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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hildi on August 29, 2002, at 13:29:41
I am just starting Klonopin and Ativan- I may try xanax later (instead of ativan)if I don't have good luck with this duo.
I know some of you also take a long and a short-acting benzo. So, my question is: Do I take the klonopin at night, or the shorter acting benzo (ativan, for me) at night, or is this vise-versa?
Which is least likely to cause day-time drowsieness?
Hildi
Posted by alan on August 30, 2002, at 1:15:57
In reply to Question for Alan others, correct dose: 2 benzos, posted by hildi on August 29, 2002, at 13:29:41
> I am just starting Klonopin and Ativan- I may try xanax later (instead of ativan)if I don't have good luck with this duo.
> I know some of you also take a long and a short-acting benzo. So, my question is: Do I take the klonopin at night, or the shorter acting benzo (ativan, for me) at night, or is this vise-versa?
> Which is least likely to cause day-time drowsieness?
> Hildi
----------------------------------------
For klon, which has a *theraputic* half-life of around 12 - 20hrs, you probably would want to try it in two seperate doses. Start with one half of a .5mg tablet (.025mg) at night and one either when you awake or perhaps later in the AM if it makes you drowsy to take it on awakening.Remember that it will take a week or so for the drowsiness to go away after start-up. Then adjust your dose upwards by adding .025 at night if you feel that klon is not yet handling your symptoms. Keep working upwards by adding .025 in the AM until the overall dose is .5 at night and .5 in the AM. That is a pretty median dose. It is what I take but many need twice that or more. You won't know until you get there.
After you've made an assessment if klon is going to have more benefits than side effect(drowsiness, clumsiness, and mild depression are the 3 that come to mind if the dose is too high for you or if you simply can't tolerate it) then one can add ativan. If klon isn't covering your symptoms while you are starting it up, one can always take ativan PRN for breakthrough anxiety or panic.
Adding ativan (theraputic half-life around 6-8 hrs) should come in 3 equal doses starting with .5mg at night, same on awakening, same at dinner. Increase as - or if needed.
This is the way I did it in order to achieve as steady a state blood level as possible. Of course the real trick is to do this according to how it feels to you. The klon may be fine at half the dose I mentioned and then the ativan may be adjusted to a slightly lower dose too. You may want to space the doses further apart than I - especially if you feel too drowsy - your body may metabolise the med slower or faster than I. It takes a little time to work out the nuances of it without getting too sleepy in order to for instance drive safely.
Another alternative is to use the klon after you find a theraputic level and just add ativan PRN for breakthrough anxiety and panic. This has worked well for me in cases of situational anxiety, phobia, etc.
Since individual responses vary, drowsyness may be more promenent with either ativan or klonopin.
If you have any questions about what I've said, please ask! It may be a little confusing...
Best,
Alan
Posted by hildi on August 31, 2002, at 18:25:18
In reply to Re: Question for Alan others, correct dose: 2 benzos » hildi, posted by alan on August 30, 2002, at 1:15:57
Hi Alan. Thanks for the reply. I have been 'playing around' a little bit with the meds to find the right combo to take.
Right now I'm nauseaus and shaky. I think that the atvian might be making me this way, but come too think of it I have also gotten very shaky-hypoglycenic feeling on the Klon alone, too.
I am still taking low dose SSRI while waiting to see how my body likes the benzos, so it may be the sombo of benzos with the ad's that is making me ill.
Ick! I can hardly type and feel like I will pass out and throw up at the same time.
I better go . More later.
Thanks!
