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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 Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 3:48:32
Hi,Would you believe it? A psych prescription follows.
Xanax 0.5mg 1-1-1
Rivotril 0.5mg 1-0-1
Mogadon 10mg 0-0-1alprazolam, clonazepam, nitrazepam. Three benzoz in a line.
Could it be because doc overestimated the problem?
Posted by James_glasgow on May 22, 2007, at 4:02:15
In reply to Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this?, posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 3:48:32
Hi there,
As you are getting Rivotril and Mogadon I take it you are not in the USA, and as you are getting Xanax not in the UK (unless its private). In my opinion it is pretty much over kill, you could get by on Rivotril alone (anxiety,panic,phobia's,insomnia, it treats them all). I would ask the Doctor exactly why he gave you this script.
James
Posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 4:09:32
In reply to Re: Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this?, posted by James_glasgow on May 22, 2007, at 4:02:15
Yep. I am not in either US or UK.But my doc told me it is necessary to calm my agitated nerves. The prescription is for two weeks. What he gonna do after that does bother me.
My doc's words: Xanax will calm you. Rivotril will stabilize it. Mogadon will help you sleep better.
I am still unconvinced.
Posted by med_empowered on May 22, 2007, at 4:45:10
In reply to Re: Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this? » James_glasgow, posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 4:09:32
Its odd--this is true. Rivotril has mild mood stabilizing properties, this is true, but....3 benzos? It might make sense, though--you can take Rivotril for anxiety, xanax for breakthrough anxiety, the mogadon for sleep.
I think you'd do better with the Rivotril, doses mostly at nite--like 1-1.5mgs @ bedtime, then a flexible amount over the course of the day. Then you might be able to just take the rivotril for anxiety, maybe w/ an additional benzo of some sort for sleep (tolerance to the sleepiness effect of rivotril pops up fast).
Posted by James_glasgow on May 22, 2007, at 4:46:19
In reply to Re: Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this? » James_glasgow, posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 4:09:32
It is a new one on me.
Indeed they do all have the effects he said.
I suppose all you can do is try it and see how you get on. I take Rivotril and Mogadon (or Rohypnol), although I think I would get by just as well with more Rivotril and no Mogadon.
Let us know how you get on.
James
Posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 4:56:25
In reply to Re: Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this?, posted by James_glasgow on May 22, 2007, at 4:46:19
Hi James,
What otherwise would you suggest? Taking Rivotril alone? But the dosage?
In total there is 1.5 mg of alprazolam plus 1 mg of Rivotril. If both are equipolent, I still have to take 2.5mg of clonazepam.
Forget Nitrazepam. I have ambien with me. I would only try Mogadon if ambien fails consistently. It failed last night, but who knows taking more clonazepam might have additive effect!
Posted by James_glasgow on May 22, 2007, at 5:08:15
In reply to Re: Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this? » James_glasgow, posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 4:56:25
Hi
I have been taking benzodiazpines for nearly 13 years so I have some degree of tolerance to them. My Doctor has done the same as yours and given me one for anxiety and one for sleep, such as Diazepam and Nitrazepam (I also take Zolpidem from time to time but if I dont fall asleep right away I end up telephoning people and not remembering). I personally find clonazpam to be far more effective, it has an effect on me like no other benzo and as I am bipolar it can bring me right down. The most clonazepam I have taken is 2mg in the morning and another 2mg at night. I think you should take it as prescribed see how you go and what your Doctor's plan is for the future. As med_powered says the hypnotic effect of clonazepam can wane quickly. So rotating them does sometimes help.
James
Posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 5:34:20
In reply to Re: Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this?, posted by James_glasgow on May 22, 2007, at 5:08:15
Hi James,
sorry to trouble you. You wrote:
>> The most clonazepam I have taken is 2mg in the morning and another 2mg at night.
So,in total it is 4 mg. How often you take such amount of clonazepam? Once in a week or more often?
Do you think if I get used to 2mg of clonazepam, it would be easier to discontinue?
