![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 rainbowlight on January 20, 2004, at 2:31:39
I am looking to replace my Zoloft. It's blunting effect works very well for me, helps with my ability to let things roll off my shoulders easier. Do benzos have that charachteristic to them? Klonopin is the one I am wondering about. Does is just treat anxious thoughts or does it also help you to "cope" easier with the stresses/anxieties that life throws at you?
Posted by scott-d-o on January 20, 2004, at 3:07:03
In reply to Do benzos (klonopin) have the blunting effect?, posted by rainbowlight on January 20, 2004, at 2:31:39
> I am looking to replace my Zoloft. It's blunting effect works very well for me, helps with my ability to let things roll off my shoulders easier. Do benzos have that charachteristic to them? Klonopin is the one I am wondering about. Does is just treat anxious thoughts or does it also help you to "cope" easier with the stresses/anxieties that life throws at you?
Benzodiazepines are a better solution for people with anxiety disorders, not depression. Anotherwards, benzodiazepines are preferable when the anxiety is irrational and present even in situations that a "normal" individual should have no problems coping with.
I think you really have to look at what is the root cause of the anxiety. Is the depression causing the anxiety, or is anxiety causing the depression?
Benzodiazepines are preferrable in the latter case since when the anxiety disappears, many times the depression does as well. I think benzodiazepines can be useful in long-term treatment for those with true anxiety disorders, however, those using benzodiazepines for depression may find relief from them only in the short-term; never in the long-term. Additionally, they can possibly worsen depression under long-term use if a patient with depression is misdiagnosed with an anxiety disorder. However, this is *rarely* the case since SSRI's are way overprescribed and most pdocs will try one or several antidepressants with any patient before resorting to benzos.
Based on your post, my recommendation would be to stick with the Zoloft or perhaps only augment the Zoloft with an occasional benzo if the anxiety is overwhelming at times. You kind of contradict yourself by saying that Zoloft "is working well for you", yet still maintain that you are looking to replace it.. I guess my question for you is, why try to fix something that isn't broken?
Posted by rainbowlight on January 20, 2004, at 3:24:05
In reply to Re: Do benzos (klonopin) have the blunting effect? » rainbowlight, posted by scott-d-o on January 20, 2004, at 3:07:03
Actually, I should have clarified my post. Sorry. I am Bipolar II. Actually, I am looking to replace what Zoloft "once was" for me. It used to help tremendously with my anxiety. It stopped the rapid thoughts, anxious ruminating and really helped with the OCD (compulsive restlessness and cleaning). I have also had major weight gain with it and constant digestion problems. It no longer seems to be helping with my anxiety, things are no longer rolling off my shoulders. Things are bothering me that haven't bothered me since I added Zoloft to my meds. I tried to raise the dose, per pdoc from 50 mgs. to 75 and it doesn't help. Just makes the side effects even worse. I think, like you said, the anxiety is making me depressed. There is nothing really wrong in my life yet I find now I am starting to ruminate aboout nothing if you know what I mean? The OCD flares back up when I am anxious. Cleaning constantly calms me down, but sure is a time waster! Basically I feel like the numbing effect of the Zoloft is wearing off and I am beginning to panic. Any suggestions?
Posted by mattdds on January 20, 2004, at 15:04:08
In reply to Re: Do benzos (klonopin) have the blunting effect? » rainbowlight, posted by scott-d-o on January 20, 2004, at 3:07:03
Just curious,
Matt
Posted by scott-d-o on January 21, 2004, at 1:51:57
In reply to Hey Scott, are you a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy)? » scott-d-o, posted by mattdds on January 20, 2004, at 15:04:08
Posted by scott-d-o on January 21, 2004, at 2:33:30
In reply to Scot-d-o, posted by rainbowlight on January 20, 2004, at 3:24:05
> Actually, I should have clarified my post. Sorry. I am Bipolar II. Actually, I am looking to replace what Zoloft "once was" for me. It used to help tremendously with my anxiety. It stopped the rapid thoughts, anxious ruminating and really helped with the OCD (compulsive restlessness and cleaning). I have also had major weight gain with it and constant digestion problems. It no longer seems to be helping with my anxiety, things are no longer rolling off my shoulders. Things are bothering me that haven't bothered me since I added Zoloft to my meds. I tried to raise the dose, per pdoc from 50 mgs. to 75 and it doesn't help. Just makes the side effects even worse. I think, like you said, the anxiety is making me depressed. There is nothing really wrong in my life yet I find now I am starting to ruminate aboout nothing if you know what I mean? The OCD flares back up when I am anxious. Cleaning constantly calms me down, but sure is a time waster! Basically I feel like the numbing effect of the Zoloft is wearing off and I am beginning to panic. Any suggestions?
Perhaps you should allow someone else to answer your question, since I am not very knowledgeable on bipolar; although, I do know that Klonopin is the only benzodiazepine implicated for the treatment of bipolar. I don't see any harm in reminding your doctor of this fact, and seeing if he will allow you to trial the medication.
Do you exercise on a regular basis? This would most likely be a much healthier and efficient means of relieving your tension; as opposed to the constant cleaning, which I'm sure only perpetuates your obsessive compulsive tendencies.
If you are not tolerating the Zoloft, then obviously you should bring this to your doctor's attention and express your desire to taper off the medication.
Best of luck..
Posted by Viridis on January 21, 2004, at 4:40:12
In reply to Re: Do benzos (klonopin) have the blunting effect? » rainbowlight, posted by scott-d-o on January 20, 2004, at 3:07:03
I think the distinction between anxiety-induced depression and depression-induced anxiety probably is real, although some would argue that the two conditions (depression and anxiety) are both manifestations of some common, underlying disorder.
I seem to fall into the anxiety-causes-depression category, and find that benzos help tremendously with anxiety, which in turn reduces my depression greatly. Yet I also experience a "different", milder form of depression on and off, even when using benzos -- a sort of hopelessness that's helped most by stimulants like Adderall and Strattera (if you consider Strattera a stimulant).
SSRIs make everything worse for me and escalate the anxiety, even after long-term use. I can't tolerate them at all (even at very low doses), and my pdoc agrees that they aren't appropriate for me, although they're great for some people.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.