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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by house on July 31, 2002, at 11:47:51
I take klonopins for anxiety and regardless of dose they make me depressed and screw up my short term memory. Is xanax or valium legitimate substitutes or are they just to addictive to take on a long term basis. Does anyone know of anything else for immediate relief. Any response is greatly appreciated.
Posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:39:55
In reply to Klonopin - any other options, posted by house on July 31, 2002, at 11:47:51
In my experience Tranxene is a divine substance. I use it regularly without much cognitive disturbance or worsenning of depression. However, When I have a severe anxiety situation like Flying I take a Klonopin, and when I get off the plane I'll drink a large Starbucks If I have to attend a meeting for business or even pop a Provigil. Sometimes I feel like Elvis, with the uppers and downers, but it's preferable to all the other crap I've tried...
Posted by utopizen on August 1, 2002, at 20:07:20
In reply to Re: Klonopin - any other options » house, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:39:55
Ask your doc about Neurontin. I take 800mg a day of it, but that's considered a lot (but some with pain take up to 4000!)
NEVER increase more than 100-200mg at a time. I went from 100mg once to 1000mg, because I was worried it wouldn't work if I didn't. I had to lay on the floor in a distant hallway to hide from people for an hour before this overwhelming blur ungrasped me enough to walk straight.
Coordination ussually returns as your body grows tolerant to it, ussually just one week after starting. You may experience a slight sense of something, that I forgot what's it called... when your thinking is impaired a bit, like there's a little fog, but I don't think it's brain fog, because I never found out what that term means. Hey, maybe it is brain fog. Whatever it is, I don't care, because I know it's a better feeling than feeling anxious, and that I end up thinking and saying things very clearly, often more so than normal. And to me, anxiety tends to fog my brain out more than any drug could anyway!
Anyway, try a hundred miligrams, it takes 1-3 hrs. to kick in. Add 100 mg each day until you start to feel something. It works, trust me, and there's never withdrawl, no matter what.
Posted by Alan on August 1, 2002, at 23:55:19
In reply to Klonopin - any other options, posted by house on July 31, 2002, at 11:47:51
> I take klonopins for anxiety and regardless of dose they make me depressed and screw up my short term memory. Is xanax or valium legitimate substitutes or are they just to addictive to take on a long term basis. Does anyone know of anything else for immediate relief. Any response is greatly appreciated.
============================================Klonopin does have that effect for some. I've tried all of the bzd's and have ended up on klonopin as maintainence with ativan for breakthrough anxiety either PRN or as long as I need it at a time depending on the situation and how I feel.
Just for your information:
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
The World Health Organisation has reviewed all of the relevant studies on bzd's in the last 40 years and have concluded that they are safe for both short AND long term monotherapy.
If you have a doc that still doesn't understand the difference between "addiction" and medical dependence, either explain this artical I've linked you to so that they get it or just find a new doc that does. It's common medical nomenclature and "addiction" is a loaded term that is more appropriately designated to heavy narcotics and recreational drug use. Those that take bzd, the vast majority of that population do not take bzd's to get "high" or abuse their drugs.
It's so frustrating to see those given misinformation about the very drug designed for anxiety disorders - an anxolytic.
If one type doesn't work there are 6 others that will provide varying forms of relief for you. Give them each a clinical trial and I'm sure that you'll find one in this class of drugs to work just fine.
Alan
Posted by joy on August 2, 2002, at 21:03:30
In reply to Klonopin - any other options, posted by house on July 31, 2002, at 11:47:51
My pdoc feels Klonopin induces depression and prefers Xanax for anxiety, and for insomnia. I've never been depressed after taking Xanax as needed. There are other options......takes a little time to find right med, but you will.
Joy
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