Answer/Reply:

My husband was put on clonazepam by the VA for PTSD. He had been taking it for a little over a year. On December 6, 08 he went into cardiac arrest, while in ICU he began to have seizures and when awake hallucinated and was very disoriented. The Dr.'s could not find a reason for this until an ICU nurse and I talked about his clonazepam. That's when she said he's withdrawing. They kept him on anti seizure medication and induced a coma. I'[m just glad he was where he was when this happened. He also had extreme tremors while taking this drug, once he was off the clonazepam they stopped completely. Gave him alprazolam when he feels he needs it. I'm sure it helps some people but not in this case. I would warn anyone to learn as much as possible before starting this drug.

60 year old Male

Posted: 2008-12-28 10:31:49

Answer/Reply:

I have been taking clonazepam for about 6 months and haven't experienced any of the side effects I'm seeing here. I take one .5 mg tab in the morning and only if needed, one more throughout the day. I take melatonin at night to sleep. I wish I would have started taking the clonazepam years ago. I have a very stressful job and the calming effect it has has done wonders. I sure hope I don't experience any of the side effects I'm reading about.

42 year old Female

Posted: 2009-01-24 03:59:20

Answer/Reply:

I have been on clonazepam for 25 years, but the dosage of .5 mg. a day is hardly anything. I have been up to 3 1 mg. a day. The withdrawals are worse the more you take. I know! You don't have much to worry about. I wish my doctor that first prescribed them to me would have known more about the drug. He told me they were not that addictive! He is very wrong. 54 year old female.

55 year old Female

Posted: 2009-05-09 02:54:00

Answer/Reply:

In response to your post- I think that if you and your doctor want two completely different things, you may consider seeing another doctor for a second opinion. Please do not go off clonazepam on your own. You could experience serious side-effects from that. In order to go off clonazepam, you need to slowly reduce your dose over an extended period of time. It can be rather uncomfortable to do this. The other option is for your doctor to put you in a hospital and they take you off of it rapidly. You will be monitored to make sure you don't suffer serious side-effects like seizures and heart attacks. You would stay in the hospital probably for a week or more.
Good luck to you! I hope this helps.

36 year old Female

Posted: 2009-02-18 20:56:22

Answer/Reply:

Why in the heck would a doctor keep you on this drug for 15 years have you tried other drugs too wein off and have you tried thearpy for panic attacks there are some drugs out there that are good for panic attacks I also can see why your heart rate is so low taking beta blocker and clonazepam a beta blocker can also causer irrg. heart beat read your side effects I would get a second opinion

60 year old Male

Posted: 2009-03-02 12:14:07

Answer/Reply:

I found out today that if you have been taking Clonozepam from .5 to 1 mg, 3 times a day, and tried to wean off of it on your own, it's dangerous. You WILL experience seizures and heart attacks if you do it on your own. If you're young and healthy, you may have a chance, but if you are up in age, do it under a doctor's care. This is a serious, dangerous drug. This drug has high drug interactions so be careful mixing it with other medications.

62 year old Male

Posted: 2009-07-06 21:26:54

Answer/Reply:

My doctor switched me from valium to clonazepam with no problems. I think the dosage of the valium is higher than clonazepam. They have to equal them out to the same dosage. I had no problems, except I wanted to sleep alot at first. Good luck!

55 year old Female

Posted: 2009-05-09 03:06:45

Answer/Reply:

As a person who has been under physician's care for many years I agree that Klonopin is addictive; however, it is not nearly as addictive as other benzodiazepine type of anxiety drugs. I also agree that cognitive therapy with a GOOD therapist is extremely useful in anxiety conditions which seems to be your only reason for having started taking it. It can be weaned off much more easily than other anxiety type medications. Good luck. (But as you get older, please remember that many times taking prescription medication is a much better alternative to the havoc hypertension (high blood pressure) or other health conditions can cause.)

