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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wishingstar on March 30, 2008, at 20:24:08
Hi - I've suffered from major depression on and off for several years. I've been off all meds for about 6 months, and have never really found a medication that has helped with my depression. I've tried SSRIs, tricyclics, mood stabalizers, and MAOIs, and a stimulant. It's been a journey. In the past, I have struggled some with self-injury/cutting but it hasnt been much of a problem for me for 6 months or longer now. During my more serious depression, I've also been very suicidal and spent a great deal of time thinking about overdosing, suicide, etc, but again, this really hasnt been a problem for me in several months at least. I've never had much trouble with anxiety, but have taken xanax .5mg in the past to get me through some intense, desperate moments with my depression.
I started a new job in November that has been VERY stressful and produced a lot of anxiety on a day to day basis. It's really unavoidable, given the nature of the work, so my therapist recommended I go to the psychiatrist for an anti-anxiety medication I could take on a daily basis. I'm not having panic attacks, I just need something to take the edge off. I'm starting to feel a lot of anxiety-related dread and avoidance of people/tasks/etc.
I was prescribed klonopin .5mg at bedtime. I started it Friday night. Since starting it, I'm having strong urges to self-injure and also to overdose on the drug. I'm not particularly suicidal and will NOT overdose, but I feel a draw to it. The self-injury urges are stronger and while I havent given in, it concerns me. There is nothing going on in my life right now that seems like it would cause this. It really seems to coincide with this drug, as I've really felt this way since I woke up Sat morning.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Coincidence? Or could the two somehow be related? I know in the past, guided relaxation and other stress-reducing activities have always seemed to intensify my depression in the moment and for an hour or so. I will certainly bring this up to my dr if it continues, but any thoughts?
Posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2008, at 21:16:52
In reply to klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on March 30, 2008, at 20:24:08
Same thing happened to me believe it not a bit different circumstance. Had been on xanax and the pdoc thought a longer acting benzo might be better. About a few days was reading a book on the weekend. Looked at my husband and said you know I don't want to hurt myself never have but this strange feeling to do so is happening. Called the pdoc who called right back explained what I felt and heard him self talk and he said must be the klonopin and he took me off it and said to go back on xanax . An hour later was fine never happened again. Sorry long story but I feel it could be the klonopin. Think you could give the pdoc a call? Phillipa
Posted by MidnightBlue on March 30, 2008, at 21:48:27
In reply to klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on March 30, 2008, at 20:24:08
Klonopin made me depressed and weepy. I can't take it.
MB
Posted by cactus on March 30, 2008, at 22:33:21
In reply to klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on March 30, 2008, at 20:24:08
it works really well for me, but I have heard quite a few people say the same thing. Maybe valium might be a better option for you, it's also a long acting benzo that works well and I haven't heard of many people saying it made them feel depressed or bring on self harm tendencies. Then again xanax has anti depressant properties as well as anti anxiety. Good luck, I hope you can sort it out quickly
Posted by seldomseen on March 31, 2008, at 6:41:32
In reply to klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on March 30, 2008, at 20:24:08
This is a shot in the dark, but have you considered/tried Buspar?
Frankly, most people do not respond to it, but it was a miracle drug for my anxiety.
Posted by Phillipa on March 31, 2008, at 18:52:03
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect » wishingstar, posted by cactus on March 30, 2008, at 22:33:21
Cactus you know I'd forgotten about the slight ad with xanax may ask to switch to that next visit from valium. Phillipa
Posted by wishingstar on March 31, 2008, at 20:39:09
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect » wishingstar, posted by seldomseen on March 31, 2008, at 6:41:32
Thanks everyone for the responses. It helps to hear that I'm not the only one in the world who has had this reaction! I've dealt with weird side effects before (panic attacks on lithium anyone?) but this one really has caught me off guard.
I left a message for my psychiatrist today and will hopefully hear back soon. I also spoke briefly to my therapist and she recommended that I stop taking it until I'm able to talk to the doctor. I've only been on it 3 days, so this shouldnt be a problem with withdrawals or anything.
I havent been on buspar, no. I will do some research on this though... thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by wishingstar on April 2, 2008, at 16:56:36
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on March 31, 2008, at 20:39:09
Finally was able to speak with doctor today. She advised me to stop taking the klonopin as it seems that not only is it not helping my anxiety, it's increasing my other symptoms. She said that it's rare, but some people do have a similar reaction (increased self-destructive urges etc) because the drug can lower inhibitions in some. Looks like thats what happened to me. On to something new....
Posted by Phillipa on April 2, 2008, at 19:01:15
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on April 2, 2008, at 16:56:36
Glad you got your doc . Didn't lower my inhibitions though as was and had been teking xanax and it just wasn't the same. But we are all different. Phillipa
Posted by cactus on April 3, 2008, at 2:55:06
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on April 2, 2008, at 16:56:36
I know I've said this quite a few times but seriously, look into Valium if you and your pdoc think a benzo would benefit you. Most people can take it once a day and if you forget a dose it stays in your system so long that most times it's no big deal, but it's never a good idea to miss a dose of your meds. That's the down fall of xanax, some people have to dose frequently during the day, just another option to consider. Good luck
Posted by Maxime on April 3, 2008, at 21:08:58
In reply to klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on March 30, 2008, at 20:24:08
Hi
I self injure and have attempted suicide several time. I was on 4mg of klonopin for over 10 years. Last fall I was taken off the med and diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. In reading about BPD I learned that benzos, such as klonopin, will make some people self injure if they are prone to it. Something to do with making a person less inhibited.
Not saying that you have BPD, just that there is a link with kind of behaviour and meds such as klonopin.
I'm sorry you are going through this. Do try to stay safe.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on April 3, 2008, at 21:11:11
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect » wishingstar, posted by Maxime on April 3, 2008, at 21:08:58
LOL! I should have read the rest of your posts in the thread. I just repeated something you had already stated. :) Glad you are off the med.
Maxime
Posted by wishingstar on April 3, 2008, at 21:32:05
In reply to oops!, posted by Maxime on April 3, 2008, at 21:11:11
Thanks for your input! Dont worry about repeating anything. I have in fact been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder before, although some of the doctors I've seen strongly disagree with that diagnosis for me. Who knows. Regardless, I know I had the effect you mentioned... lowered inhibitions, etc. Now that I'm almost off it, I think I feel worse! I posted below about it. I hope this is gone in a day or so once it's all out of my system. I hate this drug!
Posted by Molybdenum on April 4, 2008, at 3:46:01
In reply to klonopin - weird effect, posted by wishingstar on March 30, 2008, at 20:24:08
I take 0.5mg clonazepam at night to suppress my hyperventilation - which is what I apparently do to overcompensate after I stop breathing over & over due to Central Sleep Apnoea. *yawn*...
Anyway, I was feeling quite depressed the other night so I decided to take 6 of the .5mg tabs plus 4mg of Xanax. I was expecting to be zonked out so much I'd not wake up till midday next.
The strangest thing happened - I couldn't fall asleep at all...! I was up most of the night reading PsychoBabble of all things.
I had no more than usually morbid thoughts but I was just amazed that it didn't knock me out. I call that a weird reaction.
My latest morbid thought? Well here it is: get my pocket knife engraved with my ex's name on it, then mount it in a block of wood & fall on it so as to "stab myself through the heart". 8/10 for melodrama or what?
Now, in this scenario I am circling up in the trees watching her all upset & all. Hmmm....I actually don't have any after-death beliefs, so that's a bit silly I suppose. And all I can imagine her saying (dry-eyed) is "I knew there was plenty wrong with him".... ;)
Quick - duck, here's comes Dr.Bob to redirect this to alt.get.the.hell.off.my.site....!
Posted by cactus on April 4, 2008, at 15:35:11
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect, posted by Molybdenum on April 4, 2008, at 3:46:01
> I take 0.5mg clonazepam at night to suppress my hyperventilation - which is what I apparently do to overcompensate after I stop breathing over & over due to Central Sleep Apnoea. *yawn*...
