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Xanax or Klonopan? Need your advice
I suffer from generalized anxiety. Just seem to be stressed and tense most of the time. No panic or anything, just tense muscles in shoulders, neck and jaw. My doctor gave me a xanax prescription and it helps. I take one at night before bed and one in the morning if I feel I need it. At my last visit to my doctor, he prescribed Klonopan instead of the xanax. He said he thought it would get me thru the night better. I've had weird symptoms of not being able to open my eyes for five or so seconds when I get up to pee in the middle of the night. Like my eyes are clamped shut. This may be stress related but not sure. Anyway, does anyone have any advice on moving to Klonopan from the xanax. The pros and cons of each? I'd like to get onto a regimin and take a low dose every day to see if it helps me de-stress and actually enjoy my life. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
Obviously, "littlenaillady" isn't your real name. Just my opinion, but the posts above seem genuine. Also, if it was someone else, how did you log into the account?
You may want to contact MH with your concerns:
http://www.medhelp.org/contactus.htm
You may want to contact MH with your concerns:
http://www.medhelp.org/contactus.htm
SPAM.... Someone has taken my name of "littlenaillady" and has written a completely false story of my life. I dispise the internet and how anyone can claim to be someone without proof. ALL of these posts under "littlenaillady" is false. I am glad to come across this material years later. I have a knowledge of who did this. Stop.
Ryan..noticed you are away but wanted to leave with you a bit more info..
I was diagnosed at 19 with IC..interstitial cystitis and wonder if I have dealt with most of my life IBS. I also experience tension headaches almost daily, teeth grinding at night and often feel unrefreshed in the morning from a full night sleep...along with mid back pain since the age of 15. I just came to the knowledge that alot of these are interlinked with one another and also came to the awareness that children can experience IC that comes and goes.
Dr.s and studies show that this can be a nerve relation.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
I'd like to stay with natural remedies if possible..
I was diagnosed at 19 with IC..interstitial cystitis and wonder if I have dealt with most of my life IBS. I also experience tension headaches almost daily, teeth grinding at night and often feel unrefreshed in the morning from a full night sleep...along with mid back pain since the age of 15. I just came to the knowledge that alot of these are interlinked with one another and also came to the awareness that children can experience IC that comes and goes.
Dr.s and studies show that this can be a nerve relation.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
I'd like to stay with natural remedies if possible..
The name of the herb that I will start taking is Ashwagandha and I am going to try 800 to 1000mg daily.
Do you know much about this?
I need something to help me cope as I pursue more therapy..
Do you know much about this?
I need something to help me cope as I pursue more therapy..
My pain as a young child was so great that I often contemplated suicide. So much that when I was 12 years old I went into the kitchen at night with a bottle of pills and a knife to my stomach ready to kill myself... Asking myself "What is wrong with me"..
I also as a young child until 20 years old wrote everything I had to do and if done out of order I felt like something bad would happen in my day.
Now I no longer do this or feel this way...
Thank you Ryan.. I know it is complicated..ughhhh
I also as a young child until 20 years old wrote everything I had to do and if done out of order I felt like something bad would happen in my day.
Now I no longer do this or feel this way...
Thank you Ryan.. I know it is complicated..ughhhh
You said
Are you able to shed any insight into WHY you chose the bathroom as your "comfort zone" from an early age? Do you go there to "catch your breath", so to speak? To get away from it all? When you get anxious, do you feel the urge to urinate frequently? Is this why there must always be a bathroom present?
Separation anxiety occurred when I was 5 years old leaving a twin brother I was extremely close to by going into my big girl bedroom. Shortly, after I feared going to bed and mentally I felt I needed to urinate frequently. I was not physically ill and would often pray that I could just hold my urine for a minute before going again. I had a hard time falling to sleep because of this need to go. I felt awful about myself and it did lead up into the daytime as well. I never really needed to urinate much when I went but it was all in my head and I felt pressure physically. I was made fun of and called hypochondriac. Nightly my brother would put me to sleep in the middle of the night out of my own fear and his nightly bed tucks stopped suddenly around 4th grade time which lead to nervous stomach. I would yell at night to him "You don't love me... please..I'm scared." I would have pain and direhea often which interfered with slumber parties or even friends moms picking me up to go to a movie. The "waiting" created so much anxiety and I often could not go. I was teased often for going frequently, number 2, and always had pain in the stomach. I feared going to school and waiting for the bus stop as well due to my nervous stomach. Often now as a grown adult it is a 50/50 deal where I need to go now or I can find myself getting through the car ride and never had to go. My problem more is not the frequent urination but the need to go number 2 and gas pains. This DOES interfere with my life greatly and with many relationships! I cannot do many things with my child and husband. I cannot go for hikes or long walks with my friends because of this condition. I cannot sing at my church which I greatly desire to do. I cannot car pool with others for events and such. I am saddened due to the loss of opportunities.
