I am so terrified because I ran out of xanax in the middle of the month and my doctor wouldnt give me anymore, so he gave me klonopin instead. All I really know about it is that it has a longer half-life so you dont have to take it as often, but will it give me the same effect as xanax does? I tend to get social phobia, and mainly stomach problems due to my anxiety. I would really appreciate a response from anyone who's made the switch, or is familiar with klonopin and its effects.
Thanks, Pam

i use klonopin(clonazepam) for when i have an attack or if i just feel like POOP that day and it works wonders i have a problerm with shakiness and it cures that ... even half a pill works great for me ...
what kinda stomach problems do u get with anxiety ?
i have been having stomach probs to but dont know if it had to do with anxiety..
please tell me what kinda probs u have with ur stomach ..? i have just started paxil..

------------------
stacy

The Ashton Manual, an informative manual about benzodiazepines is now free online.

To BetaChiAngel, I was on klonopin for several months and finally decided to wean myself off of it because I was building up a tolerance to it and my doctor didn't want to increase my dosage. I've been tapering off of it slowly, and I'll tell you, it's not easy. Klonopin is addictive and you can't just quit taking it. The withdrawal symptoms I have now are even worse than the anxiety I was taking the Klonopin for. If I were you, I wouldn't take it. Take care.
Pam

Thanks to all of you who replied. To Stacy, I'm so glad the klonopin works for your attacks, that's really encouraging to me. As for my stomach problems, the main symptom I have is loss of appetite. I've lost about 30 lbs in the past 8 months or so because my once large appetite just dissapeared. I also suffer from acid reflux attacks every once in awhile, which causes me to have an anxiety attack. Taking pepcid complete and xanax was the only thing that would give me relief. I also just have nausea in general, alot of times in the morning when I first wake up.

pjo, unfortunately I'm already addicted to benzo's (I've been taking a high dosage of xanax every day for about 4 months) so basically my doctor just refused to give me more xanax and gave me klonopin as a substitution to help wean off benzos completely. I don't have a choice, I HAVE to take them, because I have no xanax left and will go into serious benzo withdrawl, which can cause seizures and even death. It's a horrible mess I've gotten myself into, but I'm determined to get out of it!

Taking my first dose of klonopin today, wish me luck!
Pam

Klonopin or Valium are the first choices for tapering off benzos completely because of long half-life. Good luck; it's not a race and you can go slower than the docs' schedule if you feel too ill. Sometimes withdrawal symptoms are mistaken for other disorders or reoccurance of old conditions.

[This message has been edited by Jennita (edited 02-02-2003).]

I would not take Klonopin if I were you. I started taking it on an "as needed" basis and found myself taking it on a regular basis. I was not told that it is addictive and can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. I have been weaning for over three months and am down to .125 mg a day, but it has been a PAINFUL process and one I would not wish on anyone!

I am finally off of Klonopin after a four month wean. I found taking a small dose of elavil helped tremendously during the wean. You might want to try that.

Good luck.

You folks need to make sure you show up on the Board when everyone is supporting xanax as the miracle drug for everybody. Good thinking

Same thing happened to me I have run out of xanax and doc wants me to do Klonoopin instead. 3 days. No side effects and I actually have felt fine. Coincedence?

I lost contact with my doctor (I had left college)and ran out of Xanax and I was taking a LOT! My friend took Klonopin, so she gave me some (I know how bad this is and do NOT advise it to anyone). . . but the Klonopin was FABULOUS for me, and I got a new doctor and prescribed Klonopin. This was summer of 2001, and I gave myself 9 months to ween off Klonopin, and did so without ANY problems! NOT ONE WITHDRAWL! I keep my prescription up-to-date, but only take it when I have an unbearable panic attack! When I do this (probably twice a month) there are no negative results.

taken as needed, and used sensibly, klonapin, xanax, etc are lifesavers for many of us anxiety and panic attack sufferers.we are able to get back in charge of our lives

most of us are too sensible and responsible to ever get addicted

taken as needed, and used sensibly, klonapin, xanax, etc are lifesavers for many of us anxiety and panic attack sufferers.we are able to get back in charge of our lives

most of us are too sensible and responsible to ever get addicted

taken as needed, and used sensibly, klonapin, xanax, etc are lifesavers for many of us anxiety and panic attack sufferers.we are able to get back in charge of our lives

most of us are too sensible and responsible to ever get addicted

Sensible people who follow doctor's indications can still experience withdrawal from these meds.

Ok I have now been on Klonopin for 2 weeks. I almost wonder if the word has been faxed to ALL doctors EVERYWHERE ***** DO NOT GIVE THE PEOPLE XANAX!!!****

I have noticed in the last week I am brain fried dead. Now I have also been under tons of stress and I think my brain was in the process of shutting down. So I dunno.

BUT I have had 2 instances where I started to have a panic attack.. I had the mental thoughts "I gotta get out of here ...." But when I would get out to my car there was no physical symptoms. I had NO trouble breathing, my heart was NOT pounding. So that is a good sign.

The only other thing I want to say is I had my thyroid checked *finally* and it is low and this could be the cause of sooooo many of my problems.
Even on the checklist for thyroid disease it asks "Have you been diagnosed as having panic attacks?"

