HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Depression Even After Taking Klonipin For Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis And Anxiety?

my 61yo husband has ALS and high anxiety. Was put on Klonipin 5mg takes it once a day. appox 3 weeks. For the last 5 days he has been very depressed, given up, will not get out of bed, hardly eats will not change his clothes. cries but also angry. He was on ativan for almost 2 yrs and felt it wasn't working anymore, so his family doctor put him on the klonipin. He has has times when he would get teary but would snap out of it. I worry that this mood is the klonipin. He said he doesn't have much longer to live and has just given up. Even said he wished he had a gun to end it all. I do suspect he has FTD with his ALS , I am his caregiver and spouse of 41 years. He is just not the same person, but these last five days have been an emotional rollercoaster!
Fri, 7 Feb 2014
Report Abuse
Addiction Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hi,

Medicines like Klonopin and Ativan are benzodiazepines. These can help in anxiety but cannot reduce depression. I agree with you that your husband appears to be quite depressed. He will need treatment with antidepressants like SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro etc) or SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta etc). Depression is quite common in people with chronic neurological illnesses and treating it makes a lot of difference in the patient's quality of life. Please discuss this with his doctor and ensure that he gets the best treatment.

Best wishes.
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful


Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Lorazepam


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Depression Even After Taking Klonipin For Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis And Anxiety?

Hi, Medicines like Klonopin and Ativan are benzodiazepines. These can help in anxiety but cannot reduce depression. I agree with you that your husband appears to be quite depressed. He will need treatment with antidepressants like SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro etc) or SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta etc). Depression is quite common in people with chronic neurological illnesses and treating it makes a lot of difference in the patient s quality of life. Please discuss this with his doctor and ensure that he gets the best treatment. Best wishes.