63 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-12 10:48:31

Answer/Reply:

I've taken Clonopin for about 8 years for panic disorder/agoraphobia. I agree that it's habit-forming, because if I miss a few doses, I can definitely tell by my anxiety level. I've never tried to get off of it before, so I don't know how bad the withdrawals are, but they cannot possibly be as bad as Xanax, which I tried for about 6 months, then weaned off of it. That was a nightmare.
I'm hoping to change from the Clonopin to another med (for panic attacks) within the next few months because the Clonopin has such a significant effect on my libido. That's the only negative side effect I've noticed, though.
Counseling is very helpful, but if you have anxiety or panic attacks that are brought on by a chemical imbalance, like mine, all the counseling in the world won't get rid of them. You might have to realize that sometimes, drugs can be the thing that make the difference between living life fully or living in dread of the next panic attack.
Good luck to you.

49 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-12 13:10:05

Answer/Reply:

YOU ARE SO CORRECT. I HAVE HAD ANXIETY/PANIC DISORDER FOR ABOUT 7 YRS. TOOK ME 3 YRS. TO FIND A DOCTOR THAT HELPED ME. IT IS THE MOST TERRIFFING FEELING IN THE WORLD. I HAVE BEEN ON KLONOPIN FOR ABOUT 4 YRS. BUT I DID SOME RESEARCH WHEN THEY AT FIRST TRIED TO PUT ME ON XANAX. I FOUND OUT THAT AT A VERY LOW DOSAGE ZOLOFT AND PAXIL ALSO TREAT THIS DISORDER AND THEN YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE KLONOPIN EXCEPT TO SLEEP. I CAN GO FOR WEEKS BECAUSE THE ZOLOFT KEEPS MY ANXIETY FROM SURFACING. HOPE THIS IS HELPFUL.

44 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-15 15:34:48

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

How much Klonapin do you take for sleep?
57 year old male

Posted: 2008-11-23 00:51:05

Answer/Reply:

I agree with your physician and I will not take Xanax as it does tend to be more addictive and harder to get off of.

63 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-12 10:43:11

Answer/Reply:

No, not for me. My anxiety is the worst in the morning so I take one .05 mg tab when I get up in the morning and do not take anymore until I go to bed unless something stressful occurs during the day. It has really helped me. I am much calmer now and do not worry or stress about every little thing.

42 year old Female

Posted: 2009-01-24 04:05:04

Answer/Reply:

I was taking xanax also and was still having problems. He started me on clonazepam and it worked so much better. I was told that clonazepam is like a time release and xanax isn't.

48 year old Female

Posted: 2009-02-19 10:55:04

Answer/Reply:

I was told that Xanax and Ativan work quicker than Klonopin but they also "crash" faster...One doctor told me that Klonopin will stay in your system for 3 ays without you having to go thru withdrawals...I can tell you 1st hand that he was wrong...I go thru withdrawals if i do not take the prescribed dose of 1 mg, 3 times a day. He was an anti-benzo doctor, so that is the only thing that I can come up with for his rationalization. I wish I could live my life completely pill free,but that just is not the case. I will probably be on these (many) meds for the rest of my life!
Good Luck to you all!

43 year old Female

Posted: 2009-05-19 00:42:36

Answer/Reply:

My clonazepam dose has been at 1 mg 2 x daily for several years now for both restless leg syndrome and anxiety (which also makes me unable to sleep). My psychiatrist had started me at 0.5 mg per day at night, but the body does adapt to medications. Please ask your physician about what he/she thinks.

63 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-12 10:41:24

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I personally think, and have learned from my experiance that anyone who is on more then 2mg of klonopin (clozeapam) a day should try and cut back to atleast one and move to .5 before they up your meds again. Its a highly addictive drug and your tolery starts adding up quickly. My mother was diagnosed with bi-polar and M.S within the past two years. Dotcotrs have had her on klonopin, lithium, tompamax, seroquel, oxycodone, ablify, a plastic bag full of others I can't remember. Look around the internet about people who have taken it and get information on what your swallowing.

