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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by devunea on April 20, 2007, at 18:55:25
i have been taking klonopin (1-2mg daily) for almost 5 years. after a couple tries with ssri's my doc prescribed klonopin. for me it was/is a wonderful drug. it helps with alot of my physical symptoms of stress. but my mind is still wild. i take that back, it has been running wild. i have had a number of instances over the past year that i believe would have been intolerable without the help of klonopin. while i felt stabilized for a bit i am not feeling so at the present and have not been for a while. my friends and family suggest i add a fast acting type of benzo, like xanax or ? something i don't know what. but should i layer those two drugs or an i digging myself into a deeper hole of dependency. i have no doubts that my body has become used to the medicine. i feel bad if i miss a dose, i know i would have to ween off the medicine to quit. that is what scares me. but i have a high pressure home situation and work situation and i have always been a high achiever even through my "disorders." so i dont want that to change, but i want to feel physically better. any advice from someone who takes more than one benzo or knows if it is a good idea. I do not think obtaining a prescription would be a problem, as my doctors trust me and are not benzo-phobic. Before anyone asks I am very healthy physically and have a proper diet and am in very good physical shape. So I couldn't exercise anymore to relieve my anxieties. Besides, I have been diagnosed with exercise bulimia, but i think thats crap. i never meant for that to happen. any advice, my friends say i wake up with a battery in my *ss. and its starting to hurt.
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 20:29:01
In reply to klonopin-now what., posted by devunea on April 20, 2007, at 18:55:25
I guess I'm the bezo champ. As I've probably been on them the longest 35years. Been on most of them usually two at the same time. My preference is for valium and xanax as the xanax if taken at bedtime before reading relaxes me quickly. The valium takes longer to work and works for one a day dosing for me. Klonopin depressed me dreadfully. Love Phillipa
Posted by devunea on April 20, 2007, at 20:57:06
In reply to Re: klonopin-now what. » devunea, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 20:29:01
thanks jan,
(i'm a 4 yr ps babble reader, not really a poster but i know your name.)
i would think that klonopin would depress me but really it has not. i went to my therapist originally because i thought i was depressed (2001) but have found time and time again, that i am not depressed but extremely anxious. i guess i do not display depressed feelings though i feel that way at times. i would consider ativan or something like that but i do not know what an equivalent substitute would be for klonopin. i dont want to run and grab a pill bottle three times a day, i prefer to be constantly more steady. the way klonopin works. but i have a BBA not any type of science/psych degree and i really do not know very much about why i need the medicine or what could fix the problem. i have taken it under a trusted doctor and it worked well, but i am afraid it will not for much longer, or rather i will not for much longer, (be able to act normal!)
i have taken valium and xanax, that were shortly prescribed to me, but i dont know.
thanks for your response.
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 21:44:19
In reply to Re: klonopin-now what., posted by devunea on April 20, 2007, at 20:57:06
Have you considered long acting xanax. I was recently on it and didn't like it at all and also don't care what anyone says the name brand is superior worked the generic didn't but for whatever reason money being one I do better on valium once a day dosing. Good luck . Oh it just occurred to me that a lot of people like lyrica low dose for anxiety and high dose for energy. I don't believe in the antipsychotics unless you're psychotic but that's me. Love Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 21, 2007, at 2:29:23
In reply to klonopin-now what., posted by devunea on April 20, 2007, at 18:55:25
I have been taking Klonopin for 10 years and until recently was taking less than I was in 1997. I think it is a wonderful benzo. If you feel like your body is becoming adjusted to Klonopin, you have three options:
1. Take a break from Klonopin for a week or maybe take it every other day.
2. Instead of taking Klonopin every day, switch it out: Klonopin one day, Xanx the next, and Valium or something the else, then REPEAT.
3. Increase your dose of Klonopin. You can take 4mg or less very safely.
Michael
Posted by devunea on April 21, 2007, at 15:52:14
In reply to Re: A couple of Klonopin options » devunea, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 21, 2007, at 2:29:23
thanks for the suggestions. i am thinking maybe the last one is my only option. i can not imagine taking valium, xanax and then klonopin and then Repeat.
i just think i would feel unstable, but maybe i dont know. is that what you were suggesting?
and i cant take it one week and not another, (suggestion 1) i know that. i can not skip my doses or i feel sick approx 48 hours later. i did that during my best friends wedding and just forgot to take it. i was feeling very sick by the time i got to my car where i left my meds.
that was my fault but i cant imagine going over a week. so maybe i raise the dose a little. i was wondering if i should keep the Klon constant and take something "as needed" but i am pretty sure that "as needed" would turn into very often and that is what im avoiding.
i feel like my stress levels or anxiety or whatever is directly reflecting in my career (i recently quit my job due to the high levels of stress) and my relationships. men find me very beautiful (i feel weird saying that) but it is true, and i am very loving but i am always destroying relationships, if they progress that far i find a way to ruin them. anyway i want to be normal, well not really, but i want to be more functional and lately that has not been the case.
i am scared i have asperger syndrome. like i need a new diagnosis.
thank you!
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 21, 2007, at 17:29:55
In reply to Re: A couple of Klonopin options » UgottaHaveHope, posted by devunea on April 21, 2007, at 15:52:14
If you need more than that, which some do, I would strongly suggest you contact your pdoc.
You can also take Nuerontin (GABA), which no side effects, to make Klonopin work better.
Men find you beautiful? Send me your photo
Posted by Johann on April 24, 2007, at 1:22:24
In reply to Re: A couple of Klonopin options » devunea, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 21, 2007, at 2:29:23
Hi,
Seems we have similar medical needs or regimens: I have been using Klonopin as well, though only about .5 mg at night, with exceptions.