I do know that anxiety, fear, alcoholism and OCD run in my immediate family.
I often drive myself alone to not be an inconvenience to others if I need to stop. If others are with me I often cannot finish what I need to "do" in the bathroom due to pressure and being an inconvenience which leads to panic. But then panic more as soon as I leave the restroom because I have pain to go.
I often put myself at the end of isles of tables and always ask if there are restrooms available. When I see there is only one restroom available with a long line or knowing people are waiting while I am in the restroom I panic. My stomachs gets painful with gas, my throat tightens up, heartbeat rises, I get flushed and often cannot focus on other peoples conversations. I often cry and feel like I am going crazy. I am shameful, embarrassed and fear judgement and rejection. I would cope and tell myself that there is a another store right next store and if a terrible emergency arose I could quickly go there.
I do know when I am around people that I feel are "unsafe" which is almost everyone besides a few dear friends and husband my anxiety increases. I have a need for unconditional love and acceptance and fear not meeting needs and thus getting rejected. I have been rejected by the most dear people to me as a young child and the bathroom all revolves around this pain.
I have worked on this issue for years and have not yet been able to move through this but I am not giving up. This started when I was 5 and I am now 30 years old. I have never been to a Dr to get diagnosed but was thinking about doing so in the next week.
I have just bought a natural pill called Tension Release to take daily which is used in India as a prescription for anti anxiety and thought I could still take my .5 mg Klonopin as needed for big events.
I am seeking out another counselor that aids with anxiety and prayerfully she can offer some CBT and actual clinical settings.
I cannot vision anything being a substitute for my need of the bathroom besides a diaper..which I will not go there.
I feel my daily life is exposure to my problem and it does not get better. I have forced myself to go on stage and it is literally torture for the whole week ahead and I am so relieved when it is over. I often panic on stage and cry or feel awful when over.
I hope I made sense...
Thank you for your insight.. and more to come if you understand more of my history.
Are you able to shed any insight into WHY you chose the bathroom as your "comfort zone" from an early age? Do you go there to "catch your breath", so to speak? To get away from it all? When you get anxious, do you feel the urge to urinate frequently? Is this why there must always be a bathroom present?
Separation anxiety occurred when I was 5 years old leaving a twin brother I was extremely close to by going into my big girl bedroom. Shortly, after I feared going to bed and mentally I felt I needed to urinate frequently. I was not physically ill and would often pray that I could just hold my urine for a minute before going again. I had a hard time falling to sleep because of this need to go. I felt awful about myself and it did lead up into the daytime as well. I never really needed to urinate much when I went but it was all in my head and I felt pressure physically. I was made fun of and called hypochondriac. Nightly my brother would put me to sleep in the middle of the night out of my own fear and his nightly bed tucks stopped suddenly around 4th grade time which lead to nervous stomach. I would yell at night to him "You don't love me... please..I'm scared." I would have pain and direhea often which interfered with slumber parties or even friends moms picking me up to go to a movie. The "waiting" created so much anxiety and I often could not go. I was teased often for going frequently, number 2, and always had pain in the stomach. I feared going to school and waiting for the bus stop as well due to my nervous stomach. Often now as a grown adult it is a 50/50 deal where I need to go now or I can find myself getting through the car ride and never had to go. My problem more is not the frequent urination but the need to go number 2 and gas pains. This DOES interfere with my life greatly and with many relationships! I cannot do many things with my child and husband. I cannot go for hikes or long walks with my friends because of this condition. I cannot sing at my church which I greatly desire to do. I cannot car pool with others for events and such. I am saddened due to the loss of opportunities.
I do know that anxiety, fear, alcoholism and OCD run in my immediate family.