Posted: 2008-10-13 16:30:54

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

how in the world is paxil helping you sleep. It caused me to be jittery. The Klonopin really helped relax me and help me sleep.

Posted: 2008-10-15 22:00:33

Answer/Reply:

it sometimes will make you drowsy and mess w/short term memory some times but it works fast >30 min

43 year old Male

Posted: 2008-10-16 05:00:07

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I was first diagnosed with severe GAD in my teens, later to be re-diagnosed by three GOOD psychiatrists as having severe GAD with Panic Disorder accompanied by Agoraphobia. From what I understand, having GAD and PD simultaneously is somewhat rare--but I have them NON-comorbid with depression though recent and significantly recently major life events have recently combined severe depression with my anxiety disorders.

I have been on and off of long-term clonazepam therapy for over 20 years(I am 38 now). I have been on it singly, in cocktails and w/o any clonazepam (or any BZD's). Due to all the over-prescriptions of SSRI and /or SNRI therapy, as well as tricyclics, MAOIs, Wellbtrin, other atypicals (tradodone, etc.), Buspar, etc. etc.) I now am hypersensitive to SSRIs/SNRIs and tricyclics, primarily.

This is rare but not as rare as previously though. Again, I am on clonazepam daily with another BZD (namely lorazepam on an as-needed basis).and trazodone (400mg/day). The trazodone is fairly well-tolerated and as an SSRE in effect). Both the clonazepam and trazodone are taken in relative equal dosages daily,

The trazodone stopped having hypo tensive effects after about a week and is fairly effective for depression. Trazodone is sometimes still used for anxiety disorders but my body has re-adjusted itself as all antidepressives have. It's major stimulatory metabolite has very minimal effect on the current regimen. The trazodone itself is SLIGHTLY useful for anxiety alone.

My anxiety conditions are severe (even after years of GAD and other therapies) but sees to be markedly improved with clonazepam. The nature of my GAD (which seems to constantly range anywhere from a steady PD " 6-8") and my actual panic disorders are about 90% alleviated. Side effects from the clonazepam (or the current combo) are minimal. Hypotension is not present, BP is in the normal range, anxiety levels are easily manageable. WD effects from switchng off of clonazepam (or any other BZD are much notably decreased, especially with a PROPER down-titration).

In my experience, clonazepam has been quite efficacious for my anxiety conditions. For many/most, withdrawal is a major issue. I have to ask if you have been PROPERLY down-titrated which is critical not only for discontinuation but also for implementing psychological treatments.

Every person is different, including their chemistries and response to various medications. Personally, I would be vigilant of possible over-dosing with SSRI's/SNRI's as new data and warnings continuously emerge. Also if you are prescribed meds like clonazepam, I would discuss at-length your doctor's experiences and regiments for discontinuation. Down-titration to date has dhown to be the only safe and efficacious method.

Posted: 2008-10-01 06:43:58

Answer/Reply:

