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klonopin vs xanax

Please can someone tell me which is better?
I am on Tareg for blood pressure, from specialist....then my GP put me on Wellbutrin and klonopin .... which my specialist took me off and said take Xanax only with the Tareg.
Any comments much appreciated.
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Avatar universal
I take paxam 3 times per day 2mg great for anxiety. 2mg bar xanax ruin lives and can cause derious dramas as you can't remember a bloody thing. Im also on 1000mg seroquel at night, 45mg avanza at night  and stilnox at night and 10mg baclofen twice a day and 100mg disovable antabuse for alcoholism. on 18 tablets a day at the age of 33. And finally found the right psychiatrist. also on 120mg (24ml) methadone each day as i was addicted heavily to opiods. Never touched heroin or iv. Thats me.
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I have PTSD and a very serious anxiety disorder. It took years of going to dr. After dr. I finally found one that is wonderful with treating me i take 6 2mg klonopin aday also loxipine 5 mg 5x aday, visteral 100mg 5x aday, and for sleep he has me on 30mg and 15 mg of flurazepam(dalmane). That's just the psych meds. I also take soma. And even with all that my anxiety is not under control neither are the flashbacks- better just wish i could feel " normal". What else can i do or take. Like i said this dr. Is the best he wants to help me not like the many drs. Who looked at me like im crazy and gave me wrong diagnosis and meds. That were awful. Any suggestions on what else to do?
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I've been on Klonopin for six months months now 0.5mgs twice a day. It helps me a WHOLE lot with my anxiety and takes away my hand tremors due to my anxiety. I have anxiety REALLY BAD!  I recently got on airplane and flew feeling very very calm with no panic attacks on the plane. Before taking Klonopin my doctor tried EVERY MEDICATION OUT THERE to keep my anxiety under control. Nothing else worked. I have been on Lyrica for almost two years even that doesn't stop my panic attacks. Lyrica does help me with my pain that I have in my back. With Klonopin I feel relaxed and don't get so emotional before my period. Bottom line KLONOPIN WORKS FOR ME! Another bonus about Klonopin I no longer think about hurting other people cause it takes away ALL UNWANTED thoughts. Everyone reacts differently to medication. By the way I see my doctor every two months.
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I took klonopin for 10 years and just quit my self without the help of a doctor. No I said No withdraws at all. So what you said is not true I weened my self off klonopin
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Avatar universal
I have been using xanex for years and it helps me sleep very well at night ,however I  have developed muscle twitching constantly in my legs and occasionaly in my upper body along with mental lag.This is a bad drug for long term use.It took me over a year to realize what it was doing to me.It will scare the hell out of you in the long term.
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1 Comments
Wellbutrin is the worst drug in my opinion due to side effects. They are well known for causeing horrible seizures. And permanent facial nerve damage along the body also. I myself have been on this medication and it had many side effects on myself. Lamictal is so much better and works just like wellbutrin but without all those crazy side effects. I'm not a doctor so all this information I'm giving is strictly my opinion on this drug. Good luck my friend. Take care.
Avatar universal
Klonopin is also used to treat seizure disorders I believe...
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just a quick one because i feel very hopeless at the moment.i am currently living in the uk but originally form south africa.i went through a very rough patch in 2010/2011 and started to get flashbacks or i don't really know what you call it of places,streets and areas in South africa.i know it is nothing to be scared about right???its going on for so long now that i don't know what to do with it anymore.did any of you ever experience this before???HELP.so i was prescribed xanax but very scared to take them as i don't know if they will help me.
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anyone tested for lyme? usually unexplainable anxiety is lyme
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Avatar universal
Just to replay on what you were talking about. I've been on Xanax for 5 years, three NON stop, everyday type deal. Recently, my biggest fear of life happen to me. I had a seizure here at my house and didn't even know at the time.. I even hit my head on the way down. This was all because the Xanax was not treating me. Wasn't helping at all.. to be honest, I swear the more I'd take, the more I'd get anxiety.. So it came time for me to fill up my prescription and I hit a massive withdrawl that I didn't even want to leave my house. Pretty much suffering here knowing that this day will come, and it sure came after dodging it for such a long time. Before I keepin on rambling and not make any sense, I went to the hospital ( emergency room for what had happen to me..)     Scared me to death. I've been Xanax Free for over a month and a half now.. BUT I did start taking Klonopin 2mg.. First week was 4-6mg.. now I'm down to 4mg... And the funny part is that now the second one doesn't call unless some triggers my anxiety really bad/crazy or I can't go to sleep.        Basically, if you can get off the xanax, by all means, try and so so.. TRUST ME, i have gone to hell, back and back again.. with drawls are the worst thing in the world.. but Klonopin with help u ease off the xanax.. at least u won't be taking xanax.. immediately u'll be feeling better in the sense just knowing your not taking it.. your memory even the way you are will change ..    PPL will even tell you.
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Avatar universal
Youre absolutely correct. Stay with long half life Benzos like Valium (Diazepam) and Klonipin (Clonazepam). The shorter the half life the faster it acts and the faster gets out of your system making you more tolerant and finishing the prescription days before the refill.
I wish we all will not need a Benzo.

