i'm going to the dr. this week to get something for my anxiety....would appreciate your opinions on whether i should go with klonopin or xanax..what's the difference,which works better,etc.......

also would like to hear about other anti-anxiety meds any of you are taking....

I use Xanax for sleep, I like it because it wears off in about 4 hours so I don't wake up with a hangover effect. Xanax kicks in fairly quickly and is great for sudden anxiety that you want to nip in the bud, but if I had significant anxiety that hangs on all day I would definitely go with Klonopin. It is much longer acting, like 12-16, hours so will keep you on a more even keel.

Klonpin didn't agree with me, but, maybe the dose was too high, I could probably cut it in half and see how that works. Xanax works really well, but, if you have to take something every day, I don't know if you would have to keep titrating up or not. For occasional use or just for sleep (which is what I use it for) it is wonderful. But, everyone is different (if you haven't that one, once you've heard it a million times on this site, lol) If you can get both, lol...

Moonlight:

I have taken both. Depending on my state of hormone flux i may need them with more or less frequency sometimes everyday, sometimes not at all. I find that most of the time now i prefer xanax. Especially in the AM as this is when my symptoms are the worst. I take 1/2 of a .5 mg pill and go out and walk my dog. The combination of the fresh air and xanax clears me or at least puts my mind and body more at ease and ready to face my day. I have a very stressful job (believe it or not this is a blessing). In the evening, if I am feeling very exhausted mentally and physically, I take no anti anxiety meds at all (watch some HGTV where nothing bad ever happens) but if I am keyed up obsessing or ruminating i prefer klonipin (again 1/2 of a .5 mg tablet) as, imo, it has a more of a sedative effect . When my body is full of estrogen and that only happens when I am approaching a period, about every 90 days or so, I can feel the natural sedative effect and when "the moon and stars are aligned" I may need nothing at all. But peri is an unpredictable ride and I have found both medications very helpful.

Hope that helps instead of confuses.

You can pm me for any support or detail. I will reply promptly, promise.

Best Pookish

Thanks for all the replies...
I've been under alot of stress lately and my anxiety has been rearing its ugly head.I have been so happy the past 3 or 4 years cause i haven't had any panic attacks(knock wood) yet i almost always have a low level of anxiety.I started asking myself why i suffer when i can go get something that will help...

You might want to consider Ativan also. My Dr. told me that Xanax has a harder come down effect and that klonipin and Ativan both have a gentler effect when they where off. I use Ativan on a daily basis, just to keep myself afloat. I take 1/4 to 1/2 mg twice daily and it seems to do the job.
Bev

Hi Bev,

I take Xanax and I have absolutely no come down effects at all. I take it at night to sleep and I wake up as if I took nothing at all. I have tried Klonopin and Ativan and neither one really feels great to me. I guess as said a million times before, lol, we all respond differently to meds. I have always taken a full Klonipin and never cut it in half so the dosage wasn't so high. I might try that if I have a need to. So far Xanax does what I need it to do overall. Take care, Mich

hello Moonlight,
Just been to the doctor who prescribed as well both. I understood that Klonopin helps as a tranqualizer for anxiety but that xanax was more for the depression. I just have been diagnosed with anxiety but am going right now through depression. I should know more next week when my family doctor will see me to read me the report from the psychologist. I wish I could tell you more. I don't dare googling to find out about the med as I usually find something to worry more about it. All I hope is that klonopin will help me sleep better.
take care and I will keep you posted once I know more
Bea (aka MrsBuff)

I have never heard that xanax was for depression....just thought it was for anxiety.

maybe I misunderstood. Will know more next week when I go to my doctor's. What is then Klonopin? Do you know? why would they prescribed both Klonopin and Xanax. I was diagnosed with GAD and depression.
thanks
Bea

both klonopin and xanax are prescribed for anxiety...i think klonopin is more longer acting than xanax.

What about buspar?anyone have experience with that?

My husband took that at one time with Lexapro and he said it worked like a charm. But, for women I hear it's not as effective. I read that meds can affect women and men differently.

well....i didn't go to the dr. yet,i'm having anxiety over taking anxiety meds.....wtf? someone please reassure me....

Be reassured. They usually do help, you just have to find the one that works for you. Also, not that you would, but, be careful and don't abuse them. It is easy to rely on them, but you don't want to build up a tolerance or become unhealthily dependent on them. Although many women take the same amount every day and never have to up the dose and it continues working. I always tell myself when I am feeling anxious wait 15 min. if you really need it then take it, then I keep doing that and I find that most of the time I can get through the day without taking more than my night time doseage. I personally take my Xanax to sleep at night. I still wake up but am able to fall back asleep.

Hope you work through the anxiety about taking them. I was worried too at first but I have found Xanax to be very helpful to me. I don't tolerate the other benzo's... Ativan or Klonopin at all.

Good luck,
Mich

I know i started this thread asking the difference between klonopin and xanax...but i'm gonna head in a diff. direction now...

I was assuming my anxiety was back in full force due to stress .....but,i still haven't started a period...so i'm wondering if it's hormonal...and if so,would it be from low estrogen or progesterone?or maybe even both?any input would be appreciated...

by the way.the reason i'm asking if it could be hormonal is because hearing it is eases my mind a bit and i'll know that it will pass....

......