Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 339315

Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

klonopin

Posted by patricia leahy on April 23, 2004, at 18:46:30

got to see my pdoc today and he did agree with most of you and myself that i should not be on lexapro since iam not depressed just have anxiety with panic attacks, was fine with putting me on klonopin, said actually they were less addictive than the xanax because they stay in your system longer. my questions for anyone, is there a time before you notice a big difference in the number of attacks? or is it instant, any weird side effects i should know about? he has started me on 0.5mg to take 1 a day. also will i need my xanax anymore? and if so are these safe to take while taking the other.

 

Re: klonopin

Posted by waterfall on April 23, 2004, at 18:59:16

In reply to klonopin, posted by patricia leahy on April 23, 2004, at 18:46:30

Hi there. I find myself noticeably thirstier on Klonipin. I sleep better, but I also sleep more. If you up your dose much you'll find that you can't tolerate a low-sleep night (4-5 hours) very well. My weirdest side effect has been a twitch in my left eye which goes away a few weeks after I stop taking the Klonipin. I felt self-conscious about it until I watched it in a mirror and realized it was too subtle for anyone else to notice. I have Ativan as a back-up rather than Xanax and I do take it on occasion. Taking an extra Klonipin in a day can mean you feel significantly drowsier and slower, while that isn't the case with the short-acting benzos. Also, while "good" psychiatric patients shouldn't know these things, a long-acting benzo, a short-acting benzo, and a latte will put you in a perfect mood for any work meeting you might have. You'll be team-oriented, agreeable, no anxiety, and not afraid to diplomatically put your opinions on the table. ;-) BTW I usually have to take the Klonipin for several days before I notice the full effects.

 

Re: klonopin

Posted by man_oh_man1977 on April 24, 2004, at 1:07:21

In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by waterfall on April 23, 2004, at 18:59:16

Hi Patricia,

For quicker acting "relief" look into the klonopin wafers. They dissolve on your tongue, and it takes about 10 minutes (that's my personal experience, anyway) to kick in.

If it makes you sleepy, take it around night-time, but early enough so you won't be too groggy in the AM. Trial and error :)

Also, xanax is probably the best benzo, but I would just use it in emergencies - ya know, a full blown panic attack in a public place or some situation that you can't "escape" from, but want to, desperately. In my case, I leave the xanax at home (knowing it's there waiting for me) and carry klonopin w/ me.

The combo of the two will intensify the effect, and although if not taken in excess, should be fine. But I'd recommend one or the other, leaning toward the klono. Sorry for the long post...

Be well,
Man-oh-man

 

Re: klonopin » man_oh_man1977

Posted by patricia leahy on April 24, 2004, at 13:21:30

In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by man_oh_man1977 on April 24, 2004, at 1:07:21

>HI thanks for the info, first time in a long time a found someone to listen to me and not have to convince them that i absoulutley did not want any part of the SSRI's because i don't need that with these horrible panic attacks. what is the usual dosage ya think on the klonopin? he started me on .5 mg i took half of that yesterday in the a.m and the other half before bed, i did wake up feeling pretty good and for the first time in ALONG time no sign of a panic attack. is there a chance i may have a break through one? appreciate your wisdom and advice

Hi Patricia,
>
> For quicker acting "relief" look into the klonopin wafers. They dissolve on your tongue, and it takes about 10 minutes (that's my personal experience, anyway) to kick in.
>
> If it makes you sleepy, take it around night-time, but early enough so you won't be too groggy in the AM. Trial and error :)
>
> Also, xanax is probably the best benzo, but I would just use it in emergencies - ya know, a full blown panic attack in a public place or some situation that you can't "escape" from, but want to, desperately. In my case, I leave the xanax at home (knowing it's there waiting for me) and carry klonopin w/ me.
>
> The combo of the two will intensify the effect, and although if not taken in excess, should be fine. But I'd recommend one or the other, leaning toward the klono. Sorry for the long post...
>
> Be well,
> Man-oh-man

 

Re: klonopin » waterfall

Posted by patricia leahy on April 24, 2004, at 13:27:17

In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by waterfall on April 23, 2004, at 18:59:16

>Hi, Thanks for the input, im new to this it has taken 6 years to finally find a pdoc that would listen to what i had to say, and not try to put me on the SSRI's that i did not need, because iam not depressed just this awful anxiety disorder and panic out of nowhere. iam on .5mg of the klonopin i took half yesterday a.m. and the other half a bedtime, woke up feeling pretty good, is there a chance i could have a break through attack? and what is the usual dosage? you don't think it would hurt to take a xanax if i had a break through? and how soon is safe after taking the klonopin. i feel like such a babe in the woods on this stuff. thanks for any and all response.


