Clonazepam. BMS relief attempt again. - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

Nenu · 09-02-2008, 03:34 PM

So I met with my GP today, and explained that anxiety runs in my family (father and his mother both affected). I told her that my BMS (burning mouth syndrome) flares up drastically where anxiety is concerned. Some days I can go without barely any burning in the mouth (when I'm calm and laid back), but other days are just unbearable.

We discussed Topiramate, which she does not think would be a good option, since I have had problems with anti convulsants before. My neuro had marked a suggestion for Lyrica, to which she said she wouldn't prescribe it because she wasn't too pleased with the results she's seen on it. I think perhaps it was Lyrica too that she mentioned she would not prescribe due to me being asthmatic and having low blood pressure (which she also added my Amitriptyline I take is probably adding to, lowering the blood pressure that is).

So, I asked her about Clonazepam. She was a bit reluctant, because it is habit forming, but due to my history of anxiety in the family and knowing my BMS pattern, she agreed that it may be beneficial to try this along with the Amitriptyline (which at 20mg at nighttime does seem to be easing the pain of BMS a little bit).

So I just took .25mg of Clonazepam 30 min. ago or so. It's making me a bit sleepy! Luckily I'm just bumming around the house and don't have to do anything today

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I have hopes that this may be the ticket for easing the BMS pain I have. It's like a wildfire today (stress from going to the doctor... always raises my stress level). I know others here have mentioned they take Clonazepam for various reasons. What are your experiences with it? My GP recommended taking 1/2 to 1 tablet up to 3 times daily (each tablet is .5mg, so I cut the first in half to take .25mg). So far it's just making me feel sleepy as I said. Maybe I'll have a nice sleep tonight

april1848 · 09-02-2008, 04:51 PM

Hi Nenu! I used to take Xanax (same family) for anxiety, but now I take Klonopin for that and other reasons. It does make me tired, but not as much as Xanax did. Klonopin seems to help with my spasiticity, more so than muscle relaxers, and it is great for helping me sleep when I can't. For me at least, it hasn't been habit forming. Klonopin does have a longer half-life than many of the benzodiazepines, so that makes it a little less addictive.

For some reason, it seems to help with my neurological symptoms, like the itching and phantom pains, and there's no reason why, but I'll take it!

It's not a miracle drug for these things, but it definitely helps. I hope it helps with your mouth; it's at least worth a try. Let us know how it helps!

Nenu · 09-02-2008, 05:26 PM

I was hoping you'd write April, because I was thinking of you sweetie when I posted about Clonazepam.

It IS helping. Already. Still have some pain, but it's so dulled it's a non issue right now. And I don't have a raging headache! My GP suggested too that the head pains I am getting are more than likely MS, but she did think that anxiety could be a contributing factor.

I was shocked at the price of this stuff. My insurance covered the entirety of it, minus 1 cent the pharmacy didn't charge me. Can you believe that?

How much do you take of this stuff when you take a dose? I was Rx'ed .25mg to .5mg 3 times daily as needed.

april1848 · 09-02-2008, 05:38 PM

I'm so glad it's helping you already! I wonder if it's the reason I've been getting less headaches too.

My pills are .5 mg too. I'm supposed to take three a day, all spaced out. But because it makes me tired during the day even if I take Amantadine, I only take a half on workdays, one on weekends, and one to bed on most nights. It has helped a lot with the abdominal spasms I have at night, and it helps me sleep through my Avonex side effects, or what's left of them. Klonopin has helped my sensory symptoms as well. My doc wanted me to start Neurontin but I don't want another drug, especially another that will make me tired.

I am pretty surprised at how many benefits this drug has that I wasn't expecting. The only drawback is the fatigue, but taking a small dose and getting used to it will help. I'm so glad it's helping your mouth!!!

Nenu · 09-02-2008, 05:56 PM

Well with the amount of stress/anxiety from today (my colposcopy report came back showing many cell changes, which means on to laser surgery I go) I should have a raging wildfire in my mouth, as well as a raging headache. I have neither as I type this. The mouth's nearly pain free from what I would normally be feeling right now.

I feel like a space cadet, but I'm coherent. I'm sure I'll adjust to this after a while.

I'm surprised she doesn't want me to continue on .25mg 3 times a day. Like you mention, it can help in other areas as well. Maybe she'll hear my success on it (I'll give it a couple weeks and see how I do) and rx it full time. Never know.

She was a bit concerned that my blood pressure was so low. I told her it's been that way for a long time, before the meds. She was happy to hear I'm eating a low fat red meat free diet though, and I have lost weight since I last saw her.

I laughed when she read my neurologist's report he sent to her after seeing me on the 18th, "She tipped the scales at 124!!!!" (exactly what he wrote, exclamation points included lol).