anyone having problems with clozapam

[blackbeauty33]

i've been on clonazepam for 2 1/2 month i'm currently on 2/2mg at night and 2/2mg in the morning plus serequel, i'm still having problems with excessive worrying/thoughts, panic attacks and agitation and mood swings. i've told my doctor this but he insist on keeping me on it. why? whats a better med for panic attacks. because clonazepam only help with my mood swings and agitation.

[birdinia]

I take 100mg of zoloft and .50mg of clonazepam for my panic attacks.  When I first started having them, all my doctor prescribed was clonazepam.  But I went back to him a couple of months later because that wasn't working by itself.  He started me on 25mg of zoloft (sertraline) and I've worked up to 100mg.  That seems to have done the trick.  You should ask your doctor about trying zoloft w/ clonazepam.

[blackbeauty33]

i did he put me on celexa and i balled my eyes out. i starting to give up hope (not like that) but i'm schedule to see another psych tomorrow. so maybe he'll have better insight. clonazepam helps with your panic attacks. i wish!! oh how i wish

[RCA759I]

Am I reading your post correctly in that you are taking (two) 2 milligram Klonopin tablets twice daily, or in other words, 8 milligrams/day? If so, this is a MASSIVE dosage. If the 8 milligram assumption is correct, it is no wonder why you feel the way you do. Klonopin, in higher dosages (greater than 2-4 milligrams) is associated with paradoxical effects (those opposite to what the drug is intended to treat). Add Seroquel to the mix and you've a recipe for disaster.

Definitely consider seeking a second opinion. If you've not tried Tofranil (Imipramine) before, inquire about replacing the Seroquel with it. Starting dosage is 25 milligrams, titrated up to 75 milligrams over a span of three weeks. Of all of the medications studied for panic disorder, Klonopin and Tofranil have the best track record in terms of efficacy. Tofranil is a Tricyclic antidepressant - invented more than half a century ago. It remains one of the finest options today. If you elect to try it, be sure to give it a full 4-6 weeks. Also discuss gradually reducing the Klonopin dosage down to 1.5 - 2.0 milligrams. Anything in excess of this has not proven to be of any additional benefit, but the risk of adverse effects and development of tolerance increases greatly.

Ryan

[blackbeauty33]

thanks, hopefully this new doc knows more than the resident i see now, he's(the new doc) is my daughter doc and we got along really well and he notice some things right away with me and offer to be my doc, so hopeful this old timer can help me. i told the new doc that i wasn't getting any relief and he want me to call him today and up my seroquel to i believe he said 400mg i'm a college student that's not going to work. also i haven't been diagnois yet; seriously i've asked about 6 times maybe bipolar II, some form of depression still yet to determine, but no to the panic attacks because they happen in control situation like gathering, math class, going over brigdes. and get this it can't be panic because i'm not scared to leave my home. if i had the choice to stay home believe me i would its embarrassing!! also is Imipramine related to amitriptaline i didn't do good on that either. for some reason i don't respond well to antidepressant they drive me nut and make me very weird and crish if thats a word. I REALLY appreciate all you guys feed back i'm so confused right now i'm becoming more violent and agitated, anxious, panicky. i just want this all to stop so i continue on with normal life what ever that use to be i want it back. any feed back is sooo needed

[blackbeauty33]

sorry i forgot to mention i'm on seroquel becasue i have severe insomnia i can stay up for 3 days, we tried 10-20 mg of ambien what a joke.

[RCA759I]

If you did poorly on Amitriptyline, Imipramine wouldn't be a good option. They are essentially the same drug. So, scrap that idea.

Those with panic disorder aren't necessarily agoraphobic. I myself have panic disorder, and I am not afraid to leave the house, nor am I afraid to be in public. In fact, the majority of my panic attacks occur for no obvious reason, be it at home or in public. Like you, I do have some specific phobias - driving being one of them, particularly over bridges or through tunnels. Specific phobias provoke panic, for precisely the reason you've stated - we fear loss of control in certain situations that require it. The best way to overcome this perceived loss of control is to confront it head-on. It may not be comfortable at first, but via repeated exposure, we can desensitize ourselves to what we fear the most. Consider seeing a psychologist who specializes in CBT and exposure therapy. This is far better than drowning out your feelings with Klonopin or other drugs. Then again, they aren't working! Klonopin never did much for me, either.

You do appear to have a component of mania, as you've mentioned the agitation and violence. Still, I wouldn't be so quick as to label someone as bipolar. It is entirely possible that the medications you are on are inducing or worsening your symptoms. Klonopin alone could cause those symptoms. Should you still find the symptoms to be intolerable, consider a mood stabilizer. Depakote is very good. Also, Lamictal for both mania and depression.

Lastly, the situations you describe above require concentration. Your mention of math class is of particular interest, as it implies concentration, rather than control. In this case, what may appear as panic or mania may in fact be ADHD, which can also masquerade with your symptoms. Lack of focus leads to frustration. This is often overlooked and misdiagnosed as bipolar. May be worth mentioning to your second opinion.

Good luck to you.

Ryan