Hi there. I find myself noticeably thirstier on Klonipin. I sleep better, but I also sleep more. If you up your dose much you'll find that you can't tolerate a low-sleep night (4-5 hours) very well. My weirdest side effect has been a twitch in my left eye which goes away a few weeks after I stop taking the Klonipin. I felt self-conscious about it until I watched it in a mirror and realized it was too subtle for anyone else to notice. I have Ativan as a back-up rather than Xanax and I do take it on occasion. Taking an extra Klonipin in a day can mean you feel significantly drowsier and slower, while that isn't the case with the short-acting benzos. Also, while "good" psychiatric patients shouldn't know these things, a long-acting benzo, a short-acting benzo, and a latte will put you in a perfect mood for any work meeting you might have. You'll be team-oriented, agreeable, no anxiety, and not afraid to diplomatically put your opinions on the table. ;-) BTW I usually have to take the Klonipin for several days before I notice the full effects.

 

Re: klonopin

Posted by waterfall on April 24, 2004, at 22:24:50

In reply to Re: klonopin » waterfall, posted by patricia leahy on April 24, 2004, at 13:27:17

Hi Pat,
Yes, there is a chance you could have a break-through attack, especially on such a low dose. Some people would say not to be taking short-acting benzos like Xanax along with Klonopin but I've been doing it for 12 years with no ill effects. IMHO, if you have a panic attack, take the Xanax. I'm not a doctor of course. It wouldn't hurt to ask your doc what they think and to get a clear answer on WHY not if he/she doesn't recommend it so you can weigh the risks for yourself. I've always assumed it was to reduce the risk of addiction. Taking Klonopin and Ativan together makes me flat-out high and I do it rarely - but I do do it when I feel like I need it.
.5 is a very small daily dose. 6 mgs would be a very high daily dose. I was a zombie for several years on 4 mgs a day, sleeping 10 hours a day. When I feel like I need K for a few days, I usually take 1-2 mgs a day. But you have to build up to a higher dose.
Hope this helps.
waterfall

> >Hi, Thanks for the input, im new to this it has taken 6 years to finally find a pdoc that would listen to what i had to say, and not try to put me on the SSRI's that i did not need, because iam not depressed just this awful anxiety disorder and panic out of nowhere. iam on .5mg of the klonopin i took half yesterday a.m. and the other half a bedtime, woke up feeling pretty good, is there a chance i could have a break through attack? and what is the usual dosage? you don't think it would hurt to take a xanax if i had a break through? and how soon is safe after taking the klonopin. i feel like such a babe in the woods on this stuff. thanks for any and all response.
>
>
> Hi there. I find myself noticeably thirstier on Klonipin. I sleep better, but I also sleep more. If you up your dose much you'll find that you can't tolerate a low-sleep night (4-5 hours) very well. My weirdest side effect has been a twitch in my left eye which goes away a few weeks after I stop taking the Klonipin. I felt self-conscious about it until I watched it in a mirror and realized it was too subtle for anyone else to notice. I have Ativan as a back-up rather than Xanax and I do take it on occasion. Taking an extra Klonipin in a day can mean you feel significantly drowsier and slower, while that isn't the case with the short-acting benzos. Also, while "good" psychiatric patients shouldn't know these things, a long-acting benzo, a short-acting benzo, and a latte will put you in a perfect mood for any work meeting you might have. You'll be team-oriented, agreeable, no anxiety, and not afraid to diplomatically put your opinions on the table. ;-) BTW I usually have to take the Klonipin for several days before I notice the full effects.
>
>

 

Re: klonopin

Posted by patricia leahy on April 25, 2004, at 11:32:12

In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by waterfall on April 24, 2004, at 22:24:50

>HI thanks for your response, i thought .5mg was low to, would make more sense to take one.5in a.m and one.5mg at night, less chance of a potential breakthrough. how long do you think i should stay at this low dose? doesnt .5 and .5 make 1 mg? hope i don't have to take the xanax much longer, did take one last night, after around 6 hours after taking my half of my .5mg of klonopin, started feeling alittle dizzy and sweaty, first signs for me of panic attack along with racing heart, stopped it dead in its tracks though, but i thought if i would have been taking a little more of other would have been ok. thanks for all your help.


