clonazepam and ativan together?? quick reply please

[catisme]

Hi, I have severe panic attacks and agoraphobia... The only way to get to to go for an appointment was to load up on ativan 4-5 mg. Just recently I saw the psych dr and she started me on clonazepam 0.5 mg twice a day for a full day coverage. This does help while practicing with getting out , driving, small stores mostly at night time. I also just started zoloft and waiting for that to kick in... I have an appt downtown tomorrow and want to know how much ativan to take to get me there on top of the clonazepam. If anyone can help please reply asap. thank you very much.

[catisme]

thank you for the advice... I don't take ativan on a daily basis not even to go out for a special function... I'm homebound all the way. But I do need to go for dr.'s appointments  for refills and see a GI specialist for crohn's disease, which I have to do tomorrow. Normally 5 mg(ativan) is my sweet spot for appointments that are far away fro home or for procedures CT, xray, barium swallow etc... So I take the high dose of ativan about maybe twice a month or as little as once every 3 months... It depends. My psych said I could take them both together but I guess I will have to see how I do, maybe try 4mgs of ativan and have the clonaz as a little extra?

[MrGreen]

But I think she may be taken a little extra of the auld ativan. More than what she was originally put on. Hence I was wondering about the doses she was told to take as a rule. Which might differ from the doses she is taken.

[mammo]

You need to ask this of your doctor.  You're on two sedating medications along with an antidepressant.  Nobody but your doctor can tell you how much to take, he knows you and your health history, all it takes is a quick call to his office to find out.  If need be, leave a message with one of his staff members and he will either call you, or will tell them what he wants you to do and they will call you.  You don't want to over-sedate yourself.  Take care...

[MrGreen]

Clonazepam ( Klonopin ) is not one of those medications that you really feel kicking in. 0.5 is a low enough dose. What I would do is use the ativan as needed. See how you feel. If you feel you are anyway sleepy or tired from the clonazepam, which I doubt, but some folk it can have that effect on, then take a lower dose of ativan. Both are benzos. Not normally used together. Maybe only as per needed with the ativan. But if you have been take such a high dose of ativan as it is you can't just stop that. It is one of those things that has to be lowered in dose to get off. If that is what the plan is. Until I had a routine for lowering the dose down, worked out with my psych dr, I would continue on the same dose. Until she says any different. But if you are feeling fine on the clonazepam, I would just use the ativan as needed. As it kicks in quicker. You can even take it with you. Any roads, tell us your full long term plan with the medication. What you are meant to be on dose wise and what, if they are changing you over, the plan is. For now I can only assume you take a high dose of ativan when you feel you need to. Hope this helps in some way.