Aa
klonopin versus zanax
Ive been diagnosed with gad since oct tried several ssri all made me worse doc says im sensitive to the ssri.Put me on zanax took them on a as needed basis but the last 2 months have been real bad so ive been takin them .25mg three to four times a day they seem to help but after about 2.5 hours my anxiety starts kickin in again and i try to hold off to take the next so i can space it out.My question is someone from the anxiety community suggested i take klonopin it works longer and doesnt have so many peaks and valleys and i wont have to take it so many times a day is this true?Is it better and if so how many mgs should i take to stay calm and not go crazy with the anxiety but also not be a a zombie? I will talk top my doc about this but just wanted some more opinions cause she usally just hands me the script and doesnt do alot of explaining about the drugs she prescribes which she usally doesnt prescribe alot of drugs for me but i have phobias about meds from the ssri ive tried.I also just started conseloing it helps some but i know i need something better than just the zanax cause i feel like im on a rollercoaster with it it starts workin then wears off and also she said the klonopin takes time to build in your system so would i be able to still take the fast acting zanax if its real bad while takin the klonopin till it builds up?Again im just lookin for others opinion i will also talk to my doc about it cause i know any replys i get are gonna suggest that.
Buspar heped for my panic attacks after about 2 days. You probably won't need your Xanax as much as you need it now once you are following the Docs directions and on your presribed dosage of Klonopin and Buspar.
I have phobias about medications and feeling like a "zombie" I don't feel like a zombie on Buspar, but I did feel like one when I was on enough Benzos to control anxiety.
IMHO Benzos are NOT WORTH their side-effects and the fact that the way the medicine works, and your body adjusts to it, its just super easy to become physically dependant on it and not even realize that withdrawl from the benzo is what is causing your panicky feelings.
If you don't beleieve me, detox from the Benzo over 3 days by cutting your dose by 1/3 a day or whatever feels right ( I am NOT a Doctor, so don't do anything you don't feel darn sure you want to do, just cuz of my reccomendation) while trying the Klonopin and other prescribed meds as directed for a week.
Make an appointment with the same Dr. who prescribed the meds for a week after you start Detox from the Xanax. So you can tell her what you think about the difference between these meds and the old ones of Xanax regularly. It will be hard to physically get through the first 2 dqays without random anxious feelings. and maybe even some nausea and headaches, like a mild flu, (stay hydrated!) But these can be normal symptoms as your body is readjusting to not having Xanax in it anymore.
Even if you are not "addicted" to Xanax, your body may have become slightly dependant on it for kind of calming itself. So even tho the Xanax may chemically leave your system after a few hours, some of the effects it can have on the body when used regularly, can cause sensations in the body that feel a lot like sudden panic attacks. With sweatypalms, racing pulse and everything, as your body is adjusting to not having the Xanax on a regular schedule.
HTH, and remember, I am not a Doc, just my 2 cents.
What do you think?
I have phobias about medications and feeling like a "zombie" I don't feel like a zombie on Buspar, but I did feel like one when I was on enough Benzos to control anxiety.
IMHO Benzos are NOT WORTH their side-effects and the fact that the way the medicine works, and your body adjusts to it, its just super easy to become physically dependant on it and not even realize that withdrawl from the benzo is what is causing your panicky feelings.
If you don't beleieve me, detox from the Benzo over 3 days by cutting your dose by 1/3 a day or whatever feels right ( I am NOT a Doctor, so don't do anything you don't feel darn sure you want to do, just cuz of my reccomendation) while trying the Klonopin and other prescribed meds as directed for a week.
Make an appointment with the same Dr. who prescribed the meds for a week after you start Detox from the Xanax. So you can tell her what you think about the difference between these meds and the old ones of Xanax regularly. It will be hard to physically get through the first 2 dqays without random anxious feelings. and maybe even some nausea and headaches, like a mild flu, (stay hydrated!) But these can be normal symptoms as your body is readjusting to not having Xanax in it anymore.
Even if you are not "addicted" to Xanax, your body may have become slightly dependant on it for kind of calming itself. So even tho the Xanax may chemically leave your system after a few hours, some of the effects it can have on the body when used regularly, can cause sensations in the body that feel a lot like sudden panic attacks. With sweatypalms, racing pulse and everything, as your body is adjusting to not having the Xanax on a regular schedule.
HTH, and remember, I am not a Doc, just my 2 cents.
What do you think?