Hildi
Posted by viridis on August 31, 2002, at 19:44:46
In reply to correct dose benzos » alan, posted by hildi on August 31, 2002, at 18:25:18
Hi Hildi,
I hope you're feeling better. I posted a more detailed response to your questions about adderall etc. earlier (higher up the page), and my dosing schedules for Klonopin and Xanax. Basically, I started with 1 mg Klonopin at night and Xanax prn, but the Klonopin wore off by mid-morning, so then I tried 0.25 mg 4X/day (since initially it made me a bit clumsy and sleepy). The I went to 0.5 mg 2X day (after a week or two), and now I just take 1 mg in the morning (along with the additional meds described in my earlier post). Klonopin no longer has any noticeable side effects for me, and it provides all-day relief of anxiety and stress without any cognitive dulling.
I used Xanax (0.25-0.5 mg) whenever I needed it initially, and had no problem with it interacting with Klonopin. As I got used to the Klonopin and my anxiety level dropped, so did my use of Xanax. Now I take Xanax (at most) once or twice a week for particularly stressful situations, but I take the Klonopin every day, never more than 1 mg/day.
I did take a tiny dose of Zoloft (12.5 mg) for a short period while on K & X, but it had such a drastic effect on my moods and stress level that I soon dropped it, with my pdoc's approval. I just can't tolerate SSRIs (I've tried others), even with benzos in place. I wonder if you might be having a similar reaction to the Zoloft -- maybe something to discuss with your doctor. I'm much better with just benzos (and even more stable with a bit of Adderall and Neurontin as I've mentioned before). Maybe your brain chemistry is similar?
Anyway, I'd talk to your doctor before dropping the SSRI or any other medications, but it's something to consider. Oh, by the way -- I started taking 6 g fish oil and 1 g evening primrose oil every day a couple of months ago, and that also seems to help me feel more stable (but I still think the Klonopin is the real key).
Good luck!
Posted by hildi on September 5, 2002, at 17:13:19
In reply to Re: correct dose benzos, posted by viridis on August 31, 2002, at 19:44:46
> Hi Hildi,
>
> I hope you're feeling better. I posted a more detailed response to your questions about adderall etc. earlier (higher up the page), and my dosing schedules for Klonopin and Xanax. Basically, I started with 1 mg Klonopin at night and Xanax prn, but the Klonopin wore off by mid-morning, so then I tried 0.25 mg 4X/day (since initially it made me a bit clumsy and sleepy). The I went to 0.5 mg 2X day (after a week or two), and now I just take 1 mg in the morning (along with the additional meds described in my earlier post). Klonopin no longer has any noticeable side effects for me, and it provides all-day relief of anxiety and stress without any cognitive dulling.
>
> I used Xanax (0.25-0.5 mg) whenever I needed it initially, and had no problem with it interacting with Klonopin. As I got used to the Klonopin and my anxiety level dropped, so did my use of Xanax. Now I take Xanax (at most) once or twice a week for particularly stressful situations, but I take the Klonopin every day, never more than 1 mg/day.
>
> I did take a tiny dose of Zoloft (12.5 mg) for a short period while on K & X, but it had such a drastic effect on my moods and stress level that I soon dropped it, with my pdoc's approval. I just can't tolerate SSRIs (I've tried others), even with benzos in place. I wonder if you might be having a similar reaction to the Zoloft -- maybe something to discuss with your doctor. I'm much better with just benzos (and even more stable with a bit of Adderall and Neurontin as I've mentioned before). Maybe your brain chemistry is similar?
>
> Anyway, I'd talk to your doctor before dropping the SSRI or any other medications, but it's something to consider. Oh, by the way -- I started taking 6 g fish oil and 1 g evening primrose oil every day a couple of months ago, and that also seems to help me feel more stable (but I still think the Klonopin is the real key).
>
> Good luck!Thanks so much. I really appreciate your input on this subject and it has helped a great deal.
I started taking .25mg klon 3-4 times a day, instead of one larger dose just at night, and this seems to make a difference. Prior to that, I had been feeling the Klon wearing off during mid-day, but I thought that 'couldn't/didn't happen'- that is until I started hearing the responses from you and others. So, that makes me feel better knowing that, and that the side effects should wear off soon. Actually, with the dosing sched like this the side effects really are not too bad. I may slowly start trying the doses like you mentioned, .5 2X day, then working up to 1mg in AM. No morning drowsyness when taking in AM? Lasts all day? Maybe it is our body building up some kind of tolerance or something. Hey, If that works for you it may also for me. I appreciate the advice.
