Posted by jay on May 9, 2002, at 21:33:09
In reply to Vicious Circle - Klonopin and Effexor- Help!, posted by AnneL on May 9, 2002, at 0:03:04
> Hi,
> I'll try to keep this short and to the point. I have been on Klonopin 1 mg. at bedtime for sleep and Effexor XR 225 mg. in the morning for depression for over one year. I suffer from morning hangover and daytime fatigue most likely from a combination of the long half-life of Klon and possibly from the Effexor as well. Pdoc had me taper 1/4 tab each week off of the Klono and had me try Trazadone 50 to 150 mg. at bedtime. I got to 1/4 of a tab of Klon and 50 mg. of Traz and could not sleep and started getting anxiety. Plus, I felt like a nimwit on Traz. Bad for my cognition.
>
> So back on Klon 1 mg. and Effexor. So tired during the day. Either I am getting depressed or the fatigue is depressing. I sleep well on the Klon.
> Coffee is not even helping much anymore. Any ideas? Thanks, AnneLHi Anne:
Well, I wish I had an answer for you, but I am in the same boat. It seems like Effexor causes massive anxiety, and is only helped by a benzodiazapine. (I take one called bromazapam..it's like clonazapam.) I just feels like a damn merry-go-round....taking the benzo to calm the effects of the Effexor...and the Effexor to 'lift' me from the effects of depression.
After many years on Effexor, I am really, really starting to question it's use, as usually once a week or two, I have a massive 'break-down', and go crawling back to my Mom and Dad in state of terror and tears. My Dad gives me some extra Rivotril (sleeping pill...another benzo..), and it just becomes a cycle.
Anyhow...I just want you to know you are not alone. The scarry part I hate is I can mask my depression too easily, and it makes it even harder to ask for more help. To break the cycle, I think we just have to let it all 'rain down', and tell our doctors to work on us "now"!
Best wishes..
Jay
poster:jay
thread:105683
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/105803.html