Posted by Suzie V on February 10, 2004, at 14:55:42
In reply to Re: chlonazepam for life vs. effexor, posted by KellyD on February 9, 2004, at 20:02:03
> There are is a really important question you and your doctor need to try to find an answer to... does you illness manifest more on the anxiety scale or depression or is it a mixed disorder.
I know beyond a doubt that my condition is from extreme anxiety that I have had since coming out of the womb. However my shrink tested me for SAD and I scored very high. The Chlonazepam helped me face the CBT but I don't believe that therapy helped.
> I can only speak to my own experience. I have an anxiety disorder. I have occ. bouts of depression and they usually occur when my anxiety is ill controlled.
I am the same. When I get very stressed that's when my depression kicks in, but that's a result of the anxiety, even though it can escatlate to suicidal thoughts. But now I understand that it was this anxiety that impaired my cognitive and social abilities all through life and caused me to switch from one career to another. Now at 49 I am dependant on my husband, although I have a university degree and have worked many years. Let me say that none of those working years were in the least happy ones. I just can't take the stress even with medication. The sad thing is I know I am intelligent, and those who know me intimately can see that, but to strangers I think I come across as less than what I am.
> Have you had a full physical workup to rule out a physical problem?
When I decided to quit my last job two years ago I did. I even had an MRI because my symptoms were mimicking MS. But I am essentially physically healthy, except for the unexplained fatigue and swollen glands, sore throat and coughing. I read somewhere that Chlonazepam can cause couphing. Still it's worth it. Even the memory problems are worth it. Although I still think they are more to do with my age and my anxiety, since when I'm taking the right dose I think more clearly and function normally. It's my fear of increasing my dose even though I need to now that has made me less able to concentrate.
> I have found clonazepam (Klonopin) to be the only med that works for me, but we are not a "one size fits all" situation. I take a very low dose and have not increased in 3 years of use and at times have required lower dosing, so I remain within a range.
Same with me, I actually went from 3mg. to 2mg. and have stayed there for a year, and even reduced it by .05 for a while. Now with my added stress I am up to 2.5 mg., although my doctor doesn't know it yet.
> This class of drugs have been around for 40 years and in some individuals are used safely, without pitfalls, and very effective for anxiety states.
> I'm just glad I have a med and a doc that allowed me to get my life back.
Me too, but I hope my new doctor will understand my need to increase the dose and not make me take another anti-depressant instead.> In addition, you may wish to research the use of Klonopin and the role it plays in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Paul Cheney, MD.
Thanks for the support and the suggestion which I will look into. I am lucky I have a husband to support me financially as disability has turned me down. At my age I would rather not go back to work with my problems. It will ultimately end in disaster as it always has.
> Good Luck to you.
And to you, it's very comforting to know there are others with similar problems, although I wouldn't wish them on anyone.
SuzieV
poster:Suzie V
thread:311272
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040210/msgs/311749.html