Thanks

Khatchig
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Avatar universal
Wow.. it's good to know you're not alone with this anxiety/ Panic attacks .. it's world stopping and it makes you feel like you can't be all you can be. I started off on .25 mg of Xanax and was recently prescribed 1mg that I take first thing in the morning which is a whole lot better however by midday I yarn for a quick .25 mg to settle me down (is this safe). People that don't suffer from this disorder have no clue what it's like to be in constant pain... back, neck, chest and fear for your life. I wish everyone the best.
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Avatar universal
I have spoken to a few people over the years who had social anxiety and also trouble speaking in front of groups of people (not good when this is part of your job).  
They had good luck with beta-blockers (like Atenolol).  Good luck...
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Avatar universal
Hi, this is also my first post here. I take xanax two to three times a day. (.5) I also take Wellbutrin and have recently started Viibryd (a little over 2 months). My anxiety has mostly been my driving too...and a few other things. But I have been taking xanax for several years now. Never had Klonipin. I would rather take a med like xanax when I need it, than take something I hope works when I need it...lol

Just wondering, how long have you been on Viibryd? It is really working wonders for my anxiety while driving (so far). I actually drove on a highway this past weekend! Yea! It has been years!!! Tried to go off the Wellbutrin, thinking that the Viibryd would work for both...that didn't work. So, seems my 3 meds together are doing great! I sure feel a lot better!!

