Anti-anxiety meds

[SMM]

It seems there is alot of discussion on klonopin and xanax, and my questions pertain to it, too.
I saw the psychiatrist today, after nearly a year.  I was pregnant, so stopped taking what I was on at that time--.25 xanax 3-4 times a day and .25 klonopin 3-4 times a day.  I was just on the xanax, but complained that I didn't think it was effective, and so he added the klonopin on the 2nd visit, which was also the last for me up until today.  From what I've read, I'm a little confused about the way the klonopin was perscribed at that time, since it seems most take it 2x per day.  Prior to having seen him a year ago, I was last on xanax before I got pregnant with my daughter, at which time I was on 1mg. 3-4x a day, which I had to wean off of.  My therapeutic level is probably between the two, b/c it was no surprise when I was still having panic attacks and the agoraphobia at .25. 

Anyways, so today he gave me a hard time.  Not about prescribing anything, but he can be a jerk.  I didn't even want to go back to him, but seeing a new doc is even more anxiety provoking.  He had a new office, I got lost, and then when I made it to the building, he was not on the floor he told me.  Truly.  And I almost wonder if he does these small things on purpose.  last year he gave me an appointment card with no date on it, but I remembered the time, etc.  Who knows?  But on to what he prescribed, and yes I was sort of a case seeing him.  The xanax is the same--.25 3-4x per day.  I thought the klonopin would be, too, and he said I could take it 2x per day this time.  Okay.  In all of this, he had asked me what I wanted, and I said to go back to the point I left off.  He talked about xanax CR, etc., and I didn't even know what he'd end up giving me.  So, I get the script, and it's klonopin .5, states 2x per day, but he gave me 120 pills.  So, it's 1-2 klonopin 2x/day.  So, 1-2 mg/day.  Is that alot?  I don't want to be in a fog?  And it's not so good for panic attacks, or GAD, or just not for a sudden onset?  He also gave me a script for Paxil, but I'm leery of taking it.  Someone said it shouldn't be taken if you've ever had a seizure, and I have.  I took Zoloft (very low dose--25 mg) for a few months after a 2nd trimester miscarriage, and it made me anxious.  So, not so sure about anti-depressants since they seem to make me more anxious, and now seizures?

Sorry.  And sorry if I rambled, too.  Sad that the doctor had me more anxious than ever, but at least he isn't doubting I'm having anxiety problems.  He said, "You're not doing so well right now".  No kidding. 

Funny, too, b/c I just had a ababy, and others were mentioning the symptoms seem to be less while pregnant, and it's true.  Or it could be that life is stressful with a new baby (he's a preemie), and my husband is off the wagon (alcoholic), so everything's magnified.  It's to the point I don't want to leave the house b/c I had my blood sugar crash while driving and had vision problems, or I've felt panciky so many places, that I don't want to go to those places.

Any input on the meds?

Thanks,
Sherry 

[ocdengineer]

Honestly, it seems like your doctor is just throwing meds at you!  I don't understand why you would prescribe both Xanax and Klonopin in parallel unless there is some kind of multiplicative effect which I doubt.  They are essentially the same medication and they are also equivalent in doseage, so .5 mg of Xanax is roughly equivalent to .5 mg of Klonopin, but the Klonopin will last much longer than the Xanax.

The Paxil may or may not help you, but personally, I just got worse with Paxil.  There are some who do well with it, but I have only seen the negative side of that medication.  If you have had seizures, then I would definitely tell your doctor.  If he knows and he is risking your wellbeing, then maybe you need to get a second opinion. 

Most people don't take their care to the first mechanic they go to unless they know he is good, so it pays to shop around.  Even with doctors.

Take care,
OE

[SMM]

See, there is the thing...I know klonapin and xanax are essentially the same, but just not for how fast they act, from what I gather.  I've only taken .25 of the xanax today.  I have yet to take a klonapin, and figure, okay, I will take .25 at night, and see how that gets me into the next day.  But just taking .5-1mg.?  Umm...don't know about that.   

[Deemet99]

i agree with ocdengineer on that i too tried the paxil and it just didn't cooperate with me.  i felt 10 times more anxious than i did without it and so the doc took me off after 3 days.  (some friends of mine take it and love it.)  so it's just what is right for your body.
my doctor prescribed me 20 mg celexa and .5 klonapin 3 times a day, as needed.  i have never taken more than one klonapin a day, and i really can have many days that i do not need it at all.  it is just when i have panic that i use it.  although i hear a lot of talk on this website about how many people take it before bed to help them sleep, i think i am going to try that as well.....(right now im just on klonapin as needed.)
i too had the same problems as you after having my son and had to get back on something asap.  so i understand where you are coming from. 

i am also sorry to hear that your doctor has stressed you out.  you certainly do not need that right now.  its funny because when i was seeing both my therapist and psychiatrist, my therapist would always say to me, "your not gonna like him (psychiatrist), he just lacks bedside manner, and i am the one who spends most of the time with you, not him." lol. and she was right, he is really a smart man but does lack an emotional side.  i do trust him though and that is why i like him.

its your call on the meds though.  you decide what to take and what not too.  i would just see how these meds work and go from there...
danielle