Posted by jerrympls on May 14, 2003, at 21:41:09
In reply to New and Nervous, posted by Tree on May 14, 2003, at 10:47:57
> Hi, I am new here. I am experiencing depression and some anxiety following treatment (mastectomy) for breast cancer. My doctor prescribed Effexor, with Klonopin for sleep. I filled the prescription, then read the postings here about the horrible withdrawal, and became afraid to take it. I asked her for Wellbutrin instead and she thought it would be too strong, and would exacerbate my insomnia. I pushed and she gave it to me. I refuse to take anything that will make me gain weight, as that would defeat the purpose. (She thought Effexor would not make me gain). Anyway, I was all geared up to start the Wellbutrin today, and then my Chiropractor, who I saw yesterday, encouraged me to try 5htp first. She said it would only take about 5 days to work. This is my second day, and I don't feel anything yet. I took a Klonopin (sp?) last night, but only made it till 4:30am. I am looking for feedback on 5htp and the others. Also, do I jump right in with 300mg of Wellbutrin, if I decide to go that way, or do I build up. I am nervous about taking anything, but I need to do something soon.
Hello! and welcome to the board. I just wanted to comment on the withdrawl of Klonopin - I've been taking benzos like Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan, etc. for the past 11 years of my depression/anxiety treatments (I didn't ever take them all at the same time). *I* have never, ever had terrible withdrawl from going off of any of them. The worst it ever got was some anxiety rebound - but other than that no problems. I even have alcoholic parents - so one might assume I'd have the "addict" gene - but I have never had a problem with addiction of any kind (except for Dominos pizza and the new DOTS they have...hehe). I guess I'm lucky because there are many who suffer through terrible withdrawl from medications like Klonopin. Just keep in mind that there are an equal number who don't have problems with withdrawl. they key is to go off it (if/when you go off of it) VERY slowly - stopping any med for that matter will cause some shock to your system.
So, I wouldn't worry about addiction and/or withdrawl - just take care of yourself right now - sounds like you have enough to worry about as it is.
IN fact - now that I think of it - the only terrible withdrawl I've had is when I've gone off of SSRIs like Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft, and Luvox - UGH - terrible "brain shocks" and dizziness- the worst. However, I've been slowly going off of Lexapro and have not had any problems.
So, hang in there and I hope this helps some.
Jerry
poster:jerrympls
thread:226557
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030514/msgs/226723.html