Cipralex/escitalopram & clonazapam.. I’m scared.

what a horrible time - have you tried kava kava

Hi, I am so sorry you are dealing with this.:( My son has social phobia and panic disorder. I wish I had an answer, but if you are feeling sedated to that extent, one or both meds needs adjustment or changed to a different medication. I would caution adding sedating supplements without consulting your doctor as some are dangerous. If I come across any medical literature regarding this, I will let you know. My son takes clozaril and lorazepam. I am hopeful that research will soon find breakthroughs in treatment or a cure for anxiety. My heart goes out to you.

@deewithanxiety: Maybe I can help you, because I have taken both Clonazepam and Escitalopram. Please let me know how you are feeling now and what medications are you presently taking, including their dosages. I need this information to make any suggestions. Regards.

I have been on Clonazapam 1.5 mg. and Trazadone 300 mg. fot 20 years. He added Lomotrigine 275 mg a year ago and reduced my clonazapam to 1.0mg. My psychiastrist, now 70+ years old has recently decided that because of my age, I'll be 85 next week, that he should reduce my clonazapam to 0.5mg. effect yesterday. I am to see him next week the 13th. I'm concerned that I am already experiencing side effects to this cut back. Any suggestions as how I should try to cope with this until then? I take both drugs to be able to get at least 5 hours sleep. Diagnosis: generalized anxiety disorder
Fred Lopp

@fredlopp You are 85. Find a doctor that specializes in baby boomers. I have and it has made a huge difference.
They are out there. You just have to find them.
Obviously your doctor doesn’t have a clue.
Good luck to you.

@fredlopp
For GAD, there is no reason to take lomotrigine which is more for treating epilepsy like seizures. That sounds like he prescribed the wrong medication. But if you were to reduce your clonazepam dosage, it will require months of a reduction in dosage to supposedly avoid side effects. And in the meantime, you'll suffer a lot more anxiety. I take 1.5 mg of clonazepam and 100 mg of trazadone at night to relieve anxiety and as sleep aids; but I also take 3 mg of melatonin and half of a 25 mg tablet of doxylamine succinate (Costco's antihistamine labeled "Sleep Aid"). I'm 78 years old, so we're in the same age range. I think your options are: 1. Change doctors, 2. Resist any medication changes at this time unless he replaces the clonazepam with another anti-anxiety med. You can Google what the good replacements are for clonazepam and have that info in your back pocket when you go into the appt this next week. Good luck, be strong!

Thanks for your reply.
Actually none of the meds were prescribed for GAD as I understand it. I was told each one was to "quiet" my mind when it is very active when I try to sleep. I never have a problem in the day time. I have never had seizures of any type.

Trazodone and clonazepam are commonly given for sleep. I was on both for years. The trazodone was a different manufacturer when I moved to another state. The new brand gave me horrible anxiety episodes...go figure. I sed titration to wean myself off. I am now on the lowest dose of clonazepam and doing better. Maybe you are having a reaction to the new med. that was addded(?) I asked my doctor if I could try Trazodone one more time. She said no because of my age. I'm 74. It seems like you should also be titrated off of the clonazepam. I'm wondering why that is not being done.