>
> Anyway, I was feeling quite depressed the other night so I decided to take 6 of the .5mg tabs plus 4mg of Xanax. I was expecting to be zonked out so much I'd not wake up till midday next.
>
> The strangest thing happened - I couldn't fall asleep at all...! I was up most of the night reading PsychoBabble of all things.
>
> I had no more than usually morbid thoughts but I was just amazed that it didn't knock me out. I call that a weird reaction.
>
> My latest morbid thought? Well here it is: get my pocket knife engraved with my ex's name on it, then mount it in a block of wood & fall on it so as to "stab myself through the heart". 8/10 for melodrama or what?
>
> Now, in this scenario I am circling up in the trees watching her all upset & all. Hmmm....I actually don't have any after-death beliefs, so that's a bit silly I suppose. And all I can imagine her saying (dry-eyed) is "I knew there was plenty wrong with him".... ;)
>
> Quick - duck, here's comes Dr.Bob to redirect this to alt.get.the.hell.off.my.site....!
>
>
Hey, it sounds like you had a paradoxical reaction to the meds, which isn't too uncommon from large doses of benzos. I usually take 5-6mg of clonazepam daily.
I'm tapering back at the moment, but if I have a bad day and take 8mgs, which I've only done a few times, I also find it hard to sleep. I'm just so lucky that I don't get weird racing thought like I use to.Molybdenum, there is 24hr phone lines for crisis situations, please pick up the phone and talk to someone or go to hospital straight away if that happens again. Do you have a good psychologist????? They are hard to come by ( it took me 5) but, if you can find a good one you will be amazed at the coping techniques a good one will give you, that are for you alone and not from page 352 of the manual!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2008, at 19:36:04
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect » Molybdenum, posted by cactus on April 4, 2008, at 15:35:11
Same thing happened to me last summer a new pdoc put me strictly on high very high doses of benzos and took away my small dose of 50mg of luvox. Didn't sleep for two weeks. ER consulted with the psych unit doc downtown and came back and said must be something in the luvox your brain needs. So went back on old regime of 20mg of valium and the luvox and slept again. So ditched that pdoc and back to old one. Phillipa
Posted by Molybdenum on April 5, 2008, at 0:43:35
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect » cactus, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2008, at 19:36:04
Thanks for the kind thoughts cactus....
All this psychopharmacology makes me wish I'd studied chemistry. I didn't, so all I can do is guess. But I really get the impression that these doctors have got no real idea at all about how the brain works or how these chemicals do what they seem to do.
Reminds me of a line in "Jesus' Son" when "Fuckhead" is describing the psycho nearby. He says "if I opened your head and ran a hot soldering iron around in your brain, I might turn you into something like [him]"......
That's what I feel is being done to us every day by DrugCo. They go looking for a new drug to lower blood pressure & start by cheating, start by copying (the guy next to you) or the drug that seemed to work in the past but is running near end of patent.
Then they find the "test subjects" get a hard-on or their hair grows back or they appear to be less depressed instead. Then they just call it an a-typical "viagra or propecia or whatever". If they're lucky they can design a few variations on the molecule & keep the company all in the black.
....there. Rant over. :)
Posted by undopaminergic on April 6, 2008, at 20:33:55
In reply to Re: klonopin - weird effect, posted by Molybdenum on April 5, 2008, at 0:43:35
> Thanks for the kind thoughts cactus....
>
> All this psychopharmacology makes me wish I'd studied chemistry. I didn't, so all I can do is guess. But I really get the impression that these doctors have got no real idea at all about how the brain works or how these chemicals do what they seem to do.
>It is unfortunately true that many doctors know very little about brain chemistry and how it relates to the drugs they prescribe. However, studying chemistry would not necessarily have taught you much about it, either. On the other hand, it would have taught you how to synthesise compounds, which would be very useful knowledge as you would no longer have to rely on buying the drugs you need, but rather prepare them in your laboratory. I'll look into that some day.
This is the end of the thread.
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