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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 42. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tendency on April 12, 2005, at 18:27:24
wow!
- anxiety: gone
- irritability: gone
- anger: gone
- depression: much improved
- moods: more stable
- socially: i'm talking to people!my jaw has dropped.
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2005, at 18:59:07
In reply to love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by tendency on April 12, 2005, at 18:27:24
That's great. I'm glad it's working so well for you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by lunesta on April 12, 2005, at 19:25:11
In reply to love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by tendency on April 12, 2005, at 18:27:24
come back here in 1 year and i bet you wont be saying this. klonopin is good short term, but once your on it, your stuck on it or you suffer for years after to withdrawl.
Posted by partlycloudy on April 12, 2005, at 19:37:00
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by lunesta on April 12, 2005, at 19:25:11
This may be time for a "Please Be Supportive" - ya think?
For example: I was on Effexor for a year and suffered no withdrawls at all when I had to stop taking it. Unlike the gazillion people who have had a terrible time. We're all different in how we react to meds. I had a bad time tapering off of only .25mg of xanax - and I had never been taking more than .75mg in a day. Go figure.
To Tendency - I have found the same relief from Klonopin - it's made my life much more balanced feeling.
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2005, at 19:48:28
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by lunesta on April 12, 2005, at 19:25:11
I didn't have any trouble stopping taking it. I was on l and a half to 1mg a day. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Colleen D. on April 12, 2005, at 20:39:40
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2005, at 19:48:28
Posted by krybrahaha78 on April 12, 2005, at 22:40:14
In reply to I love it too! Glad to hear it! tendency (nm), posted by Colleen D. on April 12, 2005, at 20:39:40
Klonopin is awesome for anxiety---wipes my anxiety completely out. I also take Luvox for OCD. I have been taking the same dose for 2 months already and have grown no tolerance at all. Im suppose to take 2 mgs daily, but by choice, only take 1.5 mgs.
Posted by Maxime on April 12, 2005, at 23:05:15
In reply to love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by tendency on April 12, 2005, at 18:27:24
That's because it's a mood stabiliser. I know it's a benzo but it's anti-convulsant. How much do you need to take to feel relief? I take 4 mg. It doesn't knock me out or anything because I have been on it for almost 10 years now at that dosage.
I am really happy that you have found something that has worked for you.
Maxi
> wow!
>
> - anxiety: gone
> - irritability: gone
> - anger: gone
> - depression: much improved
> - moods: more stable
> - socially: i'm talking to people!
>
> my jaw has dropped.
Posted by Maxime on April 12, 2005, at 23:08:19
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by lunesta on April 12, 2005, at 19:25:11
> come back here in 1 year and i bet you wont be saying this. klonopin is good short term, but once your on it, your stuck on it or you suffer for years after to withdrawl.
That's not true. I've been on it for almost 10 years at the same dosage. I know that if I had to come off it that it would take some time, but you don't suffer for years after withdrawal. It's an anti-convulsant. People with epilepsy take up to 12 mg a day.
Maxi
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2005, at 23:18:22
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by Maxime on April 12, 2005, at 23:08:19
I could definitely be wrong, but I thought I read 20mg. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on April 12, 2005, at 23:30:56
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2005, at 23:18:22
Oops, you are right Phillipa. It's 20 mg for people with a seizure disorder.
Maxi
Posted by ed_uk on April 13, 2005, at 9:23:09
In reply to Re: oops » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on April 12, 2005, at 23:30:56
Hi!!
>It's 20 mg for people with a seizure disorder.
Except it's 8mg in the UK because we are stingy!
Ed xxxx
Posted by stresser on April 13, 2005, at 12:51:10
In reply to Re: oops » Maxime, posted by ed_uk on April 13, 2005, at 9:23:09
How do you take it without falling asleep? I take one and one half at night for RLS and it knocks me out. I can see how it would help with anxiety, but it's very sedating for me.-L
Posted by Maximus on April 13, 2005, at 13:37:43
In reply to love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by tendency on April 12, 2005, at 18:27:24
> wow!
>
> - anxiety: gone
> - irritability: gone
> - anger: gone
> - depression: much improved
> - moods: more stable
> - socially: i'm talking to people!
I'm glad for you. But try to take the lowest effective dose. Thus you will minimize the side effects: word finding, bad concentration and low libido.Good luck!
Posted by emme on April 13, 2005, at 13:39:28
In reply to love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by tendency on April 12, 2005, at 18:27:24
I was on it for a couple of years or so. My taper wasn't all that bad. About 4 to 6 weeks. Glad it works so well for you.
