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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tsmed on February 9, 2004, at 15:58:06
I have been on Prozac 10 mg. and Klonopin .5 mg. for about three years. About a month ago my doctor decided to switch me to Lexapro. I had to wait 2 weeks to start it. By the time I did I was having severe panic attacks and anxiety. The Klonopin was not helping at all. So... she then switched me to Zoloft and XanaxXR. NO HELP... the anxiety stayed the same but I was also groggy!! Now (on my own) I have switched back to the Prozac at 5 mg. and the .5 Klonopin at night. I am also taking a very small dose of Xanax during the day if needed for panic.
Has anyone had some of these same reactions? I wanted to change medications because I felt so numb and sleepy. However, I would gladly trade that feeling back to get rid of this panic and anxiety. Do you guys think I will level back out if I stay on the prozac/klonopin mixture.
OH - forgot to mention. I also have Epilepsy and take Phenobarbital 120 mg. for that. Just an added bonus.
HELP HELP HELP - I feel like I'm losing my mind with all this and am so confused.
Posted by KathrynLex on February 9, 2004, at 17:11:47
In reply to Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by tsmed on February 9, 2004, at 15:58:06
Hi TSMed,
I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time right now. I know anxiety and panic attacks are awful...I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.
> I have been on Prozac 10 mg. and Klonopin .5 mg. for about three years. About a month ago my doctor decided to switch me to Lexapro. I had to wait 2 weeks to start it.
Can I ask why she had you wait 2 weeks before starting Lexapro?
>By the time I did I was having severe panic attacks and anxiety.
It's worth knowing that Lexapro can actually cause anxiety the first few weeks that you take it.
>The Klonopin was not helping at all. So... she then switched me to Zoloft and XanaxXR. NO HELP... the anxiety stayed the same but I was also groggy!! Now (on my own) I have switched back to the Prozac at 5 mg. and the .5 Klonopin at night. I am also taking a very small dose of Xanax during the day if needed for panic.
I would encourage you to keep your doctor involved in your meds. If you aren't happy with the person you're seeing now, go to another doc. Find someone who has a reputation for being very knowledgeable about meds.
> Has anyone had some of these same reactions? I wanted to change medications because I felt so numb and sleepy. However, I would gladly trade that feeling back to get rid of this panic and anxiety.
It's interesting that you were feeling sleepy on Prozac. When I took it (40 mg) Prozac caused horrible insomnia. But Klonopin makes me tired. Maybe you should look in to combining your Prozac with something else. Xanax or Lorazepam come to mind. Also, I've heard that adding Wellbutrin to your drug cocktail can help you feel more energized.
>Do you guys think I will level back out if I stay on the prozac/klonopin mixture.
It sounds like your body has been through quite a lot in the past little while. You probably just need time to readjust to the prozac/klonopin combo. If it worked in the past, it will probably work again. However, if this mixture made you tired it's worth looking in to other meds. This is why I recommend involving your doctor with your medication choices, so you'll be aware of all the options available to you.
> OH - forgot to mention. I also have Epilepsy and take Phenobarbital 120 mg. for that. Just an added bonus. HELP HELP HELP - I feel like I'm losing my mind with all this and am so confused.I'm sure you're not loosing your mind. Like I said, your body needs a little bit of time. Take it easy for the next few weeks, and try to schedule some time to go talk to a therapist. That can be very helpful.
I hope you start feeling better! Take care.
K.
Posted by tsmed on February 9, 2004, at 19:12:41
In reply to Re: Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by KathrynLex on February 9, 2004, at 17:11:47
K,
Thanks so much for your reply. The reason my doctor has me wait two weeks is because she said it can take up to 4 weeks for the prozac to get out of your system and since I seem to be so sensitive to the medications she thought I should wait. When I called her one day (after starting the Lexapro) she pretty much told me to "wait". Well.... I know I'm a bad patient but in the middle of a panic attack telling a person to wait and giving them no options didn't help.I then scheduled an appointment with another dr. She is the one that switched me to Zoloft and Xanax. After trying those for a few days I felt WORSE... and on top of everything else that doctor was out of town.
To say the least I am frustrated. I had a major panic attack at work this afternoon and didn't know if I would make it home. Surprise - I lived!!! I worked out when I got home to burn off some of the extra adrenalin and seem to be feeling a little better now. I also popped a quarter of a Xanax. Hope it's okay to mix all this stuff.
I have an appointment with my neurologist at the end of this month and hope I will be a little more stable. Until then - I hope I can find some support on this board
Thanks again for posting and Please stay in touch.
Posted by Bill LL on February 10, 2004, at 8:26:38
In reply to Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by tsmed on February 9, 2004, at 15:58:06
Since you were sleepy on Prozac, maybe you should ask your doc about adding Provigil to the Prozac. Provigil gives energy and has minimal or no side effects for most people. It works with all of the SSRI's except for Celexa and Lexapro. I don't know whether or not it can be given with epilepsy drugs such as phenobarbital.