I have the ativan but am afraid to take it now. I got really woosy and nauseaus on it. However, I am not eating or sleeping well right now either- very many life changes are occurring. Knock wood, but I really think the Klon may be helping me cope better. Like I said, it is approx .25 mg 3-4 times a day, but my anxiety is a bit more managable. And I don't feel funny, either. No 'high' feelings (I was super worried about that), The Klon seems to be helping my physical anxiety symptoms. I am not shaking as much, nor hyperventalating, sweaty, panicky, etc.
I wonder if I should try the atian, too, once my body gets more adjusted to the Kon. Do you think Ativan is as good as xanax?
I am afraid to stop the SSRI yet. Too much is happening in my life right now, and I am able to function. I am worried that if I change anything things will fall apart again!
I do think that discontinuing the SSRI might be helpful or necessary for me, but I am going to wait a little bit longer before taking that step.
I would like to try the Adafranil, too. (Also the Adderal, but I don't think my doc will let me try that).
I do live in the states, but I have a very close-minded doc and the benzos were ordered by me in the mail. He DID suggest it (benzos) on several occasions, but then by the time I was receptive to the idea the doc didn't prescribe them for me since it was not HIS idea- and this idea was rebuked by me in the first place.
Confusing and frustrating.
Fish oil and evening primrose oil is helping you too? Hmmm. That is interesting. The fish oil caps I did try but they made me nauseaus. I was thinking of trying flax oil caps and see if I had any better luck. I'll let you know.
Thanks for all the help!
Hildi
Posted by viridis on September 6, 2002, at 2:28:37
In reply to Re: correct dose benzos » viridis, posted by hildi on September 5, 2002, at 17:13:19
Hi Hildi,
It's great to hear that the Klonopin is helping. My pdoc basically let me work out my own dosing schedule, since everyone reacts differently. He even offered to increase the dose if necessary, because 1 mg is considered low for panic disorder, which I experience episodically, along with frequent anxiety, mild ADD, and depression, which can be severe. Luckily for me, 1 mg/day of K turned out to be just right, so I've stayed at that dose. I feel no side effects from taking all in the AM, but it did take a while to work up to that. At first it made me a bit sleepy, uncoordinated, and forgetful, which is why I started with divided doses throughout the day. I do think your system gets used to it (I no longer even notice it), so just go slow and find the best schedule for you.
There are some reports of abuse of Klonopin, but I can't imagine how -- I've never had any high from it. I do feel the Xanax (probably because I take it so infrequently), but it's just a rapid relief of anxiety, no buzz. If I go over about 0.5 mg, I just want to sleep. I have no experience with Ativan, so can't comment there. Many years ago, I tried Valium, but it just made me feel "drunk" (not in a good way, just stupid and drowsy). In fairness, though, I never gave Valium a real try, but I do think different benzos can have different effects, so you have to find the best one(s) for you by trial and error. Xanax is excellent for me for quick relief, but one of the hardest to convince many doctors to prescribe since it's supposedly "addictive".
If the SSRI seems to be helping I wouldn't change it for now. I can't stand that class of drugs, but as I've mentioned, they're great for many people, just not me.
I have no problem with fish oil (just use the cheap Costco brand), but I have a cast-iron stomach and almost nothing makes me nauseous. Flaxseed oil is a good one too (contains omega-3 precursors), and works well in salad dressings etc. -- just don't cook with it, since heat destroys the beneficial effects. Or, just take capsules. If you're sensitive to oils, I suggest you try small amounts and work up gradually, as with any other new substance.
