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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by woolav on September 13, 2004, at 18:05:28
Hi, I have been taking xanax for years and I think i have finally built up a tolerance..So, I saw my pdoc today and asked or an extra mg of xanax and she said I ought to try klonopin..Ive never taken it and have no idea what to expect..Is it really different than xanax or what??
Help....
Sandy
Posted by Jasmineneroli on September 13, 2004, at 19:55:27
In reply to Starting Klonopin today,,,any advise???please.., posted by woolav on September 13, 2004, at 18:05:28
Hi Sandy:
I take Klonopin and have for over a year, for GAD. I found that it was a bit sedating at first and I had low energy on it for about 10 days. That stopped, leaving a nice, mellow, "I can cope" feeling. If you respond this way, you will right away notice a difference to Xanax, which is amore activating benzo, so you may experience Klonopin as a bit of a "down" at first, in contrast. However, I think you will also feel more "even", especially after a while. Also, it doesn't seem to cause the same tolerance problems. I'm actually on a lower dose now than I started with, and have the same therapeutic effect.
Good luck!
Jas
Posted by Glydin on September 13, 2004, at 21:21:15
In reply to Re: Starting Klonopin today,,,any advise???please.., posted by Jasmineneroli on September 13, 2004, at 19:55:27
I share the same findings as Jas.
Good luck, hope it works out for you.
Posted by reefer on September 14, 2004, at 6:55:43
In reply to Starting Klonopin today,,,any advise???please.., posted by woolav on September 13, 2004, at 18:05:28
You should not switch from Xanax(Alprazolam) to Klonopin(Clonazepam) right away since they are from different groups of benzos. Alprazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine and clonazepam is a 7-nitrobenzodiazepine. Both are equipotent(i.e. 1mg alprazolam = 1mg clonazepam) but this doesn't mean you can switch right over. If you did you could suffer withdrawal from the Xanax and maybe take the conclusion that the Klonopin isn't working when it really is. You should taper over from one to the other over a period of time depending on the dose you are taking. I think "chemist" might have some good answers for you on this.
Posted by woolav on September 14, 2004, at 8:05:37
In reply to Re: Starting Klonopin today,,,any advise???please.., posted by reefer on September 14, 2004, at 6:55:43
Thanks for the info and support. I am surprised about the tapering off xanax part though. My pdoc told me to start right away taking 3mg 3 x a day and stop the xanax. She did tell me that xanax had worse withdrawl symptoms than klonopin, but she said as long as i take the 3 mg right away that i should be okay....now i dont know...
hmmmmmm
Sandy
Posted by reefer on September 14, 2004, at 13:33:17
In reply to Re: Starting Klonopin today,,,any advise???please.., posted by woolav on September 14, 2004, at 8:05:37
Hmmm... Actually when i think about it i'm not 100% sure that this would occur with Xanax --> Klonopin. I know it can happen with Diazepam(Valium) though(because of Xanax being a triazolobenzo). I would keep some immediate release Xanax tabs available for breakthrough anxiety during the first 3 weeks. Your doctor probably has experience with such a switch or else he/she wouldn't tell you to do it i guess. I'm sorry if i have confused you.
Posted by Zena on September 14, 2004, at 20:07:39
In reply to Starting Klonopin today,,,any advise???please.., posted by woolav on September 13, 2004, at 18:05:28
My Dr. stopped the xanax on Friday & I started on klonopin Sat. She told me I would probably have a rough weekend but I didn't. Xanax is instant where the klonopin has to build up. It only took about a week before I was feeling good.Hope this helps.
Zena
Posted by iris2 on September 15, 2004, at 10:03:06
In reply to Starting Klonopin today,,,any advise???please.., posted by woolav on September 13, 2004, at 18:05:28
It is longer acting. I find it much more calming. It also can make you tired especially at first. I went off of xanax to Klonopin and did not taper off one to the other and had little to know side effects. I have had severe withdrawel from valium and xanax other times. I find if I need to take a tranqiliser on a regular basis that Klonopin works much better than the shorter acting xanax. I feel more relaxed and I do not have to worry about the ups and downs and the xanax wheres of.
irene
Posted by uther on September 15, 2004, at 12:05:27
In reply to Re: Starting Klonopin today,,,any advise???please.., posted by Zena on September 14, 2004, at 20:07:39
Zena, how much klonopin are you taking and when do you take it?
I've just started klonopin. .5mg once nightly for sp. Cant understand why i should take it at night, cause i already sleep well. How does taking it at night help with sp?
Are you saying that for it to be effective, that you need to take it on a regular basis so it builds up in your system to feel the full effects? (like anti-depresants do)?