Posted by tsmed on February 10, 2004, at 10:05:24
In reply to Re: Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by Bill LL on February 10, 2004, at 8:26:38
Actually my neurologist prescribed it about 8 months ago and I have never taken it. I was worried about side effects (making me not being able to sleep or anxious). Maybe I'll let my body try to calm back down and get back adjusted to the Prozac and Klonopin doses and then give it a try. Right now I would just LOVE to get rid of this anxious feeling!!!
Posted by KathrynLex on February 10, 2004, at 11:27:50
In reply to Re: Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by tsmed on February 9, 2004, at 19:12:41
Hi TSMed,
>The reason my doctor has me wait two weeks is because she said it can take up to 4 weeks for the prozac to get out of your system and since I seem to be so sensitive to the medications she thought I should wait. When I called her one day (after starting the Lexapro) she pretty much told me to "wait". Well.... I know I'm a bad patient but in the middle of a panic attack telling a person to wait and giving them no options didn't help.
How discouraging! I'm surprised she didn't recommend that you take a Xanax or Lorazepam. When I told my doc I was worried about having panic attacks caused by lex, he prescribed 2 months worth of Lorazepam.
> I then scheduled an appointment with another dr. She is the one that switched me to Zoloft and Xanax. After trying those for a few days I felt WORSE... and on top of everything else that doctor was out of town.
I don't blame you for being frustrated. It's not easy waiting for meds to kick in, especially when you need immediate relief from your anxiety.
> To say the least I am frustrated. I had a major panic attack at work this afternoon and didn't know if I would make it home. Surprise - I lived!!! I worked out when I got home to burn off some of the extra adrenalin and seem to be feeling a little better now. I also popped a quarter of a Xanax. Hope it's okay to mix all this stuff.
It probably can't hurt to mix them. But I would keep your doses low just to be safe. It sounds like you're handling yourself very well considering your circumstances.
> I have an appointment with my neurologist at the end of this month and hope I will be a little more stable. Until then - I hope I can find some support on this board
There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people on this board. Stick around, you'll find people who have had very similar experiences to yours. In the meantime, hang in there and don't give up.
K.
Posted by micro on February 12, 2004, at 22:45:40
In reply to Re: Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by Bill LL on February 10, 2004, at 8:26:38
Hello, May I ask why you think that it doesn't work with these specific ssri's? Thanks Micro
Posted by micro on February 12, 2004, at 23:02:23
In reply to Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by tsmed on February 9, 2004, at 15:58:06
> I have been on Prozac 10 mg. and Klonopin .5 mg. for about three years. About a month ago my doctor decided to switch me to Lexapro. I had to wait 2 weeks to start it. By the time I did I was having severe panic attacks and anxiety. The Klonopin was not helping at all. So... she then switched me to Zoloft and XanaxXR. NO HELP... the anxiety stayed the same but I was also groggy!! Now (on my own) I have switched back to the Prozac at 5 mg. and the .5 Klonopin at night. I am also taking a very small dose of Xanax during the day if needed for panic.
>
> Has anyone had some of these same reactions? I wanted to change medications because I felt so numb and sleepy. However, I would gladly trade that feeling back to get rid of this panic and anxiety. Do you guys think I will level back out if I stay on the prozac/klonopin mixture.
>
> OH - forgot to mention. I also have Epilepsy and take Phenobarbital 120 mg. for that. Just an added bonus.
>
> HELP HELP HELP - I feel like I'm losing my mind with all this and am so confused.
>
> Hello, Your Klonopin or Xanax dose is too low, therefore,the increase in anxiety [both are potent benzo's the trade off is the actions] You may consider some inderal while giving your meds time to work. A more sedating antidepressant may be helpful as well which may eliminate the need for the increases in benzo's [which notoriously cause fatigue and grogginess for about a week or two]. Take or request the one that works for your panic the best. Good Luck. MicroP.S. Please purchase or borrow a copy of "The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs" by Gorman.
Posted by tsmed on February 13, 2004, at 7:39:34
In reply to Re: Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by micro on February 12, 2004, at 23:02:23
If my Klonopin levels were too low - why the increase in anxiety and panic by coming off the Prozac? Wouldn't that mean that the Prozac was really doing more in keeping these feelings at bay than the Klonopin?
Thanks,
-Terri
Posted by KarenRB53 on June 20, 2006, at 13:17:25
In reply to Re: Klonopin, Xanax and Prozac - HELP, posted by tsmed on February 13, 2004, at 7:39:34
Just wondering if you're still on Prozac with Clonazepam or Xanax? How are you doing? I'm taking Prozac and have tried Ativan, Clonazepam and now Xanax.
Thanks, Karen
This is the end of the thread.
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