I am just telling you this because i was stupid enough to fill my body with all of the drugs you mentioned and than some, because doctors told me it would help.After i gained 100pounds and just gotten more and more depressed after taking more and more anti depressants and cocktails of doctor prescribed pills I ended up in a mica program where it was explained to me how horrible and damaging these are and how they can mess up your brain for good, you are not too old to stop taking all that stuff, and just try to find out what it is that makes you so unhappy.I am now just taking 1mg of klonopin instead of 8mg of xanax and effexor, than cymbalta depakote,zyprexa, prozac with zypexa and a whole lot of other horrible pills.I stopped taking everything, went thru the headaches and the withdrawals and now i lost the weight, I work and I am more active and happier than ever before.These pills have way too many side effects and doctors are often not qualified to prescribe them but do so anyhow and often use you as a guinea pig. I used to smoke pot and drink as well, just stopping all these stimulants and the depressants will make you feel so much better, it will take a while .I am in a lot of pain but I do not take any painkillers that are narcotic , it's mobic or ibuprofen.I noticed after going back to work my painlevels went down a lot, my mood completely improved and everybody that knew me when i was an obese and miserable Zombie and sees me now can not believe this is the same person. So get all that chemistry out of your body slowly and only take what you really need and than only the absolute minimum of that.Just look at the commercials for let's say cymbalta , or lyrica, omg how in the word did they ever get those approved. Now they do have to say that cymbalta can make you suicidal , first when it came out and my doc put me on it they did not, I was not told that my depression can worsen.Well I found out the hard way.Anyways, don't just swallow everything your doctor gives you , do your research, go to a specialist , don't take mood altering pills from your family practitioner. These think they know and they don't and just prescribe what the pharma companies give them as samples and for the incentives. I know how horrible depression is and how hard it is to get better but you can, I am living prove. I am 39 and now I feel better than when i first went to a family doctor in 2001 telling him I feel sad and lost interest in life.That was when my trouble started. Enough said, thanks for reading. P.S. I am trying hard to get rid off klonopin but after so many years on that crap a neurologist told me that all these drugs have changed my brain chemistry forever and I might not feel normal if I get off it.I tend to believe him, I stick to my 1mg a day and hope that one day I get the guts to at least try to get rid of that last horrible crutch.

39 year old Female

Posted: 2008-09-25 22:18:26

Answer/Reply:

Thank You for the comment on excessive medications. I am Bipolar and at one time, for several years, took as many as 32 pills a day. Highest doses of zanex, clonopin, valium, seroquil, anti depressants, antipsychotics, you name it. I was volitile. The more they gave me to slow down the worse my mania was. 4 straight years of severe mania is a strain on the brain, not to mention the pills. And then there was the period of weight gain causing depression to soar. I was never suicidal, but I was not safe, to others. I moved and my new primary doc was shocked, and found a friend who was a psychiatrist, sent me to him, and he just looked at me, and said " I fix train wrecks, and that's what you are". He took me off all of it, and started me on a less is better program. Withdrawls were horrible, and It took a year or so to get a grip on my brain, and set things straighter with less. My pharmacist had tears in his eyes when I went in with my new scripts, and said, hon, I just didnt know how you could function. My life saver, along with myself and several doctors are appalled that the people responsible are even allowed to go near a prescription pad. I lived in different states over the years, and all of the mental health centers at each place did me the same. I was a guinny pig, and they were killing me. Im always going to be bipolar, but now, Ive studied the disease, and myself, and I dont hesitate to tell my current doc NO, dont hesitate to call as many times as it takes to change things when they are wrong. If your on scripts, and you feel bad, your meds are wrong for you. My chemistry and disorder are a roller coaster, but now Im up front with the doc, not riding in the back screaming. LESS IS BETTER.

48 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-21 09:16:06

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Thank you for your message, once I started reading it I could not stop. I finaly found out in 03' that I was bipolar. That was after a life like you have lead. 95% of my life has been spent in maina. I was sucidial and actually tried it twice. I thank god that neither one worked. I finaly saw the right doctor like you did and started to get on track. Once I became stable on my meds I always had the feeling that I was an outsider, ashamed of my illness. It took 4 years to break that kind of thinking. I know I will have this the rest of my life, but its my life and I want it to be a good one. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Robert

Posted: 2008-10-21 13:59:37

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I just read your story and commend you for being this straight forward, I am here b/c my sister just started Klonopin, her family doc prescribed to her and she is not better in fact worse.

