![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lofwyr on February 18, 2004, at 15:34:38
Hello all - first time caller, long time listener.
I'll keep this brief but I have suffered from GAD and SAD (this one is worse than the GAD) for most of my life. It has been getting worse and worse since college (I'm 24 now, so about the last 7 years). The disorder ruins my life and relationships. I've seen pdocs and been through the typical SSRI progression, the latest being Serzone, which helped with the depression caused by anxiety , but not the anxiety.
My insurance plan is limiting to the amount of times I can see my pdoc, so my next appointment is not till mid March. From spending countless hours of research I've decided that I needed to go with something that actually will work. Nardil and Klonopin seem like my 2 best options. I decided that Klonopin would be the first option. This was back Feb 1. I decided to aquire some Klonopin .5mg tabs from outside the US to give it a try at low dose before I go and speak to my pdoc, who is resistant to anything but SSRI type treatment. I received them last night and took my first .5mg pill today (I'm still taking 600mg of Serzone before bed, forgot to mention that). The difference in my level of anxiety today is nothing short of amazing. Not totally gone, but much improved. I took the pill at around 8:15AM this morning and the only side effect was that I felt groggy up till noontime or so.
My questions are: would it work to take the K before bed and if so would the effect last all the next day? Would doing this be dangerous interaction with Serzone as it already is knocking me out at night so I can sleep? Should I stick with the morning dose and see if the drowsiness goes away in a few weeks as others have suggested? Should I try a 1mg dose to see if this would work even better? I'm hoping that others will share their thoughts on these questions, as well as info I hadn't thought to ask. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!
Posted by antiTrust on February 18, 2004, at 17:07:37
In reply to New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Lofwyr on February 18, 2004, at 15:34:38
for me anyways 2mg kolonipin works with my HIGH anxiety and verg of panic within 10 minutes!doesnt matter WHEN i take it...day night etc. it might help you sleep if you dont take it daily however.
it is the best!BUT i go to a place where they will not RX 'addictive' drugs...unforunitly klonipin falls within that "LIST"
fustrated..yepper
Posted by Lofwyr on February 18, 2004, at 17:16:14
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by antiTrust on February 18, 2004, at 17:07:37
> for me anyways 2mg kolonipin works with my HIGH anxiety and verg of panic within 10 minutes!doesnt matter WHEN i take it...day night etc. it might help you sleep if you dont take it daily however.
>
> it is the best!BUT i go to a place where they will not RX 'addictive' drugs...unforunitly klonipin falls within that "LIST"
>
> fustrated..yepper
Thank you for your response. I'm hoping that I can stay to a low dose. Time will tell.When you take your 2mg dose how long do the calming effects seem to last? Do you take it all at once?
Posted by jdgjdg on February 18, 2004, at 20:30:39
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer » antiTrust, posted by Lofwyr on February 18, 2004, at 17:16:14
I take klonopin when I am feeling really, really, down. Basically, when I can't cope. It works great, I forget about everything. The problem I see with it is I can't imagine how people can function taking it every day during the day. I can barely walk when I take it. It makes me very "high". I just take .5mg also. Maybe it's just me. It certainately works for anxiety if you can function taking it. And yes, I feel pretty calm the next day after taking it in the evening. You can probably look at the package insert or do a search to find out what the "half-life" is. This is how long it stays in your body at a certain strength. Good luck. jdgjdg
Posted by mrgeek on February 19, 2004, at 8:41:05
In reply to New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Lofwyr on February 18, 2004, at 15:34:38
Lofwyr,
I am also a new Klonopin user (for about 10 days now). I am 20 years old and have suffered from GAD and SAD since I was about 14. So let me just say I know what relief you are feeling!
As far as some information goes, I'll let you know what I think/have found.
Did you research and reactions the klonopin may have with Serzone? Always EXTREMELY important to check for interactions when you are starting a new drug.
