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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 brynb on August 24, 2012, at 17:24:35
Hi All,
I have an Rx for Clonidine to help with mild hand tremors (from Lithium) and in case I experienced any withdrawal symptoms tapering down Tramadol (I didn't).
I was amazed at how well it worked on my anxiety. Is it similar to a beta blocker in this respect? Beta blockers never did a thing for me. Benzos and Lexapro have been my tried and true anxiolytics. This seems better than Vistaril (and some APs I've tried).
Can it be used as a prn for anxiety? Any risks involved here?
Thanks,
b
Posted by rjlockhart37 on August 26, 2012, at 12:48:40
In reply to Clonidine for anxiety?, posted by brynb on August 24, 2012, at 17:24:35
I take clonodine... .1mg three daily, it does work sometimes but its mostly psychical things like slowing down blood pressure....it can make feel letharic but yes it can be helpful for anxiety in some cases. I'm getting of it soon, I don't like it...
rj
Posted by brynb on August 26, 2012, at 13:50:49
In reply to Re: Clonidine for anxiety?, posted by rjlockhart37 on August 26, 2012, at 12:48:40
> I take clonodine... .1mg three daily, it does work sometimes but its mostly psychical things like slowing down blood pressure....it can make feel letharic but yes it can be helpful for anxiety in some cases. I'm getting of it soon, I don't like it...
>
> rjThanks, rj. It's actually not working for my anxiety anymore. It did a few times at first, now it makes me drowsy. Oh well...
Posted by phidippus on August 31, 2012, at 19:29:45
In reply to Clonidine for anxiety?, posted by brynb on August 24, 2012, at 17:24:35
Clonidine, among other things, is used to treat panic disorder. Clonidine also has several off-label uses, and has been prescribed to treat psychiatric disorders including stress, sleep disorders, and hyperarousal caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other anxiety disorders.
It is not quite like a beta blocker-it acts on different receptors which control sympathetic tone.
I don't think you'll experience horrible sidde effects in the long run.
Eric
Posted by SLS on September 1, 2012, at 5:33:18
In reply to Re: Clonidine for anxiety?, posted by phidippus on August 31, 2012, at 19:29:45
> Clonidine, among other things, is used to treat panic disorder. Clonidine also has several off-label uses, and has been prescribed to treat psychiatric disorders including stress, sleep disorders, and hyperarousal caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other anxiety disorders.
>
> It is not quite like a beta blocker-it acts on different receptors which control sympathetic tone.
>
> I don't think you'll experience horrible sidde effects in the long run.
Clonidine is often depressogenic, even in otherwise healthy people. I guess it is the antithesis of Remeron. It is just something to watch out for.
- Scott
Posted by brynb on September 1, 2012, at 9:10:38
In reply to Re: Clonidine for anxiety?, posted by phidippus on August 31, 2012, at 19:29:45
Thanks, Eric. I've only been using it sparingly as it seems to have stopped working (the way it initially did) for my anxiety. I find it does help with sleep. But, aside from it losing the anxiolytic effect, I think I'm allergic to it. Is that possible? It makes my nose stuffed and my eyes itchy.
Thanks again.
-b
Posted by brynb on September 1, 2012, at 9:18:02
In reply to Re: Clonidine for anxiety?, posted by SLS on September 1, 2012, at 5:33:18
Thanks, Scott. Good to know. Clonidine seems to have lost its anxiolytic effect, anyway.
I can't afford to take anything that's a depressogenic. I had stopped Tramadol and my depression crept back up. I started it again (only 50mg day), and it helped, but I'll discuss this all when I see my pdoc next week. I'm sleeping a lot again and feeling really cranky and irritable. I just can't slip into an episode again.
Thanks again.
-b
This is the end of the thread.
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