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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KellyT on November 21, 2002, at 17:02:31
I take two .5 Kolonapin, I start to forget things, my speech becomes slurred, I think I need more so I start popping them like candy, I then become more anxious and depressed and angry. I talk out of my head and have a spacey far away look on my face. My friends tell me that I am not myself when I take benzos but what else can I do about my attacs? Anyone out there have any advice?
Posted by Gabbix2 on November 21, 2002, at 23:40:45
In reply to Me on Benzos, posted by KellyT on November 21, 2002, at 17:02:31
Kelly are you taking the clonazepam for anxiety?
If you have anxiey/depression and occasionally pop them like candy, in my opinion you are asking for big trouble.
Benzo's like chainsaws are a useful tool, but dangerous in the wrong hands.Clonazepam has a long half life, because of this, some Dr.'s believe they do not have the addiction potential of shorter acting benzodiazepines, such as Lorazepam.
All benzodizepines are "depressants" and if used judiciously are helpful for an extreme panic or anxiety attack. However, overuse especially of the longer acting type, will worsen your depression gravely in some cases and therefore your anxiety, if the anxiety stems from the depression as it often does.
Your post concerned me, slurring your speech means you've taken too many, and even sticking to the Prescribed amount can worsen depression.
I know how tempting it can be to just keep taking them to kill the anxiety, I'd honestly rather be stumbling and drooling than feeling that. It is hell.
There are solutions, and taking lots of clonazepam is no answer, it's almost guaranteed to worsen the feelings you are trying to avoid.I refer to clonazepam as my suicide drugs.
If I take them for more than a week I become suicidal they worsen my depression that much.
Of course its different for everyone.Ativan if I use it carefully works much better for the anxiety anyway, and does not exacerbate my depression to the same degree.
It sounds to me like you need to try a different anti-depressant which should at least partially alleviate your anxiety, and then use the benzo's for breakthrough anxiety.
Benzo's of all drugs should be treated with great respect. Its not moralizing on my part, I'm worried about your mental health.
I've been down that slippery slope.Sorry this is so long.
My posts are seldom concise..
Posted by Franz on November 22, 2002, at 9:34:11
In reply to Re: Me on Benzos, posted by Gabbix2 on November 21, 2002, at 23:40:45
> I refer to clonazepam as my suicide drugs.
> If I take them for more than a week I become suicidal they worsen my depression that much."worsen depression" is the last thing I wanted to read about Klonopin after starting a low dose.
> Of course its different for everyone.
hope so
>
>
>
>
Posted by Alan on November 22, 2002, at 10:56:41
In reply to Re: Me on Benzos, posted by Franz on November 22, 2002, at 9:34:11
>
> > I refer to clonazepam as my suicide drugs.
> > If I take them for more than a week I become suicidal they worsen my depression that much.
>
> "worsen depression" is the last thing I wanted to read about Klonopin after starting a low dose.
>
> > Of course its different for everyone.
>
> hope so
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
==============================================
Everyone reacts differently to the different bzds...if I take 1 -2 mgs of klon I'm alright but above that, mild depression.For panic and my anxiety generally I take a lower dose of klon 1 - 1.5mg and ativan PRN for breakthrough or situational anxiety.
Peoples reactions to the different bzds are as different with each type as with any other class of med. Perhaps klon is not for you. Have you tried valium, tranxene, ativan or xanax?
Xanax has been proven to have antidepressant properties although my belief is that the releiving of relentless anxiety is enough for anyone to feel less depressed.
Hope this helps.
Alan
Posted by Gabbix2 on November 22, 2002, at 12:05:34
In reply to Re: Me on Benzos » Franz, posted by Alan on November 22, 2002, at 10:56:41
With all the benzophobia rampant, I should have phrased my comment about clonazepam worsening my depression much more carefully. I do know people who it works well for also.
Alan's point is really important.
True alleviating anxiety whether it be by what is technically a depressant or not, is definately enough to make someone feel immeasurably better.
That is why the Ativan works for me. I was refused it by several Dr's because they told me it would make me more depressed.
I suppose in some distant scientific way it might, but my emotions don't seem aware of that fact. It works for me and the excruciating anxiety/depression combo like nothing else.I was more concerned about the comment 'taking them like candy' from the first post.
If one is starting carefully on a low dose, you should be able to tell if they are helping or hurting and take other steps if necessary.
Its more confusing, and I think dangerous, if you just take more and more of any drug, but especially those which can worsen depression out of desperation.
Sorry about that.
Posted by Gabbix2 on November 22, 2002, at 12:15:25
In reply to Sorry. Franz, posted by Gabbix2 on November 22, 2002, at 12:05:34
To add a little balance to what I'd said about Clonazepam.Neo-Citran, or any sedating otc medication I also have to avoid completely lest it make me
morbidly depressed. And I KNOW THAT doesn't happen to everyone.Best of luck
G
Posted by viridis on November 22, 2002, at 23:37:27
In reply to B.T.W. Franz, posted by Gabbix2 on November 22, 2002, at 12:15:25
As others have pointed out, a lot seems to depend on whether you're anxious because you're depressed or depressed because you're anxious. I realize the distinction usually isn't that clear-cut and the two tend to go hand-in-hand, but for me it's definitely anxiety (and the resulting insomnia, lack of appetite, low confidence, etc.) that propels me into episodes of deep depression.
Klonopin and Xanax (but not Valium) are powerful antidepressants for me, whereas the "real" antidepressants I've tried (especially SSRIs) are awful at even the lowest doses. But for some people I know, SSRIs etc. have worked miracles. It's a very individual thing.
Posted by rod on November 23, 2002, at 7:10:41
In reply to Me on Benzos, posted by KellyT on November 21, 2002, at 17:02:31
> I take two .5 Kolonapin, I start to forget things, my speech becomes slurred, I think I need more so I start popping them like candy, I then become more anxious and depressed and angry. I talk out of my head and have a spacey far away look on my face. My friends tell me that I am not myself when I take benzos but what else can I do about my attacs? Anyone out there have any advice?
Sounds just like me on valium.
I am not sure, but I think it is Central Anticholinergic Syndrome (CAS) or under a different name, paradox reaction to benzos.rod
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