Resolved question:
Hey there. So I have been prescribed 1MG daily Klonopin by a sleep apnea doctor I was seeing.
I can tell you that I've had debilitating anxiety for about 5 years old patientand that nothing much has helped except this Klonopin. I am really scared to take this pill daily, or really at all, because of all the horror stories of dependence and withdrawal (seizures).
I am starting to feel like the negative effects of stress and anxiety on my body (without the pill) are going to be worse than the effects being on this pill will cause. I should stress to you, this pill is the ONLY thing that has made me feel like a normal person in YEARS. If someone told me I could take this daily with no risks, I would. I am only taking 1MG a day and I don't want to take any more than that/abuse it in any way.
In your opinion, is this an option for continued daily use if it helps me to this degree? I have read many stories online. Some say the drug saved their lives and they have taken it for 10-20 years old patientdaily without any side effects, and some say it was the worst most dangerous drug they've ever taken with extreme withdrawal effects. Who is correct here, who am I to believe? I really need to know the answer so I can choose a path with this drug. Thank you so much for your time.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Psychiatrist
Hello
Thanks for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
I totally agree with you that a resistant anxiety is very troublesome and needs proper medication. I suppose you have been tried on desvenlafaxine or paroxetine as these are certain drug of choice for anxiety with depression and are very effective.
Also coming to the topic of benzodiazepine. Yes they have an addiction potential if used by own. But when used therapeutically under a doctors prescription then they are quite safe amd effective as well for anxiety. Let me comfort you by saying that klonopin at 1mg is a very minimal dosage and in no way it can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures. It will only lead to mild symptoms if at all and if you taper it gradually then even the mild withdrawal symptoms may not occur. I usenit very frequently in my patients and its very effetive and easy to get one off it as well. In one sentance, you can use it comfortably with no issues.
Hope this helps.
If you have any furter query, do let me know.
kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD
Thank you for your detailed answer! I have not tried desvenlafaxine or paroxetine, I have never heard of them, should I look into it?
I guess I just want to clarify then, you say I can use it comfortably daily if it helps? Will it lose efficacy? Thank you! Also, is 2MG also a low dose or is that much higher. 1MG - 2MG seems to bring much relief to me. Thank you!
Hello.
Thanks for the follow up query.
Yes you may take 1mg. Even 2 mg is not a high dose and is appropriate in certain cases. Mostly the efficacy is maintained over a long period of time and there is no need to increase the dose further.
Yes, you should discuss about the options of desvenlafaxine and paroxetine as well along with the benzodiazepines.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
I think it may have asked the quesiton twice for some reason, you can disregard it. Thank you!
Yes.
Thank you.