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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AmyM on March 5, 2001, at 21:57:06
I have been suffering from Panic Attacks and a constant level of anxiety for as long as I can remeber. I began seeing a Psychiatrist about 5 years ago and I refused to take any medication. Dugs scare me. My panic and anxiety were so debilitating, that I could not function like a normal person. I even developed agoraphobia. Finally in the summer of 1998, I decided to take Xanax (.25mg 3x/day at first then up to .5mg). The Xanax didn't work that well for me, I still had a constant level of anxiety & the effects did not last that long, but I feard increasing the dosage. I then fell into a deep depression about a year ago, and my therapist put me on Paxil. 20mg to start then down to 10mg. I responded very well to the combination. My depressing went away and my Panic/Anxiety was almost non existant.
About a month ago, I discussed with my Therapist about going off the Paxil, seeing as my mental state had dramatically improved. After I stopped taking the Paxil my depression didn't return, by my Panic/Anxiety came back in spades. Again I could not function. We discussed many options, and ultimately he put me on Klonopin (1.5mg/day). I feel much better now.
I'm a bit concerened about the withdrawl symptoms that I have been reading about regarding Klonopin and I am unaware of the effects of long term (life time) use. Also, what are the risks of taking this script while pregnant? In my opinion, the effects that Panic/Anxiety have on my body are much more detrimental (the stress on my heart) than the drug itself. Am I right to feel this way?
I trust my Therapist, but I would like some feedback from people who suffer from Panic.
I would really like to hear from anyone who has information that my help me.
I'm new to this site, so I may not be able to locate responses.
Thanx.
Posted by Daveman on March 6, 2001, at 0:15:04
In reply to History of Panic, posted by AmyM on March 5, 2001, at 21:57:06
Amy,
Below is the link to Klonopin prescribing information by Roche USA, the manufacturer of non-generic Klonopin:
http://www.rocheusa.com/products/klonopin/pi.html
I suggest you read the section under "Warnings" for some significant risks of taking Klonopin while pregnant. Also, you might want to review the section under "Drug Abuse and Dependence" for risks of long-term use. Basically, you will inevitably become physiologically dependent upon Klonopin if you use it long term. Whether that is a risk worth exchanging for the relief the drug provides from your panic attacks is a question for you and your doc to decide.
Good luck, Daveman
> I have been suffering from Panic Attacks and a constant level of anxiety for as long as I can remeber. I began seeing a Psychiatrist about 5 years ago and I refused to take any medication. Dugs scare me. My panic and anxiety were so debilitating, that I could not function like a normal person. I even developed agoraphobia. Finally in the summer of 1998, I decided to take Xanax (.25mg 3x/day at first then up to .5mg). The Xanax didn't work that well for me, I still had a constant level of anxiety & the effects did not last that long, but I feard increasing the dosage. I then fell into a deep depression about a year ago, and my therapist put me on Paxil. 20mg to start then down to 10mg. I responded very well to the combination. My depressing went away and my Panic/Anxiety was almost non existant.
>
> About a month ago, I discussed with my Therapist about going off the Paxil, seeing as my mental state had dramatically improved. After I stopped taking the Paxil my depression didn't return, by my Panic/Anxiety came back in spades. Again I could not function. We discussed many options, and ultimately he put me on Klonopin (1.5mg/day). I feel much better now.
>
> I'm a bit concerened about the withdrawl symptoms that I have been reading about regarding Klonopin and I am unaware of the effects of long term (life time) use. Also, what are the risks of taking this script while pregnant? In my opinion, the effects that Panic/Anxiety have on my body are much more detrimental (the stress on my heart) than the drug itself. Am I right to feel this way?
>
> I trust my Therapist, but I would like some feedback from people who suffer from Panic.
>
> I would really like to hear from anyone who has information that my help me.
>
> I'm new to this site, so I may not be able to locate responses.
>
> Thanx.
