[MisterUnderstood]

Hey, all! So I've been all but diagnosed as bipolar, and take a bit of a cocktail to help with the additional anxiety and to stop the mood swings while the Abilify really kicks in. But... It seems like whenever I take the Klonopin, I get depressed and lethargic. In fact, I almost get really weirdly spacey. I just don't feel well and I don't wanna do much. I never had this problem with Xanax. In fact, Xanax boosted me out of a depressive episode sometimes. Is this just a problem with Klonopin or would it be an issue with every benzo? I've tried every other viable option. SSRIs and I don't get along well (Lexapro made me violent and Zoloft made me sleepy), I've tried BuSpar, trazodone, and Vistaril, and I've run the gamut of mood stabilizers. I've also been on another benzo, Librium, for a bit and it didn't make me depressed.. Am I just imagining things, or could the Klonopin be making me worse? Thanks for the advice!

[eeyorestail]

Each benzo affects each person a little differently. I know some people who swear by Klonopin but can't stand Xanax; I also know people who feel the exact opposite, and personally I don't feel much difference between the two.

I do think some benzos can make some people feel more depressed. It's unfortunate because often they can help anxiety and it's a shame to have to exchange one problem for the other.

I would definitely talk to your doc about it as I think it's a possibility.

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Hi Mister. My experience has been that different benzos make me feel differently. In my own case, Ativan and Klonopin seem to be compatible with my body chemistry. Xanax made me feel goofy and Valium makes me feel icky.

There's also the question of what dose you're taking, and (maybe) if taking a benzo along with other psych meds changes your response to it.

But yes, in my opinion, your observation is correct. All benzos are not the same.

[MisterUnderstood]

It couldn't be the dose because I take a small dose of Klonopin. And I took small doses of Xanax. I read that it could be Klonopin is a "dirty drug" and it affects serotonin as well as GABA.

[Sneezyyy]

I was on Xanax for a little bit.. But wasn't doing a whole lot so by pdoc switched me over to Kolonpin.. I was taking 2mg 3x a day.. kolonopin did help a lot I will say that but it did make me lathargic and just spaced out all the time.. Was on that for about 2 years..

So few weeks ago I asked if there was anything else ew cold try and she put me on Valium.. So far so good.

Remember different medicines work differently on people.

Hope for the best for you!

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[*Laurie*]

I believe that Klonopin can cause depression. That's one of the reasons I'm working on going off of it.

[MisterUnderstood]

Valium was my next idea before I tried Xanax because I'm terrified of Xanax. Absolutely terrified. And I haven't been on it very long. Just about a month as needed, which is usually every few days on average.

[ChipperMonkey]

Klonopin can indeed cause depression! One dose and I'd be depressed for the next 3 days. I am now on Ativan, which causes the same problems at higher doses, but on small doses I'm ok. Talk to your doc about switching to something else!

[AncientMelody]

Agreed, depression is a potential side effect of klonipin.

[nataliepatricia6183]

Hi,
I understand what you mean to an extent. I started on .5mg 2x a day klonopin a couple weeks ago. I've had some lethargic feelings and been having trouble getting awake in the morning but most of all, I just feel like not doing much.
I also take Luvox ER 100mg 1 x a day for worry/anxiety and compulsions. The luvox works really well but since I started the Klonopin with it- the anxiety definitely has gone down even more but I just feel a little more... Blah.
The issue with me is I have un-treated ADD. Mostly the inattentive, easily distracted, very disorganized and racing thoughts type.
My doctor wanted to see how I did on the klonopin and make sure there was no under lying bi-polar before starting add treatment- most likely Strattera.

From what I've learned- if you have bi-polar taking antidepressants can put you into mania..likewise..if you take Gaba reuptake inhibitors like klonopin- they can put you into a depression. These systems are un-stable in the bi-polar brain and easily tilted to one side or the other with chemical treatment- or lack thereof.
That's why alcohol is very bad for the bi-polar..it can make them extremely depressed since it works on Gaba. For an ADDer like myself though, I believe the klonopin is making me blah--I want some stimulation to focus in and have motivation but without the anxiety. lol
that's hard for me because my only options for extra anxiety relief and help with skin picking are things like klonopin and luvox. My hope is with the Strattera treatment for the ADD in a few weeks, I'll find a balance that works.
I would say for you. klonopin isn't a good choice since you have or may have bi-polor(make sure the diagnosis is correct since bi-polar can mimic different things or even correspond to personality disorders( which are not treated well with medicines)
Rather than klonopin for anxiety- you're better off with the mood stabilizers( if it's really bi-polar you have) or the anti-psychotics..if the abilify isn't working well enough - there are a lot of other antipsychotics that can quell anxiety. Just remember for bi-polar( true bi-polar) anti-depressants or serotonergic agents and benzos( gaba agents) can throw you off into mania or depressive states.
There are also blood pressure medicines sometimes used for panic disorder or heavy anxiety that are prescribed in those cases only but you'd have to ask your PDoc about those options.
Good luck!

[MisterUnderstood]

The problem with using a mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic is that I've already run the gamut with them, like I'd said prior. Zyprexa, Trileptal, Abilify, Neurontin, Lamictal... The only other options are Depakote or Seroquel, two baddies that pack a metabolic punch. I already gained some massive weight on Zyprexa. Unfortunately, these are my only options really. I'm awaiting a call from my doctor, but my idea is that Valium might make me a little less depressed. If worst comes to worst, I'll have to go on Xanax, but I'm hoping that won't happen because I'm terrified of that medication. I've experimented with it and it definitely has more of an addictive quality to it. Makes me feel too good. But if it's the only one that'll work, well... :/

[BlueEyedMama]

It hasn't made me depressed but it does zone me out a bit too much which is why I am about to taper off of it and see if I can go med free for my anxiety. I wish you luck in finding what works for you.