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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Carlos on March 17, 2002, at 20:38:54
Ok, I searched and didn't find anything relative about the effects of Klonopin and weight gain. I was wondering about peoples experiences. From those who were on Klonopin alone (with no other medications) please. Thanks in adavance.
Posted by Thrud on March 18, 2002, at 2:25:29
In reply to Klonopin and weight gain ?? ( I searched), posted by Carlos on March 17, 2002, at 20:38:54
Carlos,
I've never been on Klonopin alone but I have been on Xanax alone and they are from the same chemical family.
I found no weight gain effects. At least if there were any, they were nothing compared to the SSRIs etc.
Thrud
Posted by Carlos on March 18, 2002, at 14:58:29
In reply to Re: Klonopin and weight gain ?? ( I searched) » Carlos, posted by Thrud on March 18, 2002, at 2:25:29
Thrud,
Thanks for the reply. After doing some more reading I haven't found any link between the two (benz0's and weight gain). I do however have one concer with taking Benzo's...I exercise often (every day actually), I absolutley hate the fatigue I would get on SSRI's, so I now added wellbutrin SR (150mg) to the mix (I also take Zoloft 50mg) to keep me on my toes. So, what I was wondering is, will I be able to keep my energy level on a daily dose of a benzo, can I keep taking WB and Zoloft?
Carlos
> Carlos,
>
> I've never been on Klonopin alone but I have been on Xanax alone and they are from the same chemical family.
>
> I found no weight gain effects. At least if there were any, they were nothing compared to the SSRIs etc.
>
> Thrud
Posted by Thrud on March 18, 2002, at 16:48:53
In reply to How sedating are benzo's?, posted by Carlos on March 18, 2002, at 14:58:29
Hi Carlos,
There are a lot of benzos out there and each of them different. Some of them are so sedating they are used as sleeping pills or even short acting anaesthesia.
In the treatment of strong anxiety, generally only the "big three" benzos are considered: Klonopin, Xanax and Ativan.
I am currently taking 3mg/day of Xanax and have not taken the other two. For the first couple of weeks maybe it was sedating, but then it went away completely. I don't think I get any sedation at all from Xanax now.
As for Klonopin, generally I have not heard many complaints about sedation or anything else except dependence. You must remember that taking up benzos is somewhat like taking up smoking in that when you are ready to give up you must taper your dose SLOWLY. Your doctor will know this.
As for your other medications, I found all the SSRIs and similar ones to be very sedating, much much more than Xanax. For that reason and others I gave them up on favor of Lamictal, an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer. It gives me energy (after an initial period of sedation), helps with depression a bit but doesn't help with anxiety at all (so I take Xanax for that). You may want to discuss this option with your doctor. As for compatability of your current medication and benzos, you'd have to ask your doctor.
I was on the SSRIs for over 10 years and even though I exercised a lot I could never get rid of the fatigue either. Keep Lamictal in mind. There are quite a few posts about it on this board and you'll get an idea of the pros and cons.
Good luck.
Thrud
Posted by andyboy on March 18, 2002, at 19:09:00
In reply to Klonopin and weight gain ?? ( I searched), posted by Carlos on March 17, 2002, at 20:38:54
Carlos
I dont know what you would rather hear-but my experience-yes-I did gain weight-probably 15lbs in the last year. But for me, Its been a good thing. You see-I have always had a slim build and I hated it. I would eat and eat but no weight gain. Now all of a sudden, when I see people I hadnt seen in a while-theyre like"wow-you got bigger" (I also do weight training/cardio) so its been a "pleasant" side effect for me
Andy
Posted by Carlos on March 18, 2002, at 21:11:20
In reply to Re: How sedating are benzo's? » Carlos, posted by Thrud on March 18, 2002, at 16:48:53
Thrud,
Thanks again for replying. Like you, I have noticed that SSRI's came make you very fatigued. I've been on Zoloft, Effexor XR, and Paxil, with Paxil being the all-time worst. Paxil also made me gain 20lbs. even though I weight train 3 days a week, cardio 3 days a week and follow a very strict diet having 6% body fat before starting Paxil.
I'm back on Zoloft now because I was on it before for about 6 weeks and didn't notice any weight gain. I might have mentioned this in my earlier post but I take 150mg or Wellbutrin to curb the fatigue. On Wellbutrin alone I'm a nervous wreck. The Zoloft seems to take the edge off, and calm my anxiety (or social phobia, whichever you prefer), but comes no where close to where I'd like it to be.
I'm going to talk to my doctor about augmenting this all with a benzo, and hopfully someday being only on one med...a benzo. I think if I can rid myself of SP my depression will be greatly relieved. Thank you all for all your input.
Best regards,
Carlos
> Hi Carlos,
>
> There are a lot of benzos out there and each of them different. Some of them are so sedating they are used as sleeping pills or even short acting anaesthesia.
>
> In the treatment of strong anxiety, generally only the "big three" benzos are considered: Klonopin, Xanax and Ativan.
>
> I am currently taking 3mg/day of Xanax and have not taken the other two. For the first couple of weeks maybe it was sedating, but then it went away completely. I don't think I get any sedation at all from Xanax now.
>
> As for Klonopin, generally I have not heard many complaints about sedation or anything else except dependence. You must remember that taking up benzos is somewhat like taking up smoking in that when you are ready to give up you must taper your dose SLOWLY. Your doctor will know this.
>
> As for your other medications, I found all the SSRIs and similar ones to be very sedating, much much more than Xanax. For that reason and others I gave them up on favor of Lamictal, an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer. It gives me energy (after an initial period of sedation), helps with depression a bit but doesn't help with anxiety at all (so I take Xanax for that). You may want to discuss this option with your doctor. As for compatability of your current medication and benzos, you'd have to ask your doctor.
>
> I was on the SSRIs for over 10 years and even though I exercised a lot I could never get rid of the fatigue either. Keep Lamictal in mind. There are quite a few posts about it on this board and you'll get an idea of the pros and cons.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Thrud
This is the end of the thread.
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