I often drive myself alone to not be an inconvenience to others if I need to stop. If others are with me I often cannot finish what I need to "do" in the bathroom due to pressure and being an inconvenience which leads to panic. But then panic more as soon as I leave the restroom because I have pain to go.
I often put myself at the end of isles of tables and always ask if there are restrooms available. When I see there is only one restroom available with a long line or knowing people are waiting while I am in the restroom I panic. My stomachs gets painful with gas, my throat tightens up, heartbeat rises, I get flushed and often cannot focus on other peoples conversations. I often cry and feel like I am going crazy. I am shameful, embarrassed and fear judgement and rejection. I would cope and tell myself that there is a another store right next store and if a terrible emergency arose I could quickly go there.
I do know when I am around people that I feel are "unsafe" which is almost everyone besides a few dear friends and husband my anxiety increases. I have a need for unconditional love and acceptance and fear not meeting needs and thus getting rejected. I have been rejected by the most dear people to me as a young child and the bathroom all revolves around this pain.
I have worked on this issue for years and have not yet been able to move through this but I am not giving up. This started when I was 5 and I am now 30 years old. I have never been to a Dr to get diagnosed but was thinking about doing so in the next week.
I have just bought a natural pill called Tension Release to take daily which is used in India as a prescription for anti anxiety and thought I could still take my .5 mg Klonopin as needed for big events.
I am seeking out another counselor that aids with anxiety and prayerfully she can offer some CBT and actual clinical settings.
I cannot vision anything being a substitute for my need of the bathroom besides a diaper..which I will not go there.
I feel my daily life is exposure to my problem and it does not get better. I have forced myself to go on stage and it is literally torture for the whole week ahead and I am so relieved when it is over. I often panic on stage and cry or feel awful when over.
I hope I made sense...
Thank you for your insight.. and more to come if you understand more of my history.
Try to stick with Klonopin if you tolerate it well. The eye problem might be one time side effects or anxiety. If it happens again talk to you doc. Xanax worked very well for me however it is very adictive.
I have read that effexor can work great for anxiety..
I like to take only one if able... is effexor or knoloplin more mild and effective?
And the question behind the beta blocker is that I desire to sing for my church and cannot due to physical symptoms. Can I take one as needed to help me get on the platform?
Also... are you aware of any natural remedy for SAD which is triggered only by "no availability to restroom"? I am ashamed, embarrassed and afraid of rejection and judgment. I cannot get out of this vicious cycle right now and it is increasing.
Thank you
I like to take only one if able... is effexor or knoloplin more mild and effective?
And the question behind the beta blocker is that I desire to sing for my church and cannot due to physical symptoms. Can I take one as needed to help me get on the platform?
Also... are you aware of any natural remedy for SAD which is triggered only by "no availability to restroom"? I am ashamed, embarrassed and afraid of rejection and judgment. I cannot get out of this vicious cycle right now and it is increasing.
Thank you
Hello Ryan
I have suffered from "anxiety" as a young child which led to SAD only when a bathroom is not available right away. I believe my past experiences in early childhood has created the trigger and onset of the bathroom being needed or available at all times. If a restroom is not available I feel unsafe and this will lead to a panic attack.. ( going insane feeling). This has been interfering with daily life..traveling with friends, etc.
I really do not want medication due to side effects and dependency ( for I was addicted 10 years ago to drugs, marijuana, for years.
I do not any longer , Praise God, with drugs but am leary to have that introduced. I am however desperate and need something to help me cope as I continue my Christian counseling. I really am hesitant to be put on an antidepressant as well due to me not struggling with depression.
I have read up on the knoloplin and beta blockers..
I am wondering if this is the way to go?
As long as I do not become a slave to them..
Am I able to take the beta blockers as needed?
Thank you so much.. I've seen you have given great advice.
I have suffered from "anxiety" as a young child which led to SAD only when a bathroom is not available right away. I believe my past experiences in early childhood has created the trigger and onset of the bathroom being needed or available at all times. If a restroom is not available I feel unsafe and this will lead to a panic attack.. ( going insane feeling). This has been interfering with daily life..traveling with friends, etc.
I really do not want medication due to side effects and dependency ( for I was addicted 10 years ago to drugs, marijuana, for years.