For what reason are you taking the Serzone currently? I'm assuming It's to help you get to sleep? In my case, taking one .5mg tab of Klonopin at night for the past 10 days has given me what I believe to be some of the best sleep I've had in my life. I'm certianly no expert, but I dont think it's a good idea to be mixing the K at night with your Serzone as they both have a sedative effect -- you might just sleep the next day away! :)
From what I have read/inferred, taking a dosage of Klonopin before bed WILL NOT give you anti-anxiety effects for the entire next day. While you can find that the half-life of the drug in your system is approximately 30 hours, the supposed "duration of action" is only about 8-12 hours. I would stick with a single dose in the early to late morning for now.
This seems to be working well for you. You sound exactly like I did about 10 days ago. .5mg--wow, what a big difference, but still not "fully" relieving. So what I did is after about a week I went up to .75mg in the morning (stuk with .5mg at night) and I noticed and even greater relief.
Heres some advice: dont take advice from other's on here as far as dosage goes. You'll see some people taking 1mg 3x a day, others taking 4mg, some taking lower doses like .5mg at various points in the day. I think Klonopin is one of those meds that is very individual specific. I think it depends on the level of your anxiety and just the person you are in general. However, you seem to match up with me fairly well as far as dosage goes. If I were you I would NOT jump right up to 1mg to test it's effects. I would instead step at .25mg intervals (split one of those little pills in half--its easy). As far as psychostims go, my philosophy is that LESS is definitely BETTER. Aside from that, I have heard many stores that once you're at a particular dose--it's hard, if not impossible to drop down to a lower dose and get any benefit from it.
Finally, once you do get to see your p-doc make sure to tell him what you've been up to. Go in and be prepared possibly with some printed doctumentation about the use of K for anxiety. Print out posts from here (like this one) and theres also tons of information on the net. It seems to me that you might be able to come off serzone completely and start using just K to help you get to sleep. Thats another philosophy of mine-ONE drug is much better than MULTIPLES.
With all of this said please understand. I am only 20 years old. While I do believe that I am a responsible, intelligent and well-read individual on this I can guarantee you that I have NOWHERE NEAR the experience that your pdoc or many of the others here have. I am simply stating what I believe. Do not take it as factual medical advice--take it as possibly helpful guidance from a friend who might know a bit about what he's talking about.Phew! I think I'm done. Sorry, It was just so exciting to see someone going through the same thing as me as such a similar time. Hope all is going well for you. Feel free to keep me and us updated with your progress, as I'm particularly interested.
/mrgeek
Posted by Ilene on February 19, 2004, at 9:04:11
In reply to New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Lofwyr on February 18, 2004, at 15:34:38
I take 0.25 mg. Klonopin (1/2 tablet) when I need it, which is usually every morning. It kicks in in about 1/2 hour, and the effect lasts about 4-6 hours.
If I take more than 1/2 tablet I fall asleep. Sometimes I will take one for insomnia. I don't get any anti-anxiety effect the next day.
I discovered the hard way that Risperdal is also good for anxiety: I stopped taking it.
I just started taking an MAOI called Marplan--see my thread called "Marplan Diary"
Ilene
Posted by maliapia on February 19, 2004, at 15:04:36
In reply to New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Lofwyr on February 18, 2004, at 15:34:38
i am also a long time sufferer reluctant to try anymore SSRI what exactly is Klonopin? and side affects. i want my life back
Posted by Lofwyr on February 19, 2004, at 15:47:48
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by mrgeek on February 19, 2004, at 8:41:05
WOW! Thank you so much for your lenghy and supportive post. It's great that you are starting your treatment at 20 because from my experience the condition gets worse with age as you have to try and fit in with the adult world of work and stress.
I did research the interactions between Serzone and K and found that they are safe together. I currently take the Serzone not for sleep, but as an attempt to help my anxiety and the depression that is caused by the anxiety. It doesn't work for me. It does make me VERY tired, so that is why I take it at night. I've never been a person to have sleep problems as I mainly have SAD so when I'm in bed I can usually relax.
