Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 253823

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Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » Dave1

Posted by francesco on March 4, 2004, at 9:25:55

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123, posted by Dave1 on March 3, 2004, at 18:25:55

Do you think Trileptal will work as well ? I'm asking because I'm trying to quit my xanax ... I have experienced a bad withdrawal from benzos (I didn't realize I was dependant) and my p-doc put me on xanax that seems a nonsense to me. I don't know if he had realized I was experiencing a benzo-withdrawal but the syntoms seem to me evident (derealization, weakness in arms and legs and so on). Now he wants me to stay on 0,25 mg a day of Xanax but I'm sleepy all day long. I'm taking also 10mg of Anafranil which can somehow contribute to the sleepiness. I have some Trileptal at home and I'm wondering if I have to quit Xanax without my p-doc's approval. Thanks in advance for any comment

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 4, 2004, at 9:48:51

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » Dave1, posted by francesco on March 4, 2004, at 9:25:55

I've never heard of Trileptal. You're on a very low dosage of Xanax so I don't see how it could make you drowsy all day long.

BTW, a note on half-lifes...SSRI's make benzos' half-lifes longer.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » MSTROU1

Posted by francesco on March 4, 2004, at 12:10:32

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 4, 2004, at 9:48:51

Yes, maybe it's depression in itself. But I meant to write 0,25 mg *twice* a day. Thanks

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by ryan123 on March 4, 2004, at 14:57:06

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » Dave1, posted by francesco on March 4, 2004, at 9:25:55

The generic name for Trileptal is Oxcarbazepine and the generic name for Tegretol is Carbamazepine. They were both put on the market for treatment of seizures. I don't think there would be any harm, but then again, I'm no doctor.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 4, 2004, at 15:29:25

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 4, 2004, at 14:57:06

I just got back from my shrink. She put me on 2 mg of Xanax daily to get off of Klonopin, plus 800 mg of Neurontin 3 x daily in addition to the 10 mg of Abilify, 60 mg of Buspar, and 30 mg of Lexa-Pro. Any ideas on how this will help me?

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by Dave1 on March 4, 2004, at 16:26:27

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 4, 2004, at 15:29:25

Hi,

I know Buspar is an anti-anxiety med that isn't addictive, but takes a couple of weeks to work.

I've never heard of trilepital either.

Bye,

Dave

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 4, 2004, at 17:50:51

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by Dave1 on March 4, 2004, at 16:26:27

I've been taking Buspar for seven years now, at 30 mg twice daily. It works a little bit for light anxiety, but I really need a benzo for other matters. I've never found Buspar to be addictive, although one week that I was out of town and didn't have any I got very irritable and had some headaches.

Carter

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123

Posted by zero on March 4, 2004, at 18:14:50

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 3, 2004, at 14:29:05

Haven't needed to stop taking Klonopin so far (2mg./day for 8yrs. and still works), but have quit Valium twice.

Valium withdrawal #1 was terrible, as I didn't understand what I was dealing with and quit way too fast.

Valium withdrawal #2 wasn't quite as bad, because I tapered off more slowly.

Both times, the real problem was that once off Valium, my anxiety came back "in spades". Even 2+ months after stopping the Valium, it would be so bad that I rarely left my apartment.

Time #2 Tegretol saved me. I got referred to my 1st psychopharmacologist, who put me on a modest dose of Tegretol, which immediately stopped the panic/anxiety/agitation and I no longer felt any "withdrawal".

Just my experience.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » zero

Posted by francesco on March 4, 2004, at 18:24:36

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123, posted by zero on March 4, 2004, at 18:14:50

What syntoms did you experience from Valium withdrawal ? I'm asking because I didn't manage to understand I was experiencing a benzo withdrawal until I took Xanax (and the syntoms subsided). It was frightening because I didn't know what I was coming through, I thought I had some neurological disorder !
Now I'm planning to quit Xanax, I'm just taking 0,25 mg twice a day and I'm looking for a schedule. Glad to hear Klonopin it's helping. Bye

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » francesco

Posted by zero on March 4, 2004, at 22:03:21

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » zero, posted by francesco on March 4, 2004, at 18:24:36

"Mental symptoms" (heightened anxiety, feeling like I was going crazy, fear of losing control, derealization, depersonalization, bad depression, fear of other people, fear of going out).
"Physical symptoms" (muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, my whole body ached, feeling like I had a bad case of the flu, at the end of taper my body was just screaming, other stuff for which I don't know the words).

From what I've read, the best thing is to use a benzo with a long half-life (Xanax has a very short half-life and is supposed to be one of the hardest to stop), and taper down very slowly (as your body & mind will tolerate). My feeling is to minimize the pain - who cares if it takes even a year or more if you are successful and don't go thru too much agony.

