[babs.superbird]

I'm curious about the Klonopin. I went into mania this past spring, triggered by stress but also a life threatening latex allergy and anaphylaxis. I couldn't stop shaking my legs, moving every part of my body at all during waking hours. Went to see
pdoc and we added Klonopin prn up to 1 mg/day, each tablet is 0.5 mg and I break them in half, never taking more than recommended dose. I feel so much better, it's like night and day. I can function again. I've heard people say it's addictive and hard to get off of. I see my pdoc now at 3 month intervals. I'm afraid to tell my regular internist. I'm afraid she'll disapprove.

Current meds
Seroquel XR 150 mg
Effexor XR 225 mg
Klonopin prn
Vistaril prn

[bizi]

So how much klonipin are you taking?
I take .25 mg at night with 75mg of seroquel
I was taking .5mg at night for years, but she wanted me off it. so added the seroquel.

((((HUGS)))))
bizi

[Sunflower123]

I take 2 2mg pills per day for anxiety.

[Gabyunbound]

Well, I think your pdoc trumps your GP because he/she is the one prescribing it, so I wouldn't worry about your GP.

I think, if it works, go for it. I've been taking Klonopin for over a decade, half of it .5 and in the last few years 1mg, then more recently 1mg plus another PRN (I get an extra 10 every month, but tend to only take 3-4, I have quite the stash!). As far as being afraid, though, I have a new pdoc and don't know her policy on prescribing benzos so I don't know how long this will last. But I suffer from an enormous amount of anxiety and this helps. Again, what I say is, if it works, go for it. In my opinion, the addiction only becomes obvious when transitioning to a lowering the dose; I think if you stay on the same dose, you're good.

[lilypup]

There is such a backlash against benzos, but IMO some of us really need them. I am supposed to take .5 a day and then another .5 prn for emergencies, plane flights, dental work, etc. My pdoc also made noises about me getting off and I did for awhile, but I really missed the effect. But I didn't have any trouble getting off. I just do better when I am taking them.

[Wonderfalls]

I thought when I recently acquired a new psychiatrist and a new internist that one or the other of them would object to my prescription for 2mg Xanax, with all the negative attention benzodiazepines are getting (always especially Xanax, for some reason--I think because it works quickly they think it's more addictive.) I didn't think any of them were still prescribing benzos at all. Klonopin I believe is considered to be less radioactive then the others. It did nothing for me. Also tell your GP about the Klonopin, expecially if you're taking other meds, but it's not his call whether you take them.

[*Laurie*]

I've been on Klonopin for over 20 years. There is no medication that works as well for me (for anxiety), and I have been on A LOT of meds. Unfortunately, Klonopin is extremely addictive and causes major problems, eventually, with cognitive functioning and memory loss. You are on a very low dose, so that's good.

[JanusunaJ]

Good question. I was prescribed 5mg daily with 1mg doses prn. It really had no effect on me. I'd usually take the 5mg daily. Never got addicted. Didn't even notice when I stopped taking it.

[RainyDay107]

I've taken it (1 mg) every six hours for eleven years. It helps treat my anxiety disorders. I prefer it to Xanax.

[RainyDay107]

Originally Posted by lilypup

There is such a backlash against benzos, but IMO some of us really need them. I am supposed to take .5 a day and then another .5 prn for emergencies, plane flights, dental work, etc. My pdoc also made noises about me getting off and I did for awhile, but I really missed the effect. But I didn't have any trouble getting off. I just do better when I am taking them.

Well said. You have to balance quality of life. In addition to bipolar 1, I have been diagnosed with GAD, OCD, C-PTSD, Social Anxiety disorder, Agoraphobia and Panic disorder. If a doctor had all that crud ^....well, anyway.

I feel fine but Laurie is correct about memory loss. My pdoc mentioned a study benzo use can cause cognitive issues like memory loss. We MAY reduce me to three times a day, but not until a terminally ill family member passes away (love them so much). My mood tends to be elevated, too, and it will tamp down manic symptoms.