Only feel ‘normal’ when I take clonazapam

Can anyone tell me why I only feel ‘normal’ when I take clonazapam? All my troubles seem to melt away, I don’t ruminate, my past trauma seems manageable, etc. The minute it wears off, I am back to square one. I currently take sertraline but other than curbing some of the anxiety, it is not doing much, if I could find a drug that acts the same way as clonazapam that I could take for the rest of my life, I would be all set. I know I can’t take this drug forever and have to only take it when absolutely necessary, so I need to find a substitute.

Any thoughts?

[Nathalie99 Partner]

If it helps you, and the benefits outweigh the downside...if it makes you function then it makes sense to me to stay on it.

Antidepressants might not always work. PTSD manifests with different symptoms. Some have depression but not anxiety, others have anxiety but not depression (me), most probably have both depression and anxiety, and some have different symptoms that might not include depression or anxiety at all.

That's the reason, I'm thinking, why some meds work for some people but not for others and vice versa.

My feeling is that the most important aspect is to protect patient's life and ability to function. If the medication helps you keep away from the edge, than it's possibly worth taking till you are stronger through therapy and can be medication free. It's tough to go off them after a long time but not impossible.

Ultimately it's your decision, after weighing pros and cons.

[Marnie22 Volunteer]

Hi. I think Nathalie makes some very good points.

Have you discussed any of this with whoever prescribed your current medication? There might be alternatives for you to consider.

I don't know enough about medication to suggest am alternative, but I have been on Venlafaxine for a long time ( at various dosages, depending upon circumstances,) and it has been an absolute lifesaver for me. My feeling is that if I need a medicine to 'normalise' the chemicals in my brain and allow me to live without unacceptable levels of anxiety and depression, then that's what I need. Therapy of different kinds has helped me enormously but if I need the medication too, I can live with that. I know now why I have the difficulties I have and I done with blaming myself.

I hope that you can find a solution that works for you. 🌸

[Hidden in reply to Marnie22]

Thank you. I am seeing my provider next Tuesday. I will see what she says,

[Marnie22 Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hope it goes well. 🙃

[Iamnothingandnoone]

I am happy just to read you have found help!

[peacefulandcalm Encourager]

buspar is a slower acting one that is supposed to help anxiety as well and is not a benzo..

I have several friends who take it; I tried it, probably not long enough and a long time ago.... and I am going to try again, because I need to reduce benzos too....xx

[Mothmanfan in reply to peacefulandcalm]

Buspar has helped both my PTSD and extreme mood swings caused by BPD. The only way I can explain it is that it leveled me out emotionally... more like a train on a straight track rather than an emotional roller coaster! If you try it again I hope it works for you!

[peacefulandcalm Encourager in reply to Mothmanfan]

thank you for telling me that...I will try again..<3

[Hidden in reply to peacefulandcalm]

What is buspar?