No Klonopin in Canada? Info on long-term anxiety meds would be helpful too please read!?

Question

When I told my doctor I was interested in trying Klonopin she replied with "you mean ___ ?" and mentioned that it might not be sold in Canada. I'm confused! I hear this could really help my social anxiety. I'm sure she would have heard of it if it were sold here.

Also, just for the record she upped my Effexor to 75 mg. It's not doing anything so far and it's been about 3 1/2 weeks. I was on 37.5 mg for the first 3 weeks I don't know if that makes a difference. I should've really started out on 75. But benzos (such as Klonopin) are addictive, which is the main reason I think my doc kept me on Effexor. They're best used only as needed, too, like for panic attacks and such right? Well maybe I would rather be on something long-term, so I have less chance of addiction. Of course Effexor is known for horrible withdrawl effects, go figure. Have I been on it long enough to experience those effects if I end up going off it?

Effexor is causing me to lose my appetite, lose sleep, and constipation.

Anyone know of any effective long-term anti-anxiety meds? As in ones that aren't going to make me gain 50 pounds or waste months seeing if they will work?

Yeah, I know everything works different for everyone. For some reason I have a strong feeling this one won't be the one to work for me. It just doesn't feel right. I'll give it another couple weeks to see if I feel any different on the 75, but after that I'm done with it.

Argh. Well is 75 is too low to be effective why was I put on it =(

As if I haven't waited long enough already.

Answer 1

First, i must say that klonopin(clonozepam) should not be used for a disorder in anxiety disorders spectrum,like social anxiety, as a single drug... Adding Effexor (in fact, it is a main drug for treatment anxiety disorders, klonopin can be additive) is a good approach but you are telling so high level anxiety, these dosages (up to 75 mgr/day) are not enough for a good response... Venlafaxine (Effexor) is a SNRI and has a wide range of effective dosage... For example up to 900 mgr/day... it seems amazing at first but true and very effective on resistant cases... Another fact that 75mg/day is not enough usually... Maybe we can use it mild cases but not for your high level anxiety.. In many cases adding a 75 is soo nice... so good responses... last years it was accepted for 375 mg/day on outpatient cases.. to use and to follow up... i think your doctor will pass higher dosages and you will be very very happy with unbelievable consequences... i don't know your age but personally i can say 150mg/day or little bit more dosages are so good for you... Please don't give up treatment and do your doctor's recommendations

Answer 2

Almost all anti-anxiety drugs (anxiolytics) have the problem of being habit-forming (addictive) if used long term. It is possible to use them for two or three weeks on a regular basis and then use them prn (as needed). Klonopin (Clonazepam, not to be confused with Clonapin, another drug) has less of a kick then say Ativan or Xanax, but lasts a little longer in the system and has been used long-term. It is also used for seizures, which is why I believe it is used more lon-term, but you can have difficulty when withdrawing from it and it has to be titrated down (lowered) over a period of time in stages.
I have seen Effexor be effective, but if you see not change in yourself in three and a half weeks, don't expect any. You should see a change on many of these drugs within two weeks. Withdrawing from it should not be that difficult after that amount of time.
There are many other drugs you could try, Paxil being one, Celexa, Lexapro, and Wellbutrin being others. You can ask your doctor about it. Anti-depressant medication, which is what these class of drugs are, also assist with anxiety and the thought process. Eventually with a problem such as yours, you will want to get off drugs. You must develop strategies for facing your fears. You have little to fear from others because most times they are worrying about themselves, not you. They may "put you down" in a sense, but only so that they can see themselves in a better light. This is not a process of building self-esteem, but showing low self-esteem. Do you think you really need to fear people who think of themselves that way? Go to www.anxietycoach.com for ways of dealing with anxiety.

Answer 3

actually, i take celexa 20 mg for a panic disorder, it works great for me. everyone is different on different meds though. you prob will get withdrawl effects from getting off effexor, but if you are weaned off the right way, u should b fine. There are plenty of anti-anxiety meds out there that help just as well as klonopin. xanax, ativan, buspar, look it up on web md .com. go under drug and treatments, type in ant-anxiety medication, they will give u a list. my celexa which is an antidepressant, just prevents them from happening. i wish the best of luck to you!

Answer 4

I have been told that busbar is a good non addictive anxiety medicine. Also there are some good anti depresents that work for anxiety also like paxil. Clonapin can be addictive and you should try to stay away from it if you can.

Answer 5

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