This is the drug my docs got me on for anxiety.

Does anyone know anything about this drug?

It did help me avoid a second panic attack today.

By being prescribed this does this mean I know have panic disorder attached to my diagnosis now? Or just a one time thing?

Kelly

Kelly, My guess is he is prescribing it for the panic. I have taken it before for anxiety/panic. It was originally used for seizure disorder as an anti convulsant. It works by calming the brain and nerves. It is a benzodiazapene. Prescribing it does not mean necessarily that he diagnosing you with an anxiety disorder since the med is used for various other uses including PTSD. Just be sure you check it against any other meds you might be taking as far as side effects might go. I am currently on 4 meds, all of which cause drowsiness and dizziness. i guess i should have said which treatments i am currently on in my intro. huh?

hang in there, the clonazepam will help you not panic, but it will make you very sleepy.
Jen

Kelly,

I really dislike labels. Many people have panic attacks at some time in their lives. It doesn't mean anything, except that right now because of all that you have been through and are going through, your body is reacting in this way.

I think that it shows that you are perfectly normal. After all that you have gone through and are still going through, because of all the stress involved, it is normal to have a reaction.

You will go for therapy and learn how to work through this so that it doesn't remain a part of your life. I had panic attacks for the first couple of months after my TBI, and slowly they dissipated. You just need the right tools to deal with all of this.

Just the assault itself is overwhelming. On top of that you have your boss and the union stressing you out. It is too much for a healing brain to deal with.

I am not familiar with the specific drug that you are taking, but I was also prescribed a drug in that same class, and it helped me with the panic attacks. If it helps you with the panic attacks, use it for now until you have other tools to deal with the attacks.

Shelly

Thank you. Maybe it'll help with my sleep disorder. I woke up this morning and my chest still hurts and I can feel anxiety in the pit of my stomach. How soon should you take them before an attack presents itself?

Pharmacist wasn't helpful and docs office isn't open until 9am

Thanks Shelly. That's very comforting. I'm not one to rely on drugs so I'm hoping that I won't need it for long

Clonazepam, Xanax etc., comes under Benzos and Xanax is fast acting and leaves system soon and Clonazepam stays in blood for longer time. I was on Xanax, then Clonazepam and again went to Xanax and now I take when my symptoms are really worse (once or twice a month).

As you know this drugs works like alcohol to some extent to calm your brain. One main thing doctors are worried about is getting addicted (which is true) but you got to do what you got to do until you find a good way to manage your anxiety. So for now don't worry and slowly try other ways and you sure find something other than Benzos.

I find that Clonazepam tends to peak about 1-2 hours after I take it, and then it very gradually fades. I can't remember exactly how long it takes to leave your system, but it's more than 24 hours. I take it when I notice the first signs of panic and it kicks in in time. Overall, Clonazepam has worked wonders for my anxiety, and the side effects for me have been minimal.

Like others have pointed out, Xanax is faster-acting but also does not stay in your system for very long. I've never taken Xanax, so I can't really compare it further to Clonazepam.

I wouldn't worry about labels and diagnoses, except to the extent that they can help you to treat your condition better. People get prescribed Clonazepam for lots of reasons. Besides, even if you do get diagnosed with Panic Disorder, it's not a permanent or chronic condition. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder back in 1998 and successfully got it under control by the end of that same year. That condition has never come back and is no longer on my list of diagnoses.

I do have OCD, but that's a different ball of wax. OCD can be managed, but it can never be "cured" or eradicated. But other anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder, can indeed be managed to the point of being cured.

So again, I wouldn't trouble yourself with whether you fall under the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder. With treatment, you can get this fully managed.

Thank you very much for the information. I appreciate it!