Anyone have experience with Klonopin or Ativan for anxiety??
 

:confused: I know, everyones' experience will be different, but, I wondering,
if, people could share their experiences, because, someone suggested
it and I'm seriously thinking of trying it.:confused:

Phyllis

Hi Ponygirl ;)

I haven't tried Klonopin, but I HAVE tried Ativan (so did my late husband) and it affected us BOTH the same way --- we both basically went "nuts." And I had a "blackout" that lasted for 2 days after taking only ONE PILL. My late husband was on it, when he was in the hospital and he thought we were staying at a motel -- until they took him off of the Ativan!!! That stuff is POTENT!!

I had very good luck taking Xanax, but it's VERY addictive! At one point, I was so anxious that I'd have panic attacks constantly -- and couldn't go anywhere because of them! The Xanax helped immensely -- but I had to stop it because I became addicted to it. Heck, I can get addicted to LINT. :D

Hope you find something that works for you. Take care. Hugs, Lee

Lee,
 

:confused:are you saying, xanax is very addictive and *helped* you?!?:eek:
:confused:I guess, I'm not understanding, how it helped you, if, it made you so
anxious, you weren't able to do anything?? I mean, I'm having enough,
issues, without, taking something that will give me panic attacks,
when, I have anxiety, already???:confused:

Phyllis

Hello Phyllis

I think you misread Leesa's post

She said Xanax was addictive but that it *helped* her anxiety and panic attacks, not that it made them worse.

Chemar, thanks for the clarification!!
 

:pBut, I *really* *don't* want to take *anything*, addictive, since, I
have an addiction to food, already!:eek::o Yes, I need to get rid of these
thoughts, *but*, I *don't* want it replaced by addiction!!:eek::p


Phyllis

Low dose Ativan worked wonders for me, but docs are hesitant to perscribe because it is addictive. Klonopin made me really sleepy. I cut it in half and it still made me sleepy.
Other people I know love Klonopin....but not me.
I have gotten some relief from the antidepressant Celexa. Paxil did not work for me for anxiety but the Celexa I like. I also lost some weight with Celexa.

I meant that I was having panic attacks BEFORE I started taking the Xanax. After I was on it for awhile, it worked so well that I took more than I should and became addicted. I guess I was searching for that initial "high" --- I weaned off it when I realized what I was doing. :eek:

The Xanax DID work for anxiety -- and very well I might add. Sorry for the confusion. Hugs, Lee

I've taken Ativan as well as Xanax but I have not taken Klonopin. I've had good luck with both Ativan and Xanax. The Xanax definitely seemed stronger to me so I starting using Ativan instead. I take it occasionally for panic attacks, anxiety and trouble sleeping. The only issue I've had is that I seem to be developing a tolerance to it. Its been taking much longer for it to work and it doesn't keep me asleep for the entire night anymore. I take it so infrequently though so it doesn't bother me too much. If i needed to take it more often, I'd probably speak with my doctor about possibly upping my dosage. Ativan and Klonopin are addictive, so I would talk to your doctor about your feelings on that matter if you are seriously considering taking something like this.

I hope this is of some help to you.

Thank you, all, for all of your very informative, thoughtful replies!!
 

:o Karilann, my constant thought is that I *don't* want to die, but, one day, it
*will* happen and I can't stop/ control it. I don't want to not, be here, anymore.
So, to answer your question, no, I'm not worrying, needlessly. It's something,
which, one day, *will*, happen.

Phyllis:rolleyes::p:(:mad:

I'm bumping this up, because, I have another question, regarding, this, same issue...
 

:confused: My therapist mentioned, possibly, trying bio-feed-back.
Can anyone tell me a little about it? Like, what is it? What does it do?
How is it done? Anything???

Phyllis :confused:

Dear Phyllis,

There's a lot of good information regarding stress/anxiety etc. on PsychCentral.

Here's one section...

PsychCentral - An Introduction to Biofeedback

Lara, thank you!!!
 

:) I'll check it out!!!

Phyllis ;)

There's also this... Meant to post it with the other link.

PsychCentral -In-Depth: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Note there are many pages.

Lara, thank you, again!!
 

;) I haven't been able to check it out, yet, as, I've been sick and dealing
with siezures, but, I will!!;)

Phyllis

I'm sorry that you've been feeling unwell.
I hope you haven't run out of your seizure meds again.

Hope things stabilize fast for you

Lara, I'm not on Meds. for anxiety;.......................................... ...
 

You're thinking of siezure Meds.!! ;)

Phyllis :hug:

Yeah, I was thinking of your seizure meds.!

I was hoping you hadn't run out.

You said you weren't well and you were dealing with seizures. ;)

Lara, I think, my siezure Meds. need changing or something.............
 

