Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 806239

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???

Posted by Phoenix1 on January 13, 2008, at 18:29:02

Hi all,

So I am basically off clonazepam. I can go 2-3 days with 0mg clonazepam and not feel any ill effects. But I still take it when my anxety gets really high, every once in a while. I find I need 2mg to do anything about anxiety.

But my post is regarding something I've noticed. When I do take Clonazepam, it relieves my anxiety, but the next 2 days or so my depression comes back quite badly. It's like it cancels out the Nardil. Can anyone explain this? What's going on?

Phoenix1

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phoenix1

Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2008, at 19:50:28

In reply to Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???, posted by Phoenix1 on January 13, 2008, at 18:29:02

Just a maybe the klonopin is all out of your system by then and your anxiety ups the depression? Just a thought. Phillipa

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phoenix1

Posted by SLS on January 13, 2008, at 20:47:48

In reply to Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???, posted by Phoenix1 on January 13, 2008, at 18:29:02

> Hi all,
>
> So I am basically off clonazepam. I can go 2-3 days with 0mg clonazepam and not feel any ill effects. But I still take it when my anxety gets really high, every once in a while. I find I need 2mg to do anything about anxiety.
>
> But my post is regarding something I've noticed. When I do take Clonazepam, it relieves my anxiety, but the next 2 days or so my depression comes back quite badly. It's like it cancels out the Nardil. Can anyone explain this?

I don't have a quick answer as to how it happens, but it does happen. I found that clonazepam was depressogenic for me.

It has been quite awhile since I studied the mechanisms that might be responsible for this, but my guess is that it is the "mood stabilizer" and anti-manic properties of this drug that might be responsible for its worsening of depression.

My brain didn't seem to like clonazepam the last time I took it with an MAOI (clorgyline). It flattened my affect and made me feel more depressed.
This occurred within hours of taking my first dose.

> What's going on?

What's going on is that your brain is reacting to clonazepam by making you feel depressed. Kind of a "duh" answer, I know. Just know that you are not the only one for whom clonazepam is depressogenic. Perhaps Ativan or Xanax would be better choices for you. If I recall, clonazepam has some pro-serotonergic effects. This might cause the depression in dopaminergic neurotransmission noted for this compound.


- Scott


 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???

Posted by Phoenix1 on January 13, 2008, at 23:28:50

In reply to Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phoenix1, posted by SLS on January 13, 2008, at 20:47:48

> > Hi all,
> >
> > So I am basically off clonazepam. I can go 2-3 days with 0mg clonazepam and not feel any ill effects. But I still take it when my anxety gets really high, every once in a while. I find I need 2mg to do anything about anxiety.
> >
> > But my post is regarding something I've noticed. When I do take Clonazepam, it relieves my anxiety, but the next 2 days or so my depression comes back quite badly. It's like it cancels out the Nardil. Can anyone explain this?
>
> I don't have a quick answer as to how it happens, but it does happen. I found that clonazepam was depressogenic for me.
>
> It has been quite awhile since I studied the mechanisms that might be responsible for this, but my guess is that it is the "mood stabilizer" and anti-manic properties of this drug that might be responsible for its worsening of depression.
>
> My brain didn't seem to like clonazepam the last time I took it with an MAOI (clorgyline). It flattened my affect and made me feel more depressed.
> This occurred within hours of taking my first dose.
>
> > What's going on?
>
> What's going on is that your brain is reacting to clonazepam by making you feel depressed. Kind of a "duh" answer, I know. Just know that you are not the only one for whom clonazepam is depressogenic. Perhaps Ativan or Xanax would be better choices for you. If I recall, clonazepam has some pro-serotonergic effects. This might cause the depression in dopaminergic neurotransmission noted for this compound.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
>

Scott,

Thanks for that (very) thoughtful follw up. I appreciate it. Clonazepam is definitely depressogenic for me, and it lasts for at least 24-48 hours. Not good when trying to recover from depression and srt out whther the Nardil is working optimally.

I think I'll ask the Doctor for prn Ativan prescription instead of the daily Klonopin... For some reason in Canada, Xanax is a leper that is prescribed by no doctor. (that i've ever seen).

The problem is, that my pdoc will see this as an opportunity to remove me off benzos completely (his #1 goal, and I have mixed feelings) and will probably give me 10 x 0.5mg Ativan which will do nothing for anxiety. But that's another issue.

Again, thanks for your thoughts. You're so knowledgeable, and I know you don't have a lot of time to post, so I appreciate your response.

Phoenix1

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phillipa

Posted by Phoenix1 on January 13, 2008, at 23:31:00

In reply to Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phoenix1, posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2008, at 19:50:28

> Just a maybe the klonopin is all out of your system by then and your anxiety ups the depression? Just a thought. Phillipa

Thanks Phillipa. That's a possibility, but the fact is I feel worse WITH the clonazepam than WITHOUT it. So the clonazeam is doing something negative either of it's own psychoparmacological nature, or in interaction with the Nardil. Thanks for your thoughts, and I'm glad you're listening!

Phoenix1

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phoenix1

Posted by mav27 on January 14, 2008, at 1:44:03

In reply to Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phillipa, posted by Phoenix1 on January 13, 2008, at 23:31:00


> Thanks Phillipa. That's a possibility, but the fact is I feel worse WITH the clonazepam than WITHOUT it. So the clonazeam is doing something negative either of it's own psychoparmacological nature, or in interaction with the Nardil. Thanks for your thoughts, and I'm glad you're listening!

I noticed the same thing with clonazepam, made me really depressed even when i was on the nardil. It seems to have stopped now though after 3 weeks.

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???

Posted by bleauberry on January 14, 2008, at 18:12:34

In reply to Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???, posted by Phoenix1 on January 13, 2008, at 18:29:02

I loved the calmness that klonopin gave me. But damn did it make me ssooooo deppprressssedddd.

I don't know why.

Xanax seemed more friendly, though shorter acting.

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???

Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 19:12:52

In reply to Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???, posted by bleauberry on January 14, 2008, at 18:12:34

Yes klonopin also depressed me didn't want to mention it earlier. Had to go off it. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???

Posted by Phoenix1 on January 14, 2008, at 19:21:23

In reply to Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???, posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 19:12:52

So do most psychiatrists recognize that clonazepam is generally more depressogenic than other benzodiazepines?

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phoenix1

Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 21:03:53

In reply to Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???, posted by Phoenix1 on January 14, 2008, at 19:21:23

From when I worked on psych that was the one they ordered. Tried it felt suicidal called pdoc back on xanax at that time and the feeling instantly went away. I think if they tried them themselves maybe they would see that they are all different. That's my thought. The way I feel. Phillipa

 

Re: Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression??? » Phoenix1

Posted by nellie7 on January 15, 2008, at 13:21:47

In reply to Klonopin/Clonazepam worsens my depression???, posted by Phoenix1 on January 13, 2008, at 18:29:02


Yes, Klonopin made me depressed too, even though I was on an SSRI while taking it. It also worsened panic attacks. Don't know why.


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