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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AnneL on August 18, 2001, at 23:30:34
I am having a tough time sleeping. I have been taking Effexor in the AM and Klonopin 1 mg. at bedtime for about 5 or 6 months now. The Klonopin was prescribed to get me past my anxiety attacks that were attributable to the activating effects of the Effexor.
I think Klonopin worked great for about 1 month, but after that I toss and turn, dream incessantly and vividly and talk in my sleep. I have done everything I can think of by decreasing my dose by 0.25 mg. at a time down to 0.5 mg. and than I inevitably go back up to 1 mg. and start the taper all over again. I want off of this medication, but feel so psychologically dependent on it as well because it does make me fall asleep. I need some new ideas, please. What can give me a peaceful sleep? Now I truly know how terribly cruel benzos can be once you start them. :( Anne
Posted by Janelle on August 19, 2001, at 0:38:56
In reply to How do I get off Klonopin so I can get some sleep?, posted by AnneL on August 18, 2001, at 23:30:34
Hi - I can relate to your having a tough time sleeping. I've been on Klonopin (varying from 0.5 to 1.5 or 2 mg, depending on anxiety level). I'm also on Effexor, but about to taper off it (too activating for me).
You said that Klonopin had worked great, but now you have trouble falling asleep, but then you said that it DOES make you fall asleep. So, I'm confused if the Klonopin is still helping you with sleep or not.
I now take 2.5mg/night of Zyprexa a few hours before bedtime, then 1.0 mg of Klonopin. This combo is working for me (knock on wood it continues to do so). I think that these two work synergistically and also taking Klonopin right before hitting the sack seems to prevent the awful anxiety I would wake up with.
Klonopin is supposed to be the least "addicting" of the benzos because of its longer half-life. Nonetheless, if you want off of it, I'd suggest doing it gradually, from 1.0 to .5 to .25 if necessary.
As for what could give you decent sleep, I could suggest trying Ambien, which is a non-benzo that induces "regular" sleep, with dreams, REM, etc. However, it is designed for short-term use only. Since you mentioned that Effexor is giving you anxiety (as it does for me), perhaps you could switch to another anti-depressant, one that's a bit sedating, that you could take at night? There are also other a-d's that are not sedating that might be better for you in terms of not causing anxiety, and with lowered anxiety you might be able to sleep better at night. Just some ideas ... good luck!
Posted by KB on August 19, 2001, at 8:36:18
In reply to Re: How do I get off Klonopin so I can get some sleep?, posted by Janelle on August 19, 2001, at 0:38:56
Ambien is a good suggestion - it worked well for me for the few weeks that I took it, and restored my confidence in my ability to sleep. Insomnia promotes itself by making you so nervous about falling asleep that then you can't and it becomes a cycle.
You might also try an herb called Valerian. Find it in capsule form -the tea is very strong and unpleasant-tasting.
This is the end of the thread.
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