:(I'll have to give my Dr. a call!:rolleyes::p:mad::o

:hug:,

Phyllis

ativan
 

Hi, my name is Taylor and I've been on Ativan for 3 yrs...due to severe anxiety. If your asking if it works? Yes, it does.but as you may or may not know...it can be very addictive. S soas with any Benzo...follow your dr's orders when taking. (But I still became addicted=/ if you have any questions please feel free to ask me.:)

Klonopin
 

I have been on Klonopin for about 20 years now. I was put on other similiar type drugs at first but this one worked the best. I was having anxieity attacks and panic attacks. I'm still a very anxious person, OCD, etc. Without the Klonopin, I could not function. Yes, it is addicting, but if it gives you your life back, it worth it! At least to me.

Debbie, thank you, *but*,............................................ ................
 

:eek:I'm *really* trying not to go that route, because, I have a *major*,
addiction to food, already!!:o:( So, I *really* *need* to try and avoid
stuff like, that, at all, costs!!:eek::o:(

Phyllis

My experience with Xanax. At first it worked wonders. My son was put into a facility for his psychiatric issues. I was a wreck to say the least. I was orginally prescribed three a day. It helped with my anxiety but it left me in this fog and I couldn't think right. So I cut it down and only took one at night. Occasionally one if I was having a hard time.

The addictive part is this.

My MD told me that Xanax is the "crack" of anxiety medications. I was on it for six years. I found that over time my anxiety was spiking for no reason at all. I was perplexed. My MD told me that my body is craving more Xanax. I could do two things. Take more and more or stop. I decided to wean myself off.

I will say that it was the hardest thing I ever did. It was harder than quitting smoking after twenty years. I couldn't sleep, I was a wreck. I had multiple panic attacks. But after a few weeks of dealing with it I leveled out.

So now I dont take any anxiety medications. I do take an antidepressent due to post concussion disorder. That I will discontinue when and if my brain heals.

I am now walking to ease any anxiety I have. Not only do I feel better, I look better.

I hope this helps. My anxiety is off the charts since my injury. Getting hit in the frontal part of your head can reek havok on your emotions. I have increased depression, anger and anxiety.

I have just started my walks this week. My MD said to rest if my head hurt but after four months of resting I was getting very depressed. So head pain or not I go...one foot in front of the other is my motto.

I hope this helped. Good luck...

wow... well done, crystal!

Yes, crystal... you managed a very difficult task well!

There is something you might like to try, that will help ease anxiety some without the habituation risk.

It is called theanine. It is not expensive, and is from green tea.

Taken in large dose, it calms the receptors like Xanax etc, without side effects.

Some of us on PN forum are using it and like it. It is supposed to have some effect on healing peripheral nerve damage, but I can't vouch for that aspect yet. It may be slow.

http://web-us.com/l-theanine_anxiety_reducer.htm

I've used two brands, Doctor's Best, and Swanson's form.
SunTheanine is the one to choose.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...tName=THEANINE

I could not find interactions with drugs and theanine either.
I use 300mg at bedtime. I have not noticed an tolerance with it.

How are you doing now?

The holidays are over, things are a bit calmer and I hope you have found an MD who is willing to help work with you.

There are many good agents out there to help with anxiety.

Klonopin is VERY strong, and should be worked up to. it should not be your first drug.

there are three levels of that med. 1. xanax. its a mild benzodiazapeine and comes in three strengths. Many find once they start, they have trouble stopping. it works on the limbic "emotional" part of the brain by calming it down. Then you have Ativan which is stronger. Some folks have a opposite reaction to this med, and it cranks them up. its a good med, but should be taken with caution as its highly addictive. Then is klonopin which is a strong anti anxiety med. PLEASE ask your MD many many questions before starting any of these.

Buspar is non addictive, and used for anxiety.

Then we have the theory that anxiety is the other end of the spectrum as depression and if you correct the chemical imbalance of that, you will fix the anxiety. Some folks take celexa which helps depression, and helps calm anxiety before it starts by helping your body regulate serotonin. When we are anxious or depressed we tend to use, and reuse and reuse that stuff, and these SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) help us use it once and let it go.

Just because someone says "you should take this med" whether its a commercial or a friend or family member doesnt mean its the right drug for you. PLEASE seek out an MD and let them know ALL your symptoms. Sometimes anxiety can be a symptom of a bigger problem like thyroid and such and sometimes it can be controlled with things like Yoga, exercise (burning off the excess cortisol we excrete) and sometimes just talking to someone helps. It has been found that meds AND talking to someone is the best way to control depression and anxiety, not just popping a pill.

I do hope you are feeling much better now. :hug:

Yes tried Klonapin. LOVED IT! And that's the only one that I liked out of at least a dozen differn't meds that I've been on. For me Klonapin deffinitely works for anxiety. It made me feel slow but happy inside. almost giggly and euphoric, sleep comes easily. It is addictive when taken at high doses for long periods of time and you can build up a tolerance for it where you need to take more for the desired effect. I have sense let my prescription lapse but I think I'll ask my PDoc to renew the prescrption. It is great to take as needed in the event of an anxiety attack or manic episode. But what has really worked best for reducing anxiety is lifestyle management. A healthy diet, plenty of water, exercise, regular sleep and meditation and Tai chi practices. Find what works for you and put your health first.:winky: