Bipolar Support Group

I'm bipolar 1 and have gotten on lithium and because of stress from the whole family (including 3 kids) being sick for 2 months STRAIGHT and being sleep deprived AND being stressed about my upcoming wedding in 3 weeks my panic flared up in a horrendous way for the first time in 4 years. BEFORE I used to take an Ativan or Lorazapam 1-4 times a month now they have me on Klonopin but want to get me off after only a MONTH! I am still wayyy too panicked and stressed out even though I am much more mellow and positive on lithium 1200mgs. Isn't there anything I can go on say for 6 months? Something NON-ADDICTIVE that they aren't so stingy giving out to me?! Do they WANT me to feel suicidal?! I am scared to have to quit it it is helping so much!

If you feel that the Klonopin is helping your panic attacks, I would let your pdoc know. I'm taking Klonopin as well (generic) although I take it to prevent rapid cycling. I also take Fluoxetine for depression which also helps the panic attacks I experience due to PTSD.

But why does she wanna get me off of it so FAST?! How long have you been on it?

Does Zyprexa help? They put me on ONE does of that when I got absolutely hysterical coming off (having withdrawals) from Trileptal.

"Dose" I meant not "does"

I've only been taking the generic form of Klonopin for 3 days, but in that short amount of time, I can already tell that it's working. Zyprexa is an antipsychotic used to treat mania. If you were hysterical, that's probably the reason it was given to you.

Snowgembabygirl, First of all what's your diagnosis? I took Zyprexa and felt wounderful, I too suffer from panic attacks. I had to get off of it because it made me gain 40 pounds. I can't take anything addictive because I'm a recovering alcoholic. My panic attacksgot worse and worse until I got heart palpitations so the pdoc gave me clonodine and it works very well but it didn't get rid of the fear and paranoia so he put me on Effexor which I looked up on Webmd. My fears are completely gone, my panic attacks are gone, and my heart palpitations are gone. I feel wounderful for the most part.

I'm bipolar 1. They had me on Effexor for about 4-5 years before they upped my dose and it sent me to the ER with BAD MANIA! I liked Effexor but can't take it anymore boohoo. I also have anxiety they call it GAD.

Oh god I wont take anything that makes me gain weight. Fitness has been a big part of my life for 25 years.

Yeah Snow that made me mad. I was on zyprexa and it was wonderful. I have had anxiety my whole life and after that it was completely gone. I gained 40 lbs also and had to stop taking it. Klonopin works but is addictive. Like your experience lots of doctors have a hard time writing scripts for it. I have Vistaril now which works alright but I only take it when absolutely necessary because it makes me tired and drys me out. It's amped up benadryl. Congrats on the wedding by the way!!! Maybe your doc could at least wait till after the wedding... if you explain why.