benzodiazepam for anxiety/depression
Question:
Hello everyone. I have been taking Ativan (1mg approx 3 times a day) as prescribed by MD for anxiety and depression. However, while meds help me to cope I continue to experience bouts of insomnia and night panics, so new MD I consulted wants to wean me off of ativan and replace it with klonopin. Does anyone have any experience with either one of these meds, did it help and how long does it take to wean from meds? I appreciate all feedback, either post to the group or e-mail. Thanks again.
Both Ativan and Klonopin are benzodiazepine, a group of medication that generally give a very strong anti-anxiety response. However, neither is effective against depression and they may in fact make it worse. If you do have depression then an antidepressant should be considered. Antidepressants are also effective anxiety medications. Ian
Response:
Hello everyone. I have been taking Ativan (1mg approx 3 times a day) as prescribed by MD for anxiety and depression. However, while meds help me to cope I continue to experience bouts of insomnia and night panics, so new MD I consulted wants to wean me off of ativan and replace it with klonopin. Does anyone have any experience with either one of these meds, did it help and how long does it take to wean from meds? I appreciate all feedback, either post to the group or e-mail. Thanks again.
Response:
I changed from Ativan (1mg from two to three times daily) to Klonopin about 1 1/2 years ago. Since Ativan wears off so fast and both are benzos, there was no weaning period, I just began the Klonopin at .5mg daily and worked up grdually which I much prefer as it is longlasting and I do not get any shakiness when it begins to wear off like I did with Ativan – also if I miss a dose, no big deal. Missing a dose of Ativan would set off a PA. I had to play with my dose quite a bit and seem most comfortable at 2mg daily. There have been three times when I had some breakthrough anxiety and had to pop an Ativan for the quick help but that was before I built to the 2mg of Klonopin. I also tried 3mg daily but was too aware of the grogginess. I also sleep MUCH better now on the K so that I no longer need my old Ambien. No PA’s for about a year now. Situational anxiety, of course, but never builds to that frantic stage. I ALWAYS keep a couple Ativan in my purse – guess it gives me a backup security. Early this year I did try to wean from Klonopin because I wondered if I was better. I cut back .25 mg every couple days so the whole process took about a month, but suddenly had a really bad episode – kind of like a seizure or migraine, so I am now back on the Klonopin. I also take 300mg daily of Serzone and have for the same 1 1/2 year. (Pdoc says K alone can worsen depression and Serzone is an AD that is also good for anxiety) These newest episodes may or may not be related to anxiety as they affect my vision and coordination so I continue the Klonopin until my Neurologist finishes his tests (MRI and EEG) as he thinks I have migraine rather than panic. (or both?) Who knows? What I am trying to say is, I found weaning to be very painless when done slowly and suspect I am now dealing with a new problem but stick with the Klonopin "just in case". Hope this is helpful!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello everyone. I have been taking Ativan (1mg approx 3 times a day) as prescribed by MD for anxiety and depression. However, while meds help me to cope I continue to experience bouts of insomnia and night panics, so new MD I consulted wants to wean me off of ativan and replace it with klonopin. Does anyone have any experience with either one of these meds, did it help and how long does it take to wean from meds? I appreciate all feedback, either post to the group or e-mail. Thanks again.