Posted by tendency on April 13, 2005, at 14:26:49
In reply to Re: oops, posted by stresser on April 13, 2005, at 12:51:10
> How do you take it without falling asleep? I take one and one half at night for RLS and it knocks me out. I can see how it would help with anxiety, but it's very sedating for me.-L
i only need to take .5mg twice a day. it was somewhat sedating at first but this i seem to have adjusted to. however, for my add i also take 20mg adderall ;-)
Posted by lunesta on April 13, 2005, at 17:49:50
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin » lunesta, posted by partlycloudy on April 12, 2005, at 19:37:00
just four topics up there is someone needing help with WD from kpin. I am just saying bliss doesnt last forever, these meds are dangerous and ruin lives. I had a seizure when w/d from kpin over months times. I find Lyrica to be better and safer.
Posted by Maxime on April 13, 2005, at 20:15:59
In reply to Re: oops, posted by stresser on April 13, 2005, at 12:51:10
> How do you take it without falling asleep? I take one and one half at night for RLS and it knocks me out. I can see how it would help with anxiety, but it's very sedating for me.-L
4 mg does nothing to me ... sedation wise. Everyone metabolises meds differently. And lord knows I am a freak of nature especially when it comes to meds.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on April 13, 2005, at 20:19:04
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin, posted by lunesta on April 13, 2005, at 17:49:50
> just four topics up there is someone needing help with WD from kpin. I am just saying bliss doesnt last forever, these meds are dangerous and ruin lives. I had a seizure when w/d from kpin over months times. I find Lyrica to be better and safer.
You say that now about Lyrica. But what about a year from now? Nothing is fool-proof.
Maxime
Posted by lunesta on April 14, 2005, at 8:12:34
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin » lunesta, posted by Maxime on April 13, 2005, at 20:19:04
that is my point, though ive already abruptly wityhdrawn from Lyrica, it is safe to do so.
Posted by Maxime on April 14, 2005, at 12:06:10
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin » Maxime, posted by lunesta on April 14, 2005, at 8:12:34
> that is my point, though ive already abruptly wityhdrawn from Lyrica, it is safe to do so.
>
>That's good to know. But do you know if it has any mood stabilising properties, because klonopin does.
I don't know why I bother asking .... it will years before it comes available in Canada.
Maxime
Posted by tendency on April 14, 2005, at 13:17:17
In reply to Re: love, i mean freakin' LOVE klonopin » lunesta, posted by Maxime on April 14, 2005, at 12:06:10
> That's good to know. But do you know if it has any mood stabilising properties, because klonopin does.
>
> Maximei have noticed that my mood is much more stable on klonopin. this certainly surprised me. is this a known effect of klonopin or anecdotal for some people?
Posted by notfeelingthebest on April 14, 2005, at 16:41:02
In reply to klonopin and mood stabilizing » Maxime, posted by tendency on April 14, 2005, at 13:17:17
I dont find it mood stabilizing. I'm glad to hear that you're loving it, I did too about a year ago. I don't want to be a bummmer or ruin the old placebo effect, but this has been my experience:
- the feeling of absolute relief: wears off.
- the diminished anxiety that is making you more outgoing: wore off for me.
- euphoric? I never fealt that it actually made me happy; I was just feeling more gratification from my temporary liberation.
The unfortunate thing about benzos for most people is that they are a kind of "flowers for algernon" type drug. Wouldn't it be great if all the bad side effects (memory, clumbsiness) wore off but the good stuff stayed for ever? For once, you'd actually have a drug that was a real live "cure."On a lighter note, it is an anticonvulsant and those qualities seem to remain. I find, and others have too, that a milder calming effect remains - with a constant dose.
You get so used to it, and you don't actually "feel" it, so you begin to think that it is having no effect anymore. This was my experience so I decided to quit. Others find it hard, I didn't - although my life affords me the time to take holidays where I can taper off meds in peace.
Once you're off, you get reaquainted with "old self" and you remember quickly how bad things can be. So I'm back on.
Even when you become tolerant, you may still be free from some of the worst aspects of your non-medicated life. I'd say its about a 30 percent improvement. Not bad my any means, but you'll find that new-self just isnt quite good enough. You'll still be looking for that 80 to 100 percent effect that klonopin first gave you. When will these pharmacy kingpins stop messing around with these ridiculous SSRI things and come up with some kind of non-intoxicating, not-motor skill impairing, completely healthy, alcohol/cocaine in a pill type drug?
It MUST be possible.
