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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Peter on August 16, 2002, at 10:18:23
I've been on klonopin for @ 4 years at varying doses, never exceeding 2mg total daily. Throughout this time I've been on a number of med combos for mild bipolar II/possible ADD/social anxiety/panic. For the most part, I've always taken a lot less klonopin during the daytime as it could make me groggy and socially withdrawn. So for the last year or 2 I've been taking .25mg klonopin when I wake up, and then 1-1.5mg at bedtime with my 750mg depakote. I also take 75mg zoloft and 10mg adderall XR when I awake. I notice lately that my tendency to worry obsessively about everything has increased during the daytime, but that after I take my 1.5mg klonopin + depakote at night, I feel relaxed and sociable. This makes me wonder if klonopin sort of acts like alcohol on me: if I drink a tiny bit, I feel nothing; a little more and I feel groggy and a bit withdrawn, but a little more on top of that and I'm relaxed and sociable. If there is a parallel in the function of benzos and alcohol, I'm wondering if my current klonopin dosing is ineffective for my condition? my current .25mg during the day seems to do nothing; .5mg seemed to make me groggy and withdrawn; but what if I tried the dose I take at night during the day (1.5mg)? Perhaps I can be both relaxed and sociable during the day and things won't seem so overwhelming? Does anyone have any thoughts? I'd much appreciate them. Thanks.
Peter
Posted by judy1 on August 16, 2002, at 12:12:28
In reply to Klonopin-similarity in function to alcohol??, posted by Peter on August 16, 2002, at 10:18:23
Yes, they do act on the same receptors (or close, somebody correct me if I'm wrong). However, benzos and klonopin in particular have good anti-seizure qualities and no nasty liver effects like alcohol. I'm surprised your pdoc prescribed klonopin the way he did, normally the dose is evenly spread throughout the day, for example I take 2mg tid (three times a day). If your anxiety is more increased during the day, then I would definitely increase the day dose- you may feel a little sedated at first but that usually wears off in a week or so. Good luck!- judy
Posted by Hiba on August 17, 2002, at 0:23:16
In reply to Re: Klonopin-similarity in function to alcohol?? » Peter, posted by judy1 on August 16, 2002, at 12:12:28
Excellent reply Judy,
Klonopin is a medicine but alcohol hasn't got any medicinal properties. For those anxious, panic, agitated patients, klonopin is a true necessity while alcohol is a created necessity. Please don't compare them both. Alcohol can induce permanent changes in human body and brain.It is proven . But klonopin or benzos similar to it are never the same. It is true, valium, xanax and ativan induce a mild euphoria attributable to that of alcohol. But it doesn't make them fit to the category of alcohol. I haven't seen any family that is destroyed because of benzodiazepines.
HIBA
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