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What Causes Troubled Sleep, Nightmares And Memory Issues After Discontinuing Klonopin?
Well you should mention what these symptoms are. Generally speaking Klonopin is not suitable for long treatment of anxiety, if you need continuous treatment an antidepressant is more suitable.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I am on an anyidepressant. Wellbutrin. I am aware it is not good. I am actually a paychology major. I am not sure why my P.A. Has had me on it so long. But i am having trouble sleeping, nightmares that are vivid, and other symptoms like trouble with memory and numbness or tingling in my hands/feet and arms/legs...
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
Wellbutrin is a commonly used antidepressant. However it is not commonly used for anxiety treatment, not approved for that indication. Actually there is a chance it may increase anxiety in some patients (not necessarily, not all patients are the same).
Antidepressants which are approved for anxiety disorders are usually the SSRI (citalopram,) or SNRI group (venlafaxine) or in young individuals also tricyclics like amitriptyline are very effective with few side effects.
So if long term treatment for anxiety is considered necessary I think those are more appropriate choices. Of course any switch should be done gradually lowering the dosage of Wellbutrin gradually as the other antidepressant is started, removing Klonopin only later on once you have been under the new depressant for some weeks. At times it is easier said than done I know, it is a matter of delicate neurotransmitter balances which may need some time to find a new state of equilibrium.
The other option is to avoid treatment at all, withdrawing from Klonopin very gradually, slower than the first time you tried it, engaging in physical activity, yoga classes are also helpful. Psychotherapy is also a necessary part of treatment as you should know.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
Wellbutrin is a commonly used antidepressant. However it is not commonly used for anxiety treatment, not approved for that indication. Actually there is a chance it may increase anxiety in some patients (not necessarily, not all patients are the same).
Antidepressants which are approved for anxiety disorders are usually the SSRI (citalopram,) or SNRI group (venlafaxine) or in young individuals also tricyclics like amitriptyline are very effective with few side effects.
So if long term treatment for anxiety is considered necessary I think those are more appropriate choices. Of course any switch should be done gradually lowering the dosage of Wellbutrin gradually as the other antidepressant is started, removing Klonopin only later on once you have been under the new depressant for some weeks. At times it is easier said than done I know, it is a matter of delicate neurotransmitter balances which may need some time to find a new state of equilibrium.
The other option is to avoid treatment at all, withdrawing from Klonopin very gradually, slower than the first time you tried it, engaging in physical activity, yoga classes are also helpful. Psychotherapy is also a necessary part of treatment as you should know.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes, but I am also on the Wellbutrin for depression. I shoukd have mentioned that. The dosage was increased and i have felt a lot better but maybe that is what is causing these other symptoms? All I know is a major thing is I cannot sleep and it is flaring up my mograines which i haven't been getting flr a while. And lack of sleep has several repercussions on the brain like the other symptoms I mentioned could be a result of: the lack lf concentration and brain fog. I am just not sure what to say to my P.A. about this with my appointment coming up because she just wanted to put me on a sleeping pill and I have been on Ambien before, I don't want to go back on it.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Your sleep problems and concentration issues could also be due Klonopin if you've used it for a long time. Long term benzodiazepine use may affect cognitive functions and also create tolerance which may make it difficult to sleep without increasing benzodiazepine dosage.
In a patient with depression, anxiety combined with sleeping difficulties my first choice would be amitriptyline. Apart from very good efficacy for depression and anxiety, it also has sedative properties and should help with sleep. So would tick all the right boxes so to speak. You can discuss the possibility of using it in your next appointment.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Your sleep problems and concentration issues could also be due Klonopin if you've used it for a long time. Long term benzodiazepine use may affect cognitive functions and also create tolerance which may make it difficult to sleep without increasing benzodiazepine dosage.
In a patient with depression, anxiety combined with sleeping difficulties my first choice would be amitriptyline. Apart from very good efficacy for depression and anxiety, it also has sedative properties and should help with sleep. So would tick all the right boxes so to speak. You can discuss the possibility of using it in your next appointment.
I hope to have been of help.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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