Lamictal (Lamotrigine) w/Prozac vs Klonopin (Clonazepam)

[Alie Fireside]

was looking through MI drugs and wondering if it would even be worth talking to my doc about switching. I know that my current meds are working, but can't help but wonder if there isn't something that would work better (or at least the way I want it to work)

[melissaw72]

My thoughts are if something is working, not to bother/change it.

 

If you were to change meds though, and it didn't work, and you switched back to the original meds, those meds might not have the same effect on you (might not work as well or at all).

[Luna-]

Hell yeah, I'd also leave well alone. But maybe lots of meds will work for you and you can afford to pick and choose? My cocktail took so long to mix 'n match, that I'm reluctant to change anything.

[Alie Fireside]

I'm good with leaving well enough alone. But how do you really know if this is as good as it gets?? I mean,  I still am not at my highest that I have experienced or that I feel is normal, not sure what 'normal' is suppose to feel like

[Luna-]

I'm good with leaving well enough alone. But how do you really know if this is as good as it gets?? I mean,  I still am not at my highest that I have experienced or that I feel is normal, not sure what 'normal' is suppose to feel like

 

I also wonder what normal feels like, I feel flat but maybe that is a psychological issue, not a psychiatric one. My previous pdoc once said to me "Maybe this is the best you're going to get?" I was still very depressed. I changed pdocs.

 

I can understand you wondering if it might not be better. I wonder if you will get an answer to that though, unless you try and go off your meds and see what happens. But that could be risky.

[Alie Fireside]

 

I'm good with leaving well enough alone. But how do you really know if this is as good as it gets?? I mean,  I still am not at my highest that I have experienced or that I feel is normal, not sure what 'normal' is suppose to feel like

 

I also wonder what normal feels like, I feel flat but maybe that is a psychological issue, not a psychiatric one. My previous pdoc once said to me "Maybe this is the best you're going to get?" I was still very depressed. I changed pdocs.

 

I can understand you wondering if it might not be better. I wonder if you will get an answer to that though, unless you try and go off your meds and see what happens. But that could be risky.

 

 

no way am I going off my meds. I don't like the feeling of not being in control of my own mind, body, and soul..  Before I knew that I might be on the wrong meds I thought it was what it was. this was just my life. With the right meds, I see how wrong I was, so I can't help but ask myself, if I am happy with the life I've chosen but still feel 'saddened and down' are these the best meds for me??

[AnneMarie]

I doubt that Klonapin alone would be a very good substitute for Lamictal with Prozac. Lamictal is a mood stabilizer with antidepressant properites. Prozac is an antidepressant. Klonapin is a benzo, sedative, and addictive if you are not careful. For some, benzos are sort of depressants. It is usually used for anxiety and sleep.

[StudentDO]

Lamictal with Prozac is a mood stabilizer with antidepressant action plus a SSRI. Klonopin is a benzo that, in the short term (up to one month) will make you happy. Klonopin is really only needed if you have bad anxiety plus getting off them is a pain in the ass!

[Wooster]

Not everyone has these experiences with Klonipin, StudentDO.

 

Some people are able to manage well on it for years at a time... which is definitely NOT short term. And some people taper just fine, so getting off them is not "a pain in the ass".

 

Please keep in mind that this is a first person, peer support site...

If you have relevant personal experience, that's awesome. If not, please hold it.

[Alie Fireside]

I know I can feel 'better' than I do currently, only bc I have been there before. I have tried multiple ssri's and snri's mostly to help suppress my REM cycle due to nightmares/terrors, but also for anxiety and depression. I feel that my symptoms are MILD but when I explain them to others they say they are more SEVERE. I am not sure what I am looking for and perhaps it is that 'miracle drug' that doesn't exist for most. Before starting the lamictal, my doc had me add wellbutrin to my prozac which only made me feel less in control than I have ever felt. Lamictal is the only thing I have used besides the ssri's and snri's. I still have anxiety but I don't have a choice about doing what it is that triggers it so I 'suck it up' and keep going. I know there is a better way to deal with it. I am skeptical about trying to make it more tolerable for fear that it does get better then I 'relapse' and don't know how to deal with anymore. I am honestly terrified that I will use this MI as an excuse for things rather than taking responsibility for my laziness. (lack of motivation, being so tired that I literally can not stay awake in a meeting or at a theatre, not wanting to go to work bc I am unable to leave if I want something. (I will buy everything I think I might want so I don't 'panic' when I don't have it)....