Anxiety Support Group

Ok, I'm confused. Are you taking Klonopin or Xanax or both ?

I would do what your Dr. advises not what your friend has told you to do, that's just my opinion.

i was put on the klonopin to get offf the xanax i took my last xanax yesterday..i just wondered if halfing the pill anf then taking the whole pill would take my body time to adjsut to teh differnce because im feeling ill,has anyone ever lowered a dose of meds and then had to go abck up and felt wierd,my anxiety is so bad i feel like i have buggs in my tummy

first, how much klonipin are u taking? i dont understand why he would put you on klonipin to get off xanax as they are the same class of drug. im a little confused as to whether u were taking the xanax and klopinin at the same time? the nausea and shakiness could be anxiety.

I think switching meds can do that to you also. I know when I first started on Paxil, I had headaches horribly for about 2 weeks. But before I was taking my Xanax, I was vomiting every morning I was so anxious (glad those days are over)

I think maybe the combination of switching may be doing it, or the xanax coming out of your system. I got off Xanax about 2 years ago (after being on it for 8 years) and didn't have any side effects. But now I'm back on it again, small dose and I've been gradually cutting back.

Hang in there, you'll be ok... just transition,but if it gets to bothersome, definitely let your Dr. know.

They do put you on Klonopin OR Valium (usually the latter) to come off the more potent, shorter half life Benzo's.
BUT, you have to do that gradually.
You can't just take Xanax a month and go to Klonopin/Valium and stop the Xanax.
The Klonopin/Valium has to be introduced slowly into your system WITH the Xanax until you are finally OFF the Xanax and only on the Klonopin/Valium.
Then, they will try to wean you off that as they are much longer acting and much easier Benzo's to withdraw from.
The following site is quite helpful as most US Drs. haven't a CLUE on how to taper!

http://www.thetrap.org.uk/forum/in...

Hi there,

Switching the drugs certainly seems like it could have made you feel sick but you might have also been so worked up about it that that made you feel sick. Either way I take it slow and listen to your doc but at the same time make your voice heard with your doc if you feel you need changes. I hope you are feeling better.

Most doctors are clueless. Every medication effects everyone differently. And a good amount of time to taper off a pill is 8 weeks. I was told that by a nurse. She said that was a minimum. I know that sounds extreme, but it does make sense. If it takes up to 30 days or longer for the meds to start working, wouldnt it at least take that long to stop working?

Well from what I understand, you should have been able to stop taking the xanax and just start taking the Clonopin without any distress. They are in the same family of drugs. Hmmmm, I switched before and had no problem. Talk to you doctor again about it

If you are attempting to come off the Xanax by tapering off on Klonopin, even if you ARE going through a slight feeling of withdrawal from coming off the Xanax, DON'T TAKE 3 PILLS XANAX!

Don't understand why you are having such difficulties, because as someone said you should not be experiencing such bad symptoms if you're on the Klonopin, but please trust me. I know Benzo's and Xanax is the one you absolutely DO NOT want to play with. I currently take an ativan when need for a panic attack, and sometimes I need it more frequently then others, but I will NEVER go near Xanax again.


I hope I understood your post correctly - it's still early here, but in any case you really need to speak to your doctor about this, and if s/he tells you it's O.K. to jerk your system around with Xanax and Klonopin at the same time, find another doctor.

Be safe and as soon as you get your system regulated on ONE med that works, you'll at least be able to feel and think in decent manner. Best wishes

Allison

Klonipin and Xanax are basically the same type of meds. Klonipin is longer acting and Xanax works quick and the effects arent' as long lasting. I am on .05 twice a day and two at bedtime. My doc said as long as you don't exceed 3 mg. per day, it will not become physically addictive. Any dosage larger than this you would have to come off of it gradually. It has been a godsend for me. I take it as advised by my psychiatrist. And if I feel I don't need one during the day, I don't take it. But there are days I take it as instructed. He said that was fine. No benzos should be taken or stopped whithout the constant monitoring of your doctor. I would recommend a psychiatrist over a primary care doc for meds as this is their specialty.