Are you continuing with the ENSAM--if I'm remembering correctly. I'm still on it, but I do have flare ups of anxiety, triggered by psychological stuff.
Best, Johann
> I have been taking Klonopin for 10 years and until recently was taking less than I was in 1997. I think it is a wonderful benzo. If you feel like your body is becoming adjusted to Klonopin, you have three options:
>
> 1. Take a break from Klonopin for a week or maybe take it every other day.
>
> 2. Instead of taking Klonopin every day, switch it out: Klonopin one day, Xanx the next, and Valium or something the else, then REPEAT.
>
> 3. Increase your dose of Klonopin. You can take 4mg or less very safely.
>
> Michael
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 24, 2007, at 2:06:00
In reply to Michael: How is ENSAM going?, posted by Johann on April 24, 2007, at 1:22:24
Emsam was a good med for me. I took the 6mg patch and it kicked in around week 6-7. I felt like a 6 (maybe sometimes a 7) on a scale of 1-10. I personally think you are NOT taking enough Klonopin. You should be taking 4mg or less, as needed. That will take care of your flare-ups.
I have some friends who have GAD and took Nardil and hit a 10. Because of my work schedule (with summer slowdown coming up), this was the perfect time for a trial on Nardil. It has had some nasty side effects, but we'll see. I am determined to make it 8-12 weeks, and if it doesnt work I will be back to Emsam.
Yes, we have a lot in common. Keep in touch. Michael
Posted by Johann on April 24, 2007, at 2:31:20
In reply to Re: Actually I switched from Emsam to Nardil » Johann, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 24, 2007, at 2:06:00
M,
I'll be interested to hear how the Nardil affects you. I've had enough weight gain from lithium.
Regarding Klonopin, I guess the drugged feeling wore off for you after the higher dosages were in your blood stream regularly?
J
> Emsam was a good med for me. I took the 6mg patch and it kicked in around week 6-7. I felt like a 6 (maybe sometimes a 7) on a scale of 1-10. I personally think you are NOT taking enough Klonopin. You should be taking 4mg or less, as needed. That will take care of your flare-ups.
>
> I have some friends who have GAD and took Nardil and hit a 10. Because of my work schedule (with summer slowdown coming up), this was the perfect time for a trial on Nardil. It has had some nasty side effects, but we'll see. I am determined to make it 8-12 weeks, and if it doesnt work I will be back to Emsam.
>
> Yes, we have a lot in common. Keep in touch. Michael
>
> sportscarvell@yahoo.com
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 24, 2007, at 10:36:52
In reply to Re: Actually I switched from Emsam to Nardil, posted by Johann on April 24, 2007, at 2:31:20
Ive actually dropped from 237 to 225 on Nardil in three weeks. Same exercise as always, just better eating habits.
Posted by Johann on April 24, 2007, at 15:18:57
In reply to Re: Nardil weight gain ... hmmmmm » Johann, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 24, 2007, at 10:36:52
You must be an exception, since it's listed as one of the side effects and others have mentioned it as a problem for them. But your experience lessens Nardil's bad rep for me, should I ever decide to try it, which will be based to some degree on your current trial run.
Thanks.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 24, 2007, at 15:40:35
In reply to Re: Nardil weight gain ... hmmmmm » UgottaHaveHope, posted by Johann on April 24, 2007, at 15:18:57
I know Nardil causes "carb cravings", which is one of the things I listed in my other Nardil post at the bottom of the board. But I counter this with drinking water.
Yes, I do honestly believe Nardil causes weight gain in ppl, but nowhere near as often as one might think, especially if you watch your diet and exercise.
The rep of Nardil weight gain kept me away from that med forever, and unfortunately has the same scare tactic on many other possible candidates. What a crying shame.
Posted by FredPotter on April 24, 2007, at 16:44:11
In reply to No, I think those who gain wght are exception » Johann, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 24, 2007, at 15:40:35
Michael I'm just coming up to 5 weeks on Nardil. Last Sunday a light flickered in my brain, but last night it came on more definitely. Yes weight gain, but I'm banking on the lifting of depression will give me the will to exercise more. I think this side effect abates anyway. Like slurring of speech which was an early side effect. That's gone too.
What dose are you on now? I've gone up to 60mg/d and may soon raise it some more.
Fred
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 25, 2007, at 0:54:15
In reply to Re: No, I think those who gain wght are exception » UgottaHaveHope, posted by FredPotter on April 24, 2007, at 16:44:11
Fred, I follow every one of your posts. And while we have differences, we have very much in common.
I am in the midst of week four on Nardil 45mg. Lots of nasty side effects, but I seem to feel better each day.
I know what you mean by slurred speech. My parents were like huh? Get off that med now. I told them it would pass and it has. My biggest problem remains daytime sedation.
I will find out soon if my pdoc is pushing me up to 60mg. I hope not, because there are more side effects at 60, correct?
And hell yes, I would rather be fat and happy on Nardil than depressed beyond reproach. NO COMPARISION.
I saw you said you are eating less, are you exercising? Prayers man, Michael
Posted by FredPotter on April 25, 2007, at 18:08:06
In reply to Thats great to hear and encourage me » FredPotter, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 25, 2007, at 0:54:15
Michael No I don't exercise. I feel too heavy for my legs to cope. I also drink a little. I'm probably doing it all wrong. I follow all your posts too. Good luck
Fred
This is the end of the thread.
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