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Frisium (Clobazam) tablets for anxiety
Hi all,
My doctor suggested that I could give Frizium tablets a go for my anxiety. I haven't heard much of this medicine except that it is stronger than valium but less sedating than Valium or Klonopin. It is also used for epilepsy. I am willing to give this medicine a try but rather scared as I read somewhere that common side effects can be double vision, dizziness and dysarthria. Anyone here who is good with medication or have tried this medicine could they perhaps explain what the most likely benefit or side effect they have had on this medication.
Thank you
My doctor suggested that I could give Frizium tablets a go for my anxiety. I haven't heard much of this medicine except that it is stronger than valium but less sedating than Valium or Klonopin. It is also used for epilepsy. I am willing to give this medicine a try but rather scared as I read somewhere that common side effects can be double vision, dizziness and dysarthria. Anyone here who is good with medication or have tried this medicine could they perhaps explain what the most likely benefit or side effect they have had on this medication.
Thank you
I have been taking 1 halcion .25 for as long as I can remember years.
Now 1 is not enough so I take 2 now .25 mg each which would now be 50 mg.
I am not getting any sleep from them. I have added a 5mg valium to the mix then 2 more valium. Still no sleep.
I now added Frisium or clobazam 10 mg each. No sleep. Then I added 2 more Frizium 10 mg. Now non of this has put me to sleep.
you would expect all of that benzo would kill me. The lack of sleep will do it not the meds.
In US you can not get more than .25 halcion for a month as the FDA claims that is it. I need something stronger or a place o get more Halcion. If I can't find a sleeping pill that will now work on me.
I will end up like Micheal Jackson
Now 1 is not enough so I take 2 now .25 mg each which would now be 50 mg.
I am not getting any sleep from them. I have added a 5mg valium to the mix then 2 more valium. Still no sleep.
I now added Frisium or clobazam 10 mg each. No sleep. Then I added 2 more Frizium 10 mg. Now non of this has put me to sleep.
you would expect all of that benzo would kill me. The lack of sleep will do it not the meds.
In US you can not get more than .25 halcion for a month as the FDA claims that is it. I need something stronger or a place o get more Halcion. If I can't find a sleeping pill that will now work on me.
I will end up like Micheal Jackson
Hi,
I have been on clobazam for 5 years and am attempting to get off it. I was originally prescribed for seizures, although I was also being treated for generalized anxiety/depression.
I would suggest a look at the sites ***********.org as well as benzo.org.uk
This medication is meant for short term treatment. It is highly addictive and tolerance is reached quickly, meaning side effects from tolerance withdrawal can set in.
I would suggest finding a competent acupuncturist to both greenlydia and sumihari. This has made a world of difference to me and the physical effects of my mental states.
I am thankful for the effects this medication did have, it improved my sleep, reduced anxiety (although not for long and not entirely) as for seizures I don't know if it worked. I had a seizure just last week and have been suffering from headaches, tingling/numb sensation in my head. This could all be as a result from withdrawal from clobazam.
Best wishes to you.
I have been on clobazam for 5 years and am attempting to get off it. I was originally prescribed for seizures, although I was also being treated for generalized anxiety/depression.
I would suggest a look at the sites ***********.org as well as benzo.org.uk
This medication is meant for short term treatment. It is highly addictive and tolerance is reached quickly, meaning side effects from tolerance withdrawal can set in.
I would suggest finding a competent acupuncturist to both greenlydia and sumihari. This has made a world of difference to me and the physical effects of my mental states.
I am thankful for the effects this medication did have, it improved my sleep, reduced anxiety (although not for long and not entirely) as for seizures I don't know if it worked. I had a seizure just last week and have been suffering from headaches, tingling/numb sensation in my head. This could all be as a result from withdrawal from clobazam.
Best wishes to you.
I'm glad you dicussed all this with your doc and that you feel comfortable taking this med. That is the only thing, in the long run, that matters.