So check it out. especially if you have low energy. your overly cold or hot. You forget things easy. dry skin. Hair falling out alot. Constipated. or constant diareahh. and other stuff.

I'm glad to hear that they figured out your thyroid problem. Apparently, these things can go unchecked for years. The "accepted" ranges for t3 and t4 are so large that you can fit within them even with low thyroid function. It takes an endocrinologist, not a general practitioner, to detect these problems.

Originally posted by Janik:
Sensible people who follow doctor's indications can still experience withdrawal from these meds.

Excellent point and happens more than one would think...

Wow, I posted this topic so long ago, Im surprised I'm still getting replies. (I appreciate it though!)

Well I've been on klonopin for several months and have found it to work just fine- definitely not as potent as xanax, but great to get me throughout the day. I stopped going to my doctor and finally started seeing a psychiatrist, who is just awesome. She actually listens to my symptoms and isnt afraid to prescribe benzos (like most general care prac's) to people who need them.

I still take xanax occasionally for my really bad days, but they are getting more and more infrequent. I'm also on Effexor XR which has done wonders for my anxiety.

Kittie, I'm glad klonopin is working for you- and that you got that thyroid checked!! About 2 years ago when I first got sick, I got a TSH test which came out "normal" but if you talk to anyone with thyroid problems, normal is a dirty word, as everyone's "normal" range is different. I did my research and was absolutely convinced it was my thyroid causing all my problems, and Im still not completely buying this seratonin imbalance crap.

My psychiatrist just ordered another TSH, a t3 and t4, a test to see if I'm aneimic, and one to see if I'm vitamin B deficient (MANY people who suffer from anxiety are), so I'm curious to see the results. Good luck to you, and I hope you get that thyroid problem straightened out.
Pam

most of us are too sensible and responsible to ever get addicted

That is true to some extent. I don't considered myself addicted, but I have delevoped a tolerance after taking xanax for 3 years. The first time i was on it for about 8 months I weaned off fine with out any w/d symtoms. The second time was different. I don't "crave" the drug per se, but when I do skip a dose I feel the irritability and anxiety creep back, along with tingling sensations and muscle aches. As soon as I take my dose (as small as it is, at .12 or half of a .25 tab) the symptoms go away.

Anyhow I assume I'll be off soon, but I don't look forward to it and would love just to continue, but I hate the thought of relying a this drug to "feel good and relaxed". Really hoping when this clears from my body I can feel relaxed on my own. Praying mightily for that and also that the P/A won't come back.

I a very sensible person and was very careful about my xanax use, but here I am.....taking my pills everyday faithfully and dependant!!

hey i have been having problems and they started around the same time I started Klonopin. My ability to think, and process things is going right in the toilet. I can't handle noise. If my boyfriend says ABCDEF to me my brain hears it as DbaCFa - does that make sense? I can not make a simple decision. Any time he comes to me with a simple question, my brain just shuts down.

annie,

yes, although physical dependancy is one component of addiction, addiction itself must include compulsive, risk taking, drug-seeking behaviors. Dependancy is simply physical. I think everyone by now here has read the article concerning benzodiazepine dependancy written by an addiction doctor I posted on these boards, but I will post it again in case anyone missed it.

CrazyKitty,

Those are side effects of benzos. Type benzo withdrawal in a search to find sites that list withdrawals, tolerance and side effects of these drugs. Also, the Ashton Manual is now free online and it is also has benzodiazepine info.

In the informative article by Dr. Ray Baker below, he explains the difference between drug addiction and dependence. I think it clears up confusion about the 2. They are not the same only 10% of people on benzos are "drug addicts".

The article states..... "It is important not to confuse physiological dependence as encountered in benzo withdrawal syndrome with addiction or drug
dependence. The majority of people suffereing prolonged withdrawal syndrome from benzos does not meet sufficient criteria to make the diagnosis of
addiction. They are NOT addicts. Addiction is a bio-psychosocial syndrome.
Less than 10% of the population is at risk. Although there are 8 diagnostic criteria, 3 of which must be present for a year the syndrome can be best described as the 3 C's........

1--Control--- when the addicted person starts using there drug the episodically lose control over their ingestion

2--Compulsion-- getting and using the drug takes on more and more importance and salience in the persons life, crowding out relationships and activities
that were once very important to them

3--Consequences-- They continue using the drug causing problems at home, relationships, medical problems, legal problems, emotional and psychiatric
problems and finally vocational problems.

Physical dependence is simply a neurobiological phenomenon due to continued exposure to a drug. It happens to ALL human brains exposed to drugs such as
benzos and opiates. It is NOT addiction.

Betachi, How long have u been on the effexor? I have just started on it this week. I have been experiencing nausea. Is this normal? I can not afford to lose anymore weight....Suggestions?

