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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AnneL on January 19, 2002, at 0:13:40
As I mentioned in an earlier thread, I have been on Klonopin for approximately 1 year along with 225 mg. of Effexor. I started on Klonopin to help me get over the "activating" start-up effects from the Effexor that would cause nocturnal panic attacks. Worked like a charm and also gave me a great sleep.
Last night I woke up after about an hour of sleep with a panicky feeling. Unfortunately or fortunately, I was also so groggy (Klonopin 1 mg. is extremely sedating to me). The mixture of grogginess and anxiety was too wierd. It only lasted about 5 minutes and then I passed out (asleep). Can Klonopin cause anxiety?
Posted by TSA West on January 19, 2002, at 5:20:41
In reply to Why did I get anxiety with Klonopin?, posted by AnneL on January 19, 2002, at 0:13:40
I wonder how many times this Klonopin-induced anxiety has occurred and whether that is a regular on-going symptom for you now. If it is, then I or someone else can suggest how you might be able to obtain relief from the noxious side-effect.
I sure hope it doesn't happen again...
Posted by AnneL on January 19, 2002, at 9:49:10
In reply to Re: Why did I get anxiety with Klonopin? » AnneL, posted by TSA West on January 19, 2002, at 5:20:41
> I wonder how many times this Klonopin-induced anxiety has occurred and whether that is a regular on-going symptom for you now. If it is, then I or someone else can suggest how you might be able to obtain relief from the noxious side-effect.
>
> I sure hope it doesn't happen again...> > >Me too! It has occurred from time-to-time on an occassional basis. It usually occurs when I am starting to feel the sedation coming on. As I mentioned before, Klonopin knocks me out. I have read that one of the side effects of Klonopin is anxiety. Fortunately, the sedative effect overpowers the anxiety. My goal is to get off of Klonopin. I feel that I am psychologically dependent on it for sleep and my guess would be that I am also physiologically dependent on it as well because of taking it on a nightly basis for one year now. In other words, I do not believe that I will be able to just walk away from this medication without some kind of professional advice. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Anne
Posted by Gracie2 on January 21, 2002, at 1:19:04
In reply to Why did I get anxiety with Klonopin?, posted by AnneL on January 19, 2002, at 0:13:40
There is another explaination if you are taking Klonapin to help with insomnia.
First, people who have never suffered from extended and severe insomnia cannot imagine the havoc it plays with your health, not to mention the lonely nights one may spend wandering the house at 3am like a disembodied spirit. If you have a regular daytime job,insomnia evolves from restlessness and discomfort to real hell. You can't help wondering how you will possibly be able to perform at work and accomplish all the things you're supposed to do the next day. Worst of all, you suspect that there might be something seriously wrong with you.Possibly your anxiety stems from not the Klonapin itself, but the fear that it is no longer working
and that you're about to return to your previous state of sleeping poorly. The more you worry about not sleeping, the harder it is to sleep. At the same time, it is difficult to request higher doses from your doctor, who is naturally worried about your growing tolerance and dependence on a drug.Prehaps you can suggest trying Seroquel, which is an SSRI and not a benzo. It helps me sleep and does not require larger doses over time to remain effective. At the same time you can try preventive therapies such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, starting in the early afternoon. This has helped me somewhat and believe me, it was difficult, as I have personally paid several college tuitions for stockholders of Starbucks. Forget OTC sleeping pills, too. They're useless if used on a regular basis.
Hypnosis tapes are surprisingly effective and definately worth a try.
Good luck to you-
Gracie
Posted by Cecilia on January 21, 2002, at 1:40:16
In reply to Re: Why did I get anxiety with Klonopin?, posted by Gracie2 on January 21, 2002, at 1:19:04
>
> There is another explaination if you are taking Klonapin to help with insomnia.
> First, people who have never suffered from extended and severe insomnia cannot imagine the havoc it plays with your health, not to mention the lonely nights one may spend wandering the house at 3am like a disembodied spirit. If you have a regular daytime job,insomnia evolves from restlessness and discomfort to real hell. You can't help wondering how you will possibly be able to perform at work and accomplish all the things you're supposed to do the next day. Worst of all, you suspect that there might be something seriously wrong with you.
>
> Possibly your anxiety stems from not the Klonapin itself, but the fear that it is no longer working
> and that you're about to return to your previous state of sleeping poorly. The more you worry about not sleeping, the harder it is to sleep. At the same time, it is difficult to request higher doses from your doctor, who is naturally worried about your growing tolerance and dependence on a drug.
>
> Prehaps you can suggest trying Seroquel, which is an SSRI and not a benzo. It helps me sleep and does not require larger doses over time to remain effective. At the same time you can try preventive therapies such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, starting in the early afternoon. This has helped me somewhat and believe me, it was difficult, as I have personally paid several college tuitions for stockholders of Starbucks. Forget OTC sleeping pills, too. They're useless if used on a regular basis.
>
> Hypnosis tapes are surprisingly effective and definately worth a try.