Please let us know how it works for you! If it ever gets approved here in the States, you can be the first to tell us all about it! Keep notes! :)
Peace
Greenlydia (Roo lover!)
Please let us know how it works for you! If it ever gets approved here in the States, you can be the first to tell us all about it! Keep notes! :)
Peace
Greenlydia (Roo lover!)
Hi greenlydia,
Thought I might keep you posted on this. Seen my doctor regarding Frisium and concerns that it is a medication for seizures/epilepsy. He explained that all the benzodiazepines are used for seizures/epilepsy as well as for anxiety disorders. I did look up the internet, I think it was John Hopkins Epilepsy Center and it had listed many common benzodiazepines such as Klonopin, Valium, Ativan as epilepsy medication .As to the side effects of Frisium , he explained that the side effects are not unique to Frisium and occur with any class of benzodiazepine if taken long tern and in high doses. I am comfortable now and will give this medication a go when needed.
This tells me one thing, though the internet can provide with some useful information, it is important to discuss with one's doctor such information to remove any unnecessary concerns. Here I was so concerned that Frisium is a seizure medication when now I realise all the other benzos do the same thing.
Thanks and bye for now
Thought I might keep you posted on this. Seen my doctor regarding Frisium and concerns that it is a medication for seizures/epilepsy. He explained that all the benzodiazepines are used for seizures/epilepsy as well as for anxiety disorders. I did look up the internet, I think it was John Hopkins Epilepsy Center and it had listed many common benzodiazepines such as Klonopin, Valium, Ativan as epilepsy medication .As to the side effects of Frisium , he explained that the side effects are not unique to Frisium and occur with any class of benzodiazepine if taken long tern and in high doses. I am comfortable now and will give this medication a go when needed.
This tells me one thing, though the internet can provide with some useful information, it is important to discuss with one's doctor such information to remove any unnecessary concerns. Here I was so concerned that Frisium is a seizure medication when now I realise all the other benzos do the same thing.
Thanks and bye for now
Hi Greenlydia,
"I am slightly confused, which is pretty dang normal for me, (lol) about which condition you are being treated for. Is it depression or anxiety? Or both? '
Well , at the moment I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder particularly health anxiety and am obsessed about my blood pressure and scared of dying from a cardiovascular event. I do have the occassional depressed mood. The times I took Xanax was actually a couple of years back when I was not sleeping well and depressed as a result. But Xanax really gave me sort of the highs and lows even after few days use only. It did not agree with me.
I tried Remeron as it was supposed to help with sleep. At that stage due to chronic insomnia, if lucky I would sleep 1 or 2 hours per night, I was extremely depressed. I was skeptical of Remeron but I tried it and it lifted me out of my depression within 3 days, sleep was slightly improved , my mood and appetite improved but I felt very groggy and couldn't think clearly. The sleep pattern did not restore so I gave up Remeron and got hold of a Sleep Better Without Drugs Kit by an Australian psychologist. Within a week my sleep pattern was restored so much so I told my therapist that I was too sleepy to listen to the sleep tape.
Anyway now the problem I have is that I have severe muscle tension, like this constant pressure in my neck, jaw and shoulders that I can't move freely. My muscles have packed up since I suffered from vertigo for several months and now I still have this fear of falling so my muscles tighten automatically. Unfortunately, the muscle tension, makes it hard for me to feel relaxed and so I feel something is wrong, anxious and when the muscles get very tight, I got more anxious and then the blood pressure obsession kicks in and it makes me sad as even a blood pressure medication which was supposed to block adrenaline was not that effective. This is why my GP suggested an anti-anxiety or SSRI's or Remeron.
Here in Australia, the practice is not to prescribe anti-anxiety pills like Valium and Xanax long term, it is used as a really needed short term use. But for treatment of anxiety or depression they give you the SSRI's or Remeron and at times a short course of the anti-anxiety medications until the other drugs kick in.
