Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1080197

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Klonopin vs other benzos

Posted by brynb on July 3, 2015, at 21:52:54

Hi All-

I've been on one benzo or another (I've tried them all) for about 20 years now. They're a part of my regimen and always have been. I've been on 8mg of Ativan for just under 2 years now, and recently reduced my dose to 5mg. I'm not looking to remove a benzo from my cocktail, but I'm thinking of changing to a different one, most likely Klonopin.

I find that Ativan makes me extremely tired, perhaps more so than other benzos. I used to take Klonopin and vaguely remember being less tired and more social while on it. I also know it can act as a stabilizer, which would also be beneficial for me.

So, any feedback (on switching to Klonopin)? And, how is it as a mood stabilizer in addition to being an anxiolytic? Thanks for reading and happy fourth.

-b

 

Re: Klonopin vs other benzos

Posted by Christ_empowered on July 4, 2015, at 3:35:04

In reply to Klonopin vs other benzos, posted by brynb on July 3, 2015, at 21:52:54

1mgs Klonopin=20mgs/Valium. Long half life. Can do 3 or 2x daily dosnig, but not good PRN because it takes a while to kick in. More likely to cause or worsen depression than other benzos. Useful in bipolar and schizo-disorders. Tapering is a pain in the *ss.

 

Re: Klonopin vs other benzos

Posted by JOE F on July 4, 2015, at 10:15:21

In reply to Re: Klonopin vs other benzos, posted by Christ_empowered on July 4, 2015, at 3:35:04

konopin at the end of it effectiveness around 8hours 1 mg caused extreme agitation....rapid heart beat and shallow breathing.....only took it twice a day ...was my body looking for some more that quickly.....and yes I think it caused more depression and took about 4 hours to kick in

 

Re: Klonopin--Was it keeping me stable?

Posted by brynb on July 4, 2015, at 11:23:23

In reply to Re: Klonopin vs other benzos, posted by Christ_empowered on July 4, 2015, at 3:35:04

Thanks for the feedback so far. I understand the difference in half-lives & the trouble coming off of each benzo, but I'm wondering if I felt better in the past while on klonopin due to its stabilizing benefits. Possible?

 

Re: Klonopin--Was it keeping me stable?

Posted by JOE F on July 4, 2015, at 12:30:45

In reply to Re: Klonopin--Was it keeping me stable?, posted by brynb on July 4, 2015, at 11:23:23

what others have u been on ....compare them...did u dose klonopin 2 or 3 times a say

 

Re: Klonopin vs other benzos » brynb

Posted by SLS on July 4, 2015, at 13:12:55

In reply to Klonopin vs other benzos, posted by brynb on July 3, 2015, at 21:52:54

> So, any feedback (on switching to Klonopin)? And, how is it as a mood stabilizer in addition to being an anxiolytic?

For me, Klonopin helped mitigate a manic episode that was not controlled at all with Ativan. This was in 1987, which was before the appearance of Depakote. Depakote worked extremely well for me as an anti-manic. In the older literature, when Klonopin was still being heavily researched, several papers appeared describing differences between Klonopin and the rest of the BZDs. The one that stands out most to me is the ability of Klonoping to increase the release of serotonin - something that lithium also does. Klonopin was also used more often than Ativan as an oral anticonvulsant for seizure prophylaxis. Some people do react to Klonopin with a worsening of depression, but this is not universal. I like Klonopin in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly Social Anxiety Disorder - especially when combined with Nardil. It's a hard combination to back. As was mentioned elsewhere, Klonopin is probably the most difficult BZD to discontinue. Crossing over to another BZD is a good way to go with that, although I do like the idea of using Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), an anticonvulsant, to help prevent a withdrawal syndrome from occurring.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=oxcarbazepine+detoxification


- Scott

 

Re: Klonopin vs other benzos

Posted by JOE F on July 4, 2015, at 13:24:39

In reply to Re: Klonopin vs other benzos » brynb, posted by SLS on July 4, 2015, at 13:12:55

do you thimk my headaches could have been from going from 2mg of klonopin to 2 mg off Ativan...tegretol always on board....but headaches seemed to have started a month into lamictal discontinuation

 

Re: Klonopin vs other benzos

Posted by rjlockhart37 on July 4, 2015, at 22:39:01

In reply to Klonopin vs other benzos, posted by brynb on July 3, 2015, at 21:52:54

when i took ativan abut 10 years ago i always found it more of "gentle" benzo, it didnt really give the big whap that klonopin would do, but klonopin made me vary depressed.....it slowed down something in the brain and made me just depressed....i perferred ativan over it, ativan more is like take it to relax.....and it has mild muscle relaxant effects........

i would stick to ativan, but if you want to try the klonopin, some sources say it does help mood swings, but thats (in my opionion) why it causes mental depression, because it slows down everything.......and klonopin is a very good medication for some people, spite the addiction, it does take care of anxiety and panic attacks.....but also alprazolam xanax....made me in a better mood when i took it, while as ativan just made me relax, and klonopin just flattned anxiety but less euphoria

there's also traxene which is long acting.....but it's not a main stream benzo doctors use much.....the main ones are klonopin, xanax, ativan, and sometimes valium.....

 

Re: Klonopin vs other benzos

Posted by joe f on July 5, 2015, at 7:01:11

In reply to Re: Klonopin vs other benzos, posted by rjlockhart37 on July 4, 2015, at 22:39:01

thanks rj but do you think headaches were from the klonopin/Ativan switch or stopping lamictal

 

Re: Klonopin vs other benzos

Posted by rjlockhart37 on July 5, 2015, at 22:07:41

In reply to Re: Klonopin vs other benzos, posted by joe f on July 5, 2015, at 7:01:11

im not an expert but stopping lamictal definetly can cause imbalance in neuro changes......lamictal works on the sodium channel it's like a blocker or something and when it's discontinued.....yea i guess headaches are a symptom

i mean if you totally stopped ativan with no klonopin that would cause headache, because the anxiety or nuero firing would increase, and would cause some pressure on the blood vessels......but i don't think that could of caused it if you replaced it with klono

topamax is good for headaches, well mainly for migraines......if you still have headaches you could ask your doctor about topamax but it also is a off label mood stablizer, and could have some psych side effects

 

Re: Klonopin vs other benzos

Posted by brynb on July 11, 2015, at 18:12:54

In reply to Re: Klonopin vs other benzos, posted by Christ_empowered on July 4, 2015, at 3:35:04

Thanks again for all the feedback.

I really can't remember the difference in my mood and/or depression with other benzos. I just went from 8 to 5 mg of Ativan in hopes for more energy, and I'm still exhausted in the morning. Sadly, I'm so accustomed to benzos, I don't even feel 8mg when I take it.

I'm talking to my doc this week about it. The main (but not only) reason I can't take AEs/mood stabilizers is because they all worsen my depression.

Thanks again.

b


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