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Posted 1/13/2012 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Klonopin .25 to .5 Mgs about every other day sometimes not for a few days. Ive been doing this for a couple years now. Im exhausted, dizzy, higher than normal heart rate and feel like my limbs weight a thousand pounds and I feel like my body is plugged into a light socked, my body never relaxes. Even doing simple things like walking up the stairs makes my heart race. ive gained a lot of weight too not changing my diet at all, Could it be from the Klonopin or just the fact im so anxious and tired I cant get out like I used to!?

Has anyone else had this problem??

I cant take SSRI's they cause crazy side effects in me and I cannot sleep at all. Im supposed to take .5 mgs of Klonopin in the Am and afternoon and 1 mg at night. I just already so exhausted and dizzy im scared to try taking the amount I was originally supposed to. I also have awful health anxiety and im scared to death of getting addicted to medication, even though I have never had any problems with addiction in my life.

Ive had every test imaginable CT scans, tons of bloodwork, 2 sets of MRI's brain and spine,spinal tap,Neurological tests( Only found borderline neuropathy) and im sure there are other tests that I missed! The Dr tells me its all from anxiety and depression, but I just feel like maybe this missed something and im going crazy trying to feel better! Im not a depressed person but the awful anxiety is making me depressed!

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease about ten years ago and was treated for it and Dr told me its awful anxiety, PTSD from the stress of having undiagnosed Lyme for 8 years before being diagnosed and treated, I have had awful anxiety me entire life but all the medical run around I went through for the Lyme disease made it ten times worse and it had stayed that way since!

Sorry this is such a long ramble!

So i guess my question is has anyone gained weight while taking Klonopin or Xanax?

Can anyone else just not tolerate taking SSRI'S or other antidepressants??

 And is anyone totally exhausted and dizzy 24/7 with their anxiety!? Even my muscles are weak and shakey 24/7! I feel like im losing my mind and wasting my life! 

Posted 1/13/2012 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know much about Lyme disease so I cannot speak to the characteristics of this disease but I would guess you would know if exhaustion is one of the sx.

 

Just like all  medications, Klonopin may cause undesirable side effects and weight gain may be one of them.  In clinical studies, less then 1% of people taking Klonopin experienced weight gain. 

I am thinking maybe your anxiety and lack of exercise may be causing the weight gain.  Are you on any other medications ?

Yes, the SSRIs are a tough class of drugs to use and many people do not tolerate the side effects.

Have you tried any other therapy to help you with you anxiety ?

CBT is often suggested here and has been used by numerous members.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts
cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change.

There is a free online site that you can work from home and I will post the link for you:

the MoodGYM training program: http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Meditation and Breathing Exercises are also great ways to control you anxiety and reduce your stress.

I am glad you have reached out for help here in the forum and I hope you stick with us.

Kindly,

Kitt
Posted 1/14/2012 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Jess,

I don't want to scare you, but this was happening to a good friend of ours . He felt like he had concrete in his limbs ( Heavy Feeling). He ended up with a stint due to a blockage. I think that you should get some medical advice as soon as you can to be on the safe side. I'm sorry to have to tell you this , because I know that you are under a tremendous amount of stress right now. Just try to breathe and seek some professional opinions. We are always here for you, we care!!!

Blessings , Michelle
Posted 1/14/2012 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
...but then again, these symptoms could just as easily be a result of anxiety/depression...or a dependency on the Klonopin.

Unfortuneatly benzos do have the reputation for being addictive, so I would talk to your doctor regarding this. It is sort of a red flag when you get symptoms like you described after missin a day's dose of your medication.

My daughter is concerned about Xanax dependency, so I am encouraging her to wean down, and look for an alternative med.

Have you considered an SNRI? (Effexor or Cymbalta for example) I am not sure if you would have the same s/e trouble with this class of drug or not, but it may be something to talk to your doctor about.

I am sure that with some patience and pro-active work with your doctor, that you can get your symptoms and treatment plan worked out so that you feel better. Don't give up:)

Let us know how it is going soon.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/14/2012 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
 

I have tried CBT and still use many of the techniques though they dont seem to be working at all. The thing I dont undetstend is when I was having all the Lyme symptoms the awful anxiety, dizziness and fatigue were not and issue, and the Drs tell me i went through years of Lyme treatment and they believe that the increase in anxiety is a PTSD type thing after all the medical testing and run around I had to go through. I just keep thinking its something else besides anxiety, of course my awful health anxiety doent help this!

Im sure its not a heart issue ive had and Echo, 24 hr heart monitor and too many EKGs to count. Ive also had ultrasounds on every organ, thyroid, liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, stomach and also the thing were the put the scope down to your stomach and take a biopsy. I forgot to mention the tests in my first post! :) Lol

The Dr's tell me im fine and they believe 90% of the problems are anxiety but I seriously feel like death and just cant believe that thats all thats causing my problems! One Dr told me it could be lingering problems from the Lyme disease which I find hard to believe to since when I had the worst Lyme symptoms my major problems now were not an issue!

Some days I just feel like maybe im nuts and losing my mind because everything ive tried to feel better hasnt helped and my therapist which Ive been going to for 17 years (since i was 12). Hes a great Dr and is very open and understanding but he just doenst know where else to tell me. ive seriously been on every antidepressant on the market all the awful results some didnt even make it to the second day! Ive also tried natural things with no help. My Dr believes in just need to take the Klonopin as prescribed and use CBT and stop trying to look at for ways online to "cure" my anxiety all day. I cannot work cause of my anxiety so im home with little to do with how exhausted I am so looking online on "Dr Google" can be my worst enemy! Ugh

Is anyone also not able to take SSRI's or SNRI's and can only take benzodiazapines? I also tried Buspar which was also a disaster I saw flashing lights in my vision and my ears rang it was a mess!

I feel like im gonna lose my mind with all this!

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