You mention Klonopin, I mentioned it to my GP a few times, he doesn't like it and I don't think it is commonly prescribed here, Valium and Xanax are probably more common. Xanax is rather difficult to get hold of.
So my real problem is my fear of dying from a cardiovascular event, don't ask me why I don't fear other diseases . Maybe because I am a control freak I don't like the suddeness a heart attack or stroke could happens. And unfortunately because whenever I sense excessive muscle tension , difficulty moving about , shortness of breath, I think my pressure is up and am scared and the checking gives me momentary reassurance only if the readings are not so high. If high, well it just gives me negative feedback and fuels the panic.
So I really feel so sad , I have reduced the checking a bit but some days it is so difficult and especially when I get a high reading. So this is what my GP is trying to help me with. All the medical experts I have consulted say, yes, I may have to go on blood pressure pills but the underlying cause ie worrying and the obsession and fear of blood pressure needs to be addressed for effective treatments. I am going to see a new therapist to help me with the second part but I have to be careful as therapists are so expensive .
So any tips on how to overcome this fear , greatly appreciated. I do distract myself with other activities which helps. I'd like to start part-time work again but I'm not fit enough. The last interview I went, I was so tense and felt my muscles tense up and could not breathe well,and knew my pressure was up and I thought what if I stroke out.
So finally, I am battling on and struggling here, I have a supportive family and medical team but I really feel a burden because before all this happened I used to have a great job and life and then everything comes tumbling down.
Bye for now and thanks for reading my long whinge.
"I am slightly confused, which is pretty dang normal for me, (lol) about which condition you are being treated for. Is it depression or anxiety? Or both? '
Well , at the moment I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder particularly health anxiety and am obsessed about my blood pressure and scared of dying from a cardiovascular event. I do have the occassional depressed mood. The times I took Xanax was actually a couple of years back when I was not sleeping well and depressed as a result. But Xanax really gave me sort of the highs and lows even after few days use only. It did not agree with me.
I tried Remeron as it was supposed to help with sleep. At that stage due to chronic insomnia, if lucky I would sleep 1 or 2 hours per night, I was extremely depressed. I was skeptical of Remeron but I tried it and it lifted me out of my depression within 3 days, sleep was slightly improved , my mood and appetite improved but I felt very groggy and couldn't think clearly. The sleep pattern did not restore so I gave up Remeron and got hold of a Sleep Better Without Drugs Kit by an Australian psychologist. Within a week my sleep pattern was restored so much so I told my therapist that I was too sleepy to listen to the sleep tape.
Anyway now the problem I have is that I have severe muscle tension, like this constant pressure in my neck, jaw and shoulders that I can't move freely. My muscles have packed up since I suffered from vertigo for several months and now I still have this fear of falling so my muscles tighten automatically. Unfortunately, the muscle tension, makes it hard for me to feel relaxed and so I feel something is wrong, anxious and when the muscles get very tight, I got more anxious and then the blood pressure obsession kicks in and it makes me sad as even a blood pressure medication which was supposed to block adrenaline was not that effective. This is why my GP suggested an anti-anxiety or SSRI's or Remeron.
Here in Australia, the practice is not to prescribe anti-anxiety pills like Valium and Xanax long term, it is used as a really needed short term use. But for treatment of anxiety or depression they give you the SSRI's or Remeron and at times a short course of the anti-anxiety medications until the other drugs kick in.
You mention Klonopin, I mentioned it to my GP a few times, he doesn't like it and I don't think it is commonly prescribed here, Valium and Xanax are probably more common. Xanax is rather difficult to get hold of.
So my real problem is my fear of dying from a cardiovascular event, don't ask me why I don't fear other diseases . Maybe because I am a control freak I don't like the suddeness a heart attack or stroke could happens. And unfortunately because whenever I sense excessive muscle tension , difficulty moving about , shortness of breath, I think my pressure is up and am scared and the checking gives me momentary reassurance only if the readings are not so high. If high, well it just gives me negative feedback and fuels the panic.
