![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Izzy50 on December 9, 2006, at 18:31:05
I have switched from Ambien to Klonopin for sleeping. The Ambien made me feel heavy and drugged, even into the next day. I take a small dose of Klonopin before bed and I sleep 6-7 hours and wake up refreshed ready for the day. My mood is stable and I feel vital and alive. Not stimulated nor depressed. This is the best I have felt in over 10 years.
If I get addicited to Klonipin, as I am sure I probably will, who cares?
I have no desire to increase my dose and I don't feel any side effects. I get tired and go to sleep, that's it.
Taking Ambien was like getting hit in the head with an anvil. I would always be cranky and tired the next day.
I go talk therapy, am studying to teach yoga and hold a full time job. My life is full and I am grateful.
Nemaste-
Izzy50
Posted by med_empowered on December 9, 2006, at 19:01:29
In reply to From Ambien to Klonopin, posted by Izzy50 on December 9, 2006, at 18:31:05
i say...try to ignore all this crap you hear about "addiction". Antidepressants meet the criteria for "addictive" substances--docs are just choosing to ignore this inconvenient fact for the time being.
Anyway...as I see it, most cultures have had some sort of drug use to help make life more bearable..booze, opium, hashish, whatever. Humans are curious and also, life can be hard. As long as the drugs you choose to indulge in are safe and don't ruin your life, I don't think there's a problem.
Good luck!
Posted by bassman on December 9, 2006, at 20:13:33
In reply to Re: From Ambien to Klonopin, posted by med_empowered on December 9, 2006, at 19:01:29
I couldn't agree more. Quality of life is much more important than someone else's approval as to how you handle discomfort. For what it is worth, I found Klonopin so easy to withdraw from that I didn't notice any uncomfortable symptoms whatever. But I am a big fan of the "treat the patient now, worry about dependence later" school of thought.
Posted by dbc on December 9, 2006, at 20:22:36
In reply to Re: From Ambien to Klonopin, posted by bassman on December 9, 2006, at 20:13:33
Addiction isnt the issue its dependence. I've gone through periods of taking relatively high doses of klonopin (5mg daily) and it wore me down that i needed that much sedatives just to function. Physically your body will become dependent on it and you have to recognize that and remember to take your meds or face un-fun withdrawl.
Theres no way to avoid the physical dependence its just the nature of the beast.
Posted by Izzy50 on December 9, 2006, at 22:20:03
In reply to Re: From Ambien to Klonopin, posted by dbc on December 9, 2006, at 20:22:36
> Addiction isnt the issue its dependence. I've gone through periods of taking relatively high doses of klonopin (5mg daily) and it wore me down that i needed that much sedatives just to function. Physically your body will become dependent on it and you have to recognize that and remember to take your meds or face un-fun withdrawl.
>
> Theres no way to avoid the physical dependence its just the nature of the beast.
That is what my psych says. But he also said we could switch around with different benzos if that happens. Take a "holiday" so to speak. Or he said to try taking Klonopin one night and Ambien the next.
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2006, at 23:44:13
In reply to Re: From Ambien to Klonopin, posted by bassman on December 9, 2006, at 20:13:33
Bassman as usual we agree completely. Why worry about something that may not happen. Love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on December 11, 2006, at 15:46:20
In reply to From Ambien to Klonopin, posted by Izzy50 on December 9, 2006, at 18:31:05
Hi.
I am glad you happy with the switch now. But they are two different classes of meds.
I start Klonopin over 10 years ago at .25mg. You said you have no intention of increasing your dose. Neither did I. I went up to 4 mg over the years!
Your body will get used to it and coming of it is VERY hard. I'm now down to 2.5 mg and it's taken a year. I am trying to get off it.
So just be aware of what you have started. You have started a very addictive med. A benzo.
Maxime
> I have switched from Ambien to Klonopin for sleeping. The Ambien made me feel heavy and drugged, even into the next day. I take a small dose of Klonopin before bed and I sleep 6-7 hours and wake up refreshed ready for the day. My mood is stable and I feel vital and alive. Not stimulated nor depressed. This is the best I have felt in over 10 years.
> If I get addicited to Klonipin, as I am sure I probably will, who cares?
> I have no desire to increase my dose and I don't feel any side effects. I get tired and go to sleep, that's it.
> Taking Ambien was like getting hit in the head with an anvil. I would always be cranky and tired the next day.
> I go talk therapy, am studying to teach yoga and hold a full time job. My life is full and I am grateful.
> Nemaste-
> Izzy50
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2006, at 19:53:32
In reply to Re: From Ambien to Klonopin, posted by bassman on December 9, 2006, at 20:13:33
Maxie I know you're right but at my age it doesn't matter. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.