[sugahorse1]

i suffer from BP II - so we think, but I hardly even seem to have hypomanic spells anymore. I'm on 100mg Lamictin only.
I have short but very intense depressive spells. During these times I don't know what to do with myself, so I usually take a Klonopin-it makes me feel numb, as I really feel like I'm going to lose it otherwise. I contact friends and reach out, but I just don't know how to handle it anymore.

My main question is-does Klonopin have any benefits for depression alone? Is it a mistake taking this?

I just want help!

[Travelinglady]

I'm a bipolar II and take Klonopin and trileptal. I was on Lamictal, but I had to go off of it because of side effects. My understanding is that Klonopin is really more of an anti-anxiety drug--like a powerful valium.

I suggest that you talk to your doctor about these depressive spells. I don't really think that Klonopin is what you need for them. Hang in there!

[PromisesToKeep]

Klonopin is in a class of drugs called benzodiazapines. These are anti-anxiety agents and some other examples are valium, ativan and xanax. Caution, they are addictive and habit forming. However, they will do nothing to help you with your depressive spells. The lamictal is a mood stabilizer and a great drug, but again, it doesn't address your depression. You might want to ask your doctor to put you on a class of SSRI (selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRI (selective neurotonin reuptake inhibitors). These keep the neurotransmittors, neurotonin or seretonin, floating around in your brain (to keep it simple) rather than being regathered by the synapses that release them. Both these neurotransmitters have a direct correlation in the warm and fuzzy, feel good category and should help you feel much better. There are many on the market, too numerous to list here. I am on an SNRI called Effexor XR which works well for me, another is Paxil. I would suggest that you look up anti-depressants, specifically SSRI and SNRI on the internet before your next appointment with your pdoc. These are the newer generation of anti-depressants, the older ones were called tri-cyclics and had more side effects. There are still side effects with the newer class but they seem to be much more effective. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, don't hestitate to ask and I will provide the best answers I can.
Best wishes,
ptk

[madisgram]

the reason you feel numb from the klonopin possibly is because it's an opiate derivatitive, allbeit considered somewhat safer than other benzo's like xanex... your depression receives no benefit from it and it does have a half-life , meaning the more you take it the more build up in your body ....as stated, it's for anxiety primarily. a lot of pdocs prescribe this for BP as an additional aide. perhaps you should speak with your pdoc regarding this recurring depression. a tweaking of your other meds may reduce this symptom.

[sugahorse1]

thanks all. I understand Klonopin is for anxiety, but I got the feeling it made me 'numb'-better than feeling these negative emotions.
Before i was dx'd BP II, I had a major depressive episode, and the pdoc at the time put me on a few SSRI drugs. We kept trying, but basically they were all escitalopram. Then another pdoc tried me on a different drug, Edronax. You can google it;i'm not sure on the details, but felt it was ok.
I also have been on Trazodone.
When I was on the SSRI's, I didn't really monitor my moods, so I am not sure how well they worked-but they sure killed my Libido, so I asked for other meds.
I think I'll phone my pdoc and ask her to add an anti-dep; i think she prefers Wellbutrin.

Feeling a lot better today-not sure why, other than this damn BP thing, as I haven't made any major changes over night.

[blueoctober]

sugahorse; I'm happy with the wellbutrin and have been on it since I was diagnosed. I have been reduced from 300mg to 150 mg in the past month because I was getting a bit high since changing my mood stabilizer to lamictal.

For some with BP SSRI's aren't ideal. Wellbutrin isn't a SSRI, so that may be why your p-doc prefers it. Just to give you the heads up this is a med that can't be taken cut, so if you need a lower dose you will need a new prescription.

[paulswife1]

i am bipolar and take klonopin for anxiety, it doesn't with depression when i'm down my p. doc perscribed 1 mg 3xaday. it does slow you down

[vjdragonfly]

I'm glad you are feeling better today. I hope an addition of an anti-depressant will help keep the depressed moods away.

[sugahorse1]

paulswife - so the klonopin helped you because it "slowed you down"? this is kind of the feeling I was getting...

[beeutterfly]

I take Klonopin for anxiety (0.5 mg/2x daily, twice more PRN) and the only thing I can think of is when I get hysterical it calms down my nerves and can sometimes help with the depression that goes along with it because I feel able to center myself again. Like I said - sometimes. I suppose it does make me a bit numb ... when I'm feeling numb at least I'm not feeling so depressed that it's all-consuming. I doubt this will help, just wanted to throw my $0.02 out there ...

[sugahorse1]

Thanks - now I need to try explain this to my pdoc, hehe!