Xanax & Klonopin (and Paxil) question....HELP! please...

[DawnieDo]

Hello! I have been trying to get off paxil for a few months now and it has been hell. I am down to about 8mgs and have suffered along the way. Recently I have been using Xanax .25 once a day every so many days just to get some relief, but I try to skip days so as not to get dependant on it. Well yesterday was real bad, horrible anxiety and racing thoughts, etc. I could not sleep and finally decided to try the Klonopin wafers the DR gave me (.25).

I took one around 1:45am last night. Fell asleep around 3:30am, and then woke up at 5:30 feeling pretty rough.
I don't like how I feel at all on the Klonopin. It's now 10am, almost 8 hours after taking it and I feel awful....drugged, spacey, queasy....ick.

My questions are this: How long before this Klonopin effect wears off? How soon should I wait before going back to my occasional Xanax to get off this Paxil?

I am also supposed to be adding Lexapro slowly but was trying to wait to be off or almost off this Paxil before starting Lexapro. If anyone has any advice about switching, I would appreciate that too.

thanks to all!

Dawn

[cj29]

I am sorry that you are having problems switching meds.  You said that you are 'supposed' to be adding Lexapro slowly...if your doctor has instructed you to do this, why aren't you doing it?  Quite often, I see people take medication into their own hands which generally cause more pain than its worth and can be down right dangerous.

As far as when to take the Xanax, I would take it as prescribed and just ensure that you stay in close contact with your doctor about this, ok?  Keep us posted!

[HockeyShark]

I weaned off Paxil with Lexapro. Did it in stages. Seemed to work. go SLOW.

Remember that the dosage ofr Lexapro is 2x paxil, meaning 20 Paxil = 10 Lexapro

Go 2.5 at a time, and drop every 2-3 weeks.

[DawnieDo]

What dose of Paxil were you on when you added the Lex?

Can you tell me your titration schedule?

I think I am ready to finally start adding the lexapro but am so scared.

Would love to chat with you.

thanks!
Dawn

[DawnieDo]

You are right, however, I feel like Paxil has caused me such problems and has been hell....I am fearful of taking another SSRI. So I have been trying to get off Paxil slowly.
I am not sure what I am feeling now is withdrawals or my own anxiety, just 10 x's worse than ever in my life, but I have to do something for relief.

The xanax helps but I am certain I will end up dependant on it, and don't won't that mess.

I want to start on the Lexapro but am so scared I will feel worse than I do now, although I wonder if that is even possible!

thanks for your replies

Dawn