Posted: 2008-11-09 17:29:11

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have been taking 300mg at nite of seroquel and 25mg 3x a day, plus klonopin 2mg 3x daily. Needless to say i have been in a fog for the last 4 years. I recently moved and during the move i lost my meds 2 weeks early and was unable to get refills until my prescription due date time. To make a long story short i got so sick and dehydrated, i thought i had a virus but after 5 days of no food or drink because i couldn't hold anything down i ended up in the hospital near deaths door. I was so dehydrated that my mouth was cold not allowing for a temp reading and i was addmitted right away. Turns out that it is very dangerous and life threathening. I was in withdrawals. I am now on a tapering off program. It may take a while to get off physically but mentally i do not want anything to do with pharmacuetical drugs. they are not to be played with and i am a little perturbed that the doctors and insurance company would leave me in such a state, not to mention that i did not have the knowledge then when first prescribed that i have now. I am now working on changing my lifestyle by changing my diet and exercise so that i can be competely free of these drugs. I have also had a hard time with insomnia since the hospital visit. I am taking just enough to keep the shakes off, and the sickness. but i will be drug free, because my mind is willing, but my body is not so willing. My mind is much clearer also, i am not falling or stumbling since i have cut the dosage way down. i want off of this crap. I think the doctors issue these drugs out because they make money, insurance companies make money but even more the pharmaceutical companies make the most and thats what it is all about $$$$$$$$. I am taking control of my life instead of just going along with the doctor.
jaaz

Posted: 2008-09-22 00:32:36

Answer/Reply:

Like you, I think klonopin is a great medication. It has changed my life. I no longer stress or worry about every little thing. I am much calmer and my family and co workers have even commented that I seem more relaxed, not uptight and worried like before. I haven't experienced a single side effect. I take one 0.5 mg tab in the morning and sometimes take another one at bedtime. I'm supposed to take one 3 times a day but hardly ever need to.

42 year old Female

Posted: 2009-01-24 04:16:57

Answer/Reply:

I have been on Clonzepam for almost 10 years (on and off) with almost all of the anti-depressants out there. I've learned that these types of meds can "poop out" (after being on them for a long period, your body just doesn't respond to them anymore) For those of you that have been able to take them only when you need them or can go days without, are truly lucky. The "DDTs"/withdrawal from the Clonzepam is absolutely horrible (One of my top 10 worst experiences) And it's also bad with the anti-depressants. If anyone has any info on any med that they think is great, I love to hear from you. My doctors don't listen that well and at times I feel I'm in hell and never going to get better.

37 year old Female

Posted: 2008-08-06 15:50:48

Answer/Reply:

I don't know of any specific medication because everyone responds differently. But what does come to mind is maybe getting a different doctor if you feel he/she isn't listening. Also, I have found that cognitive therapy has helped me tremendously with coping with my anxiety. I still take meds and feel your pain about being in hell sometimes. Just know that it can and will get better!

28 year old Female

Posted: 2008-08-10 11:46:44

Answer/Reply:

I recommend Zyprexa, lamtical, Effexor xr,. I took Lithuim for 20 yrs. but it has caused some problems with my kidneys so i wouldn't recommend it. The other meds. have worked great for me. I couldn't survive without klonopin. I have such bad anxiety and panic attacks. If you haven't tried any of these meds. i suggest you try them. IF you are going to a regular dr. I advise you to find you a good physch. Regular Dr. dont' know enough about these meds. to try to help you

46 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-11 16:52:47

Answer/Reply:

Amen Sister, I bet that is why I have hot flashes sometimes, I take klonopin as needed but when I go a long time without it I do notice hot flashes. It is a wonderful med and It also helps with my migranes!!

36 year old Female

Posted: 2008-08-01 17:15:22

Answer/Reply:

I am a 45 year old female and love, love my klonopin. Especially since my doctor added Buspar as a booster for the klonopin. If you feel you need more than the klonopin alone, ask about the buspar. They work wonderfully together. I take them 3 times a day. Klonopin at 1 mg and Buspar at 10 mg. Good luck!

