Hi Ladies,

First, I just wanted to thank everyone that responded to my previous posts about the jerking/twitching...I really am thankful to you all. Your advice and comfort means more to me than any doctor.

I started Klonopin last night as I would like to get off my xanax ( I have been taking xanax for 20 years..yes, I know...) So, I did some research and it seemed alot of people weaned from xanax to klonopin. I also, thought it would help the jerking at night I have. ( I know alot of you have offered me comfort there..but I am alone as it is almost every night now..and my health anxiety is through the roof about it..convinced I am going to have Seizures at this point..just scary)

Well, the Klonopin for about 2 hours I felt ok..(oh, I am a pill phobe..I hate to put anything into my system..the xanax is bad enough for me personally) then later in the night I felt horrible. I only took .25 mg and I take a total of 2 mg a day of xanax...

I felt like my speech was slowed and my head felt like it was unattached and my vision felt strained. I went to bed and remarkably I jerked a wee bit, but I fell into a deep sleep (which I never do..I am very light sleeper) and I woke up in the middle up the night and did not know where I was!! Then I did have some jerking ( can I just say I feel embarrassed to tell you all this..because the twitching/jerking at night is kind of hard to talk about..I don't want you all think I am freak)

This morning I feel hungover and not myself at all..no energy, feel like my body was invaded last night.

Has anyone taken this medicine? I am wondering if I had a sensitivity to it?

Thanks for listening to my rant...

And thank you again for all of you who give me that much needed (((hug))) when I come to this board and all of you~

Sunny

Hi Sunny:

First let me say that each of us has her own problems and I would never, ever judge you if you came to these boards to seek comfort, advice or support re your symptoms. I believe there is an entire thread on the jerking / twitching where you could find those who suffer this meno symptom. It might be under internal shakes - a symptoms many many women suffer.

I take klonipin on an as needed basis for anxiety. I also take .25 mg's which is I believe quite a low dose. I don't know about dosing and xanax so I cannot speak to the 2 mg's that you take.

I do find that klonipin gives me a drugged feeling the next day but take it anyway when I need it because I would rather feel drugged the next day than suffer the anxiety the day before. and if I take it for multiple days in a row it can feel like a fog has descended on me. But I wonder, have you already weaned off the xanax? Is the xanax still in your body? Do you think there could have been an interaction between the two drugs? Your reaction sounds unusual in intensity. Are you on any other meds that could have interacted?

It may just not be the med for you.

Hopefully you will get some other responses as many women on PS have experience with klonipin. Some can tolerate it some can't.

Sorry I could not be of more help Sunny. Please don't ever feel like you are alone in this. We are here.

hugs - pooks

Why exactly are you switching from Xanax to Klonopin?

Dear Sunny,

I don't want to distract from EP's question, so please LOOK UP!

I have taken Klonopin for many years, and have never had a problem with it. I get a very gentle anti-anxiety response, and that is it.

Everyone reacts differently to medications. As Pook said, Klonopin may not be the med for you.

I chime in with her as well about the embarassment. For many months I was afraid to write about my psychotic episode. I was so fearful that people would think I am a permanent nut case. Instead, I received nothing but warmth and compassion. The PS community is responsible in very large measure for my continued recovery.

I hope I will see you here often new friend. Take good care.

Best,
Marcy

Hi Sunny!

I don't experience the jerking and twitching at night, but do have the internal shakes and anxiety and nervousness, along with all the other mess!! I am on HRT and lexapro and lorazapam (ativan) for nerves. My doc had me on klonopin for a while early on, but I couldn't take it either! It did absolutely nothing to help me sleep or help my anxiety. The doc switched me to ativan (lorazapam) and that has worked MUCH better. I take it as I need it, which is daily right now! I take a total of 2 mg./day, but I cut the 1 mg. tablet in halves and quarters and just space them out through the day for a little boost in my system to get me through the day. I know they are addictive, but the doctor said not to worry - it's just when you start taking more and more and start drug-seeking behavior that you have a problem. He knows that it's the peri stuff that I'm dealing with right now.

All these nerve and anti-depressant meds are just trial and error according to my doctors and what works for one may not work for another. The hard part is dealing with the ones that don't work to get to the ones that do. I really do feel for you as I have been dealing with this for 3 years now. BUT hang in there and keep bugging the doctors until you find one that will listen and help you. There really is help out there, but you have to be assertive in finding it unfortunately!!

