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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 pale on March 12, 2006, at 5:24:46
I have been on Trileptal and clonazepam since June 2005. I was diagnosed with a mood disorder and chronic anxiety disorder (G.A.D with Panic attacks). I take 1500mg of trileptal (600mg morning & 900mg before bed) and take 1mg of clonazepam (.5mg morning, .25 afternoon, .25 bedtime). I was feeling very good for about 6 months or so. However, from the long-term use of clonazepam,(it not working as well anymore) the anxiety is returning, I am developing depression, I am developing phobias. I did some reading on this and only a small percentage of people on clonazepam develop these types of symptoms. My doctor wants to put me on Lexipro or another anti-depressant to help my small amout of depression and to help ease me off clonazepam. Anti-depressants have never worked for me in the past, in fact, the results were horrible. My concerns are: What is the withdrawal like from clonazepam while on Lexipro? If I agree to try yet another anti-depressant, will I have to be taken off Trileptal? Anyone else been on that high a dosage of Trileptal (1500mg) to control moods when they never had a manac episode and never had a seizure disorder in their lives??? What is Lexipro like? Any info relating to any of my concerns would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Posted by med_empowered on March 12, 2006, at 11:10:35
In reply to Worried about Trileptal Clonazepam Combo, posted by pale on March 12, 2006, at 5:24:46
hey! thats a kind of high-ish dose for trileptal...the most I ever took was 1200mgs, and that was for BP II. Also, 1mg/Klonopin really isn't alot; instead of switching off to an AD, your doc might want to consider upping the Klonopin or switching to another long-acting benzo, like Valium, Librium, or Tranxene. Personally...1200mgs/Trileptal, 2mgs/Klonopin and as-needed AMbien made a great combo for me, and it helped me avoid the pitfalls of using an AD.
Posted by pale on March 12, 2006, at 12:07:37
In reply to trileptal/clonazepam, posted by med_empowered on March 12, 2006, at 11:10:35
Hey back, and thanks heaps for responding. Yeah, I thought that the 1500mg of Trileptal was high too. Since I have been on it, I can't nap in the afternoon because I get some throbbing sensation in back of head and in front of throat. It is disturbing to say the least. I want naps because I always wake up many times during the night, which just adds to my stress and anxiety...etc. I will look into Ambien use. Thanks again.
Yes, 1 Mg of Klonopin is a really, really low dosage for someone with my chronic anxiety. My doc doesn't want me on Benzos at all, hence her wanting to jump to an AD. The mere thought of an AD again causes me even more anxiety. How many times do I need to be in an ER before they "get it" that they don't work for me??? Of course, they always say, "this one is different", which I really don't believe but if anyone knows about Lexipro give me a holler. The reason Lexipro is only option to consider for me, (from my research) is because one can take Klonopin with it...unlike Busbar.
Maybe I just plain need a new doc. I don't know because I know that benzos are bad in the long run...at least that's what I read. The stress in my life has been terrible in last month so Klonopin seems useless now. Anyone that can add to the discussion about long-term benzo use could add greatly to this info gathering for me and, perhaps, for others.
> hey! thats a kind of high-ish dose for trileptal...the most I ever took was 1200mgs, and that was for BP II. Also, 1mg/Klonopin really isn't alot; instead of switching off to an AD, your doc might want to consider upping the Klonopin or switching to another long-acting benzo, like Valium, Librium, or Tranxene. Personally...1200mgs/Trileptal, 2mgs/Klonopin and as-needed AMbien made a great combo for me, and it helped me avoid the pitfalls of using an AD.
Posted by med_empowered on March 12, 2006, at 12:40:35
In reply to Re: trileptal/clonazepam, posted by pale on March 12, 2006, at 12:07:37
yup...benzo-phobe docs don't make any sense to me. I mean, the only selling point for ADs is that they're not addictive--they do, however, induce akathisia, mania, suicidal behavior, etc. They're just too problematic to be used as much as they are.
Anyway, just based on my own experience, I think maybe you could go down on the trileptal (1200 was good for me, but 900 was better--more mood swings, but no really noticeable cognitive impairment or emotional blunting) and then pick up the slack by doing more for the anxiety--maybe higher-dose benzo or an add-on, like as-needed Ativan or something...also, some people respond to BuSpar; personally, I think it works best WITH benzos (I was able to reduce dosages of benzo w/ BuSpar and get good results), but I don't think many docs do that.
Good luck!
Posted by yxibow on March 12, 2006, at 13:20:11
In reply to Re: trileptal/clonazepam, posted by pale on March 12, 2006, at 12:07:37
> Hey back, and thanks heaps for responding. Yeah, I thought that the 1500mg of Trileptal was high too. Since I have been on it, I can't nap in the afternoon because I get some throbbing sensation in back of head and in front of throat. It is disturbing to say the least. I want naps because I always wake up many times during the night, which just adds to my stress and anxiety...etc. I will look into Ambien use. Thanks again.
>
> Yes, 1 Mg of Klonopin is a really, really low dosage for someone with my chronic anxiety. My doc doesn't want me on Benzos at all, hence her wanting to jump to an AD. The mere thought of an AD again causes me even more anxiety. How many times do I need to be in an ER before they "get it" that they don't work for me??? Of course, they always say, "this one is different", which I really don't believe but if anyone knows about Lexipro give me a holler. The reason Lexipro is only option to consider for me, (from my research) is because one can take Klonopin with it...unlike Busbar.
>
> Maybe I just plain need a new doc. I don't know because I know that benzos are bad in the long run...at least that's what I read. The stress in my life has been terrible in last month so Klonopin seems useless now. Anyone that can add to the discussion about long-term benzo use could add greatly to this info gathering for me and, perhaps, for others.
>
> > hey! thats a kind of high-ish dose for trileptal...the most I ever took was 1200mgs, and that was for BP II. Also, 1mg/Klonopin really isn't alot; instead of switching off to an AD, your doc might want to consider upping the Klonopin or switching to another long-acting benzo, like Valium, Librium, or Tranxene. Personally...1200mgs/Trileptal, 2mgs/Klonopin and as-needed AMbien made a great combo for me, and it helped me avoid the pitfalls of using an AD.
>
>Benzodiazepines can be "bad" in the long run for people who happen to be part of the population susceptible to dose escalation. A continuous small dose of Klonopin is less dangerous than the continued administration of Trileptal, which carries a small, but possible issue of liver overload. Its prudent for individuals on high dose Trileptal to be visibly monitored for signs of jaundice and have labs if necessary, at least in my opinion anyhow -- I have only started Trileptal.
Tidings
-- Jay
Posted by Phillipa on March 12, 2006, at 18:38:21
In reply to Re: trileptal/clonazepam » pale, posted by yxibow on March 12, 2006, at 13:20:11
Contrary to a lot of other posters lexapro was horrible for me. It created more anxiety for me. If I were you google Dr. Bob on Lexapro. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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