Hi Pat,
> Yes, there is a chance you could have a break-through attack, especially on such a low dose. Some people would say not to be taking short-acting benzos like Xanax along with Klonopin but I've been doing it for 12 years with no ill effects. IMHO, if you have a panic attack, take the Xanax. I'm not a doctor of course. It wouldn't hurt to ask your doc what they think and to get a clear answer on WHY not if he/she doesn't recommend it so you can weigh the risks for yourself. I've always assumed it was to reduce the risk of addiction. Taking Klonopin and Ativan together makes me flat-out high and I do it rarely - but I do do it when I feel like I need it.
> .5 is a very small daily dose. 6 mgs would be a very high daily dose. I was a zombie for several years on 4 mgs a day, sleeping 10 hours a day. When I feel like I need K for a few days, I usually take 1-2 mgs a day. But you have to build up to a higher dose.
> Hope this helps.
> waterfall
>
> > >Hi, Thanks for the input, im new to this it has taken 6 years to finally find a pdoc that would listen to what i had to say, and not try to put me on the SSRI's that i did not need, because iam not depressed just this awful anxiety disorder and panic out of nowhere. iam on .5mg of the klonopin i took half yesterday a.m. and the other half a bedtime, woke up feeling pretty good, is there a chance i could have a break through attack? and what is the usual dosage? you don't think it would hurt to take a xanax if i had a break through? and how soon is safe after taking the klonopin. i feel like such a babe in the woods on this stuff. thanks for any and all response.
> >
> >
> > Hi there. I find myself noticeably thirstier on Klonipin. I sleep better, but I also sleep more. If you up your dose much you'll find that you can't tolerate a low-sleep night (4-5 hours) very well. My weirdest side effect has been a twitch in my left eye which goes away a few weeks after I stop taking the Klonipin. I felt self-conscious about it until I watched it in a mirror and realized it was too subtle for anyone else to notice. I have Ativan as a back-up rather than Xanax and I do take it on occasion. Taking an extra Klonipin in a day can mean you feel significantly drowsier and slower, while that isn't the case with the short-acting benzos. Also, while "good" psychiatric patients shouldn't know these things, a long-acting benzo, a short-acting benzo, and a latte will put you in a perfect mood for any work meeting you might have. You'll be team-oriented, agreeable, no anxiety, and not afraid to diplomatically put your opinions on the table. ;-) BTW I usually have to take the Klonipin for several days before I notice the full effects.
> >
> >
>
>

 

Re: klonopin

Posted by awatts on April 25, 2004, at 18:00:05

In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by patricia leahy on April 25, 2004, at 11:32:12

Take as little Klonopin as possible, but most folks need at least 0.5mg twice a day. (or one mg per day)- but only 0.25mg (half of a 0.5mg tablet) twice a day is enogh for others. 0.5mg 2-4 times a day is a "typical" dose. Wait at least a week before increasing dosage. It would be good not to have to take Xanax more than once a week or less.

Remember, no one in this group is an MD unless he or she says so, and even then you don't know for sure.

 

Re: klonopin

Posted by patricia leahy on April 26, 2004, at 13:37:28

In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by awatts on April 25, 2004, at 18:00:05

>thanks for your input, i get so confused on mg's i will wait until friday and then ask pdoc what to do. main goal is to never take xanax again if necessary. although they did save me a couple of times

Take as little Klonopin as possible, but most folks need at least 0.5mg twice a day. (or one mg per day)- but only 0.25mg (half of a 0.5mg tablet) twice a day is enogh for others. 0.5mg 2-4 times a day is a "typical" dose. Wait at least a week before increasing dosage. It would be good not to have to take Xanax more than once a week or less.
>
> Remember, no one in this group is an MD unless he or she says so, and even then you don't know for sure.


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.