I took one .5 last night and found that the next morning the effects had dimmed. At about 9:30 today I took one and felt relief and joy in about 30 too 45 minutes. Meetings and social interaction (I work for a large company in marketing and sales...funny place for a SAD sufferer :) ) have been easy beyond my wildest dreams. I'm planning to take another at dinner time and none before bed. The effects seem to last about 10 hours for me. Today I didn't even get drowsy, nothing that one soda can't fix.
I am not going to step up my dose at all from .5 x2 a day as so far I feel pretty good. When I see my pdoc in March I will tell him exactly what I have been doing and the delivery from HELL I am experiencing.
I do not have much faith in pdocs to begin with, especially concerning SAD and GAD. Most of them don't know much more than the drug companies tell them. "oooo, use a SSRI, it works". No they do not!!! Not in people who have actual GAD and SAD. Maybe for someone who is just depressed and slightly anxious. And the side effects are horrible, as well as the withdrawl. I've had them all...the electric shocks through your brain, blurred vision, lack of appitite, weight gain..etc etc.
It's my body and my life. If it wasn't for US Laws I feel I could make my treatment decisions myself after careful research from the same sources doctors use.
I'm going to a top MBA school in the Fall so I am not stupid. I want the freedom to help myself!
Didn't mean to rant, I just have some strong feelings. The main thing is that you and I have found a life that is worth living. That is all that matters. I will not feel guilty for taking a "addictive" medication.
Thank you again for your supportive thoughts...
Lofwyr
Posted by Lofwyr on February 19, 2004, at 15:50:11
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by maliapia on February 19, 2004, at 15:04:36
> i am also a long time sufferer reluctant to try anymore SSRI what exactly is Klonopin? and side affects. i want my life back
SSRI, in my opinion, is useless for SAD and GAD. I encourage you to talk to your doctor regarding Nardil or Klonopin or other treatments that actually work. They are not perfect, but you may find that the benefits outweigh the negatives. I'm finding out that there is no reason to suffer.
Posted by Lofwyr on February 19, 2004, at 15:53:02
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Ilene on February 19, 2004, at 9:04:11
> I take 0.25 mg. Klonopin (1/2 tablet) when I need it, which is usually every morning. It kicks in in about 1/2 hour, and the effect lasts about 4-6 hours.
>
> If I take more than 1/2 tablet I fall asleep. Sometimes I will take one for insomnia. I don't get any anti-anxiety effect the next day.
>
> I discovered the hard way that Risperdal is also good for anxiety: I stopped taking it.
>
> I just started taking an MAOI called Marplan--see my thread called "Marplan Diary"
>
> IleneThank you for your response Ilene.
Everyone will react differently to medication. I have not had major problems with getting sleepy with .5mg of K. It seems to last about 8 to 10 hours for me. Hence I am going to take .5mg in the morning and .5mg with dinner/after work.
I did not want to try a MAOI because of the higher incidence of side effects and the diatary restrictions.
Posted by maliapia on February 20, 2004, at 18:34:05
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer » maliapia, posted by Lofwyr on February 19, 2004, at 15:50:11
> > i am also a long time sufferer reluctant to try anymore SSRI what exactly is Klonopin? and side affects. i want my life back
>
> SSRI, in my opinion, is useless for SAD and GAD. I encourage you to talk to your doctor regarding Nardil or Klonopin or other treatments that actually work. They are not perfect, but you may find that the benefits outweigh the negatives. I'm finding out that there is no reason to suffer.Thanks for your help and wisdom, im not sure what those 2 you mentioned are but will look it up, i was on Buspar for awhile a couple of years ago as well as zoloft, everytime i looked side ways i felt like i could hear a whoosh whoosh sound and was really anxious then, i take a small dose of xanax now, but like most docs they hate to give you "those" kind of drugs, why not give ya something that works? what happened to the day when people were like us, before drs knew what they had were able to get valium or xanax, and most were fine?
