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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Guy on July 16, 2005, at 17:44:45
I have a severe anxiety disorder with insomnia and have been taking clonazepam at varying doses for about 7 years. My pdoc has recommended that I go up to 4 mg per day, but I have never exceeded 2 mg, and as a consequence, have never experienced significant relief of my anxiety symptoms. Whenever I reach 2 mg, I add Zyprexa and start to taper off the clonazepam. When I reach 1/2 mg, the whole thing starts over again with Remeron as a booster. Am I being stupid? To add to my troubles, I am terrified of the Zyprexa as it sometimes makes my top lip twitch (TD?). Also, I have chronic tension headaches and chronic pain down my spinal chord. I guess I'm just wondering how high people go with the clonazepam and if it continues to be effective. If I keep raising the dose will I eventually reach a comfortable plateau, or will I just keep needing more and more as the effect wears off. I hate having to juggle meds all the time and frequently entertain suicidal thoughts. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by carolina on July 16, 2005, at 22:14:06
In reply to Afraid to raise my clonazepam dose, posted by Guy on July 16, 2005, at 17:44:45
hey-ive been on clonazepam for years now 2 and i understand ur concerns. it is 1 of the most addicting benzos but 4mg a day helps me. so far i havnt "adjusted" 2 that level and havn't had 2 go up but 3-4mg is the only dosage that helps w/ my severe anxiety. i have tried 2 wein off of the clon. but within time i had panic attacks and was afraid to even answer my door. i am in counseling also b/c i did not have anxiety THIS SEVERE until a few years ago but i have always had the anxiety. i know that my mother has been on it for 17 years and her dosage is 6mg per day but at 1 point was 8mg per day(that dr. lost his med lic.)the 6 has been ok for years????
Posted by Declan on July 16, 2005, at 23:14:11
In reply to Afraid to raise my clonazepam dose, posted by Guy on July 16, 2005, at 17:44:45
Hey Guy
When you say that you have chronic pain down your spinal chord, what's that all about? You actually mean spinal chord and not your spine, or your back more generally?
Declan
Posted by Guy on July 17, 2005, at 12:01:23
In reply to Afraid to raise my clonazepam dose, posted by Guy on July 16, 2005, at 17:44:45
When my anxiety is bad, which is most of the time, I have moderate to severe pain throughout my central nervous system, especially in my head and upper back. If I sleep well and don't have any anxiety attacks, the pain is much less, but constant nevertheless. Tylenol helps to some extent, but the best is on the odd day when I sleep well. The biggest problem is the phobia I have developed of not sleeping...I wake up early to go to the bathroom and then panic about not being able to fall asleep again, even though I'm dead beat and know I would fall asleep if I just relaxed. This phobia is very deep in my sub-conscious and difficult to overcome.
Posted by Declan on July 17, 2005, at 14:49:40
In reply to Re: Afraid to raise my clonazepam dose, posted by Guy on July 17, 2005, at 12:01:23
It sounds very difficult, but your idea of adding Remeron and was it Zyprexa when your dose of Klonopin goes up above 2mgs/d, that sounds like the sort of thing you do because you have to. You tried Seroquel? Of course it would be nicer not to take APs of any sort and mabe not Remeron either, I dunno, but what to do? And I think you are right to be a bit worried about going too high on Klonopin.
Have you had the pain checked out to your satisfaction?
Declan
Posted by Phillipa on July 17, 2005, at 22:21:27
In reply to Re: Afraid to raise my clonazepam dose, posted by Declan on July 17, 2005, at 14:49:40
I've been waking up for many years in the middle of the night. I always split my benzo so I can take the other half then. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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