Posted by AmyM on March 6, 2001, at 15:10:32
In reply to Re: History of Panic, posted by Daveman on March 6, 2001, at 0:15:04
Daveman,
Thanx for the info. I'm seeing my doc tomorrow, to discuss my progress. I think I'll bring up some of the issues I found on the Roche site.
Thanx again, AmyM
Amy,
>
> Below is the link to Klonopin prescribing information by Roche USA, the manufacturer of non-generic Klonopin:
>
> http://www.rocheusa.com/products/klonopin/pi.html
>
> I suggest you read the section under "Warnings" for some significant risks of taking Klonopin while pregnant. Also, you might want to review the section under "Drug Abuse and Dependence" for risks of long-term use. Basically, you will inevitably become physiologically dependent upon Klonopin if you use it long term. Whether that is a risk worth exchanging for the relief the drug provides from your panic attacks is a question for you and your doc to decide.
>
> Good luck, Daveman
>
>
>
>
>
> > I have been suffering from Panic Attacks and a constant level of anxiety for as long as I can remeber. I began seeing a Psychiatrist about 5 years ago and I refused to take any medication. Dugs scare me. My panic and anxiety were so debilitating, that I could not function like a normal person. I even developed agoraphobia. Finally in the summer of 1998, I decided to take Xanax (.25mg 3x/day at first then up to .5mg). The Xanax didn't work that well for me, I still had a constant level of anxiety & the effects did not last that long, but I feard increasing the dosage. I then fell into a deep depression about a year ago, and my therapist put me on Paxil. 20mg to start then down to 10mg. I responded very well to the combination. My depressing went away and my Panic/Anxiety was almost non existant.
> >
> > About a month ago, I discussed with my Therapist about going off the Paxil, seeing as my mental state had dramatically improved. After I stopped taking the Paxil my depression didn't return, by my Panic/Anxiety came back in spades. Again I could not function. We discussed many options, and ultimately he put me on Klonopin (1.5mg/day). I feel much better now.
> >
> > I'm a bit concerened about the withdrawl symptoms that I have been reading about regarding Klonopin and I am unaware of the effects of long term (life time) use. Also, what are the risks of taking this script while pregnant? In my opinion, the effects that Panic/Anxiety have on my body are much more detrimental (the stress on my heart) than the drug itself. Am I right to feel this way?
> >
> > I trust my Therapist, but I would like some feedback from people who suffer from Panic.
> >
> > I would really like to hear from anyone who has information that my help me.
> >
> > I'm new to this site, so I may not be able to locate responses.
> >
> > Thanx.
Posted by Miss Amy on March 6, 2001, at 19:09:36
In reply to Re: History of Panic, posted by Daveman on March 6, 2001, at 0:15:04
This is just my own little two cents here---I have suffered from panic off and on for fourteen years, which is half of my life. I FINALLY made the decision to go on meds just this last Christmas (Serzone). My panic is rooted in depression (or vice-versa) but I was in total denial of that. I started doing behavioral cognitive therapy (making changes in how one reacts to stressful situations and different coping mechanisms, etc) and it CHANGED MY LIFE. I am still in therapy now, dealing with my depression issues and the meds go along with that. I guess my advice to you is make sure you are seeing a therapist while you are going through all this--not just a medical doctor. There is usually an underlying reason why the panic exists---unresolved issues, a feeling of having to always be in control, all kind of exciting things:) Counseling is really important in addition to medication. I beat the panic through therapy--now I am working on the depression with meds AND therapy. Good luck to you!!!!! I know how debilitating it can all be. Life sure is interesting sometimes, huh?
Miss Amy
Posted by jackster on March 7, 2001, at 3:04:05
In reply to History of Panic, posted by AmyM on March 5, 2001, at 21:57:06
I too have had agoraphobia for about 14 years and nothing seemed to work until I started taking 40mg of Paxil. I was able to travel overseas etc - it was amazing. After 3 years I came off the Paxil because I felt so good - and the panic attacks came back. You may want to try going back onto Paxil if it worked so well. When I went back onto it, it didn't work as well the first time which is a common effect with SSRIs - but doesn't necessarily happen to everyone.
Jackie
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