Hang in there!! We'll all get through this together!!

Sunny,

Another possibility is that you are having some withdrawal symtoms from NOT taking the Xanax. I used Ativan myself, and during high anxiety it worked great and I took it daily for 2 months, and then frequently for another 2 months. Now I rarely need to use it (YAY!!). I wonder, like EP, why switch? Do you not think the Xanax works for you anymore?

Dear Sunny
I think Floater has a valid point.You mentioned you have been on Zanax for about twenty years so unlesss your withdrawal was extremely slow your body will be reacting.When I tried to wean off ADs and Anit anxiety meds. I did far too quickly and my body and mind both let me know!

No-one here would ever judge you.We have all got our own problems and discuss them freely in a very comfortable and accepting environment.We are all in this Menopausal journey together and the advice and support given by the ladies is fantastic

When I frst joined I used to read all the posts before I dared post myself.I too felt ashamed of how I was dependent on Meds. to get me through life but I received nothing but kind words and also realised that many more ladies were suffering far more than myself.

I was completely un-prepared for Menopause.Thought periods just stopped and that was that so when I became Menopausal displayed very bizarre symptoms and was put on Prozac.It helped but later when I began HET felt even better.Now at 57 am still dependent on these Meds and now have learnt to accept that this is how it is with me.

So Sunny,keep posting and let us wrap our arms around you in sisterhood.Tell your Doctor what you are going through and maybe you will discover that Zanax is best for you or that you need more time to wean off.

I wish you strength and please keep us posted.

God Bless
Elizabeth

Thank you, thank you all so very much..I guess I am just a really private person, so posting on here was a big deal for me personally..even though you all can't see me! But I can see you all understand and have been there too.

I wanted to try something different in hopes that it would help me a little with the twitching and jerking I get at night as the xanax does not seem to help that.

I actually substituted one dose of Xanax for one dose of Klonopin last night as per my doctor. So, maybe the chemistry of the Klonopin did not agree with me or something. Or maybe not taking that dose of xanax and replacing it with Klonopin?? I don't know..

The Xanax has always worked well for me all these years.. I am very strict with it and I keep my dosage at 2 mgs a day..I could not imagine what it is like to go to bed at night without it. I know my body is addicted after all these years..but I have been on different SSRI's to try to help with my panic/anxiety disorder and they only me worse. So, the doctors eventually told me to stay on xanax as I was actually becoming Agorophobic..the thought of leaving my home was torture.

But my quality of life on xanax keeps me functioning and I am able to live a fairly normal life..well, until perimenopause set in and then the anxiety and panic amplified.

I hope that answers your questions..and thank you..I did not expect the level of support you all gave..made my day!!!

I hope everyone is having a good day?!

Sunny

(((((((((((Sunny)))))))))))))))

I am just like you. I was on Xanax for 5 years after my panic got so bad I could barely function. I also tried about 8 antidepressants and they all made me feel worse so the psychiatrist left me on it. I was off of it for 4 years...I weaned myself off of it over 6 months and I was taking 1 mg a day maximum. Then peri hit and anixety got bad 3 years ago so I took it as needed...but I have been on it daily since last November. I take .25 up to 3 times a day. I actually tried Buspar a few months ago and had such a bad reaction after taking 1/2 a dosage to start cause I'm so sensitive to medication and I had to leave my job the next day after being there for 1/2 an hour...it was horrible. So, Buspar isn't for me and I'm leaving things alone. As the old saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I know you were trying to relieve yourself of the jerking/twitching and that is your goal so perhaps you could try something else and not take the klonopin any longer. I assume you've been checked out neurologically and have had all the testing at this point. I used to care what people would think if they knew but I don't any longer. They have no idea how I am suffering with this panic disorder and it's no my fault as I had terrible abuse as a child and this is what the result was....terrible anxiety/panic issues. Please know that you are not alone.

Hugs,
Karen

sunny,

xanax is my friend! lol ... wouldn't be without it. I know you were on it for 20 yrs. but lots of people have been, i rememeber years ago, when people were on valium for YEARS, xanax is just the drug of the day, and to be honest, it WORKS! i took klonopin ONCE, and that was enough for me thank you! NEVER AGAIN! honestly, if you're not really having any bad side effects from the xanax, why not stay on it? Does it still help you or not? By now, your body is used to it, so switching to something else, is going to be pretty hard.

I tried Klopopin the other day and it made me worse........even made my heart race......never again......sticking with xanax!!