ls
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Avatar universal
Hello, Im new to this, but here is a little about me. i have been on Klonopin for a little over 5 years and recently been presribed to 3x perday.  Im finding that Klonopin is no longer working for me, a family member is on Xanax and during an anxiety attack it actually calmed me down and I felt better.  My problem is im 36 year old male and can barely drive a car any more without my anxiety hitting me while driving I have barely avoided 5-8 car accidents on the interstate within the past two to three weeks.  I dont know what to do, my dr keeps uping my Klonopin to 3 a day and took me from Pristiq to Viibryd. This is not working, went to a councelor and they told me ways to avoid my SEVERE panic attacks and they dont work...... What do you do when your only hope in life is to never leave your home in fear of driving or going to the grocery store?
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Avatar universal
For reducing anxiety / calming down, I like klonopin (clonazepam) better than xanax (alprazolam). Xanax makes me too sleepy. I usually fall asleep on it. I get really loopy and drunk feeling if I take too many, which is easy to do, because I'm taking them for anxiety, and xanax isn't as good, for me, at combating anxiety as klonopins are. Now, xanax gives you more of a "high" supposedly because it affects serotonin, along with GABA. Xanax gets you more drunk feeling than the other popular benzodiazepenes. You may have problems walking and/or talking on higher doses. Also, memory loss or "black outs"is very common with xanax. Plus, xanax is usually the most expensive benzo on the black market, $5-6 for the 2mg bars. Also, valium is like weak klonopin. Why take 4 10mg blue valium, when you can take 2 1mg blue klonopins and get a similar effect. My 2 cents.
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Avatar universal
What is the best way to ween yourself off of xanax???? I have been taking xanax for about 3 months I was taking klonopin for 1 and a half yrs then I went to xanax. How should I ween myself off
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Avatar universal
Have read all the posts and just wish to the Lord above that I had never, ever taken benzios. Valium made me aggitated, unable to sleep, and yucky. Ativan did the same. Then I was given Xanax. Took it for 2 years-1 mg. only at night. Then a series of bam-bam-bam life episodes had me taking a pinch aftrer a brutal anxiety raising episode. then, it just quit working! Not taking it made my skin crawl, nerves jump, brain blips, jerky shaking. However, taking it made me ill as well--to the E.R. over and over even by ambulance due to fainting. So a drug counsellor recommended that I try using Klonipin. I am taking .5 twice a day, but am wondering if I should cut it to .25 and try tapering off after two weeks? But then what? This seems to be a darned if you do and darned if you don't.
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Avatar universal
After several years of taking Xanax, usually .50 to .75 per day, to help treat Anxiety and slight depression, I found that the Xanax did work well. It's very effective within about a 20 minute onset. I've also tried several of the SSRI's with limited success. I'm currently on 20mg of Celexa. It's been 10 days. I was just switched today to .05 mg of Klonopin twice a day at bedtime. I took one this afternoon to see how it compared to the xanax. It took about one hour to feel the effects, which are the same as xanax, just not as strong. But thus far, the Klonopin does seem to feel smoother and not so abrubpt. The xanax works quick and well, but leaves you almost drained waiting for the next dose. I'm anxious to see how much longer this Klonopin stays in my system. That's what I need so that I can get through a days work as a cop.

  I feel for all of those persons listed here and who suffer with these debilitating illnesses. You need the Lord Jesus Christ in your life first. He will guide your path. See 1st Peter 5:10. God gives us medicines to use appropriately, not to abuse. Consider the source before you believe some of these posts.
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Avatar universal
kells
my dr started me off on 1 mg of kolonopin 3 times a day...no ween up...just here start this now. I have very bad anxiety and get attacks...but was that way too much to start with i am reading things about people who take .5 2x a day?
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Avatar universal
I've got a gut-wrenching family funeral to attend and I know that I will NOT make it without the help of a benzo.  My question is.... If I'm only gonna take it at max two weeks while I"m with the family but I want to be NUMB, whats better for me to try... klonopin or xanax???  I cannot take funerals at all!!!  I get so upset I cry loud enough for Florida to hear me from California!  I get hysterical and CANNOT quit!  I have totally NO CONTROL over my emotions when it comes to funerals so???????  Do I try to get my doc to give me xanax or klonopin?  Please try to answer quickly if possible, the funeral is this week in Kentucky so I've got to talk to doc on Monday at the latest!