Re: pstims: maybe you could see if you can pry a free sample of Provigil (modafinil) out of your doctor. The company that bought the rights is really pushing it, and my impression is that free samples are readily available, although the prescriptions are incredibly expensive. It was OK, but not the best for me. Some on this board swear by Adrafinil ("parent" drug of Provigil, not available in the US), but apparently there's a slight risk of liver damage, so I'd be careful if you decide to try it. Adderall has been great for me, but it is hard to get unenlightened doctors to prescribe it -- they're scared of amphetamines because they're Schedule II (=highly controlled) in the US, and a small segment of users abuse these drugs -- inconceivable to me, but I guess it does happen occasionally.
Are you seeing a GP, or a psychiatrist? I never got real relief until I went to a psychiatrist (and I've seen more than one -- some are terrible). My current psychiatrist is great and trusts my judgement, within limits. In general, I think that psychiatrists/psychopharmacologists are much more willing than GPs to try different, sometimes controversial treatments.
My GP would never prescribe an amphetamine (or even a benzo!). He's a nice guy but is totally hamstrung by HMO prescribing requirements and fear of anything the slightest bit controversial. His response to my anxiety/depression problems was that I'd have to go through several weeks each of ALL of the standard ADs, and when I said (after trying several) that they increased my anxiety and caused other side effects, he claimed that this must be in my imagination (because these drugs supposedly can't cause side effects). He further suggested that I needed therapy (ironic, since previous therapists had told me that I was very grounded and obviously had a real chemical imbalance). He seemed to know almost nothing about anxiety, depression, or even the basic mechanisms of action of these drugs, nor had he even read the package inserts for the standard ADs he prescribes every day. So, I went to a psychiatrist and finally got appropriate treatment.
My advice is:
1) If you're being treated by a GP, see a psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist if you can possibly afford it;
2) Regardless of what kind of doctor you're seeing, if the treatment isn't working and/or you don't have a good rapport with them, then see another (and another, and another...until you find the right one) There's a huge range of quality, empathy, and willingness to experiment out there, so don't settle for anything less than the best. You deserve it!
All the best,
Viridis
Posted by hildi on September 6, 2002, at 14:27:49
In reply to Re: Question for Alan others, correct dose: 2 benzos » hildi, posted by alan on August 30, 2002, at 1:15:57
> > I am just starting Klonopin and Ativan- I may try xanax later (instead of ativan)if I don't have good luck with this duo.
> > I know some of you also take a long and a short-acting benzo. So, my question is: Do I take the klonopin at night, or the shorter acting benzo (ativan, for me) at night, or is this vise-versa?
> > Which is least likely to cause day-time drowsieness?
> > Hildi
> ----------------------------------------
> For klon, which has a *theraputic* half-life of around 12 - 20hrs, you probably would want to try it in two seperate doses. Start with one half of a .5mg tablet (.025mg) at night and one either when you awake or perhaps later in the AM if it makes you drowsy to take it on awakening.
>
> Remember that it will take a week or so for the drowsiness to go away after start-up. Then adjust your dose upwards by adding .025 at night if you feel that klon is not yet handling your symptoms. Keep working upwards by adding .025 in the AM until the overall dose is .5 at night and .5 in the AM. That is a pretty median dose. It is what I take but many need twice that or more. You won't know until you get there.
>
> After you've made an assessment if klon is going to have more benefits than side effect(drowsiness, clumsiness, and mild depression are the 3 that come to mind if the dose is too high for you or if you simply can't tolerate it) then one can add ativan. If klon isn't covering your symptoms while you are starting it up, one can always take ativan PRN for breakthrough anxiety or panic.
>
> Adding ativan (theraputic half-life around 6-8 hrs) should come in 3 equal doses starting with .5mg at night, same on awakening, same at dinner. Increase as - or if needed.