So I really feel so sad , I have reduced the checking a bit but some days it is so difficult and especially when I get a high reading. So this is what my GP is trying to help me with. All the medical experts I have consulted say, yes, I may have to go on blood pressure pills but the underlying cause ie worrying and the obsession and fear of blood pressure needs to be addressed for effective treatments. I am going to see a new therapist to help me with the second part but I have to be careful as therapists are so expensive .
So any tips on how to overcome this fear , greatly appreciated. I do distract myself with other activities which helps. I'd like to start part-time work again but I'm not fit enough. The last interview I went, I was so tense and felt my muscles tense up and could not breathe well,and knew my pressure was up and I thought what if I stroke out.
So finally, I am battling on and struggling here, I have a supportive family and medical team but I really feel a burden because before all this happened I used to have a great job and life and then everything comes tumbling down.
Bye for now and thanks for reading my long whinge.
Meant to respond to your concerns regarding the "sedating" effects of Klonopin and Valium. That effect WILL go away as your body adjusts to the meds. Most of these types of meds have some initial down-side until you adjust. Valium is also good for the long term and is fairly easy to w/d from when the time comes. Xanax is probably the worst, although many others vie for that particular top spot.
-L
-L
Hi Toots,
What you said about "learning something together" is one of the greatest benifits of forums like these.
I am slightly confused, which is pretty dang normal for me, (lol) about which condition you are being treated for. Is it depression or anxiety? Or both?
Remeron is prescribed for depression, Xanax for anxiety/panic.
I'm not a pharmacist (but I play one on TV) so I am in no position to recommend one med over another. If you read the posts on here, you will hear good things and bad things about every single med used to treat depression and anxiety. Everyone is so different in how they react to meds, it really is a **** shoot which only you and your doctor can play. I have never tried it, but I hear much good about Klonopin, and unlike Xanax and some of the other benzos, it is taylor made for long term use. Perhaps you could discuss this med with your doc. Again, I'm not "endorsing" it, just passing on what I've read about it here.
What I did read on the net about Frisium would stop ME from taking it, but since everything I found out about it related to its use for seizures, which I don't have, I wouldn't even consider it. And since it's not even available here, guess I wouldn't have to worry about making the choice!
Since you do have concerns about this med, I would certainly talk with my doc about an alternative. I think if you are given a med that you are not comfortable with from the start, you're just setting yourself up for problems.
If anxiety or depression is your issue, there are just so many choices out there. A more in depth discussion with your doc is called for. In my humble opinion, at any rate.
Good luck and please keep us posted. We are always here if you need us!
Peace
Greenlydia
What you said about "learning something together" is one of the greatest benifits of forums like these.
I am slightly confused, which is pretty dang normal for me, (lol) about which condition you are being treated for. Is it depression or anxiety? Or both?
Remeron is prescribed for depression, Xanax for anxiety/panic.
I'm not a pharmacist (but I play one on TV) so I am in no position to recommend one med over another. If you read the posts on here, you will hear good things and bad things about every single med used to treat depression and anxiety. Everyone is so different in how they react to meds, it really is a **** shoot which only you and your doctor can play. I have never tried it, but I hear much good about Klonopin, and unlike Xanax and some of the other benzos, it is taylor made for long term use. Perhaps you could discuss this med with your doc. Again, I'm not "endorsing" it, just passing on what I've read about it here.
What I did read on the net about Frisium would stop ME from taking it, but since everything I found out about it related to its use for seizures, which I don't have, I wouldn't even consider it. And since it's not even available here, guess I wouldn't have to worry about making the choice!
Since you do have concerns about this med, I would certainly talk with my doc about an alternative. I think if you are given a med that you are not comfortable with from the start, you're just setting yourself up for problems.
If anxiety or depression is your issue, there are just so many choices out there. A more in depth discussion with your doc is called for. In my humble opinion, at any rate.
Good luck and please keep us posted. We are always here if you need us!
