Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 747588

Shown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:32:11

Hi,
I've been taking Clonazepam(Klonopin) for about 6 years at 2-4mg/d. Do you think this could be the course of emotional numbing.
Thanks

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by rjlockhart on April 6, 2007, at 15:37:32

In reply to Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:32:11

xanax doesnt really dull emotion much.

I was just saying.

Clonazepam omg made me a zombie, numb, depressed, ugh. I hated it.

Ask about Xanax.

or Lorazpeam. (Ativan)

rj

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:49:48

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by rjlockhart on April 6, 2007, at 15:37:32

> xanax doesnt really dull emotion much.
>
> I was just saying.
>
> Clonazepam omg made me a zombie, numb, depressed, ugh. I hated it.
>
> Ask about Xanax.
>
> or Lorazpeam. (Ativan)
>
> rj

Is there really that much of a difference between benzo's? I thought the only differences were regarding potency and duration of effect?

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by Cynthia_Greene on April 6, 2007, at 16:46:17

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:49:48

Depression and numbness is a side effect of the benzos sometimes. I just stopped takeing Xanax and Valium because they both made me feel bad. I'm not sure about Klonopin since I've never tried it, but I can only assume that some people get depressed and unmotivated on it just like all the other benzos.

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia » falconman

Posted by Quintal on April 6, 2007, at 18:13:13

In reply to Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:32:11

It could be, but are you taking any antidepressants (or other drugs) particularly SSRIs/APs? Klonopin tended to make me emotionally labile with a tendency toward depression rather than numb, but I can see how that could happen.

Q

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia » Quintal

Posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 18:26:24

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia » falconman, posted by Quintal on April 6, 2007, at 18:13:13

Hi again,
yeah, 30mg remeron + started tianeptine(3x 12.5mg). Thinking about adding selegiline 10mg + some dl-phenylalanine if needed, or alternatively low dose amisulpride. Hopefully then I can do away with the remeron. Just need some emotion /life put back into me.

It could be, but are you taking any antidepressants (or other drugs) particularly SSRIs/APs? Klonopin tended to make me emotionally labile with a tendency toward depression rather than numb, but I can see how that could happen.
>
> Q

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia » falconman

Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2007, at 22:50:08

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:49:48

No klonopin actually made me suicidal xanax has a mild antidepressant effect. Google it it's there. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by football on April 6, 2007, at 23:20:56

In reply to Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:32:11

It seems possible. Check out these links I found for you...

http://www.benzo.org.uk/ashtox.htm
"Emotional anaesthesia," the inability to feel pleasure or pain, is a common complaint of long-term benzodiazepine users. Such emotional blunting has similarities to the anhedonia seen in anergic depression and is probably related to the inhibitory effect of benzodiazepines on activity in emotional centres in the limbic system. Former long-term benzodiazepine users often bitterly regret their lack of emotional response to family events during the period that they were taking the drugs."

http://www.aodgp.gov.au/internet/aodgp/publishing.nsf/Content/resource-kit-4/$FILE/slides_benzos.pdf
"Emotional Blunting:
. inhibition of arousal centres of the brain. Hence, long term users of BZD may report anhedonia."

Really though dude, I strongly recommend you talk to a doctor about it.

 

Thanks everyone (nm)

Posted by falconman on April 7, 2007, at 3:22:51

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by football on April 6, 2007, at 23:20:56

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by rvanson on April 7, 2007, at 11:30:40

In reply to Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:32:11

> Hi,
> I've been taking Clonazepam(Klonopin) for about 6 years at 2-4mg/d. Do you think this could be the course of emotional numbing.
> Thanks

Yes, as well as libido loss. Benzos are a double edged sword, IMO

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by Phillipa on April 7, 2007, at 19:29:05

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by rvanson on April 7, 2007, at 11:30:40

I disagree as I still freak out and always have on benzos except when the years I was first on them they relieve anxiety hence I had tons of energay and accomplished so much for so many years. Still find that. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by bulldog2 on April 10, 2007, at 9:12:29

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by rvanson on April 7, 2007, at 11:30:40

> > Hi,
> > I've been taking Clonazepam(Klonopin) for about 6 years at 2-4mg/d. Do you think this could be the course of emotional numbing.
> > Thanks
>
> Yes, as well as libido loss. Benzos are a double edged sword, IMO

Benzos have to be titrated very carefully. Yes too much will can cause depression, fatigue and loss of libido. The key is to use just enough to relieve the anxiety. For instance I take between 1 - 2 milligrams of klonopin a day. I take just enough to feel normal. Try cutting back and see what is the lowest dose that you require and you should see your numbness and lack of libido get better. Sounds like you might be taking to high a dose.

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia » bulldog2

Posted by Phillipa on April 10, 2007, at 19:17:48

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by bulldog2 on April 10, 2007, at 9:12:29

Bulldog did you ever add an ad? Love Phillipa

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia

Posted by bulldog2 on April 11, 2007, at 17:40:25

In reply to Re: Benzo induced anhedonia » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on April 10, 2007, at 19:17:48

> Bulldog did you ever add an ad? Love Phillipa

I've tried various ad's and never really stuck with one long enough because of sides. Right now I'm thinking of what to do next. When I lower the klonopin to 1 mg my depression usually goes away and I might even get a little manic. But than the problem is I get panic anxiety attacks.So my mood gets better when I'm on a low dose of benzos but my nervous system is so high strung that anything sets of a type of panic anxiety with heart pounding and severe blushing.
So next time I see my p-doc I'll ask what might help with these panic attacks.Maybe try lexapro with the klonopin. Seems like a lot of people have done well with it.
I think my situation might be a little like yours. Primary problem is anxiety and depression because of the anxiety.

 

Re: Benzo induced anhedonia » falconman

Posted by Chinaski on April 19, 2007, at 1:10:52

In reply to Benzo induced anhedonia, posted by falconman on April 6, 2007, at 15:32:11

> Hi,
> I've been taking Clonazepam(Klonopin) for about 6 years at 2-4mg/d. Do you think this could be the course of emotional numbing.
> Thanks

I am convinced Ativan has worsened my anhedonia symptoms. I take 4-5mg of Ativan a day for around 15 months now, plus 3mg of Lunesta to sleep is worthy of mention as well. Unfortunately after literally trying everything else (all SSRIs, tricyclics, remeron, wellbutrin, luvox and even the atypical anti-psychotics) nothing worked to relieve my plethora of anxiety symptoms with OCD being the biggie. I noticed immediately when I started the ativan and especially as the dosage was increased a noted lack of ability to enjoy things. It's a double edged sword as someone else so accurately said in this thread.

Lately anhedonia symptoms have been more troublesome and a lengthy discussion was had with my psychiatrist about it recently. I know going off the benzos would result in a much worse alternative as my OCD and other anxiety issues were unbearable, much worse than dealing with the anhedonia. Adding an anti-depressant would make sense if you can find one that works and doesn't have awful side effects. Personally I haven't found one yet, and it wasn't the sides that were the problem, they all just made me feel awful and usually with worsened anxiety. I really just don't handle psychotropics well.

Like others said you can also play with the dosages and that may help, and also consider switching. Klonopin is known for causing some depression and I know I felt it in my brief usage of it. Maybe even split it with half klonopin and half ativan/xanax. Obviously discuss with your doctor.

Please post back about your results trying to combat the anhedonia.


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