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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by peddidle on October 4, 2007, at 13:23:44
I just started taking clonazepam last week. I took .5mg last Thursday, but it completely knocked me out. I've only taken it twice since then, .25mg each time. I think it might be working a little bit, but it might be working too well. I had a quiz in one class today, which I didn't prepare for, and I didn't do an assignment that was due today for another class, and, to be honest, it didn't really bother me that much. Something also happened yesterday that should have made me legitimately upset, but it really didn't.
The decrease in general anxiety is obviously a good thing, but the fact that I don't care about not doing my work is a big problem. It seems like I've gone from one end of the anxiety spectrum to the other. Or could it be that I still feel paralyzed by anxiety, but I'm just more calm about it?
I also take zoloft and concerta. Can clonazepam augment the effects of zoloft, or just cause apathy on it's own? Is this a side-effect that will eventually get better if I take it regularly, or is this just how I react to it?
Thanks for any info you have on this!
Posted by Phillipa on October 4, 2007, at 15:05:50
In reply to apathy with clonazepam?, posted by peddidle on October 4, 2007, at 13:23:44
Maybe even a smaller dose at bedtime or switch to another short acting one. Just my opinion. Phillipa
Posted by torachan on October 4, 2007, at 18:38:12
In reply to apathy with clonazepam?, posted by peddidle on October 4, 2007, at 13:23:44
Sounds to me that you're not necessarily in great need of a benzo. When I began using a benzo there was no doubt in my mind that I required it, or at least something, on a daily basis as my anxiety was that debilitating. If you functioned rather well for a week by taking it only two or three times while stating that you might suspect it is interfering with your ability to function, I'd suggest not taking it on a regular basis if at all.
Remember, some anxiety is necessary to engage us in activity, and certainly when using clonazepam on a regular basis it basically dampens most anxiety so there is bound to be a marked reduction in motivation and hence an increased apathetic feeling.
Posted by peddidle on October 5, 2007, at 22:35:03
In reply to Re: apathy with clonazepam?, posted by torachan on October 4, 2007, at 18:38:12
That's definitely a good point. Although, I took it before my session with my T, and I noticed I was able to talk a lot more-- she even complimented me on it.
Is it possible that I was teetering on the verge of becoming depressed again, and the clonazepam just gave it a push?
Posted by fuzz54 on October 11, 2007, at 12:02:54
In reply to Re: apathy with clonazepam? » torachan, posted by peddidle on October 5, 2007, at 22:35:03
At first I had an awesome reaction to clonazepam at 0.5 to 1 mg dosage levels. It took away tons of anxiety and really made me feel relaxed (and sometimes sleepy). After about 6 months I started to develop some tolerance to some of its effects and it no longer makes me feel sleepy and doesn't affect my anxiety in the same way. Instead of a "i'm in my happy place and euphoric" feeling I get more of a subtle drop in anxiety that allows me to function better in general.
My answer to your question is that you would probably have a different reaction to klonopin after taking it for some long period of time (months??), but it is fairly powerful in the beginning. I agree with the previous suggestion of dropping to a lower dose and maybe only taking as needed when you know you are going to be in a high anxiety situation.
If you really want to figure out if you need clonazepam then you have to figure out if your anxiety is really out of whack or not. Do you get nervous making left turns into traffic or driving at all? Do you get nervous in crowds to the point that you avoid places with lots of people? Does your anxiety interfere with your job? Do you have lots of phobias? I'm hoping those are things your doctor asked about before prescribing clonazepam.
As for depression, I have noticed that clonazepam can physically depress me at high doses which then brings me down mentally a bit.
This is the end of the thread.
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