Posted by Glydin on December 18, 2004, at 19:43:03
In reply to Re: BRC - JACJ - Glydin, posted by steve3211 on December 18, 2004, at 19:02:35
Hello Steve,
>>Opinion seems to be that klonopin is an effective benzo.
~~~I find it quite effective, but as with all benzo's, the precautions need to be followed and I'm an advocate of close medical monitoring on initial startups.
>>How about xanax? Is it as effective? I have a lot of it but never want to use it (don't want to take meds thing) I take lexapro and it has helped over the last year, but have not used the xanax. Question is should I?
~~~I've not alot of experience with Xanax. I have taken it briefly but did not find it as effective for me as Klonopin. Regular Xanax is short acting and burns out quickly. Klonopin is slower to act and lasts longer. General ideas seem to be Xanax is better utilized to stop a panic attack and Klonopin for generalized anxiety states - this is just a "general" thought and, in comparison of action, they can be used interchangably.
If your Lexapro is working well for both, why add any more meds? I think benzo's should only be used if anxiety can't be controlled by other meds.
>>The depression alway comes as a result of anxiety?~~~Well, that's not a question with an easy answer. Some think the two are so closely related they must always be comorbid. Personally, I think Anxiety Disorders can be a stand alone diagnosis, but I tend to place more emphasis on the more problematic and prevailing symptoms... for me that was anxiety. I can say when my anxiety is ill controlled I feel "depressed" with an overriding feeling the ill controlled anxiety is the root cause. Once the anxiety is controlled - things are "normal". This is not everyone's finding.
>>Should I try to use the xanax to short circuit the anxiety before it spirals and causes depression?~~~I guess that's a "chicken versus the egg" question if you struggle equally from both problems. I suggest speaking candidly with your doc on their thoughts on that question.
poster:Glydin
thread:430058
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041217/msgs/431415.html