Aa
anxiety
I just started on .5mg of Xanax (taken as needed) from .5mg of Clonozapam (twice daily). I have mild anxiety and not severe. I exercise, play golf twice a week, don't drink or smoke. I had one panic attack 4 months ago, I've never had one before nor have i had one since. Since these a re typically low doses which one would I be better be off with for my situation? Any suggestions? Whose Ryan and can I get ahold of him through this forum?
No problem. Point well taken. It's always better to express onesself and be understood than to ramble on and totally be in left field. That what some people sound like when they post a comment on this site about what works or doesn't work for them. Than they explain what their on and how much their taking daily and from what I've read isn't only scarry but if I was taking less than half of what their on, I would either be dead or a go through life as a zombie!!! I can't believe Dr.'s get away with with what their prescribing to their patients. I'm also going to talk w/my Dr. about BuSpar which I've researched that it's non-addicting, for mild anxiety and can be used effectively long term. I'll let you know. I enjoy your conversing with you as you make alot of sense and you seem very sincere and concerned. Not too many people are like that. Take care!!!
Sorry by the way if the above sounds a bit like a rant. People on this site a long time know that one of my interests here is in people knowing that medicine isn't the certain, well regulated, well researched thing people think it is. It's just one tool among many.
While it's true natural remedies aren't allowed to be banned, they are regulated. The FDA just chooses not to do so, because it serves the pharmaceutical industry (that's just historical and congressional fact). Congress passed legislation several years ago to prevent the FDA from regulating natural remedies out of existence, which is what it wants to do, but it and the Department of Agriculture and the FTC can and do regulate them when sufficient adverse reports come out. It's just that the adverse effects are virtually never that bad compared to the horrible side effects and complications of pharmaceutical products approved by FDA. You should also know that most natural remedies have a long history of use, and are plants which the body knows how to digest, whereas pharmaceutical products are new to the human body and it doesn't know how to process them, thus the horrible problems. It's also important to know that pharmaceutical products aren't regulated, either -- it takes a decade or more after approval to learn whether they work and how dangerous they are. It would be better if both were respected and regulated equally, but that would mean a level playing field, which is bad for business if you're a pharmaceutical company. That being said, one does need to know what one is getting into whether with natural remedies or with drugs, and one also needs to know what's truly natural and what's just advertised as natural -- this is where the FTC comes in, and it has taken many "natural" remedies off the market for false advertising. Unfortunately, the FDA doesn't do the same for drugs, which lawsuits are left to deal with. It's just a complicated world when you get involved with medicine, so when someone like you has a problem that isn't severely interfering with their life, the best thing is therapy, meditation, etc., which are all included under the non-drug techniques of dealing with this stuff. Good luck to you.
Your comments were well taken and I truly appreciate your insight. Thank you and have a very happy New Year!!
I really took to heart your insight to my question and I will be talking to my Dr. tomorrow. It's not so much that I experienced that panic episode a few months ago, it's just that I always feel "anxious" and/or having a short fuse even though I don'tconsider myself suicidal or violent. I will also take into consideration herbal remedies except that these remedies aren't regulated, so one doesn't know exactly what their getting on a consistant basis. The Xanax point of view you shared is interesting but I guess the Klono can have it's own argument for usage, but, your points are well taken!!!! Thank you for your time and patience. I will keep you posted and I truly hope you have a very happy, peaceful and healthy New Year!!!!!!!
i took clonazepam a yaer ago and it was the worst ever when i had to quit it it was the worst experience ever it was a nightmare to get off this clonezapam medicine... be careful with the medicine u take, they may help in the first place but when u will need to get off it it can be the worst thing ever!!!
Ryan either left under pressure or was asked to leave quite a while ago, years ago I think. As for your problem, if you only had one anxiety attack then you don't have an anxiety problem as of now -- almost everyone has a phobia to something. Drugs are only necessary for chronic problems that don't respond to therapy or natural treatments, as drugs are serious business with serious problems. In your case, taking the clonazepam is generally done regularly, which means you get addicted to it as benzos of all types are addictive drugs, and it's very hard to quit taking. Taking it as needed doesn't work as well because it takes a while to take effect, though that effect lasts longer, theoretically. So the occasional use of Xanax would be better providing it really is only occasional -- regular use of Xanax is "worse" than clonazepam precisely because it works so quickly and then stops working, meaning people with chronic problems would be inclined to keep taking it often. But the best drug is no drug at all, so if you don't need them don't take them.
Hello -
I personally take clonazepam, 1 mg. at bedtime. Although I have never taken xanax, I know from research that the two meds have different 'styles.' Xanax goes into the body faster, thereby it's affects are felt quicker than clonazepam, which is a slower acting drug but it stays in the body longer than xanax does. You commented that you only had one anxiety attack four months ago ... are you certain that you've never had one before - when you were younger for instance?? I began having full blown panic attacks that would go on for weeks while in my early 30's. It wasn't until I was older that I really began thinking about my anxiety and realized that I had 'episodes' when I was a child - beginning approx.in third grade. I had forgotten about them.
I have been on and off clonazepam since about 1993. Now I know that it's not wise to simply stop taking benzo's since it can cause seizures ... but I didn't know that back then, so I went on and off of them for years. I thank God that He protects the ignorant! :-) I've been taking 1mg. each day for the past 12 years or so and although I do cope with anxiety with my stress from time to time, I am thankful I haven't had single panic attack in all that time!
I would suggest that you continue to take the lowest possible dose that works for you. As I said, clonazepam is a longer acting medication than xanax .... but in the end it is a personal choice between you and your physician. I'm glad that you have a doctor that was willing to prescribe these meds to you - unlike so many other health care providers that allow their patients to suffer without help because they are much too cautious, to the point of paranoia. I wish you the very best ... take care!
P.S. ... I'm afraid that I do not know a Ryan, I'm sorry. Bye bye!
I personally take clonazepam, 1 mg. at bedtime. Although I have never taken xanax, I know from research that the two meds have different 'styles.' Xanax goes into the body faster, thereby it's affects are felt quicker than clonazepam, which is a slower acting drug but it stays in the body longer than xanax does. You commented that you only had one anxiety attack four months ago ... are you certain that you've never had one before - when you were younger for instance?? I began having full blown panic attacks that would go on for weeks while in my early 30's. It wasn't until I was older that I really began thinking about my anxiety and realized that I had 'episodes' when I was a child - beginning approx.in third grade. I had forgotten about them.
I have been on and off clonazepam since about 1993. Now I know that it's not wise to simply stop taking benzo's since it can cause seizures ... but I didn't know that back then, so I went on and off of them for years. I thank God that He protects the ignorant! :-) I've been taking 1mg. each day for the past 12 years or so and although I do cope with anxiety with my stress from time to time, I am thankful I haven't had single panic attack in all that time!
I would suggest that you continue to take the lowest possible dose that works for you. As I said, clonazepam is a longer acting medication than xanax .... but in the end it is a personal choice between you and your physician. I'm glad that you have a doctor that was willing to prescribe these meds to you - unlike so many other health care providers that allow their patients to suffer without help because they are much too cautious, to the point of paranoia. I wish you the very best ... take care!
P.S. ... I'm afraid that I do not know a Ryan, I'm sorry. Bye bye!
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