Switching medications increased anxiety

[kab325]

Has anyone ever switched from Xanax to klononpin 😩

[Tedddy]

I haven't made that exact switch, but for me, any time I start a new medication my anxiety increases, at least for a couple of weeks. I'm very sensitive to medications and even upping a dose of one medication causes this too. I always have to have Xanax when I start a new prescription because the switch always increases anxiety for me. In most cases, it does get better but takes a couple weeks. Hang in there!

[Barbie72 in reply to Tedddy]

I am on an extended release Xanax and I feel the best ever. I feel I can go anywhere and anything. No anxiety that I will have a panic attack somewhere that is not safe for me.

[kab325]

Thanks! I literally looked at the bottle for 2 hours dreading to take it, I finally did about 30 mins ago and I kinda feel “high” i guess you could say which makes my anxiety worse. I’ve been on Xanax for 4 years and they switched me today an added prozac with it but I haven’t taken it yet. I just don’t like the foggy feeling. 😩

[BonnieSue in reply to kab325]

It takes courage to start a new medicine, knowing you will probably have to put up with some side effects you don't want for a few days or weeks before they mostly fade and until the medicine really begins to be effective for you. This is tough and not for cowards. Yet few people will understand this process and be cheering you on as you courageously do this...you must give yourself the credit you deserve.

[BonnieSue]

Yes, I have made the change to klonopin/clonazepam from xanax and it's a good one. They are both mild tranquilizers called benzodiazepines but xanax is shorter acting, good for maybe 3-4 hours on average and klonopin is longer acting, good for about 8 hours on average. (You can look this up for yourself) This varies with the individual and your anxiety level at the time you take any drug. Once you demonstrate an ongoing need for an anti-anxiety medicine, the longer acting med like klonopin makes more sense because you take it less often and you remain in a steadier state with less ups and downs throughout the day.

I have GAD--generalized anxiety disorder--so I needed a 24 hour around the clock medicine. I spent years on clonazepam/klonopin once every 8 hours and had a smooth coverage 24/7 rather than the rocky ups and downs xanax would have given me. Antidepressants taken concurrently also helped to a much lesser degree. Now, decades later, living a less stressful life, I don't need the klonopin at all, which is great!!

[BonnieSue]

Oh yes, I totally agree with Tedyyyy that starting any new medicine can cause an increase in stress and anxiety levels, at least for a few days for me, so be aware of that and act accordingly.

[kab325]

Thanks y’all, I just feel not myself but I guess I need to try it a few days to see. I have anxiety, ptsd, depression and and borderline personality disorder. I guess just the feeling of having Xanax as my crutch has made the anxiety worse. It’s been a couple hours I still feel a little spaced out but I’m in a good mood, having a few muscle spasms in my arms and legs not sure if that’s a side effect to switching or not. Google is my worst nightmare so I’m trying to stay away from googling stuff about it I figured I’d start the Prozac in the morning and try the treazdone tomorrrow night. My spelling isn’t the greatest but hopefully you know what I’m saying. This app is amazing and I’m thankful for people like y’all responding back makes me feel less alone

[JPort42]

I have found klonapin 1 mg twice daily to be much better than Xanax, primarily bc it last much longer to allay MY anxiety attacks.