>
> Good luck to you-
> GracieAnne, I`ve gotten that scary groggy but panicky feeling too, I think it`s a combination of
anxious thoughts or dreams plus the grogginess making you feel too helpless to deal with any perceived threats. I don`t think switching to Seroquel fpr insomnia is a good idea, Seroquel is an antipsychotic, not an SSRI, with a lot of potential side effects, benzos are much safer, in my opinion. Cecilia
Posted by Gracie2 on January 21, 2002, at 21:53:08
In reply to Re: Why did I get anxiety with Klonopin?, posted by Cecilia on January 21, 2002, at 1:40:16
Cecelia-
You are correct, Seroquel is an anti-psychotic.
I was surprised when Seroquel was prescribed for me because I was never diagnosed as psychotic, not as I understand the term.However, drugs can function in more than one capacity. Wellbutrin is now prescribed as a smoking deterrent although it was not developed for that purpose. According to studies, a happy side-effect of Wellbutrin is that many users of the drug quit smoking spontaneously.
I suspect that a similar finding in Seroquel studies found that the anti-anxiety properties of the drug can promote sleep.These days it is common for prescription pill bottles to include the reason for taking a drug along with the dosage directions. i.e. "Take one pill daily for hypertension" or "Take two pills every four hours as needed for pain". The label on my bottle of Seroquel directs me to "Take two pills as needed for anxiety". If I were being treated for psychosis, I would require regular medication and would not be advised to take the drug PRN.
Everyone knows about the inherent problems of benzodiazapene usage. They are addictive, your body develops a tolerance to these drugs, and it is necessary to take higher and higher doses to achieve the desired effect. While Klonapin has less abuse potential than other benzos, the danger still exists. Consequently, it becomes more difficult all the time to acquire these drugs with a legitimate precription. At the same time, your doctor's refusal to constantly authorize refills of an addictive drug may relegate him, in your eyes, to the status of "flaming asshole". This is a warning flag that you are on the road to addiction.
I believed that Seroquel was an SSRI but will not argue the point, as my FEP Rx Drug Formulary is out of date. I know that it's not a benzo, not addictive, not a muscle relaxer that turns you into the Scarecrow from Oz. The only side-effect I'm aware of is that it might make you ill when taken with alcohol. Otherwise, it has helped me a great deal.
-Glenda, the good witchP.S. After nursing my dying aunt at home until she died of cancer, I make an exception for terminal patients. I think they should be allowed an unlimited supply of benzos and the strongest pain medication available to ease their suffering...not just to render them comatose, but to allow them to enjoy their last days with family and friends. Because my aunt's doctor agreed with me, she was able to enjoy her soap operas, the massages I gave her and the cards and books I read to her, instead of writhing in pain.
God bless him.
-Gracie
P.S. I love you, Aunt Judy
Posted by Cecilia on January 22, 2002, at 2:54:10
In reply to Re: Why did I get anxiety with Klonopin?, posted by Gracie2 on January 21, 2002, at 21:53:08
> Cecelia-
> You are correct, Seroquel is an anti-psychotic.
> I was surprised when Seroquel was prescribed for me because I was never diagnosed as psychotic, not as I understand the term.
>
> However, drugs can function in more than one capacity. Wellbutrin is now prescribed as a smoking deterrent although it was not developed for that purpose. According to studies, a happy side-effect of Wellbutrin is that many users of the drug quit smoking spontaneously.
> I suspect that a similar finding in Seroquel studies found that the anti-anxiety properties of the drug can promote sleep.
>
> These days it is common for prescription pill bottles to include the reason for taking a drug along with the dosage directions. i.e. "Take one pill daily for hypertension" or "Take two pills every four hours as needed for pain". The label on my bottle of Seroquel directs me to "Take two pills as needed for anxiety". If I were being treated for psychosis, I would require regular medication and would not be advised to take the drug PRN.
>
> Everyone knows about the inherent problems of benzodiazapene usage. They are addictive, your body develops a tolerance to these drugs, and it is necessary to take higher and higher doses to achieve the desired effect. While Klonapin has less abuse potential than other benzos, the danger still exists. Consequently, it becomes more difficult all the time to acquire these drugs with a legitimate precription. At the same time, your doctor's refusal to constantly authorize refills of an addictive drug may relegate him, in your eyes, to the status of "flaming asshole". This is a warning flag that you are on the road to addiction.
>
> I believed that Seroquel was an SSRI but will not argue the point, as my FEP Rx Drug Formulary is out of date. I know that it's not a benzo, not addictive, not a muscle relaxer that turns you into the Scarecrow from Oz. The only side-effect I'm aware of is that it might make you ill when taken with alcohol. Otherwise, it has helped me a great deal.
> -Glenda, the good witch
>
> P.S. After nursing my dying aunt at home until she died of cancer, I make an exception for terminal patients. I think they should be allowed an unlimited supply of benzos and the strongest pain medication available to ease their suffering...not just to render them comatose, but to allow them to enjoy their last days with family and friends. Because my aunt's doctor agreed with me, she was able to enjoy her soap operas, the massages I gave her and the cards and books I read to her, instead of writhing in pain.
> God bless him.
> -Gracie
> P.S. I love you, Aunt JudySorry, I didn`t mean to offend you or imply that you were psychotic, I know that AP`s are often used for other uses such as to augment anti-depressants, but because of the risk of tardive dyskinesia, my personal opinion is that Ambien or benzos are probably better choices for insomnia. But if it`s working well for you, that`s great! Cecilia
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