klonopin and depression

[Moody]

So I am coming out of a miserable summer of many failed med changes. I am back on remeron and risperdal and trying to get stabilized. I have been taking .5-.75 mg of klonopin every day since march. My main problem has been bad anxiety, but now that the anxiety is getting a little better, I am starting to feel depressed.

This could just be my natural cycle at work (I often get depressed following a mixed state) but Im wondering if the klonopin is making my depression worse. Many years ago I took klonopin every day as my only med, and within a week I was depressed. The depression went away once I stopped the klonopin. Most of the time I have only used klonopin as needed, maybe for a few days every couple of months, and that did not effect my mood.

Would it make sense to suggest to my pdoc that I try valium instead? I hate xanax, and ativan wears off a little to fast for me. Ultimately I would like to get stable and be taking no benzos at all, but I know for now my pdoc wants me to keep taking them.

Is valium less likely to cause depression? Is there any reason that klonopin would be preferable to valium? None of my doctors have ever prescribed me valium, is it less effective than the other benzos?

[tryp]

Hey,

I have a BIG problem with benzos. They ALL make me really depressed. And the thing with it is that the more often I take them, the worse it gets. I used to be able to take them daily, but after about a month, I tanked. That was Ativan. The next time I tried Ativan, I only lasted a week. Then I tried Klonopin. Lasted a week. Tried a smaller dose and only lasted three days. Then for a while I could take it PRN and be okay. Now, if I even touch the stuff I'm down for the count.

I have to tell you that for me, changing benzos never solved the problem. You can always try, but I'd be careful with it. You might want to look into trying to kill the anxiety with more Remeron or AAPs.

Tryp

[Moody]

Thanks Tryp, that is interesting that all of the benzos depress you, hmm. It kind of makes sense that if one depresses you, they all would.

Unfortunately I can not take more Remeron without getting more anxious/agitated/hypomanic/whatever this is, and risperdal is also activating for me rather than sedating. Maybe a higher dose would be more sedating, I dont know. I will ask my pdoc. I have a bad track record with antidepressants and AAPs though, abilify and even seroquel made me more anxious/agitated. I think that is why my pdoc is so into benzos in my case, it is one of the few meds that calms me down.

[The Emperor]

I'm on 3mg klonopin per day, for the record. I feel depressed, but I don't think it's the meds. Anyhoo, It might make sense to switch to a different benzo. One time p-doc took me off the klonopin and put me on Ativan. Within a week I was a weepy mess, so we switched back to the klonopin and I was fine again. Don't know if this helps. Heh, he's also been talking about switching me to Valium.

[Billyboyboo]

Klonopin made me depressed too, it was a chemical depression.. I am now on Valium, it does make you depressed but not like Klonopin did, we all vary and are different.