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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SBOATRN on October 2, 2002, at 16:12:10
It is nice to read of positive results with "longer" term use of Klonopin. I recently restarted it after 2 weeks off of a 3 month use. Did taper. First week OK, second week... awful !! I tried to convince myself (my MD didn't think it was a good idea) I didn't need it and all the anxiety symptoms were caused by the med. It really cuts my anxiety and I do have a remaining neck and back tension I wish it would have an effect on, but all the other symptoms it seems to work for. I do get scared over the "Benzo - NO way ever" information out there. Any other good results long termers ???
Posted by BrittPark on October 2, 2002, at 18:30:54
In reply to Klonopin, posted by SBOATRN on October 2, 2002, at 16:12:10
There are thousands of people who take quite high doses of benzos for years or perpetually (for chronic Panic Disorder for instance). Discontinuing benzos can be awful if you do it too fast. How do you know if you're doing it to fast? You feel awful. When that happens go back to the dose that didn't feel awful, wait a bit, and take the dosage down less than you did the first time. Most people have no problem discontinuing benzos, assuming the underlying anxiety disorder is at bay, as long as they do it slowly. I've discontinued benzos (both xanax and klonopin) half a dozen times and have never had any serious difficulties.
So, don't worry about klonopin, it's a safe effective treatment.
Wishing you well,
Britt
Posted by Phil on October 2, 2002, at 18:31:27
In reply to Klonopin, posted by SBOATRN on October 2, 2002, at 16:12:10
There are tons of good reports on Klonopin on this board, with me, and friends.
Anti-benzo boards as well as anti-psychiatry boards are everywhere. I won't waste 1 minute at them, especially if Breggins name pops up.
I've taken 2-3mg a day for 3-4 years or so. It's one drug that does exactly what it's supposed to and does it well. Just plan on tapering extremely slow if you want to stop. Think I'll be a lifer.
Posted by SBOATRN on October 2, 2002, at 19:49:28
In reply to Re: Klonopin, posted by BrittPark on October 2, 2002, at 18:30:54
Thank you all so much. These positive postings helps me so much. Unfortunately when I started looking at information about Klonopin in the beginning of treatment, the first "stuff" I found was very discouraging and made me truly question what I really felt was right for me. This helps so much !!!
Posted by tina on October 2, 2002, at 20:58:30
In reply to Klonopin, posted by SBOATRN on October 2, 2002, at 16:12:10
Been taking it for more than 10 years. I've never needed to increase the dose beyond 2mgs per day. I don't understand all the paranoia about benzos. It's been great for me.
Posted by MattDDS on October 3, 2002, at 0:02:40
In reply to Klonopin, posted by SBOATRN on October 2, 2002, at 16:12:10
Klonopin is extremely useful for me and has been for over a year. The same dose – 0.5 – 1.0 mg daily (but usually as needed only), has maintained every ounce of it’s anxiolytic effect throughout the whole time. I am hearing of more and more reports of it working over very long periods (e.g. 10+ years).
My own way of dealing with anxiety:
1. CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) to get my anxiety from severe or panic levels down to mild - moderate.
2. Klonopin for any residual anxiety as needed.So, basically I get rid of most of my anxiety with CBT. However, I believe my anxiety has a strong genetic component (strong family history), which means that even with great CBT therapy I will have a greater than desirable amount of residual anxiety. I am not in any way minimizing talk therapy and self-help. Again CBT gets rid of the bulk of my anxiety. But Klonopin “cleans up” the residual anxiety that is usually left over. However, many people use Klonopin alone with excellent results. My results as explained have been very good!
The benefit of combining CBT with the benzos is that I can “stretch” the benzos further. I can get by on smaller doses now. I used to take 1.5 mg daily, but I had no trouble tapering down once I got good psychotherapy.
I have strayed from the topic a bit (ok, a lot!), but feel like I have found a great treatment combo (after one hell of a time trying different approaches) that may work for someone else as well. Namely, CBT plus a healthy dose of Klonopin.
Don’t be afraid of benzos, they are IMHO by far the safest drugs in psychiatry. BTW, if you’re worried about “withdrawing” from the Klonopin: The SSRIs, in the opinion of many on this board, have a much more unpleasant “discontinuation syndrome” than the benzos. Of course, everyone is different, but that was my experience.
Now THAT, is a rambly post, better get some sleep. I know you guys will now after reading it!
-Matt
Posted by SBOATRN on October 3, 2002, at 6:34:59
In reply to Re: Klonopin, posted by tina on October 2, 2002, at 20:58:30
You folks are great !!! Thanks for sharing your experiences to help me. I feel better knowing folks like you in the postings are obtaining good treatment using Klonopin. I really think the Klonopin helps me and I don't want to add to anxiety "thing" by fearing a good treatment. Your postings help.
Posted by colin wallace on October 5, 2002, at 7:22:02
In reply to Klonopin, posted by SBOATRN on October 2, 2002, at 16:12:10
I think diazepam is frequently overlooked and perhaps given a bad rap- it's relative low potency, non-sedative properties and long half life make it ideal for less severe forms of anxiety.I switched from xanax to a small dose of diazepam, and find it mild, unobtrusive and very helpful.
Also, as a footnote on benzo's, I don't recall one ever quickly destabilizing a patient by pushing him/her into a dangerous mixed-state or mania.
Long term, high dose side-effects are of course a different matter.
Posted by Dinah on October 6, 2002, at 8:51:47
In reply to Re: Diazepam, posted by colin wallace on October 5, 2002, at 7:22:02
> Also, as a footnote on benzo's, I don't recall one ever quickly destabilizing a patient by pushing him/her into a dangerous mixed-state or mania.
Hi Colin,
You're absolutely right. I can't imagine a more dangerous med than one that triggered a suicidal hypomania like Wellbutrin did in me. Yet no doctors are afraid of prescribing Wellbutrin, and many are afraid of benzos. Not much sense to it.
Both Wellbutrin and benzos can be useful, and pdocs should have the sense to know when to prescribe what.
Dinah
Posted by colin wallace on October 6, 2002, at 11:18:11
In reply to Re: Diazepam » colin wallace, posted by Dinah on October 6, 2002, at 8:51:47
>>You're absolutely right. I can't imagine a more dangerous med than one that triggered a suicidal hypomania like Wellbutrin did in me. Yet no doctors are afraid of prescribing Wellbutrin, and many are afraid of benzos. Not much sense to it.
Both Wellbutrin and benzos can be useful, and pdocs should have the sense to know when to prescribe what.
DinahHi Dinah,
I was pushed into suicidal hypomania on three separate occasions by ssri's.It was only when I sidesteped my GP and went straight to hospital that I avoided disaster, and learned that I'd been having mixed episodes in response to AD's- over the course of two and half years.
Previously, I'd been told by my GP.(and a psych. too) that this was 'normal' depressive irritability- he said, "let's whack the dose up, get you off those benzo's and see what happens"!
Good job I've got a sense of humour.Col.
Posted by Dinah on October 6, 2002, at 13:45:15
In reply to Re: Diazepam » Dinah, posted by colin wallace on October 6, 2002, at 11:18:11
That was my (then) pdoc's attitude too. "Let's increase the dosage!"
Fortunately I switched pdocs soon after realizing on my own that the Wellbutrin was causing the suicidal feelings and the new pdoc had the sense to put me on a mood stabilizer as soon as he heard my story. Thank heavens there are good pdocs out there too.
Dinah
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