Looking into new meds., any suggestions

nunu89 · Post by **nunu89** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:27 am

Hello,

I am new here. I am looking to be put on a new med. Was wondering if anyone could suggest?

I HAVE been on: Zoloft, Lexapro (all doses), Effexor (Again All doses) & Effex ER! These all helped for about 6-8 mo. and then, it was as if they expired and would stop working!
Does anyone know if Klonopin is a narcotic, my Hubby says he thinks it is (as he is a recovered addict)! I dont want anything that could be addicting!

Any suggestions are welcomed!
Thank you in Advance!

forever young 06 · Post by **forever young 06** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:37 am

I was on a very low dose of Klonopin for many years. I am no longer on it because I moved and haven't found a doctor who will prescribe it. I had no problems on it, infact it was the only antianxiety med which made me feel "normal" with no side affects. I was on .5 mg. twice a day and then weaned off to only as needed. It is an addictive drug but I feel that if you use it under doctors supervision and on a low dose, you will be fine. Good luck and God Bless!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:46 am

Thank you for the answer. Have you been on anything that wasnt a narcotic? that you felt helped you?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:45 am

I used to be on Wellabutrin years ago and felt it helped alot. The only meds I have been on specifically for anxiety has been benzos (which includes klonopin). The doctor prescribed Buspar for me about a month ago but I haven't tried it because I don't want to be on anything 24/7. I dont' want to be on meds at all but I do feel I need something on just an as needed basis. It's so hard to recommend meds for anyone because everyone reacts to meds differently. What works for one may not work for the other. I would recommend you at least what the doctor recommends and if they don't work for you, then you can stop them. Good luck and God bless!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:35 pm

I can relate to meds working and then stopping their wonderful effects mysteriously. I've been on lexapro, zoloft, and effexor xr. They all worked for a little while. My pdoc diagnosed me with treatment resistant depression and prescribed me Abilify. It has made a world of difference. Now, though, I think he's heading towards Bipolar Type II. But I don't really care as long as I continue to feel normal. Good luck!

Genie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:49 am

I have been prescribed clonopin in the past for anxiety. Was clonopin prescribed to you also for anxiety? It has many uses- epilepsy, muscle spasticity such as with multiple sclerosis, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, acute mania, alcoholism... a doctor would best be able to help you with this question and you would definitely not take yourself off something without professional guidance. If you don't have a doctor you like, find someone else, ask around, since you want someone with a light touch who will not overmedicate you but also someone who will not insult you by implying you are just trying to get an Rx. Don't give up, keep looking. For the record, clonopin (clonazepam) is NOT a narcotic, it is a benzodiazepam. Other benzodiazepams include ativan and xanax. Clonazepam, like the other benzos, are NOT addictive, but there is tolerance (the body gets used to it) and therefore withdrawal symptoms with abrupt discontinuation of the drug; not the same thing as addiction. They are not meant to be used long term, which also is emphasized in the program. To finally come round to your question, for relief of anxiety symptoms, my doctor had me use low doses of xanax for short periods of time and on an as-needed basis (me needing less and less). The idea with anxiolytics is to give you symptom relief so you can work on the problem in an unclouded fashion. Good luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:58 am

Originally posted by nunu89:
Thank you for the answer. Have you been on anything that wasnt a narcotic? that you felt helped you?

Gabapentin is not a narcotic or a benzo, and I have excellent symptom relief with this drug. However, gabapentin as an anxiolytic is an off-label use.

DIfferent meds for differently for each person. Someone above said Abilify helped them; I felt very strange on this medication. All of these drugs can have poweful effects which is why you want a good specialist (a psychiatrist) if you are going the medicaiton route. I don't want to scare you, but while I was on Paxil and Prozac I injured myself repeatedly on purpose and had strange thoughts. It turns out these medications are very bad for bipolar types. Find someone who knows what they are doing and ask lots of questions of yourself and the doctor. Listen to session 11 again if you have the program.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:25 am

Hi, I have been on Luvox for about 6 months now and it has helped me complete tasks quicker and without obsessing over it being done. There are side effects however that I am experiencing. Some of these are being parched all the time, increased perspiration, and decreased libido. When you start the medication, you experience these side effects on a larger scale, but as time goes on and your body gets used to it, the side effects affect you less. But they will appear again if there is a change in the dosage. This is my personal experience.