>
> This is the way I did it in order to achieve as steady a state blood level as possible. Of course the real trick is to do this according to how it feels to you. The klon may be fine at half the dose I mentioned and then the ativan may be adjusted to a slightly lower dose too. You may want to space the doses further apart than I - especially if you feel too drowsy - your body may metabolise the med slower or faster than I. It takes a little time to work out the nuances of it without getting too sleepy in order to for instance drive safely.
>
> Another alternative is to use the klon after you find a theraputic level and just add ativan PRN for breakthrough anxiety and panic. This has worked well for me in cases of situational anxiety, phobia, etc.
>
> Since individual responses vary, drowsyness may be more promenent with either ativan or klonopin.
>
> If you have any questions about what I've said, please ask! It may be a little confusing...
>
> Best,
>
> AlanHi Alan, and thanks again for the help. I a still taking a low dose SSRI (prozac) for now, butfollowed the advice of some of you here by taking .25 klon at night, then taking some additional .25mg in divided doses during the day. So that my current approx Klon dose is .25 mg 3or 4 times a day.
This has seemed to be working, at least somewhat. I do feel better anxiety wise. And the doses spread out keep the side effects low, also keep me from feel the anxiety breakthrough.
I had a real anxious day today and popped 1mg ativan (instead of my usual 6-10mg prozac) and I am tired, clumsy, feel icky. Now that I's re-read your post I see you mention starting ativan at lower doses, like .5mg, also spread out throughout the day like I am doing the Klon.
That could be why I feel so sleepy and like a bumbling idiot right now.
When you mentioned the dosing like this: .5mg 3times/day, did you mean by inself?
If I also used Ativan with Klon, would I take that same kind of dose- I mean both meds taken together a few times a day? Or maybe if I worked up to a higher, but less often taken dose of Klon take that once a day with .5 ativan, then take .5 ativan 2 more times during the day (approx)?I am concerned if the ativan is 'as good' as xanax. I had a mental stigma against xanax and thats why I ordered ativan. But the couple times I have taking this med I got woozy and sick to my stomach.
Would this go away? I wonder if I be would be better off staying away from the ativan. Or could it just be too high doses I've started on?
I do also worry there may be an interaction between these two meds- that is not the case though, right? It seems that there are quite a few people on this med combo.
HildiOne
Posted by Alan on September 7, 2002, at 20:56:16
In reply to Re: Question for Alan » alan, posted by hildi on September 6, 2002, at 14:27:49
No interaction concerns.
Sounds as if you took too much ativan to start or you just may need it PRN if panic seems to be breaking through. OR xanax may be a better alternative.
If you want to try the ativan or xanax full time along with the klonopin, just spread out the doses of whatever you decide on (ativan or xanax) and in very small amounts at first so that you achieve steady state theraputic levels of both the longer and shorter half-life bzds.
Only your body will be able to tell you if you have taken too much or too little. It takes awhile to determine how much is too much and so on. It also takes awhile for the sedating effect to wear off leaving behind the theraputic, anxiolytic effect.
You may eventually determine that the klon dosage is good enough and to rely on xanax or ativan PRN for heightened anxiety or panic.
Posted by LLL on September 11, 2002, at 13:56:08
In reply to Re: Question for Alan others, correct dose: 2 benzos » hildi, posted by alan on August 30, 2002, at 1:15:57
I recently started a trial of Klonopin (generic). I have situational panic when facing the boundaries of my agoraphobia and do not feel anxious or panic on a day to day basis. Xanax works wonderfully for me and I have used it to help me get through some of these barriers and leave my circle of safety. I wanted to try something longer acting however so that I might begin to practice driving outside of my comfort zone. I've begun with .25 in the a.m. and although it's only been two days, do not feel anything except for very sleepy, burning eyes and somewhat sedated. If anything I think I'm more anxious than normal, but that might just be a psychological response to starting this medicine. Does this truly reduce anxiety/panic like xananx does? Xanax takes away all of my anxious thinking, leaves me feeling clear and confident and like the world is a good place. I was hoping the Klonopin would quell the anticipatory anxiety enough to let me get out on the road and then use the xanax for the breakthrough panic while taking "big steps". However, I'm having my doubts.
Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.
Thanks
Posted by hildi on September 11, 2002, at 22:05:56
In reply to Re: Question for Alan » alan, posted by LLL on September 11, 2002, at 13:56:08
> I recently started a trial of Klonopin (generic). I have situational panic when facing the boundaries of my agoraphobia and do not feel anxious or panic on a day to day basis. Xanax works wonderfully for me and I have used it to help me get through some of these barriers and leave my circle of safety. I wanted to try something longer acting however so that I might begin to practice driving outside of my comfort zone. I've begun with .25 in the a.m. and although it's only been two days, do not feel anything except for very sleepy, burning eyes and somewhat sedated. If anything I think I'm more anxious than normal, but that might just be a psychological response to starting this medicine. Does this truly reduce anxiety/panic like xananx does? Xanax takes away all of my anxious thinking, leaves me feeling clear and confident and like the world is a good place. I was hoping the Klonopin would quell the anticipatory anxiety enough to let me get out on the road and then use the xanax for the breakthrough panic while taking "big steps". However, I'm having my doubts.
> Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.
> ThanksI'd love to hear the answer to your question, too. Although there is some anxiety relief, I also am feeling very sleepy and drowsy, burning eyes, sedated. etc. . .The Klon's side effects are very troublesome and so far are not lessening. But there have been a couple of good days I've had on it ,too, so I will give myself more time befire I judge this med.
If xanax worked so well for you why did you stop?
Posted by LLL on September 11, 2002, at 22:31:36
In reply to Re: Question for Alan » LLL, posted by hildi on September 11, 2002, at 22:05:56
I still use it, however only on occassion when I have to go places outside my comfort area. I generally just stay within my comfort area which allows me to go to work, shop etc. and avoid pushing beyond that. I was looking for a longer acting drug and one that I might be able to take more regularly while I break some of my old conditioned phobic responses.
So have you found anything that works as well as xanax but works for a longer period?
I was also given Neurontin, but I found I felt physically sedated while my head was still anxious - just the opposite of what I need. I'm trying to avoid using an AD to live with this condition and looking for alternatives.
Thanks
Posted by alan on September 12, 2002, at 4:42:31
In reply to Re: Question for Alan » LLL, posted by hildi on September 11, 2002, at 22:05:56
Give Klon time - it usually is very sedating at first. When that drops away after a couple of weeks then one can start making their first assessments as to whether to continue bumping the dose upwards, quitting altogether, or augmenting with either xanax or ativan full time or just PRN.
If xanax or ativan or valium or tranxene accomplish the desired goal after your own clinical trial (you'll feel different on each of them) then just go with that med on a regular dosing regime. Continue to adjust the dosage accordingly up or down until an efficacy rate is found that is not outweighed by side effect.
Some you'll have to dose more frequently than others because of their half-lifes. It really isn't a mystery. One will either work better than the last one or it won't. The nice thing is that you don't have to wait around weeks to find out like ssri's, etc.
Posted by LLL on September 12, 2002, at 9:43:18
In reply to Re: Question for Alan, posted by alan on September 12, 2002, at 4:42:31
Do you mean to say for Klon to be effective it needs to be taken daily for a period of time? Since I don't need an anxiolytic on a daily basis does this mean then that Klon won't be right for me? I thought that Klon was like xanax just with a longer half-life and could be taken prn as well.
Posted by viridis on September 13, 2002, at 2:42:52
In reply to Re: Question for Alan » alan, posted by LLL on September 12, 2002, at 9:43:18
I think that individual responses to benzos vary greatly, just as with almost any other drugs. If possible, you need to try different ones at different doses and see which is best for you.