47 year old Female

Posted: 2008-07-12 15:35:09

Answer/Reply:

I also take buspar and paxil i have ony been on them for a week and have high hopes for this to work but thank you i am glad they work for you may be there is hope for me THANKS

28 year old Female

Posted: 2008-07-13 14:13:11

Answer/Reply:

I've been taking lorazapam .5mg for three years than stopped when I noticed that my panic attacks had stopped. I was off my meds for about three years after and started to live life fine. I had major surgery in July 08 and the panic and anxiety returned. I was put back on lorazapam .5 mg but this time I was taking it more often than I was prescribed. My dosage have never been increased so I was taking two pill every 4or 5 hours at times and on good days I could go as far as one every 6or 7hours. I finally seen a psychatrist today and he changed my meds to clonazepam .5mg every 12hrs. He also put me on paxil 20mg a day. I'm hoping that this will help my anxiety and panic attacks as they can seem to get really bad. I'm also in therapy to help with this. In past experience, I did well with the therapy and meds together I hope for the same since I am on a new medication now. Is it wise to try to stay on the lowest dose possible?

37 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-26 19:14:38

Answer/Reply:

How long have you been on this combo? Did you have any initial side effects when combining the two?

39 year old Female

Posted: 2008-09-04 17:28:53

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Klonopin is labeled as pregnancy category D which means there is information available to show that there is risk to the human fetus, specifically an increased risk of birth defects - but in some situations the potential benefits of Klonopin may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite the potential risks.

Many women are able to give birth to healthy children and still manage their anxiety during their pregnancy - it just takes working with your doctor to determine the available drug and non-drug treatments, and then weighing the risks versus the benefits and selecting what is best for you.

Posted: 2008-07-14 14:30:06

Answer/Reply:

This is a pregnancy category 'D' drug. I would strongly suggest stopping this medication before trying to get pregnant. I know that categoy 'A' are things that aren't really drugs like saline nose spray. Category 'B' are drugs that have been used a lot by pregnant women and don't seem to show any higher risk of side effects than women who don't take anything (like Tylenol. It is un-ethical to experiment on pregnant women -who in their right mind would agree to that- so they can't say it is tested and 'safe' they can only say lots of women have taken it and the babies were fine.) Category 'C' are drugs that either haven't been used much by pregnant women to know if it is 'safe' and no animal studies have been done OR caused problems with baby animals but seems to show no effects when taken by lots of pregnant women. These are drugs you should talk to your doctor about before deciding to take them. Category 'D' are drugs that show some side effects in babies but the benefits to the mother may outweigh the risks. (I don't know the problems caused by this drug.) Category 'X' are drugs that show a definate risk and are never approved for use for a pregnant woman (think chemotherapy.) I hope this info helps not only for this drug but for anything you might look at taking if and when you are blessed with another child.

34 year old Male

Posted: 2008-07-29 16:23:59

Answer/Reply:

I was told that Klonopin should not be taken during pregnancy due to the extreme lack of information of any problems with the med and pregnancy. I was told that Zoloft would be a good "subsitute" if need be, to be taking. You can come off the med, I would STRONGLY suggest that you "wean" off it very slowly and to the lowest possible dosage, before stopping. I have had severe withdrawal problems for just stopping this med and for "weaning" off too fast. I spoke a lot about this same concern since I haven't had any children yet and I received the best information from my OB/GYN.

37 year old Female

Posted: 2008-08-06 15:58:43

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

FDA controlled substances (schedule II, III, IV and V) are considered a risk rating of 4 in iGuard’s risk rating system due to the potential of abuse of these medications. Clonazepam is classified as FDA schedule IV and thus it has an iGuard risk rating 4.

Controlled substances such as Clonazepam are widely used without the development of abuse or addiction. However, iGuard believes that the potential for abuse of controlled substances warrants a higher risk rating for these medications so that patients can develop a risk management plan with their doctor.

Posted: 2008-06-12 14:56:00

Answer/Reply:

I am with you! I take it with my Lexapro and not all the time, just when I feel anxiety!

53 year old Female

Posted: 2008-06-29 13:55:56

Answer/Reply:

I am a 45 year old female and have taken klonopin with my other meds for quite a while. It has never made any difference in my sex drive. Perhaps you just don't have the right combination with all the others yet.

47 year old Female

Posted: 2008-07-12 15:37:47