Advice: take as little as possible and drag out your current experience for as long as you can. I didn't and I regret it. I still would have eventually ended up here, but that Mr. "hi, how are you? Absolutely nothing at all bothers me" would have been nice to enjoy for a bit longer.
Posted by tendency on April 14, 2005, at 17:09:04
In reply to Re: klonopin and mood stabilizing, posted by notfeelingthebest on April 14, 2005, at 16:41:02
> I dont find it mood stabilizing. I'm glad to hear that you're loving it, I did too about a year ago. I don't want to be a bummmer or ruin the old placebo effect, but this has been my experience:
>
> - the feeling of absolute relief: wears off.
>
> - the diminished anxiety that is making you more outgoing: wore off for me.
>
> - euphoric? I never fealt that it actually made me happy; I was just feeling more gratification from my temporary liberation.
>
>
> The unfortunate thing about benzos for most people is that they are a kind of "flowers for algernon" type drug. Wouldn't it be great if all the bad side effects (memory, clumbsiness) wore off but the good stuff stayed for ever? For once, you'd actually have a drug that was a real live "cure."
>
> On a lighter note, it is an anticonvulsant and those qualities seem to remain. I find, and others have too, that a milder calming effect remains - with a constant dose.
>
> You get so used to it, and you don't actually "feel" it, so you begin to think that it is having no effect anymore. This was my experience so I decided to quit. Others find it hard, I didn't - although my life affords me the time to take holidays where I can taper off meds in peace.
>
> Once you're off, you get reaquainted with "old self" and you remember quickly how bad things can be. So I'm back on.
>
> Even when you become tolerant, you may still be free from some of the worst aspects of your non-medicated life. I'd say its about a 30 percent improvement. Not bad my any means, but you'll find that new-self just isnt quite good enough. You'll still be looking for that 80 to 100 percent effect that klonopin first gave you. When will these pharmacy kingpins stop messing around with these ridiculous SSRI things and come up with some kind of non-intoxicating, not-motor skill impairing, completely healthy, alcohol/cocaine in a pill type drug?
>
> It MUST be possible.
>
> Advice: take as little as possible and drag out your current experience for as long as you can. I didn't and I regret it. I still would have eventually ended up here, but that Mr. "hi, how are you? Absolutely nothing at all bothers me" would have been nice to enjoy for a bit longer.
damn - sorry to hear that.i certainly am not feeling euphoric off it.
my therapist and i have an idea that really the linchpin of many of my issues could be the years and years worth on chronic anxiety i was suffering from.
i was constantly full of this buzzing butterflies-in-the-stomach-tight-chest feeling and this energy needs to go somewhere. for me this often would express itself as anger or irritability or depression. its natural if you try to control this energy by shutting it down that you would feel depressed. also i think that i tend to enjoy socializing and due to anxiety it's something ive not been able to effectively due for *years*. this too can lead to depression, anger, irritability, moodiness..etc.
so, this may in part explain why so many of these symptoms have vastly improved when the anxiety is removed.
i dont feel that the klonopin has done anything other than remove the anxiety, that, in turn, has had a huge ripple effect.
anyhow, that's my current thinking.
BTW, taking .5mg DID.
Posted by tendency on April 14, 2005, at 17:17:35
In reply to Re: klonopin and mood stabilizing, posted by notfeelingthebest on April 14, 2005, at 16:41:02
thought of a few more comments..
> - the feeling of absolute relief: wears off.
this would be expected. no state will last forever - and if it did (thank god they don't) you'd probably burn your brain out.
> - the diminished anxiety that is making you more outgoing: wore off for me.are you / were you in therapy during this time? my therapist made a good point. often, when these meds are taken they will remove the physical cause of symptoms but not the psychological ones. At first, the removal of the physical symptoms is so novel and welcome that there effectively is no 'room' for the psychological conditions that contribute. Over time, however, as the novelty wears off, the psychological patterns will re-assert themselves which in turn can bring about a return of symptoms. Meds alone will never remove all the symptoms in my opinion, the physical and psychological are so intertwined. I don't mean to sound patronizing..just wanted to share some thoughts that I've seen to be true in my case.
> The unfortunate thing about benzos for most people is that they are a kind of "flowers for algernon" type drug. Wouldn't it be great if all the bad side effects (memory, clumbsiness)
only been on the 10 days but so far ive no side effects..
> You get so used to it, and you don't actually "feel" it, so you begin to think that it is having no effect anymore. This was my experience so I decided to quit. Others find it hard, I didn't - although my life affords me the time to take holidays where I can taper off meds in peace.glad to hear it was not difficult for you to wean from.
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