posted
Has anyone been put on Klonopin and had the opposite effect? My PCP scripted some yesterday to help me deal with my stress/anxiety and I did not sleep a wink last night. I was hyped up, twitching and anxious all night. I called in to see about a change.
I know some of these drugs react differently with different people, but I wanted to hear if anyone else experienced this, and if so, what they were given that helped.
Also, please note, I do understand that the anxiety can also be from teh Lyme and hense the drugs may not work, but they should help take the edge off I would think.
Thanks, Kenny
PS: By the way, my PCP is totally cool with me seeing a Lyme specialist and will try to support me if they start treatment next week. How about that? He doesn't even necessarily agree with the LLMD school, but he's open enough to say "if they treat you and it works, I'm all for it". Gotta love it.
Posts: 76 | From South Eastern PA | Registered: Sep 2005
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Hubby could not take Klonopin because of the mood swings -- really really bad anger and irritability. He already had a Parkinsonian tremor from the Lyme and the Klonopin did not help with that. The benzodiazepine class of drugs also hype him up instead of calming him down.
It is my understanding that Klonopin is about 10 times as strong as Ativan which is about 10 times as strong as Valium. Maybe Ativan or Valium would be a better choice if you feel you need a med.
In my opinion SAM-e or St John's wort could be a good alternative and those are not addictive. It will just take time and experimenting with different supplements, herbs and meds to find what works for you. Other things that might be worth trying are 5HTP or valerian. Also, magnesium may help with the twitching.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
My lyme has me wired,ativan(used sparingly)has been a life saver at times for me.
Posts: 308 | From new bedford,Ma. | Registered: Dec 2004
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I'm taking xanax which seems to help; I take a small dose on a regular basis and am careful to never exceed what was recommended.
This wasn't something I liked doing, but my LLMD described anxiety as a Lyme symptom that needed to be appropriately treated.
In retrospect, I'm glad I listened to her.
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Kenny, I've been on Klonopin for over 13 years and it has worked very well for me. (look at earlier thread under Question for anxiety/panic attacks) and read my posts.
However, it doesn't work for everyone (see link below). It doesn't mean that another medication won't work either. Maybe your doc will try something different.
And yes, I've had a swallowing problem with all the symptoms you've described. I also noticed it was when I was the most stressed out and panicking.
Outside of being overwhelmed by this disease, you also have alot on your plate. You have got to learn to relax, it sounds like your symptoms are being exacerbated by your stress, and they're feeding off of each other. I know, easy for me to say.
Believe me, I've been in your shoes, and I never thought I'd get through it. But you will. Really, read my posts, and feel free to ask any questions if I can help.
posted
Thanks Jill. My PCP told me to stick with the Klonopin for w few days. He feels like you, that my stress and anxiety are so high that he can't get a good read on what my symptoms really are. And I agree with him (and you). I'm hoping a couple of nights of good sleep as well as some reduced anxiety during the day will help me get it together. I need to be etrong for my family and that starts with being strong for myself. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I will read through some of your posts. Kind regards, Kenny
Posts: 76 | From South Eastern PA | Registered: Sep 2005
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I've been on generic xanax the last month, 2-3 times daily. Been using it for a year, but only at bedtime and very rarely used any other time. It has made a world of difference in me. Anxiety is lyme symptom. Add everyday life stress to that makes it harder.
I'm feeling like me, the old me before this lyme nightmare. I'm social and spirited.
Take care, Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
My 14-year-old daughter had a paradoxical reaction to Klonopin. We tried if for 7 weeks to see if it would calm her visual disturbances. We started at a tiny dose and gradually increased. With each increase, she would get aggitated and twitchy. After a few days, that seemed to settle down, but it never seemed to help her in any way. I take .5-1 mg of Klonopin each night for restless leg syndrome, for which it is very effective, so it was amazing to me that it seemed to actually cause my daughter to have restless legs. A true paradoxical reaction.
I have to question whether Klonapin is so much stronger than Ativan and Valium. I have limited experience with those drugs (both times as a preop sedative so the doses may have been much larger), but I felt truly drugged. At the low dose I take of Klonopin, it has been the most effective treatment with the least side effects for my restless legs.
Posts: 164 | From USA | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Kenny, I had an anxiety attack shortly after taking Klonopin. It freaked me out. Amitryptaline(elavil) worked great for me unfortunately there is the lovely weight gain side effect. Hang in there, it will get better. IV Rocephin got rid of all my anxiety unfortunately I was too anxious to do it for the first 6 mos of Lyme.
Feel better, DawnE
Posts: 158 | From Great Neck, New York | Registered: Sep 2002
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Lexapro finally helped the most...besides the IV treatments of two months of ceftriaxone then claforan followed by 4months ketek...
with some flagyl mixed in... I still need some mepron and zith I think...but the lexapro 10mgs twice a day seem to be keeping me at a steady level.....not too hi and not too low...zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Thanks all, The Klonopin worked after a day or two. My PCP just had me taking it to take the edge off while the Lexapro kicks in (apparently the SSRI's take 2-3 weeks to become fully effective). Also, I start IV Rocephin treatmend combined with oral zithromax next week and my LLMD seems to believe that should alleviate my need for the anxiety meds. Here's prayin' he's correct. Peace... Kenny
Posts: 76 | From South Eastern PA | Registered: Sep 2005
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
did anyone ever try Buspar? non-addictive anti-anxiety. saves my but. no withdrawal or wierd side effects.
hopeful123
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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