For me, Klonopin works very well. I take it daily and worked up from 0.25 mg 4X/day to 1 mg in the AM, with minor side effects in the first couple of weeks and none since then. One friend uses 0.5 mg Klonopin very occasionally and has excellent results. I also use Xanax now and then for breakthrough anxiety, and it's very effective (although anything over 0.5 mg makes me sleepy). But, I really dislike Valium, so clearly not all benzos are appropriate for me.
If Klonopin causes problems for you and Xanax works well, then why not stick with Xanax -- so what if you have to take it a bit more often? Or maybe Ativan etc. would be better -- may be worth trying.
The key is to find a doctor who's flexible enough to let you work out the dosing and ideally, try different benzos if necessary. Any doctor who insists that a particular drug, dose or timing is optimal for everyone clearly doesn't understand the tremendous variation among individuals. You have to do the experiment and find your optimum -- just start low (dose-wise) and go slow in changing dosage and timing.
Posted by hildi on September 13, 2002, at 19:27:13
In reply to Re: Question for Alan, posted by alan on September 12, 2002, at 4:42:31
> Give Klon time - it usually is very sedating at first. When that drops away after a couple of weeks then one can start making their first assessments as to whether to continue bumping the dose upwards, quitting altogether, or augmenting with either xanax or ativan full time or just PRN.
>
> If xanax or ativan or valium or tranxene accomplish the desired goal after your own clinical trial (you'll feel different on each of them) then just go with that med on a regular dosing regime. Continue to adjust the dosage accordingly up or down until an efficacy rate is found that is not outweighed by side effect.
>
> Some you'll have to dose more frequently than others because of their half-lifes. It really isn't a mystery. One will either work better than the last one or it won't. The nice thing is that you don't have to wait around weeks to find out like ssri's, etc.So the burning eyes, the sleepiness and the bumping into furniture, etc, will go away? I hope so. I will give the med more time. I have had some decent moments on it, but all in all I feel really, really sleepy and sort of crabby.
Same with the Ativan. I try one kind one day, another the next. . . .some days I try both in separate doses . I haven't really noticed that either one seems to be working for me. Yet, anyway.
Hildi
Posted by LLL on September 13, 2002, at 20:21:23
In reply to Re: Question for Alan, posted by viridis on September 13, 2002, at 2:42:52
I guess I was hoping after abandoning the AD's, that a new benzo would do the trick. Although Xanax is very helpful, it's not helpful enough because I'm still agoraphobic and still avoid many different situations. I was hoping that Klonopin might be a new and improved and longer acting version of the Xanax. I honestly didn't feel any anti-anxiety effect on the Klon, just the sleepiness and burning eyes. Maybe I'll try the Neurontin again and give that a longer trial.
Thanks for your help.
Posted by viridis on September 14, 2002, at 13:24:30
In reply to Re: Question for Alan » viridis, posted by LLL on September 13, 2002, at 20:21:23
Hi LLL,
As I've mentioned in earlier posts, I take Neurontin (1200 mg/day, in 3 doses of 400 mg) along with Klonopin and occasional Xanax (and low-dose Adderall). I'm not sure if the Neurontin does much for me, but my psychiatrist suggests I keep it, as he feels it adds subtle stability.
The first couple of times I took Neurontin, I experienced a pleasant, drowsy high. I've never had this reaction since, and it has no detectable side effects. Some on this board seem to find it very helpful for anxiety. For me, I think the Klonopin is the big help, but who knows -- maybe the Neurontin is helping a bit too. I haven't noticed any interaction between Neurontin and benzos, and in general I think Neurontin is viewed as a pretty benign drug.
So, maybe another trial with Neurontin would be worth a try, perhaps in combination with Xanax and/or Klonopin. You might find the side effects wear off -- they certainly did for me, very quickly. Also, Neurontin seems to have a huge range of effective doses, depending on the person. Maybe you were just taking too much? You might ask your doctor about that.
Good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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