Thanks so much!
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1618464 tn?1298767419
i have had panic attacks since I was five, my twin sister as well. We inherited it from my dad, and his dad, etc etc. Im so sorry that youre experiencing these feelings. I started taking Klonopin 22 years ago. It was, for me, the best thing to have happen. I however dont like to take pills of any sort. I started taking Klonopin for severe panic disorder, OCD, etc etc. I started taking 1/2 0.5mg twice daily. Its been 22 years and I now take 1.75 mg. On the flip side, my twin sister takes xanax and klonopin. She was taking over 20 mg of Klonopin, chlorylhydrate(sp?), and xanax, all washed down by yukon jack. She was having seizures etc etc. Her liver is messed up and so is her brain.  The reason I tell you this is because you need to also incorporate some cognitive behavioral activities into your wellness plan.  You technically should not "feel" xanax or Klonopin. You should just notice that you dont feel anxious. My sister insisted that she was to be medicated to the point of numbness. That lead to her addiction to it. My lack of addiction I attribute to doing a LOT of hard work mentally. There are a lot of tools that you can use to assist the medication so that youre not dependent on it.
At 21 years old I withdrew completely and was agoraphobic for 6 years. Much of the time spent in my bedroom. With some cognitive behavioral therapy I was able to get out of the house and eventually was prescribed zoloft. In six months I was at college in Massachusetts (from MI).
I look at it this way, if you have diabeties (or anything) you have two treat it two fold. One; your medication. Be open and honest with your prescriber about your medicines and how you take them, as well as heeding the RX label warnings. Two; your mental health. Dont rely on Xanax or Klonopin to cure you. IF there was a miracle drug...i believe Klonopin would it... that being said, you have to meet any good miracle halfway. Watch what youre eating, no alcohol, be sure to sleep in a sleep conducive area, allow yourself time to "fret and worry", and remember panic attacks are "destressing, but not dangerous." Relief is on the other side of panic attacks...so instead of fighting it, invite it to come on. Most of the time youll realize that the fear is just the unknown and by staring it down its no longer an unknown.  There is a GREAT Dr. who has written a fantastic book call "Recovery" By Dr. Abraham Low. They also have meetings all over the country (the group name is "Recovery") for people who are prone to panic attacks, and generalized anxiety. Youre not alone in your feelings. They can be paralyzing for fear, or embarrassment. That is what leads to Agoraphobia. As a Socialpsychologist, I recommend that you don't avoid places that cause you to panic. Purposefully go to those places and stay there until the panic passes...and it will. Your brain will learn that its not the environment, "People places or things dont cause your panic...its your response to them."  Youre brain is very specialized, and can do many things...but it can only do one one thing at a time. Like a computer... but not nearly as fast. If you can only think one thought at a time...think of something pleasant. When the anxious thoughts re enter... erase it like a chalk board, crumple it up like a piece of paper, blow it up with dynamite, ...and return to your pleasant thought. I have found that saying the rosary works for me. I am not particularly Catholic, but the repetitiveness keep the mind occupied until my logical mind can regain control.
I replied to youre post because most of these people on here, including myself, are old friends with these symptoms. I could make a candy necklace with the amount of meds that the Drs try to prescribe to me.  You for some reason are experiencing these now and arent sure what to do. Its easy to take these pills and have them do the work, but if you can gain control over them for the most part and just take a small dose, youre likelihood of addiction or maxing out on the efficacy becomes less. Believe me, panic attacks are not worse then coming off of benzos. Panic attacks come and always go.  Addiction is always there.  Drs can only do so much: You have to decide if you want to be tuned in; tuned out; or tuned off.
My very best to you.
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Avatar universal
i so agree with what you posted...i am on xanax and it is for severe GAD and depression. Im also on cymbalta. i know that im dependent on xanax but when i feel better then ill wean myself off the xanax. true anxiety is dibilitating and sometimes benzos are all that can help you stand the pain. Thanks for your post.
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Avatar universal
Xanax has a rapid onset, usually about 20-30 minutes. The effect of the drug is usually done within 2-2.5 hours as apposed to Klonopin, which has a slow onset of about 45 min, but is active for 6-8 hours. They both do the same thing as they are in the BENZO drug class, one is just for quick reliefe w/ a short half life and the other is a slower onset w/ a longer halflife. So it really just depends on how severe you panic attacks are and how quick you can get them under control.

Hope this Helps
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Avatar universal
I have been taking xanax 1mg 3-4 times a day 2 during the day and 2 to get to sleep. I have GAD and panic attacks I also take 60 mg of adderol before I go to work. Lately when I take a xanax I black out where ever I am and wake up an hour or 2 late. Never before happened and same dosage think about switching to Xanax XR or Klonopin any advice? If I don't take benzos I get panic attacks and anxious all the time.
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