I've read of using Tegretol, Neurontin or low-dose Seroquel to minimize the withdrawal symptoms (and treat the emerging anxiety).

My personal experience with Trileptal is that while very close to Tegretol in chemical structure, it doesn't help with anxiety.

Everyone is different though.

While not a fan of their beliefs in general, I do think the "benzo.org" site has good info. on tapering strategies and schedules.

Best of luck in this.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by Dave1 on March 5, 2004, at 0:25:05

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 3, 2004, at 9:08:53

Hi,

My idiot shrink made me cut my Ativan in half, all at once, because I was abusing it. Now, I'm really freaking out. I feel like I'm going crazy, etc. I just took some Valium I found laying around and feel a little better. I'm going to call the shrink tomorrow, and tell him I need a new script for Ativan, a week earlier then he said he would give it to me. I hope he gives it to me.

Bye,

Dave

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 5, 2004, at 7:58:02

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by Dave1 on March 5, 2004, at 0:25:05

Today's my first day of no Klonopin and so far so good; I feel fine. Of course, my next step will be getting off of Xanax...

Carter

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by awatts on March 5, 2004, at 13:19:48

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 5, 2004, at 7:58:02

> Today's my first day of no Klonopin and so far so good; I feel fine. Of course, my next step will be getting off of Xanax...
>
WRONG! Get off the Xanax FIRST. The maintenance of Klonopin will make it easier.

If you feel that you must stop all benzos, choose Klonopin as the last one to go.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » awatts

Posted by Dave1 on March 5, 2004, at 16:36:42

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by awatts on March 5, 2004, at 13:19:48

This is what I have been trying to say, but no one believes me. I think I have the figured the whole thing -

Short acting BZs (Xanax,Ativan) hit you faster and harder, but they also leave your body faster.
Long acting BZs (Klonopin) hit your body more gradually, and thus not as hard, But they leave your body slower.

When you are trying to get off a fast acting BZ, the withdrawal effects will be stronger because the BZ hits you harder/faster, but the withdrawal effects won't last as long because the BZ leaves your body faster.

When you are trying to get off a long acting BZ, the withdrawal effect will be weaker because it hits you more gradually/slower, but the withdrawal effects will last longer because the BZ leaves your body slower.

So you have to decide between

Fast acting BZ = Harder, but faster withdrawal

Slow acting BZ = Easier, but slower withdrawal

P.S. I am done posting on this subject.

Bye,
Dave


> > Today's my first day of no Klonopin and so far so good; I feel fine. Of course, my next step will be getting off of Xanax...
> >
> WRONG! Get off the Xanax FIRST. The maintenance of Klonopin will make it easier.
>
> If you feel that you must stop all benzos, choose Klonopin as the last one to go.
>

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 6, 2004, at 12:27:32

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » awatts, posted by Dave1 on March 5, 2004, at 16:36:42

So far it's been two days with no Klonopin and I feel okay. The Xanax has been a good substitute, and when I can't sleep, I've been taking Neurontin. I have the 800 mg tablets and they help a lot with insomnia. Of course my next step will be getting off of Xanax but I think that if I taper I'll be okay considering I've never had a problem with it in the way I have with Klonopin.

Carter

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by awatts on March 6, 2004, at 15:11:10

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 6, 2004, at 12:27:32

> So far it's been two days with no Klonopin and I feel okay. The Xanax has been a good substitute, and when I can't sleep, I've been taking Neurontin. I have the 800 mg tablets and they help a lot with insomnia. Of course my next step will be getting off of Xanax but I think that if I taper I'll be okay considering I've never had a problem with it in the way I have with Klonopin.
>
We all respond differently. Do what works for you. However, major benzo withwrawal problems often don't begin until 3 or 4 days after reducing the dosage - depending on the drug.

Klonopin is easy to stop compared to Xanax.

Of course, from my experience, none of the benzos are as difficult to quit as Effexor and some of the SSRIs. Unfortunatly, Effexor XR (300mg) is the only thing that works for me. I may take it for a very long time.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 6, 2004, at 17:08:40

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by awatts on March 6, 2004, at 15:11:10

I have been on SSRI's for seven years and have heard that the withdrawal may last months from them, even if it's not physical.

Today I actually did some Klonopin that I got from a friend and even though it's only been two days since I did any, my entire body is feeling tingly and euphoric. I'm assuming it's because the Klonopin re-entered my system.

I don't know what to do. I want to get off of the benzo's and by the same token I may need them. Right now I have both Klonopin and Xanax and am figuring out a way to use them to work together to taper off of them both.