Posted by rianny on February 20, 2004, at 19:22:49
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by maliapia on February 20, 2004, at 18:34:05
I have tried two SSRI's, and they all made me crazy. They totally changed my personality (which I hated the most). I got more anxious and depressed. Totally not functional.
I'm currently on 1mg of Klonopin per day (0.5mg in the morning and 0.5mg in the evening, but planning to change that evening dos to afternoon dos since I usually stay home in the evening). Today was the second day, and I felt some improvement. SSRI's to HELL.
And, Lofwyr, good luck with your work!
Posted by maliapia on February 22, 2004, at 22:28:04
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by rianny on February 20, 2004, at 19:22:49
thanks rianny and Lofwyr for all your info, going to talk to pdoc tomorrow and see if he will go along with it, how do i approach him do ya think? most docs want you to take the SSRI's and after the ones i did try in the past and all i have read on here from people and their side affects and withdrawals, i am truly afraid to try anymore of those.
Posted by Lofwyr on February 23, 2004, at 7:58:47
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by maliapia on February 22, 2004, at 22:28:04
> thanks rianny and Lofwyr for all your info, going to talk to pdoc tomorrow and see if he will go along with it, how do i approach him do ya think? most docs want you to take the SSRI's and after the ones i did try in the past and all i have read on here from people and their side affects and withdrawals, i am truly afraid to try anymore of those.>
My PERSONAL belief is that SSRI's are ineffective for someone who really has SAD. They also have a horrible side effects, don't "work" until 3 months after taking them, and have major withdrawl symptoms (electric shocks through your brain...I've been there).
Klonopin is working for me so well that I feel like I have a whole new beginning in life. It's unbelieveable. I'm doing .75mg in the morning now and trying either .5 or .75 at dinnertime. Effects last from 8 to 9 hours. I've had no problems drinking with the medication either (just on the weekend). In fact, for me it has seemed to ward off hangovers....dunno. I wouldn't use any other sort of drug with it though. I have now stepped my Serzone down to 400mg nightly from 600mg with no side effects. I DO need to go discuss all of this with my pdoc. Will do that within a month. He's so Benzo phobic I expect I'll have to find another one. Am I addicted? YES, I'm addicted to having a life worth living.
Posted by mrgeek on February 23, 2004, at 8:06:12
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Lofwyr on February 23, 2004, at 7:58:47
> > thanks rianny and Lofwyr for all your info, going to talk to pdoc tomorrow and see if he will go along with it, how do i approach him do ya think? most docs want you to take the SSRI's and after the ones i did try in the past and all i have read on here from people and their side affects and withdrawals, i am truly afraid to try anymore of those.>
>
> My PERSONAL belief is that SSRI's are ineffective for someone who really has SAD. They also have a horrible side effects, don't "work" until 3 months after taking them, and have major withdrawl symptoms (electric shocks through your brain...I've been there).
>
> Klonopin is working for me so well that I feel like I have a whole new beginning in life. It's unbelieveable. I'm doing .75mg in the morning now and trying either .5 or .75 at dinnertime. Effects last from 8 to 9 hours. I've had no problems drinking with the medication either (just on the weekend). In fact, for me it has seemed to ward off hangovers....dunno. I wouldn't use any other sort of drug with it though. I have now stepped my Serzone down to 400mg nightly from 600mg with no side effects. I DO need to go discuss all of this with my pdoc. Will do that within a month. He's so Benzo phobic I expect I'll have to find another one. Am I addicted? YES, I'm addicted to having a life worth living.
>
>I couldn't agree with you more. My situation seems to be almost exactly the same as yours. Failed on SSRI's. Now taking .75mg klonopin in the morning and .5mg at night. effects last 8-10 hours. No problems with moderate drinking, and the klonopin does in fact seem to ward off hang-overs. Of course I always skip my nighttime dose of it when I'm drinking...
