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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jms600 on May 25, 2011, at 15:29:19
I've been taking Klonopin for around four to five days now - 1mg twice per day.
Today I have really felt so depressed. No motivation, low mood, feeling sorry for myself, crying, no interest in anything and a general malaise. I can only put this down to the Klonopin as I know depression is a side effect. I can't even say it's helped my anxiety that much either.
Many people on here may do well on Klonopin but it's been a waste of time with me - in fact it's made me feel worse.
The trouble is, what do I do now? Do I go back on 15mg of Valium and start taking it twice per day? Or should I try Ativan or Xanax? I have severe GAD and panic disorder along with depression and social phobia. I'm also taking 225mg Effexor and 600mg lithium. Whatever benzo I take, it will have to be daily for the time being so I guess I may build up an addiction.
I don't know where to go from here.
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2011, at 23:27:25
In reply to Damn that Klonopin, posted by jms600 on May 25, 2011, at 15:29:19
Go with the xanax and not long acting. Get Greenstone brand as made by original company told to me by a pharmacist years ago when he questioned why I was spending all that money on namebrand and it was the same. I found xanax to have a slight antidepressant effect. Klonopin felt suicidal and wasn't. Just my two cents. And for me I had no problems cutting down or switching over to valium. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on May 27, 2011, at 7:21:27
In reply to Re: Damn that Klonopin » jms600, posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2011, at 23:27:25
Although many (all?) BZD tranquilizers can cause depression, Klonopin is the reigning King of Drug-induced Depression. Sorry about your experience.
I would think xanax or going back to valium or even switching to an equivalent amount of Ativan might be good options. Ativan might be a good call b/c it seems like a lot of docs would rather prescribe that than xanax (even the once-daily xanax), and it would probably cause less drowsiness+sedation than an equivalent amount of valium.
Good luck.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 27, 2011, at 9:41:05
In reply to Damn that Klonopin, posted by jms600 on May 25, 2011, at 15:29:19
Klonopin feels that way to me, too. It's a real no-go for me.
Right now I take Valium 5mg for sleep. It works, but I do feel drugged in the klonopin direction.
During the day, I take xanax as needed; however, if I was the master of my own scrips, I would try ativan.
Here's an idea: I feel like klonopin, though a major depressant, does some deep work that xanax doesn't touch. Xanax can be edgy and create mood and
anxiety spikes in my own experience. What if you took some of your Valium at bedtime, let it do it's round the clock work, and try ativan during the day. Maybe.Is ad(h)d part of your treatment spectrum? Or just GAD?
Posted by Abby Cunningham on May 27, 2011, at 18:47:27
In reply to Re: Damn that Klonopin » jms600, posted by floatingbridge on May 27, 2011, at 9:41:05
I take xanax (alprazolam), Greenstone brand, as Phillipa mentioned, it is the same as the brand name.
I could not take valium as it was very depressing and have never taken Klonopin though I've heard it can cause depression.
IMHO, try to go with the xanax, greenstone brand. It is supposed to have some antidepressant effect, which could be true. To be honest, I wish I never took a benzo, but the withdrawal is hell, so I stay on a small dose, never increasing.
It can help with GAD just wish it was not addicting. Best of luck to you,
Abby
Posted by Phillipa on May 27, 2011, at 19:42:17
In reply to Re: Damn that Klonopin, posted by Abby Cunningham on May 27, 2011, at 18:47:27
Abby maybe I'm cutting back on the wrong benzo and instead should be cutting down on the 10mg of valium? And instead go back up to lmg xanax in 2 split doses during the night? I did read you are now taking 5mg of melatonin at night. Do you feel you might be able to cut further on the xanax now? I wrote you. Pxxxx
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on May 28, 2011, at 20:07:59
In reply to Damn that Klonopin, posted by jms600 on May 25, 2011, at 15:29:19
Klonopin is one of the more sedating benzos, you could try Ativan or Xanax, which are less sedating
This is the end of the thread.
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