Soar,

Nausea is a common side effect that should go away by the second week at the latest. If it's bothersome after 2 weeks, let your doctor know. I've been on Effexor for about 3 months now, however I didn't experience any side effects because I switched over from Zoloft rather than starting out new with an SSRI. Hang in there, it gets better! :)

Hello everyone. Talk about a rough month. Im 26 years old and have been on xanax for 7 years. Ive been to the er twice in the last month for having panic attacks that would last for hours, the xanax just dont really help anymore, I was taking 4mil. a day, so my doctor told me to completley quit taking the xanax and take klonopin .5 twice a day. I havent started yet because iam really scared. I cant imagine quitting xanax like that after 7 years. Is it really safe just to completley switch over to klonopin like that?? No more Xanax?? I dont even think the dosage he is telling me to take a day is enough to keep me from going through horrible withdrawl. Im glad i found this board and I hope i can get some feedback because iam really scared.

Your doctor is crazy!!!!! Going from 4 mg of xanax/day from .5 klonopin is just ridiculous. Is this a primary care physician you're going to?? If so, go to a psychiatrist, they will know how to address your problem. If it's a psychiatrist you're seeing already, then find another one!!!!! You will definitely suffer extreme withdrawl with that dosage/medication change. You should wean off the xanax very slowly, until you are at a lower dose (maybe .5-1mg), and THEN switch to klonopin. It will then be much easier to wean off benzo's completely. Good luck, and please keep us updated!!!!!!

Your doctor is crazy!!!!! Going from 4 mg of xanax/day from .5 klonopin is just ridiculous. Is this a primary care physician you're going to?? If so, go to a psychiatrist, they will know how to address your problem. If it's a psychiatrist you're seeing already, then find another one!!!!! You will definitely suffer extreme withdrawl with that dosage/medication change. You should wean off the xanax very slowly, until you are at a lower dose (maybe .5-1mg), and THEN switch to klonopin. It will then be much easier to wean off benzo's completely. Good luck, and please keep us updated!!!!!!

I don't cosider xanax a miracle drug but it is the only one that has worked for me and that includes Klonapen, valium, librium and all the rest. I've been taking it for 10yrs on a as needed and I found I do not have an addiction to it. I go for days without taking it and when I'm having anxious days or weeks I take it and when I'm not, I'm just fine without it. I decided when I started taking it that it wouldn't be addictive and I wouldn't depend on it all the time only when it is most severe and it works for me that way.

I don't cosider xanax a miracle drug but it is the only one that has worked for me and that includes Klonopan, valium, librium and all the rest. I've been taking it for 10yrs on a as needed and I found I do not have an addiction to it. I go for days without taking it and when I'm having anxious days or weeks I take it and when I'm not, I'm just fine without it. I decided when I started taking it that it wouldn't be addictive and I wouldn't depend on it all the time only when it is most severe and it works for me that way.

Originally posted by BetaChiAngel:
Your doctor is crazy!!!!! Going from 4 mg of xanax/day from .5 klonopin is just ridiculous. Is this a primary care physician you're going to?? If so, go to a psychiatrist, they will know how to address your problem. If it's a psychiatrist you're seeing already, then find another one!!!!! You will definitely suffer extreme withdrawl with that dosage/medication change. You should wean off the xanax very slowly, until you are at a lower dose (maybe .5-1mg), and THEN switch to klonopin. It will then be much easier to wean off benzo's completely. Good luck, and please keep us updated!!!!!!

Thank u so much for the feedback!! I hope im doing this right!! :} Well I went and saw my therapist today and she is going to try to get me a psychiatrist at her office and plus i found a place called A Womans Place for women who have a substance abuse problems. Its very cheap and they have support groups and outpatient therapy and they will also be able to recommened different medical detox programs(which i dont have the money for) but my therapist says that i should probably look into that. Im hoping I dont have to do that im hoping there are other ways of treating this. I feel like im really truly losing my mind, everyday when I wake up I cant see straight for hours my heart just races and my mind goes into complete overdrive. This morning when i woke up i took 2mg waited an hour nothing happend so then I took half of a diazapam and the worked within 15 minutes. I keep trying to tell myself its all in my head but shes telling me its really not that its phsyilogical (dont think i spelled that right) problem. Anyway Im up right now dreading to go to bed because I dont know what to expect tomorrow when I wake up, hopefully feeling good. Anymore feedback would be MUCH appreciated. Just gotta think happy thoughts and I know this will eventually work out. I knew that doctor didnt know what he was talking about so i did alot of reasearch last night and found out alot of info including this board. Hope all is well with everyone!! :}

Originally posted by sweethang703:
...I i found a place called A Womans Place for women who have a substance abuse problems... they will also be able to recommened different medical detox programs...

I don't believe there's any need for that. It's not like you abused your medicine or anything. You just have to wean yourself off slowly. The best way to do it is a 10% decrease every week or two.

Originally posted by sweethang703:
... I keep trying to tell myself its all in my head but shes telling me its really not that its phsyilogical (dont think i spelled that right) problem....

She's right. Some people experience weird symptoms when they stop taking their meds. But these symptoms can be made very tolerable if you wean yourself off very slowly. There's a good book by Peter Breggin, it's called "Your Drug May Be Your Problem: How and Why to Stop Taking Psychiatric Medications". I must say that I do not share his views regarding general psychiatry, but the methods he suggests to avoid withdrawal from psychiatric meds worked for me.