But please, nobody take this as encouragement to mix alcohol and klonopin. For all I know, I could be direly wrong or just extremely lucky. Use caution.
:)
/mrgeek
Posted by Lofwyr on February 23, 2004, at 8:34:32
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer » Lofwyr, posted by mrgeek on February 23, 2004, at 8:06:12
> > > thanks rianny and Lofwyr for all your info, going to talk to pdoc tomorrow and see if he will go along with it, how do i approach him do ya think? most docs want you to take the SSRI's and after the ones i did try in the past and all i have read on here from people and their side affects and withdrawals, i am truly afraid to try anymore of those.>
> >
> > My PERSONAL belief is that SSRI's are ineffective for someone who really has SAD. They also have a horrible side effects, don't "work" until 3 months after taking them, and have major withdrawl symptoms (electric shocks through your brain...I've been there).
> >
> > Klonopin is working for me so well that I feel like I have a whole new beginning in life. It's unbelieveable. I'm doing .75mg in the morning now and trying either .5 or .75 at dinnertime. Effects last from 8 to 9 hours. I've had no problems drinking with the medication either (just on the weekend). In fact, for me it has seemed to ward off hangovers....dunno. I wouldn't use any other sort of drug with it though. I have now stepped my Serzone down to 400mg nightly from 600mg with no side effects. I DO need to go discuss all of this with my pdoc. Will do that within a month. He's so Benzo phobic I expect I'll have to find another one. Am I addicted? YES, I'm addicted to having a life worth living.
> >
> >
>
> I couldn't agree with you more. My situation seems to be almost exactly the same as yours. Failed on SSRI's. Now taking .75mg klonopin in the morning and .5mg at night. effects last 8-10 hours. No problems with moderate drinking, and the klonopin does in fact seem to ward off hang-overs. Of course I always skip my nighttime dose of it when I'm drinking...
>
> But please, nobody take this as encouragement to mix alcohol and klonopin. For all I know, I could be direly wrong or just extremely lucky. Use caution.
>
> :)
>
> /mrgeekI take my .5 mg "maintanence" dose 8 hours after my first dose in the morning. I still take it even with alcohol. But, I only drink beer and wine, so I don't get that sauced up. I wouldn't recommend doing shots of tequela or anything. Ideally, not drinking at all would be the best thing, but it really limits your social options (which I actually want to go to now) if you do not drink. At least I do not do esctacy, mushrooms, and weed anymore to deal with my SAD. I smoked strong dank weed (like 3 or 4 bowls a day) all the time for the entire year of 2003 to deal with my ever increasing anxiety that was spiraling out of control. I get no buzz from K so I'm not worried about taking more than I need. I just get relief and, right now, the euphoria of being HAPPY and SOCIAL! I'm so optimistic about the future now.
Posted by mrgeek on February 23, 2004, at 8:51:35
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Lofwyr on February 23, 2004, at 8:34:32
I know how you feel. Some people that take other Benzo's like Valium or Xanax report a physically "euphoric" feeling when they take it. On the contrary, the only euphoria I feel from Klonopin is the utter happiness of being the person that I want to be. It's like truly being high on life.
However, I am afraid to think that the statement "good things dont last forever" may apply to these feelings we are getting. If you look into it and do some research, the horror stories associated with long-term klonopin use and discontinuation can be pretty scary to say the least. I recently spoke with someone my age who is convinced to be permanently disabled from the effect it had on them. However, as with all stories there are ones that oppose these horror stories where people have been successful with coming off it after long term use. My believe is nobody can really say how long term usage is going to affect them. It's almost a gamble with your life. It boils down to:
Are you willing to risk what may be the worst ever terror you've ever gone through in your life (descriptions from the most extreme withdrawal cases i've heard) for relief from such a dehabiliating condition that makes you miserable on a daily basis?