Posted by James_glasgow on May 22, 2007, at 5:55:20
In reply to Re: Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this? » James_glasgow, posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 5:34:20
> Hi James,
>
> sorry to trouble you. You wrote:
>
> >> The most clonazepam I have taken is 2mg in the morning and another 2mg at night.
>
> So,in total it is 4 mg. How often you take such amount of clonazepam? Once in a week or more often?
>
> Do you think if I get used to 2mg of clonazepam, it would be easier to discontinue?
>
>It is no trouble.
I have taken it at that dose for a maximum of 4 weeks, every day, then brought it down slowly to 1mg.
I am pretty lucky in that I dont get withdrawal symptoms from benzos, (I do get them from SSRI's and they are awful) I think everyone is different but if you take it slowly you should be okay. The biggest problem clonazepam caused me was the effect it had on my memory.
Hope this helps.
James
Posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 5:56:36
In reply to Re: Xanax, Rivotril, Mogadon..Ever seen one like this?, posted by James_glasgow on May 22, 2007, at 5:55:20
Posted by stargazer2 on May 22, 2007, at 6:30:13
In reply to Thanks, James. (nm), posted by Pluto on May 22, 2007, at 5:56:36
I found this article on benzos while looking at the half lives of those 3 benzos you were prescribed. I found that Rivotril (Klonopin) has a half life of 18-50 hours, Xanax (Alprazolam) 11 hours and Mogadon, uncertain.
Interesting the section on Tolerance for those thinking benzos are helping their anxiety, it may be increasing the symptoms not reducing them.
All sorts of other bad effects too...memory, agorophobia, etc.
SG2
Posted by stargazer2 on May 22, 2007, at 6:32:51
In reply to Good article on benzos...Phillipa/Tolerance sect, posted by stargazer2 on May 22, 2007, at 6:30:13
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2007, at 10:21:14
In reply to Sorry, almost forgot....here it is...., posted by stargazer2 on May 22, 2007, at 6:32:51
Thanks but I know my pdoc knows what she's doing as she's an addictions specialist and has written and reviewed articles for Jama etc. And she knows that what I'm on not is half what it used to be. I appreciate your concern. Love Phillipa
Posted by elanor roosevelt on May 22, 2007, at 21:21:03
In reply to Re: Sorry, almost forgot....here it is.... » stargazer2, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2007, at 10:21:14
please don't drive with all those benzos in your sytem
your reaction time will be questionable
keep us posted on the next steps
good luck
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2007, at 21:31:30
In reply to Sorry, almost forgot....here it is...., posted by stargazer2 on May 22, 2007, at 6:32:51
Sounds like the warnings on The SSRI's SNRI's and othe ad's especially MAOI's as your blood pressure can fall and you could pass out. I guess the longer you take a med the more adjusted your body gets to the meds. Hence why I don't get a hangover or feel tired or out of it . About two hours out of bed I'm off. Got the eat, wash my hair and dress first. Love Phillipa
Posted by Abby Cunningham on May 23, 2007, at 9:36:36
In reply to Sorry, almost forgot....here it is...., posted by stargazer2 on May 22, 2007, at 6:32:51
Stargazer, I know your intentions are the best toward Phillipa, but that site is the "extreme" UK anti-benzo site that scared me to death a couple years ago.
Yes, benzos can be bad, but they also can do much good for some of us. That is why we have our own expert pdocs to evaluate us individually, and prescribe what they think is best for the person. Phillipa and I have been on benzos for 20-30 years and in small doses. There is nothing wrong with tapering off slowly OR staying on a small dose if that is what your doctor feel is best for YOU. I consulted two expert pdocs one who is very famous in the world, and he recommended I stay on a small dose of benzo.....they are very safe when used correctly, one of the SAFEST psychiatric meds out there now. Just my humble opinion,
Abby
Posted by stargazer2 on May 23, 2007, at 18:18:24
In reply to Re: Sorry, almost forgot....here it is.... » stargazer2, posted by Abby Cunningham on May 23, 2007, at 9:36:36
OK,I wasn't aware of this so I apologize and hope I haven't been too inconsiderate of Phillipa. She knows I wish her only the best...SG2
This is the end of the thread.
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