Peace
Greenlydia
Hi again,
I forgot to add in the earlier post the reason my doctor suggested this was because I am sensitive to all the SSRI's except for Remeron which isn't a SSRI. But with Remeron, I just cannot stop eating and thinking about food. I don't like any of the older tricyclic antidepressants. Xanax got me really in bad shape . Only the occasional Valium helps like when I really really need to calm down. So I remember now that he gave me the choice to try out Frisium for a few days or as needed basis to see whether it could give me the calmness to be able to practice more effectively all the other behavioural techniques and exercise more. I think my doctor is on the right track and I trust he is looking out for the best interest for me. But I still don't like the side effect profile of Frisium.
Bye for now.
I forgot to add in the earlier post the reason my doctor suggested this was because I am sensitive to all the SSRI's except for Remeron which isn't a SSRI. But with Remeron, I just cannot stop eating and thinking about food. I don't like any of the older tricyclic antidepressants. Xanax got me really in bad shape . Only the occasional Valium helps like when I really really need to calm down. So I remember now that he gave me the choice to try out Frisium for a few days or as needed basis to see whether it could give me the calmness to be able to practice more effectively all the other behavioural techniques and exercise more. I think my doctor is on the right track and I trust he is looking out for the best interest for me. But I still don't like the side effect profile of Frisium.
Bye for now.
Hi Greenlydia,
Thanks for doing the search on the internet. Yes, I reside in Australia and the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) which came with Frisium says that it is used to treat anxiety and sleep disturbances associated with anxiety and that it is just for short term use , as needed. In fact the (CMI) leaflet asks the patient to consult the doctor if one suffers from epilepsy. And yet like yourself from what I have been reading on the internet, I note that Frisium is frequently used for epilepsy. I suspect the medication must have been originally prescribed for anxiety. The authorities over here are quite strict in which medications they allow in and for what conditions so the CMI must be reliable. I shall have another chat with my doctor about the side effects.
Once again thank you for researching on the matter.At least we have learnt something new together!!
Thanks for doing the search on the internet. Yes, I reside in Australia and the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) which came with Frisium says that it is used to treat anxiety and sleep disturbances associated with anxiety and that it is just for short term use , as needed. In fact the (CMI) leaflet asks the patient to consult the doctor if one suffers from epilepsy. And yet like yourself from what I have been reading on the internet, I note that Frisium is frequently used for epilepsy. I suspect the medication must have been originally prescribed for anxiety. The authorities over here are quite strict in which medications they allow in and for what conditions so the CMI must be reliable. I shall have another chat with my doctor about the side effects.
Once again thank you for researching on the matter.At least we have learnt something new together!!
Clobazam, which is the generic form of Frisium, is in a class of drugs known as benzodiazepams, but it has a subtle chemical difference from the other benzos. This medication is used to treat seizures, NOT anxiety. You must be in another country as Clobazam is NOT available in the United States. In April of 2004, Ovation Parmaceuticals announced it had arranged to buy the North American rights to Clobazam and plans to try and get FDA approval for sale in the US. This process could take 3-5 years.
I would respectfully consult with my doctor about why this medication had been prescribed for me if my problem was anxiety and not a seizure disorder. There are, I believe, better choices.
I'm sorry I can't give you any more detailed information about this drug. None of my pharmacology books even have it listed and what little information I obtained was off the net, which I tend to take with a grain of salt, as should everyone.
Speak with your doctor or a pharmacist for more detailed and accurate information on this drug.
Peace
Greenlydia
I would respectfully consult with my doctor about why this medication had been prescribed for me if my problem was anxiety and not a seizure disorder. There are, I believe, better choices.
I'm sorry I can't give you any more detailed information about this drug. None of my pharmacology books even have it listed and what little information I obtained was off the net, which I tend to take with a grain of salt, as should everyone.
Speak with your doctor or a pharmacist for more detailed and accurate information on this drug.
Peace
Greenlydia
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