![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lurker on June 1, 2000, at 9:44:00
I've just switched from Xanax to Klonopin for anxiety. It was an abrupt switch and I am suffering from migraines and stiff neck and body aches. Should I have let the Xanax "wash out" first or is it ok to switch abruptly? Feel awful and wondering if it's just flu or what? Thanks Lurker
Posted by Greg on June 1, 2000, at 9:54:30
In reply to Desperately seeking answer, posted by Lurker on June 1, 2000, at 9:44:00
Lurker,
Don't claim to be an expert on the subject but I have been taking Xanax for a while now and was told that if, and when, the time came to stop it, I should taper off slowly. Xanax is an extremely addictive drug, and depending on the amount of time you've been taking it, you may be experiencing some withdrawal symptoms. I know people who have had to go thru detox to kick Xanax, although they had been on the drug for years and this is probably not your case. Was the sudden switch at your doctor's orders? Have you talked to your doc about the symptoms you're having? Please keep us informed about how you're feeling.Hope this helps...
Greg
> I've just switched from Xanax to Klonopin for anxiety. It was an abrupt switch and I am suffering from migraines and stiff neck and body aches. Should I have let the Xanax "wash out" first or is it ok to switch abruptly? Feel awful and wondering if it's just flu or what? Thanks Lurker
Posted by brian on June 1, 2000, at 10:08:09
In reply to Re: Desperately seeking answer, posted by Greg on June 1, 2000, at 9:54:30
> Lurker,
> Don't claim to be an expert on the subject but I have been taking Xanax for a while now and was told that if, and when, the time came to stop it, I should taper off slowly. Xanax is an extremely addictive drug, and depending on the amount of time you've been taking it, you may be experiencing some withdrawal symptoms. I know people who have had to go thru detox to kick Xanax, although they had been on the drug for years and this is probably not your case. Was the sudden switch at your doctor's orders? Have you talked to your doc about the symptoms you're having? Please keep us informed about how you're feeling.
>
> Hope this helps...
>
> Greg
>
> > I've just switched from Xanax to Klonopin for anxiety. It was an abrupt switch and I am suffering from migraines and stiff neck and body aches. Should I have let the Xanax "wash out" first or is it ok to switch abruptly? Feel awful and wondering if it's just flu or what? Thanks LurkerLurker,
I'm no expert either, but as I understand it, both Klonopin and Xanax are benzodiazapines. However, Xanax is faster acting and has a short half life than does Klonopin. Could your symptoms be caused by a period of time when your body is experiencing Xanax withdrawl, but has yet to benefit from the slower-acting Klonopin? I think it's a good possibility.
Posted by Snowie on June 1, 2000, at 18:40:49
In reply to Desperately seeking answer, posted by Lurker on June 1, 2000, at 9:44:00
Lurker,
Your post is deja vu, since I'm in the same boat. I rarely see posts like yours ... usually it's the other way around, i.e., the person is having problems switching from Klonopin to Xanax.
My symptoms are headaches, anxiety, and tinnitus. Of course, Klonopin and Xanax are both benzos so theoretically you shouldn't have withdrawal symptoms if the doses are equivalent. I've only been on Klonopin a few days, and I feel the need to take it more often than I did Xanax to control my anxiety, but my understanding is that Klonopin takes longer to build up in your system. For your information, Dr. Bob has a benzo equivalence chart to which you can refer (see link below).
This is the second time I've taken Klonopin, but I had no problem switching the first time. I'm going to give Klonopin at least a month. Don't give up just yet, but you may need to increase your dose a bit. I suggest that you check with your doctor. If Klonopin doesn't work well for you, you can always go back to Xanax or Ativan. Hopefully some long-term Klonopin users will be able to give us both more insight.
Snowie
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/bzd.html
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.