Clonazepam

[bendted]

Due to an inconclusive health issue that may or may not include cancer, my anxiety level has shot through the roof. My PCP prescribe Clonazepam (1 mg). He said it's for short term anxiety. Well, it doesn't seem to do anything. I trust him and we have a good rapport. He said the effects would be immediate. What do you guys think? Am I expecting to much?

 

[BearMagus]

Normally you will start taking it and have the dosage increased until you hit the level that works best for you which might take a few weeks. Just taking keep taking it as prescribed and if you don't see a change tell your doctor. It's odd he picked this when most would have prescribed Xanax.

 

[bendted]

He mentioned Xanax but said that was for long term use and not appropriate in this case (as I recall).
I find it hard to believe that Clonazepam is considered a strong medication. I have a 30 day supply with no refills so if it doesn't work, oh well, I'll just have to suck it up.

 

[bambam]

Clonazepam is an effective short-term anxiolytic (reduces anxiety). Usually it is at first prescribed at 0.5-1 mg per dose. It also depends on weight of the patient. The effect should be immediate (within an hour), but becomes more pronounced over first week. Depending on the response it can be bumped up to 2-3 mg per dose.

Xanax (alprazolam) is more often prescribed for anxiety, due to a slightly better side-effect profile. However Xanax is much more addictive than Clonazepam, so some physicians prefer it over Xanax. Clonazepam is least addictive of the benzodiazepines commonly used.

In short, Clonazepam should work and Xanax is really no better, just less drowsiness and less potential for mental impairment (e.g. confusion, poor memory).

Neither should be taken long-term without freq. monitoring.

 

[bendted]

I'm on 1/2 mg per his instructions. He said I can go 1 mg if I want to. I take it at night. I weigh 180 lbs.

It does knock me out, but that's about it. A solid slug of whiskey would have the same effect. It really doesn't help with my "what if" thoughts. I'll be seeing him at the end of November anyway but at this point I'm thinking "fuck it" I'll deal with what I have to sans meds.

Incidentally, I had the same problem with Lortab and Vicodin that was prescribed to me for dental issues. They did almost nothing for the pain and I sure as hell didn't get a "buzz" of any kind (even when for giggles I doubled the dosage). I ended up throwing them away (nausea) and took aspirin or something.

thanks, guys.

 

[bambam]

Taking it at night is basically a sleep aid. You can use it several ways. Upon onset of anxiety, to prevent a panic attack, throughout the day to lower stress and overall anxiety or at night to help sleep. It sounds like you should maybe following throughout the day approach at the lowest dose that helps (0.5 to 1 mg is my guess from what you've said).

As for "what if" thinking, that's more a need for therapy, which is the only effective long-term therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy would be best IMO).

 

[seven2go]

I take only a 1/4 milligram to relieve light anxiety and the effect is nearly immediate.
I can't imagine why you are experiencing NOTHING from a full milligram.......