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Alprazolam stopped working, starting Clonazepam tonight

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 8/25/2010 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

eyes  Well, the Xanax (alprazolam) apparently isn't working like it should anymore, and I've been having panic attacks nearly every day.  Starting Clonazepam tonight, it's supposed to be stronger than the alprazolam.  I certainly hope so; I'm missing too much work and my husband is getting mad at me.  My husband only works on the weekends and won't look for work to help out during the week, so he's basically spending all his time diddling on the computers and taking things apart, etc.  Makes it hard to get online when your computer is in several pieces!  I put out an ad in a local newspaper saying that he needed a certain kind of job, certain days off, etc.  It goes into effect tomorrow.  Hopefully he will be getting calls and it would be great if he could land a job.  We really need the extra money with me missing so much work and it would be good mentally for him to work.  You know, I think he might have some kind of panic disorder too, he reacts like a scared cat whenever I mention the word "work" to him.  Or he may just like things like they are--but they can't be.  If the new meds work, then I work; if they don't, then my work will be sporadic at best and we are back at square one.  Gad, and my employer---I don't know how much more of my absences they will put up with.  Panic Disorder is covered as a disability, so it would be whether or not they are willing to accomodate me.

So much to worry about.  Please pray for my husband to find work and for me to be able to work.  I love you guys.

Camylou

Posted 8/25/2010 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
I wish you all the best with the med change ..keep us posted plz

my prayers n thoughts are with you and hubby to find peace of mind with dis and a job for him
Posted 8/25/2010 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I caught your post in the "How are you doing?" thread and posted to you.

Kitt  :-)

Posted 8/27/2010 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
The Clonazepam seems to be working very well; have had one short-lived panic attack and was still able to work. I feel pretty good today too. Hopefully this will be my road back to working steadily. Thanks for being here for me and my husband and your prayers. Have a great day!
Camylou
Posted 8/28/2010 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Camy- are you doing OK in your new position at work? It sounds like it is stressing you out. Maybe ask yourself what can I do to feel more comfortable in my new job? If you have questions about whether or not you are doing things right now is the time to ask your employer for help. It is natural to not know how to do things when you start a new job/task. If you attack your stressor you will need less meds. I wish you all the best and keep you in my prayers.
Posted 8/30/2010 8:37 AM (GMT 0)
Camylou,

I think being on clonazepam is going to work out better for you than xanax. The problem with xanax is that it is a very quick acting medication (and a potent one), but that it has a very short duration of action and a very short half life. Its generally only effective for about 4-5 hours. Klonopin has a slower onset of action, is roughly the same potency as xanax, but has about twice as long of an active effectiveness (8-12 hours). After the full effectiveness period, it still retains partial effectiveness as part of the medication remains active in your system for about 24 to 36 hours after dose was first taken. With Xanax, there is a rapid drop off of effect after 5 hours, with any residule/partial effectiveness of the drug wearing off after about 8 hours. This can cause rebound anxiety and withdraw. Because Klonopin very slowly leaves your bloodstream, its risk of causing rebound anxiety is lower, and there souldn't be any withdraw experienced between doses if they are atleast once a day.

The only drawback might be some trouble getting up in the morning and a slight hangover effect, but as I stated, it should work better. My doctor told me that whenever possible, it is better to treat conditions with long acting benzos vs short acting ones.

PS- I generally post in CP, but since I take an anti anxiety medication for "night terrors", I do know a little bit concerning how some of these medications work :)

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