Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 384494

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Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you?

Posted by BigBoy2u on August 31, 2004, at 2:18:15

My Psychiatrist wants to put me on Clonazapam @ .5mg bid and maybe up it to 1mg bid in 2 weeks and adjust as needed for 6-9 months maybe up to a year then do a taper. I have pretty constant GAD but no out of the blue panic attacks. I really only panic when I create it with negative thinking and anticipatory anxiety. I live a pretty limited life for the last 10+ years with GAD I dont drive far, travel and like to be alone etc. You all know the usual stuff. I am open to K but the benzo scare does bother me. I have and do take either Xanax or Ativan as needed and always keep some with me but never abuse them. I have been under a huge amount of stress lately and I can not relax at all...ever!..without any benzo's. I can feel a buzzing inside me most of the time and with the benzo's I feel "normal" again. Dr. feels SSRI's are not for me since I am not depressed but just wound up way to tight all the time. I really would like to be "normal" again and live life. Should I hop on the K train?

 

Re: Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you? » BigBoy2u

Posted by Glydin on August 31, 2004, at 6:35:14

In reply to Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you?, posted by BigBoy2u on August 31, 2004, at 2:18:15

I have three years and counting of Klonopin use as monotherapy. It as been as close to a Godsend as could be expected for me. There is much anti-benzo information to be found but there is also information that bears out the fact that folks who use benzos for anxiety disorders do not abuse. This class of meds is quite safe and effective when used properly. Physical dependence does occurr but that differs from addiction.

It sounds as if you have found a doc who is quite open minded and supportive. You may find listening to their guidence may give you a quality of life you didn't think was possible.

 

Re: Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you? » BigBoy2u

Posted by zeugma on August 31, 2004, at 6:53:10

In reply to Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you?, posted by BigBoy2u on August 31, 2004, at 2:18:15

Klonopin is an extremely effective med for anxiety. It may be the most potent pure anxiolytic out there. I also think (*especially* if you don't have depression) that AD's are, in general, harder on your body. That's just my opinion, of course.

 

Re: Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you?

Posted by chess on August 31, 2004, at 18:19:19

In reply to Re: Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you? » BigBoy2u, posted by zeugma on August 31, 2004, at 6:53:10

i tried klonopin for gad and it was very sedating for me, so my doc switched me to Xanax-XR which is much less sedating and i think works just as well as klonopin, my doc said they came out with Xanax-XR to compete with klonopin because the Xanax makers realized klonopin is being prescribed more than other benzos due to its longer duration of action from a single dose (8-12 hours) while from Xanax-XR you get around the same duration of action from a single dose (12-16 hours)

so my 2-cents is to try Klonopin or Xanax-XR and see which works best for you

i'm concerned about possible benzo tolerance, dependence, and rebound anxiety after long-term use, so next time i see my psy doc i'm going to ask her about Gabitril and Inderal and Buspar and whether they work as well as the benzos for GAD but without the tolerance-dependence-rebound issues

 

Re: Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you?

Posted by Ilene on September 1, 2004, at 11:37:59

In reply to Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you?, posted by BigBoy2u on August 31, 2004, at 2:18:15

I took Klonopin for several months for GAD. It helped but the anxiety was always there, under the surface. I never developed tolerance and I had no problem when I stopped. It's definitely worth a try.

Now I take Zyprexa at night and my GAD is almost gone. I am still depressed, however.

I don't know why Zyprexa isn't used more often at small doses. I'm taking only 3.75 mg. It's been extremely effective and I haven't had any side effects, with the possible exception of a little weight gain.

 

Re: Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you?

Posted by captain on September 1, 2004, at 11:45:59

In reply to Re: Klonapin for GAD...how does it work for you?, posted by Ilene on September 1, 2004, at 11:37:59

This is a very interesting subject as I suffer from GAD as well. I tried lex for a few months but the side effects were not worth it to me because I do not suffer from depression.

I have xanax as needed and do not abuse it either. Anyone with anxiety would understand that - which is a big complaint of mine to docs!

But what I am curious about is what you guys mentioned about the negatives of a drug like xanax? The only bad things I know of are people who talk about getting addicted. What are the other negative issues associated with it?

Thanks!
Captain


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