Lexapro dose of 40 mg and 2 mg of Klonopin Wafers

[Olivia_1214]

Lexapro
I am on 40 mg of Lexapro and 2mg of Klonopin as of last year this time when I went thru Divorce with my second husband. Prior to that I was on 20 mg with Klonopin 2mg until it worked not well and felt worse.
My anxiety depression worsens I noticed in fall due to SAD syndrome. The anxiety of under control this way but my doctor often takes time to refill the Klonopin therefore to not run out of Klonopin I skip it and take it every second day or third day.
By the time third day comes without Klonopin wafer even though I take 40 mg of Lexapro my depression worsens and my anxiety worsens and roaming of thought about what is the point becomes prevalent, which is relieved if I take Klonopin 2 mg at least every second day. Therefore additional anxiety that she believes that Lexapro 40 mg should take care of anxiety and stop the need for Klonopin is present and brings us additional unneeded worry. Well weight is unavoidable for most since night eating for emotional comfort is what these meds often make you crave. Or they relax you enough to stop exercising.
Question is if skipping daily dose of Klonopin Wafer 2mg and taking it every second or third day is the way to continue since withdrawal by the third day brings on severe sense of hopelessness and rumination of negative self talk and settles once i take the Klonopin Wafer?

[Paxiled]

Nursegirl, I'm not sure going up on Lexapro wouldn't hurt more than help -- the poster is already at twice the highest recommended dose.  I guess it might, but it might also make things worse -- it did for me when I went up too high and others on here have reported that as well.  I think I see it differently -- medication will only cover up the grief of the divorce and it therefore has never had a chance to run its course because your doctor put you on drugs rather than send you to therapy to work out the grief.  As I often say, when depression and anxiety come from a specific event it's actually treatable through therapy much more so than when it's just random, and when you suppress it things never resolve.  I wonder therefore if drug therapy was the best choice here, as divorce bothers everyone and no drug cures being sad from sad things happening.  I know that temporary relief is often necessary but it's been a long time now and it sounds like you're ready to move on but the drugs may be what's holding you back so you're trying to tone them down but doing so the way you're doing it just causes the problem to move on from sadness to medication withdrawal.  

[nursegirl6572]

Why would you run out of the Klonopin?  If you take it as prescribed, you should have no problems.

Taking it erratically is most likely causing the issues you're having.  Quite frankly, IMO, it would be better to not be on the Klonopin at all versus taking it like you are.  Klonopin is a LONG acting benzo that builds in the blood plasma to create a more steady state of calm.  It's the act of taking it regularly (usually twice daily) that makes it effective as an anxiolytic.

Have you tried increasing your dose of Lexapro?  I would recommend talking to your doctor about that for starters.  Also, are you in any kind of therapy?  If not, that's a good idea as well.

If you plan on continuing to take the Klonopin, then you need to take it as prescribed to avoid this roller coaster effect.  It's causing you more grief than it is helping.

Keep us posted!