Carter

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by ryan123 on March 6, 2004, at 17:48:54

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 6, 2004, at 17:08:40

To take benzos or not. Tough question.

I went through 7 weeks of klonopin withdrawals. I decided to quit paxil at this time as well and went through about 3-4 weeks of SSRI withdrawals. I took oxazepam (benzo) the whole time and still felt like death.

I thought possibly I would feel like a new man after I got off klonopin.

When the doctor told me to get off of klonopin, I was on paxil and trazodone too.

Now I am on paxil, trazodone, serequel, tegretol, propanalol, and oxazepam. I feel much worse than when I was taking klonopin, trazodone, and paxil. Stupid doctors think they did me good but I'm more screwed up than ever.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 6, 2004, at 18:31:13

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 6, 2004, at 17:48:54

> To take benzos or not. Tough question.
>
> I went through 7 weeks of klonopin withdrawals. I decided to quit paxil at this time as well and went through about 3-4 weeks of SSRI withdrawals. I took oxazepam (benzo) the whole time and still felt like death.
>
> I thought possibly I would feel like a new man after I got off klonopin.
>
> When the doctor told me to get off of klonopin, I was on paxil and trazodone too.
>
> Now I am on paxil, trazodone, serequel, tegretol, propanalol, and oxazepam. I feel much worse than when I was taking klonopin, trazodone, and paxil. Stupid doctors think they did me good but I'm more screwed up than ever.


Why are you on propanolol (sp?)?

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » MSTROU1

Posted by Dave1 on March 6, 2004, at 18:46:17

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 6, 2004, at 12:27:32

Carter,

I've been trying find something good to help me sleep (other than a BZ). How well does Neurontin help? Does it make you signicantly sleepy and drowsy?

Thanks,

Dave

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123

Posted by Dave1 on March 6, 2004, at 18:48:39

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 6, 2004, at 17:48:54

Six drugs at times seems quite excessive. Maybe you should consider consulting another doctor.

Dave

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by ryan123 on March 6, 2004, at 22:11:46

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123, posted by Dave1 on March 6, 2004, at 18:48:39

My last psych had me on five drugs. The most recent one added tegretol.

Propanalol was given to me to help my body make it through klonopin withdrawals. Without it (during withdrawals) my heart rate and blood pressure were high into stroke zone (up to 150 bpm and 150 over 100).

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 7, 2004, at 6:50:41

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 6, 2004, at 22:11:46

> My last psych had me on five drugs. The most recent one added tegretol.
>
> Propanalol was given to me to help my body make it through klonopin withdrawals. Without it (during withdrawals) my heart rate and blood pressure were high into stroke zone (up to 150 bpm and 150 over 100).

Do you still need the Proppanalol now?

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by Dave1 on March 7, 2004, at 8:49:55

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 6, 2004, at 22:11:46

You know when you take alot of meds. at high doses, it fires up your liver enzymes and you metabolize your drugs faster.

Bye

Dave

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by David Greenberg on March 19, 2004, at 18:17:34

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » awatts, posted by Dave1 on March 5, 2004, at 16:36:42

This is generally true. It took me three years to switch from 3mg of klonopin to just under 1mg. Although I didn't suffer severely for more than a few days at a time, the withdrawal symptoms (mostly anxiety and insomnia) are both periodic and persistent.


> This is what I have been trying to say, but no one believes me. I think I have the figured the whole thing -
>
> Short acting BZs (Xanax,Ativan) hit you faster and harder, but they also leave your body faster.
> Long acting BZs (Klonopin) hit your body more gradually, and thus not as hard, But they leave your body slower.
>
> When you are trying to get off a fast acting BZ, the withdrawal effects will be stronger because the BZ hits you harder/faster, but the withdrawal effects won't last as long because the BZ leaves your body faster.
>
> When you are trying to get off a long acting BZ, the withdrawal effect will be weaker because it hits you more gradually/slower, but the withdrawal effects will last longer because the BZ leaves your body slower.
>
> So you have to decide between
>
> Fast acting BZ = Harder, but faster withdrawal
>
> Slow acting BZ = Easier, but slower withdrawal
>
> P.S. I am done posting on this subject.
>
> Bye,
> Dave
>
>
> > > Today's my first day of no Klonopin and so far so good; I feel fine. Of course, my next step will be getting off of Xanax...
> > >
> > WRONG! Get off the Xanax FIRST. The maintenance of Klonopin will make it easier.
> >
> > If you feel that you must stop all benzos, choose Klonopin as the last one to go.
> >
>
>


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