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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Laree on April 25, 2005, at 12:27:57
Hello,
I have been taking Klonopin for severe anxiety and panic attacks for about 6 months now @ .5 mg/2x a day. I am also on Adderall (50 mg./day for about 2 years for ADHD) and Lexapro (10 mg./day).
Here's my dilemma. My pdoc was originally reluctant to rx the Klonopin at any dose. It finally got upped to current dosage but I feel I need at least 2 mg./day (early on in the day) to function correctly.
I have been with the same pdoc for almost 3 years now. I have run out of my script early and am now in a big, panicky mess. I am finding it difficult to function and have days until I can get my script refilled. Should I just call & be honest with him about it? Is 2 mg./day really a lot for severe anxiety/panic?? I read one source that said it would be a baseline dose for what I have...and I am only getting 1/2 of that!
I think I am on the brink of losing my job (in which I do not have ANY medical coverage) and I cannot take off any days to "hibernate" this week due to panic. Somebody, anybody, help?! please!!
--L.
Posted by partlycloudy on April 25, 2005, at 15:23:16
In reply to Klonopin dose insufficient, I need HELP!!, posted by Laree on April 25, 2005, at 12:27:57
I would call the p-doc and be honest with what amount of Klonopin is really helpful for you. That's the only way he'll be able to help you - it might be that Klonopin isn't the best solution for your anxiety. Have you tried Xanax at all?
partlycloudy
Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2005, at 17:57:36
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose insufficient, I need HELP!! » Laree, posted by partlycloudy on April 25, 2005, at 15:23:16
Call the pdoc and tell him what's going on. Are you saying that you are taking 2mg of klonopin and that it's helping you and that's why you're running out? Or is even that dose not helping you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Paul Smith on April 25, 2005, at 18:05:25
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose insufficient, I need HELP!! » Laree, posted by partlycloudy on April 25, 2005, at 15:23:16
Usually they give you a stingy dose like .5 mgs a day, guess hoping it will work but probably will not for a severe case. Guess it does not hurt to see if it works... Usual scenario though is they give you a bit of a benzo and an AD, then pull the benzo when the AD kicks in. Problem is that is often not going to work if one is already dependant on the benzo. Dose increase time perhaps. Xanax worked great for me for a while but short half-life, panic between doses once really dependant.
Posted by Mr.Scott on April 25, 2005, at 21:31:07
In reply to Klonopin dose insufficient, I need HELP!!, posted by Laree on April 25, 2005, at 12:27:57
In my opinion...In the long run honesty is really the only thing that might help you here.
Scott
Posted by woolav on April 26, 2005, at 9:23:30
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose insufficient, I need HELP!! » Laree, posted by Mr.Scott on April 25, 2005, at 21:31:07
I took xanax for years for panic disorder and finally told my pdoc it wasnt working and asked her to up my dose. She then switched me to klonopin, I take 3mg a day and I havent had a panic attack (like i did between my doses of xanax) I dont know what I would do with out it now...But, I know how pdocs are about benzo's so just explain that to him/her that the klonopin is working great, but in order to function at work etc you may need a higher dose. At one point my pdoc gave me .5 mg of ativan for my panic and i called her and laughed saying it mise well be a sugar pill. it did nothing at all. I think they will always prescribe the lowest dose at first, but hopefully they will understand your situation.
S
Posted by Laree on April 28, 2005, at 23:51:16
In reply to Re: Klonopin dose insufficient, I need HELP!!, posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2005, at 17:57:36
I am rx'ed 1 mg./day of Klonopin and have been unable to function on most days on that dose. I have found I do beautifully when I take 2 mg./day, and have not noticed any nasty side effects from that dose.
My pdoc has been reluctant to up my dose at all, he just wants to try and augment it with Gabitril or Neurontin or other drugs I've tried, cannot afford, haven't worked, and given me nasty side effects.
Eventually I do want to taper down on the Klonopin, but I cannot afford counseling regularly right now and the attitude of my pdoc is, I think, fueling my anxiety & panic further. I am always petrified that I won't have enough medicine, relief, etc...
Any comments? ;)
Thanks!
> Call the pdoc and tell him what's going on. Are you saying that you are taking 2mg of klonopin and that it's helping you and that's why you're running out? Or is even that dose not helping you. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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