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Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:04 am
by Bob Lasheff
Does anyone have any long term experience with either of these drugs Clonazepam (alleged anti-anxiety medication/& addictive) OR Venlafaxine/Effexor mood stabilizer for depression? Very Interested in replies. Thank You. Bob
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:25 am
by Guest
Hi......I am on Clonazepam and anxiety and different ones I have spoken with have said its short term meds but the doctor started me out on Ativan, Lorazepam, Xanax and now for 14 mts it been Clonazepam but my side effects are sadness, muscle ache, fatigue but it does keep the heart from racing with the anxiety. I make myself walk everyday, no marathons but just to keep going. Alot of mixed feelings for me.....without it I shake terribly so I believe it is addictive.
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:33 pm
by Eden
Hi,
I use Clonazepam 0.25mg melts as needed, but after I started on Metoprolol (beta-blocker), I hardly ever need it.
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:21 pm
by Guest
Yes, B-blockers are good choices for those with anxiety and particulary those patients with anxiety and high blood pressure. Why? All those scary body symptoms that you get from anxious thoughts are supressed with B-Blockers..At least most are. These include increased heart rate and increased contractility of the heart.
Venlafaxine is a SNRI , usually a second-third line treatment of depression with some success in the treatment of panic disorders. Basically this drug increases the amount of serotonin in the body.
Well I tried both. I was started on venlafaxine which helped for a while. I eventually went on atenolol ( a cardioselective beta blocker) and d/c'd the effexor. I still get anxiety but feel better for the most part. No more panic attacks though.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:26 pm
by Guest
I've been on Effexor XR for years. My doctor refused to prescribe benzo's. I haven't had a problem with Effexor at all. My depression is pretty much gone but I can't be 100% that it was due to Effexor. Probably a combo of coping skills and the medication. No side effects at all. One thing though, when you take Effexor XR, make sure you always take it at the same time every day. For me if I don't, I get totally dizzy and the headaches can last for hours if too much time has passed between doses.
My dad is also on Effexor (for depression), I'm on it for panic disorder. His dosage is lower and he didn't experience the dizziness if he took his dose a few hours later than the previous day's dose. Recently though, he did get very dizzy.
I like Effexor XR. I'm pretty comfortable with it and it's not addictive.