and for me, klonopin and xanax. best of luck, judy
Posted by McPac on June 22, 2003, at 23:18:20
In reply to Re: Ritch and Viridis,Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety » McPac, posted by Ritch on June 22, 2003, at 11:11:15
> I'm wondering if Klonopin could be used successfully to keep dysphoric anger/rage at bay? (or at least 'soften' it?)
> THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!YEP, it does.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ritch, did it TOTALLY keep it away....or partially.....(to what degree)?
THANKS!!!!
Posted by McPac on June 22, 2003, at 23:24:48
In reply to Re: Ritch and Viridis,Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety » McPac, posted by Viridis on June 22, 2003, at 0:39:33
K has a calming, mellowing effect that's subtle, but very real. Why don't you try it and see?
>>>>>>>>>V, I used to take Xanax (mellowed me out REAL WELL)....but I DID become fairly tolerant to it.....it was pure Hell to eventually get off of....one of the most frustrating things I can EVER recall....hence my extreme hesitation re: Klonopin....I'm sure it would do me good but I don't want to go through that crap again if I had to get off of it. Does the K give you that "chilled out, relaxed and mellow" feeling? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Ritch on June 23, 2003, at 12:11:50
In reply to Ritch and Viridis,Re: Agoraphobia,anxiety, posted by McPac on June 22, 2003, at 23:18:20
> > I'm wondering if Klonopin could be used successfully to keep dysphoric anger/rage at bay? (or at least 'soften' it?)
> > THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!
>
> YEP, it does.
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>Ritch, did it TOTALLY keep it away....or partially.....(to what degree)?
> THANKS!!!!A lot of that depends on what other meds you are taking. If you are taking something to help with one problem (say an AD for depression-anxiety), and that something is triggering manic/mixed symptoms such as irritability, the clonazepam is going to have more "work" to do. So, it is a matter of degree. I suppose in the absence of an offending med, it does prevent that "background simmering" that I have experienced.
This is the end of the thread.
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