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  #1  
Old Aug 21, 2014, 10:32 AM
_mom2boys_ _mom2boys_ is offline
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Location: Missouri
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I'm on 50 mg of Lamictal and soon will be going to 100mg. I had 2 weeks of hypomania followed by about a week of feeling "normal". I could tell my mood was starting to decline and I thought it was just coming down from the "high" but then I woke up one morning and the depression had hit me full steam. Now I'm stuck in this hopeless, self doubting, guilt-filled, and no motivation rut. As I've seen many others say, I'd rather be hypomanic than depressed any day but it's unavoidable.

When I saw my pdoc last I was hypomanic. He could tell I wasn't taking my Klonopin often enough. It was prescribed originally by my primary doctor for anxiety as PRN. My pdoc said I need to take it regularly to help until my Lamictal is at full strength and working effectively. So I did that but now that I'm in depression mode, taking the Klonopin just makes me slower and more tired than I already am. I basically sleep all day long and then have to go to work in the evenings and try my hardest to stay awake. My husband and friend tell me that no matter what, I need to stay on the Klonopin as prescribed because the depression will eventually end and I will need to remain as stable as I can throughout the whole process. But I just.hate.feeling.this.way.

Those of you that are on benzos, do you take them regularly, even when not manic/hypomanic? They don't treat depression which is why I'm struggling with taking them during my depression but at the same time I want to keep things as stable as a I can with my medication.
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  #2  
Old Aug 21, 2014, 10:59 AM
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Travelinglady Travelinglady is offline
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Location: North Carolina
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Hi, I am bipolar and I have been taking Klonopin for years. But I also have an Anxiety Disorder. I think this issue would be a good one to run by your doctor.
  #3  
Old Aug 21, 2014, 12:47 PM
newtothis31 newtothis31 is offline
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Member Since: Aug 2014
Location: Midwest
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Sorry to hear about you're going through. Sometimes when I'm depressed- I think of Kurt Vonnugut's Slaughterhouse Five, "This too shall pass."

It's good that you have support from your husband and friend. Remember- they want to support you & want to see you get well.

The best thing you can do, and this is particularly important with any medication change- is to limit your decision making until the medicine has the chance to be effective. Try to create a schedule for yourself- and just stick with it. Ask your husband and friend for help.

One really good advice columnist who I feel understands the ins & outs of depression is Cary Tenis from Salon.com's column, "Since you asked." I've found a lot of encouragement from that column when I haven't found it anywhere else.

Keep us posted on how you feel.
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  #4  
Old Aug 21, 2014, 03:22 PM
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~Christina ~Christina is offline
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Benzios can just effect people as a downer , hense making you feel worse is possible.. You should contact your Pdoc and see what he/she advises .

Hope your feeling better soon.
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  #5  
Old Aug 21, 2014, 04:51 PM
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lilypup lilypup is offline
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I take Klonopin for mouth pain. It doesn't make me sleepy anymore. Try giving it a little more time. You may get used to your dosage.
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