For me the answer isn't all that clear yet. I think I need to become better informed as to the true consequences of long-term use of this stuff are. I'm not ready to gamble my life away. I dont even think I'm willing to do it at all. Thats why I'm really excited that I've finally got insurance and I can go see a professional.
All I know right now: The past two weeks the quality of my life has gone up at least 200% and that is a little scary. That 1.25mg a day of a drug can do such great things. This sounds too good to be true and it would seem that at some point there has to be a caveat lurking about. I guess only time will tell....
/mrgeek
Posted by Lofwyr on February 23, 2004, at 8:58:35
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by mrgeek on February 23, 2004, at 8:51:35
> I know how you feel. Some people that take other Benzo's like Valium or Xanax report a physically "euphoric" feeling when they take it. On the contrary, the only euphoria I feel from Klonopin is the utter happiness of being the person that I want to be. It's like truly being high on life.
>
> However, I am afraid to think that the statement "good things dont last forever" may apply to these feelings we are getting. If you look into it and do some research, the horror stories associated with long-term klonopin use and discontinuation can be pretty scary to say the least. I recently spoke with someone my age who is convinced to be permanently disabled from the effect it had on them. However, as with all stories there are ones that oppose these horror stories where people have been successful with coming off it after long term use. My believe is nobody can really say how long term usage is going to affect them. It's almost a gamble with your life. It boils down to:
>
> Are you willing to risk what may be the worst ever terror you've ever gone through in your life (descriptions from the most extreme withdrawal cases i've heard) for relief from such a dehabiliating condition that makes you miserable on a daily basis?
>
> For me the answer isn't all that clear yet. I think I need to become better informed as to the true consequences of long-term use of this stuff are. I'm not ready to gamble my life away. I dont even think I'm willing to do it at all. Thats why I'm really excited that I've finally got insurance and I can go see a professional.
>
> All I know right now: The past two weeks the quality of my life has gone up at least 200% and that is a little scary. That 1.25mg a day of a drug can do such great things. This sounds too good to be true and it would seem that at some point there has to be a caveat lurking about. I guess only time will tell....
>
> /mrgeekThe withdrawl would only be if you didn't do it gradually over a long period of time under a pdoc's care. I'm ok with never coming off of it. My mother has taken a cocktail of medicines almost her entire life to control her depression. She leads a wonderful life. For me I would rather live a good life and have the possibility of a hard withdrawl if I ever needed to come off of it. Otherwise, I'm convinced I would eventually kill myself because of the dibilitating effects of my SAD and GAD. Who wants to go through life afraid all the time???
Posted by mrgeek on February 23, 2004, at 9:03:59
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Lofwyr on February 23, 2004, at 8:58:35
Agreed.
Posted by KXo on February 23, 2004, at 20:08:25
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by Lofwyr on February 23, 2004, at 8:34:32
I do moderate alcohol drinking like Lofwyr and mrgeek do, and I feel no difference mixing them. I am taking 1 to 1,5mg a day, divided in 2/3 doses.
You recommend not to mix Klonopin with alcohol, to use it with caution... What is the problem?
What if once I decide to have shots of tequila?? What could happen?
Wish you the best.
KXo> > > Klonopin is working for me so well that I feel like I have a whole new beginning in life. It's unbelieveable. I'm doing .75mg in the morning now and trying either .5 or .75 at dinnertime. Effects last from 8 to 9 hours. I've had no problems drinking with the medication either (just on the weekend). In fact, for me it has seemed to ward off hangovers....dunno. I wouldn't use any other sort of drug with it though. I have now stepped my Serzone down to 400mg nightly from 600mg with no side effects. I DO need to go discuss all of this with my pdoc. Will do that within a month. He's so Benzo phobic I expect I'll have to find another one. Am I addicted? YES, I'm addicted to having a life worth living.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > I couldn't agree with you more. My situation seems to be almost exactly the same as yours. Failed on SSRI's. Now taking .75mg klonopin in the morning and .5mg at night. effects last 8-10 hours. No problems with moderate drinking, and the klonopin does in fact seem to ward off hang-overs. Of course I always skip my nighttime dose of it when I'm drinking...
