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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on June 13, 2007, at 7:16:38
Can Xanax or Klonopin be used as a mild mood stabilizer? I have tried a ton of mood stabilizer all with bad effects: Lamictil, Trileptal, Depakote, Seroquel, Abilify.
I am also trying desperatly to lose weight and I just cannot afford the ravenous hunger that some of those drugs give me.
I also take Wellbutrin and Prozac. If I take Xanax with my Wellbutrin it really helps me to be a nice person at work and to my husband.
Do I have to keep searching for a mood stabilizer to replace my Xanax? If so, are there any other or new mood stabilizer coming out?
Posted by Quintal on June 13, 2007, at 10:44:56
In reply to Benzo as mood stabilizer?, posted by SheilaC on June 13, 2007, at 7:16:38
There are studies that shown Klonopin can have moderate mood stabilizing effects. Some studies have also shown it has a mild antidepressant effect yet many people in real life say it makes their depression worse. Klonopin seems worse in this respect than other benzos. It's difficult to know what to make of these studies so the best guide to go on is your own experience. If Xanax is working well for you it's best to stay on it rather than switching around in the hope of finding something better - in fact Xanax is one of the few benzos that have demonstrated an antidepressant effect. All benzos can cause emotional lability and difficulty controlling anger at high doses, so if you do switch be sure you're getting equivalent doses and even then some adjustment may be necessary.
Q
Posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2007, at 11:23:15
In reply to Re: Benzo as mood stabilizer? » SheilaC, posted by Quintal on June 13, 2007, at 10:44:56
Lucky you wish xanax still worked for me. Love Phillipa
Posted by maxime on June 13, 2007, at 22:58:16
In reply to Benzo as mood stabilizer?, posted by SheilaC on June 13, 2007, at 7:16:38
Klonopin is used as a mood stabiliser. I was taking 4 mg.
Have you tried:
- Topomax?
- Lithium?
- Tegretol?
- Keppra?Just some that I can think of.
Maxime
> Can Xanax or Klonopin be used as a mild mood stabilizer? I have tried a ton of mood stabilizer all with bad effects: Lamictil, Trileptal, Depakote, Seroquel, Abilify.
>
> I am also trying desperatly to lose weight and I just cannot afford the ravenous hunger that some of those drugs give me.
>
> I also take Wellbutrin and Prozac. If I take Xanax with my Wellbutrin it really helps me to be a nice person at work and to my husband.
>
> Do I have to keep searching for a mood stabilizer to replace my Xanax? If so, are there any other or new mood stabilizer coming out?
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2007, at 23:05:20
In reply to Re: Benzo as mood stabilizer? » SheilaC, posted by maxime on June 13, 2007, at 22:58:16
Hi Maxie how are you doing any better? Love Phillipa
Posted by Mishal on June 13, 2007, at 23:16:36
In reply to Benzo as mood stabilizer?, posted by SheilaC on June 13, 2007, at 7:16:38
I have used Klonopin as a mood stabilizer very effectively. One word: You should only take it at night otherwise, it would make your depression worse. I don't know how taking it at night contributes to its mood stabilizing properties, but this is my experience.
A low dose as low as 0.25mg may alert you paradoxically. I take sometimes during the day to increase my alertness.
Posted by Phillipa on June 14, 2007, at 20:25:44
In reply to Re: Benzo as mood stabilizer? » SheilaC, posted by Mishal on June 13, 2007, at 23:16:36
Really? As the time I took klonopin was during the day and night and it made me feel suicidal and I wasn't so dropped it and back to xanax so what could cause it to work only at night. Would love to know. Love Phillipa
Posted by steel on June 15, 2007, at 8:54:19
In reply to Benzo as mood stabilizer?, posted by SheilaC on June 13, 2007, at 7:16:38
You have great responses.Klonopin is citied to be uniqiue among benzos as it seems to in SOME hold very strong mood stablizing effects.
I believe the issue is klonopin unlike xanax is not as much as a AS NEEDED benzo.Xanax works fast and direct,and i believe its actualy fda approved for paniac.Paniac is sudden and needs a immediate relief.
Klonopin can usualy at higher doses do this as well,and even be used as needed,HOWEVER i think its success as a mood stablizer is when its taken daily and builds in ur system.Here it becomes sort of a BACKBONE to your mood.
Im not sure any benzo holds extreme mood elevating properties,i think just some might find the reliaf as that,or perhaps some do enjoy them,but i believe most would not see them this way.
This is why again i say using a benzo as monotherapy,even if no depression exsists,can be tricky,the drugs are STRONG CNS depressants,so it only makes sense that along with any anti anxiety,or other benifit it provides there will be an accompanying dulling of mood.This might even be enoug to slowy cause a person who deals with moderate anxiety only to actualy in drawn out time begin to feel more depressed than usual.
A constant cns depressant cant work at its job doing that and not cause a dulling of some degree on emotions,it just wouldent make sense?
Posted by elanor roosevelt on June 20, 2007, at 23:39:25
In reply to Re: Benzo as mood stabilizer?, posted by steel on June 15, 2007, at 8:54:19
the problem with mood stabilizers is that they are not carefully prescribed
i took topomax and was severely agitated
depokate was a nightmare
neurontin kidnapped me
xanax is not a mood stabilizer
it's a benzo
they smooth the edges and xanax is also great for panic
the as needed aspect of xanax allows you to take very small doses
sounds like what you are doing is working
sorry about the weight gain
been there
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