Please respond Im really confused. I am not feeling any benifet from klonopin at all. Ive been on it for 6 days.
Adam
> My Dr. stopped the xanax on Friday & I started on klonopin Sat. She told me I would probably have a rough weekend but I didn't. Xanax is instant where the klonopin has to build up. It only took about a week before I was feeling good.Hope this helps.
> Zena
Posted by Zena on September 15, 2004, at 12:23:49
In reply to Confused about Klonopin » Zena, posted by uther on September 15, 2004, at 12:05:27
> Zena, how much klonopin are you taking and when do you take it?
>
> I've just started klonopin. .5mg once nightly for sp. Cant understand why i should take it at night, cause i already sleep well. How does taking it at night help with sp?
>
> Are you saying that for it to be effective, that you need to take it on a regular basis so it builds up in your system to feel the full effects? (like anti-depresants do)?
>
> Please respond Im really confused. I am not feeling any benifet from klonopin at all. Ive been on it for 6 days.
>
> Adam
> Hi Adam,
I will try to answer your questions. I have anxiety/depression. The klonopin keeps my anxiety under control. I am currently on 1 mg. I take 1/2 a.m.& the other 1/2 around 5:00 P.M. Yes, it has to build up in your system but it keeps it at a even level unlike xanax. I was having to take it every 4 hrs. It's instant unlike klonopin but the Dr. thought it was best for me to switch to klonopin. I haven't had any problems with it.Yes, you have to take it on a regular basis. I don't know why you would have to take it at night if your not having problems sleeping. That's something you would have to ask your Dr. I am also on 10mg. lexapro & 15mg. remeron which helps me sleep.
Zena
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Posted by uther on September 15, 2004, at 13:08:23
In reply to Re: Confused about Klonopin, posted by Zena on September 15, 2004, at 12:23:49
Thanks Zena!
Maybe I just need time for it to work. I have a great doc, and i trust him fully, so im gonna talk to him about it.
I think maybe i need a higher dose.How long did it take for you to benifit from klonopin?
I also take 300mg of effexor and 50 of trazodone for sleep.
> I will try to answer your questions. I have anxiety/depression. The klonopin keeps my anxiety under control. I am currently on 1 mg. I take 1/2 a.m.& the other 1/2 around 5:00 P.M. Yes, it has to build up in your system but it keeps it at a even level unlike xanax. I was having to take it every 4 hrs. It's instant unlike klonopin but the Dr. thought it was best for me to switch to klonopin. I haven't had any problems with it.Yes, you have to take it on a regular basis. I don't know why you would have to take it at night if your not having problems sleeping. That's something you would have to ask your Dr. I am also on 10mg. lexapro & 15mg. remeron which helps me sleep.
> Zena
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Posted by Zena on September 15, 2004, at 21:06:17
In reply to Re: Confused about Klonopin » Zena, posted by uther on September 15, 2004, at 13:08:23
> Thanks Zena!
> Maybe I just need time for it to work. I have a great doc, and i trust him fully, so im gonna talk to him about it.
> I think maybe i need a higher dose.
>
> How long did it take for you to benifit from klonopin?
>
> I also take 300mg of effexor and 50 of trazodone for sleep.Uther,
It took about a week for me after switching.You may need to up your dose. I thought I would have a rough time when I switched but didn't. I don't remember---do you have anxiety? Hang in there & give it more time.
Zena
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Posted by uther on September 16, 2004, at 7:44:19
In reply to Re: Confused about Klonopin, posted by Zena on September 15, 2004, at 21:06:17
Hey zena,
I have anxiety, depression, but the Social Phobia is my worst problem. It gets so lonely sometimes.I find it hard to talk about this stuff. Ive actually been reading these boards for years, but have only now started posting.
Take care
Adam
I don't remember---do you have anxiety? Hang in there & give it more time.
> Zena
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Posted by Zena on September 16, 2004, at 17:36:04
In reply to Re: Confused about Klonopin, posted by uther on September 16, 2004, at 7:44:19
> Hey zena,
> I have anxiety, depression, but the Social Phobia is my worst problem. It gets so lonely sometimes.
>
> I find it hard to talk about this stuff. Ive actually been reading these boards for years, but have only now started posting.
> Take care
> Adam
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> Adam,
When I first come down with the anxiety/depression I also had social phobia. I could be in a crowd but couldn't talk with a person one on one. My Dr. told me it was the anxiety causing the problem. I have been on meds. for over 2 yrs. & am finally at the point I can lead a normal life. I can now talk to people & have a interest in things. It sometimes takes a long time before things come together.
Zena
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This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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