I talke to my doc about wiening off the zanax and adding klonopin .5mg twice a day she said i didnt need to.just stop the zanax tues nite and start the klonopin wed morn and that klonopin doesnt need to build in your sstem.Well i took the klonopin at 9 am by 2 i was havin severe anxiety so i called her and of course it took her 2 hrs to call me back well in the meantime i took .25 zanax and that helped but when she finally did call me back she told to take the klonopin 3 times a day 8 am 2 pm and 8pm do not take anymore zanax .I dont know what to do they just passed a controlled substance law in my county and i had to sighn papers and do drug testing which i dont have a problem with that but its gonna be a prob trying to find a new doc that will start fresh cause i didnt know klonopin and zanax were controlled substances.she dont thinks its zanax withdraw i have about 20 zanax left and would like to taper but dont know how or who to ask cause she sayse i dont need to.And isnt 3- .5 mg of klonopin more than the 1 mg of zanax i spaced out through out the day.I want to go on the klonopin cause everyone says it a better daily basis longterm drug but im to the point to just call her back and say just give me the zanax back cause the lklonopin not workin cause she dont think i need to taper so that it can work.I know ryan is no longer here and i cant find his threads on this so i was wondering if maybe u might remember some cause mr green said he dont remember exactly how to do it and i should prolly find a new doc but in the middle of this i dont know if i can.I hate meds anyway but i know the znax was helpin just wanted something better long termCause i cant take the ssris she also prescribed me buspar 5mg twice a day she says its not a ssri which i havent started yet cause im tryin to get this other part under control first.Any imput would be so appreciated i just want to get it together so then i just have to concentrate on therepy.Finally was able to rule out any diseases and now would like to focus on this anxiety not my meds.
Xanax is meant for short term use only,,,,,,,,,,4 months or less on a daily basis, If taken PRN, it can be taken indefinitely if not used more than a couple times a week. For long term control of panic, Klonipin seems to be the drug of choice and many people report great relief from it.
Xanax has a very short half life and is basically out of your system in about 4 hours, which means you pretty much spend your day watching the clock. With Klonopin, you dose twice a day and it covers you for a full 24 hours...........there isn't that roller coaster effect like you get from Xanax. Klonopin does take time to accumulate in your system to therapeutic levels and in the meantime, you can use Xanax as a "rescue" med if you have a major panic attack.
Xanax frequently loses it's efficacy and you may soon find yourself taking it not so much to control the panic as to stave of withdrawl symptoms. This does not happen with Klonopin and people can stay on it for years without needing to increase their dose.
Naturally you will want to discuss this with your doctor since she is the one who will be perscribing the med for you. The next time your doctor hands you a script and doesn't bother to do much explaining, stop her and ASK about the med she just gave you. Ask her to explain how it works, what you can expect and when, the side effects.......ask her all the questions you want and if she doesn't know the answers, find a doctor who does! It's also great that you'll be getting into therapy. While medication is very beneficial to help you deal with your anxiety, it is only masking the real problem and until you get to that root problem and deal with it, your anxiety will remain.
Please let us know how your doing, OK?
You have a good attitude...........stay positive!
Post anytime you need to talk.
Peace
Greenlydia
Xanax has a very short half life and is basically out of your system in about 4 hours, which means you pretty much spend your day watching the clock. With Klonopin, you dose twice a day and it covers you for a full 24 hours...........there isn't that roller coaster effect like you get from Xanax. Klonopin does take time to accumulate in your system to therapeutic levels and in the meantime, you can use Xanax as a "rescue" med if you have a major panic attack.
Xanax frequently loses it's efficacy and you may soon find yourself taking it not so much to control the panic as to stave of withdrawl symptoms. This does not happen with Klonopin and people can stay on it for years without needing to increase their dose.
Naturally you will want to discuss this with your doctor since she is the one who will be perscribing the med for you. The next time your doctor hands you a script and doesn't bother to do much explaining, stop her and ASK about the med she just gave you. Ask her to explain how it works, what you can expect and when, the side effects.......ask her all the questions you want and if she doesn't know the answers, find a doctor who does! It's also great that you'll be getting into therapy. While medication is very beneficial to help you deal with your anxiety, it is only masking the real problem and until you get to that root problem and deal with it, your anxiety will remain.
Please let us know how your doing, OK?
You have a good attitude...........stay positive!
Post anytime you need to talk.
Peace
Greenlydia
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