> >
> > But please, nobody take this as encouragement to mix alcohol and klonopin. For all I know, I could be direly wrong or just extremely lucky. Use caution.
> >
> > :)
> >
> > /mrgeek
>
> I take my .5 mg "maintanence" dose 8 hours after my first dose in the morning. I still take it even with alcohol. But, I only drink beer and wine, so I don't get that sauced up. I wouldn't recommend doing shots of tequela or anything. Ideally, not drinking at all would be the best thing, but it really limits your social options (which I actually want to go to now) if you do not drink. At least I do not do esctacy, mushrooms, and weed anymore to deal with my SAD. I smoked strong dank weed (like 3 or 4 bowls a day) all the time for the entire year of 2003 to deal with my ever increasing anxiety that was spiraling out of control. I get no buzz from K so I'm not worried about taking more than I need. I just get relief and, right now, the euphoria of being HAPPY and SOCIAL! I'm so optimistic about the future now.
Posted by Lofwyr on February 23, 2004, at 21:08:14
In reply to Re: New Klonopin user - long time sufferer, posted by KXo on February 23, 2004, at 20:08:25
> I do moderate alcohol drinking like Lofwyr and mrgeek do, and I feel no difference mixing them. I am taking 1 to 1,5mg a day, divided in 2/3 doses.
> You recommend not to mix Klonopin with alcohol, to use it with caution... What is the problem?
> What if once I decide to have shots of tequila?? What could happen?
> Wish you the best.
> KXo
>
> > > > Klonopin is working for me so well that I feel like I have a whole new beginning in life. It's unbelieveable. I'm doing .75mg in the morning now and trying either .5 or .75 at dinnertime. Effects last from 8 to 9 hours. I've had no problems drinking with the medication either (just on the weekend). In fact, for me it has seemed to ward off hangovers....dunno. I wouldn't use any other sort of drug with it though. I have now stepped my Serzone down to 400mg nightly from 600mg with no side effects. I DO need to go discuss all of this with my pdoc. Will do that within a month. He's so Benzo phobic I expect I'll have to find another one. Am I addicted? YES, I'm addicted to having a life worth living.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > I couldn't agree with you more. My situation seems to be almost exactly the same as yours. Failed on SSRI's. Now taking .75mg klonopin in the morning and .5mg at night. effects last 8-10 hours. No problems with moderate drinking, and the klonopin does in fact seem to ward off hang-overs. Of course I always skip my nighttime dose of it when I'm drinking...
> > >
> > > But please, nobody take this as encouragement to mix alcohol and klonopin. For all I know, I could be direly wrong or just extremely lucky. Use caution.
> > >
> > > :)
> > >
> > > /mrgeek
> >
> > I take my .5 mg "maintanence" dose 8 hours after my first dose in the morning. I still take it even with alcohol. But, I only drink beer and wine, so I don't get that sauced up. I wouldn't recommend doing shots of tequela or anything. Ideally, not drinking at all would be the best thing, but it really limits your social options (which I actually want to go to now) if you do not drink. At least I do not do esctacy, mushrooms, and weed anymore to deal with my SAD. I smoked strong dank weed (like 3 or 4 bowls a day) all the time for the entire year of 2003 to deal with my ever increasing anxiety that was spiraling out of control. I get no buzz from K so I'm not worried about taking more than I need. I just get relief and, right now, the euphoria of being HAPPY and SOCIAL! I'm so optimistic about the future now.
>
>kxo - I have no medical training so I only say this because it seems like common sense to me to not drink heavy liquior while on K. I say again, my posts are just my experiences and have nothing to do with science! Make sure to do what is right for you!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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