I need help PLEASE

[dkearbymsw]

To make a long story short, I experienced a medically induced panic attack back in February. I was given Compazine for nausea and it put me into a 14 hour severe panic attack. About two months after, I experienced another panic attack which was triggered by the memory of the first panic attack. I spent several days experiencing EXTREME anxiety, to the point that I wouldn't leave my closet. Finally, my partner convinced me to go to the ER, which they were no help. I got in to see my Dr. a couple of days later and she prescribed Klonopin.

At first, the Klonopin seemed to make a difference but about a week after taking it, I began to get extremely depressed. I was already taking Lexapro for depression, so my Dr. added Welbutin to the mix. This helped for a couple of weeks, but sure enough, the anxiety started coming back, and this time we added Neurontin to the mix. I didn't get much relief and began seeing a psychiatrist who prescribed Remeron. At first, the Remeron was a miracle drug - my anxiety completely vanished, however, about three weeks into the Remeron, my anxiety once again began intermittently, and I decided enough was enough. I weened myself off of the Welbutin and also Vyvnase (which I have been taking for three years for ADHD). I felt better than I had in a long time and went about two months with zero anxiety. At this point, i decided it was time to try and reduce the Klonopin from 1mg 2x daily to .75 mg 2x daily. This was a mistake. The first day I was very anxious and quickly upped my does back to where it had been. Unfortunately, the anxiety hasn't diminished, in fact has been getting worse since then. It has been about a week and I am ready to throw in the towel. What do I do? I have gained over 30lbs in two months but felt it was worth being rid of the anxiety. I feel so stuck I want to die. Please, if you have any advice!

BTW: I am a therapist so am familiar with all the psychological treatments available.

[dedoubt]

Klonopin can be difficult to get off of, but it is possible. There are quite a number of threads on Crazyboards about it, if you do a search.

There are many other medications that can help with anxiety. Unfortunately, it might take trying several before you find one that helps. The best thing to do is to tell your pdoc everything you are experiencing, and your complete med/anxiety history if you haven't, then work with him to find a med that takes care of your anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by so many things, and as you know, that should be explored in therapy. I'm not sure what kind of therapy you use, but DBT helped me a lot with my anxiety.

[lysergia]

i'm by no means knowledgeable about what your med schedule should look like. i can say, though, that you will feel increased anxiety coming off the klonopin that doesn't necessarily last. it's crazymaking, but anxiety is a symptom of withdrawal from the drug (that you're taking to prevent anxiety!).

it's usually recommended that you go really, really slowly when reducing klonopin. and at each dose taper, you will feel a little anxious, then it gets better again. unless you have a medical need to get off benzos right away, it's usually best to go as slow as possible. it's hard to know how much anxiety you really have until you've been through the withdrawal process.

that being said, it might end up that it's not a good time to reduce your klonopin dose. but if your pdoc wants you to try, i'd recommend taking it very slowly and anticipate having some extra anxiety on the days that you lessen the dose. the first few days at .75mg x2 might feel awful, but then on the third day you feel a little more normal again, etc. but again, that is IF the time is right to discontinue (only pdoc can say if this is true).

i am not explaining this well, i can tell heh. sorry. it sounds to me like klonopin is all that's holding it together for you at this point, so i'd be seeing your pdoc as soon as possible to let him know things aren't working well enough that you feel you can taper the klonopin safely. i hope you find some relief soon. anxiety can be so debilitating.

[lipstickjunkie]

I have read a few articles online (take them for what they are worth) about people reducing benzos by taking a tablet and cutting a bit off the end, taking it, then repeating for a few days. After a few days or so they would cut a bit more off and repeat so the reduction was very slow. I'm obviously not an MD but just sort of food for thought. BTW, I'm assuming your screen name means you are a MSW? If so, I'm a BSW

[chimpmaster]

You have been prescribed 2x1mg clonazepam per day by your dr. Use it! You aren't ready to be tapering off the benzo yet. Screwing around with your meds without professional supervision is asking for trouble.

You could also talk to your p-doc about increasing the remeron dosage. You could also try a different ssri. There are many options for you - but I think you need professional help, whether you are a therapist or not.

[dkearbymsw]

Inmate - thanks, I do have professional help!!