I do not any longer , Praise God, with drugs but am leary to have that introduced. I am however desperate and need something to help me cope as I continue my Christian counseling. I really am hesitant to be put on an antidepressant as well due to me not struggling with depression.
I have read up on the knoloplin and beta blockers..
I am wondering if this is the way to go?
As long as I do not become a slave to them..
Am I able to take the beta blockers as needed?
Thank you so much.. I've seen you have given great advice.
Also, Ryan, when you say .5 mg BID of Klonopan does that mean .5 in the morning and .5 at night?
Thanks, Ryan. I've been doing some online searching and worry about long term use of Klonopan. Is this something I can take long term? Is it as addictive as Xanax? My doctor recommened against going on an anti-depressant because he said you never know the long term implications of drugs and it could be bad for you. But here I am jumping right into Klonopan which I assume I will be taking long term. I guess I'm asking if I have GAD, it is better to be taking the Klonopan or some anti-depressant with anti-anxiety properties. Thank you so much for your posts!
Ryan, I don't know if you'll see this post, but I hope so. I've been taking the xanax twice a day (morning/bedtime) for a month or so. Do I need to wean myself off of it before I start up with the Klonopan? Or should I just use up my xanax and then move on to the Klonapan prescription. I haven't had the chance to talk to my doctor about changing the dosing. Want to start it and see how I go with it. I really don't want to be on any medication, but I'm hoping it would solve my eye problem since it's been a stressful thing for me. Imaging all terrible diseases I had, The Lexapro/xanax/Kava cocktail stopped it immediately. Just want to be sure I transition to the Klonopan correctly. Thanks for your help on this. It is much appreciated.
Thank you for your advice, Ryan. I will contact my doctor to see about two doses a day. Much appreciated. Have a good day!
your awesome, are you a dr or work with drugs you know so much, you know i tried atenolol 25mg a day but the side affects were bad for me i took it 12.5 am 12.5 pm but could not get passed the side affects i ws on it for 14 days , never got over the weakness,tiredness,bathroom time, and really have bad stress but that could just been me. but after i didnt take one day of it and went back on the timolol i felt so much better , was not weak.tired or bathroom time, so i guess the pill was to strong for me plus in am my bp was 149/89 but midday and night it droped to 93/51 so never felt really good on it , yes it keep pac away but just didnt feel good. i might try it again, if pac get really bad and maybe when am not under so much stress. they put me on toprolxl was on it 3 days and side affects were bad to. so i guess timolol is what i will take for awhile again , if pac gets bad again maybe i can take a extra pill to help me out. but do you know does it build in your system to where it stops working,i have not had much problems with it but last two years i get the pac for 9-10 weeks every min i have 6-7 pac, so ws not sure if it just stops working. thanks again you have been such a great help for me , you make me feel better about my meds . barbara
Ryan, thanks for your comprehensive response. Very informative. Sounds like Klonopan is the way to go for me. My doctor is starting me out at one dose .5 mg at night though. I think it is supposed to help with my eye opening problem. When I was briefly on Lexapro (had to quit due to side effects) and Kava Kava (recommended by my opthamologist) my eye problem went away immediately. So perhaps it is an anxiety issue. Ugh, isn't everything! Just have poor genes in that regard unfortunately. But thank goodness there are medications and forums like this with helpful people like you to get us through the rough patches. Is a once at bedtime dose enough to affect me during the day? Or should I ask about taking it in the morning too. I do feel at times that anxiety/stress affects my mood and even appearance (clenched jaw and jumpy) and would just like to chill out and get my work done during the day.
Thank you and have a great day!
Thank you and have a great day!
did you say ativan has a 8 hour life, i take it for stress when needed and its only .05 mg but it seems to help me out a lot, they wanted me to go on lexapro but i read to many side affects anf would rather get by with ativan now and than. plus you seem to know a lot about drugs am taking timolol for pac have been on it for 15 years i think most time it holds them down and i get them once a year but when the come i have them for well 9 weeks just getting over them, do you know if that is a short acting drug , how many hours it last maybe thats why i get them like tha ,i take it at 8am 5mg than not until 8pm 5mg, maybe i should take one in middle day when i start getting them like that and do you know if it builds up in your system my dr says no but i read on net that it could. so if you have any ideal about that drug i would love to know . thanks so much you seem to be very wise when it comes to meds . thanks barbara
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