DISCLAIMER: iGuard is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. iGuard cannot and does not take into consideration every possible interaction or account for individual responses to medicine. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have before making any changes to your treatment. The use of the iGuard site and its content is at your own risk. The iGuard site and the information contained in it is intended for users in the United States and information in other countries may be different.
Global Patient Feedback for Klonopin (Clonazepam) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I've been taking 2 mg of klonopin every day and still do since I was 24 and I am now 43 (Female). When I had been pregnant with my son I quit taking Klonopin cold turkey, suffered through the withdrawal but went my entire pregnancy without it at all and even gave birth naturally. I went back on it only because of my panic disorder. Speaking only for myself - my body gets addicted to it but my mind is not - meaning that yes it is an addictive substance but I have never had a problem to stop taking it if I chose to. I've done it several times over the years and its the Panic Disorder that I end up taking klonopin and NO other reason.
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-04 23:53:32
Member Answer/Reply:
Years ago I was on xanax...that was hell to get off! But I did it cold turkey after I had an operation. Now I take 3 mg of klonopin because I have severe anxiety, which keeps me away from people. Without it I become a recluse and until I find out why I'm so utterly scared I have to take it. I also suffer from innsomnia and it helps me to sleep. female 48 yrs.old
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-20 04:45:51
Question/Comment:
I have been on clonopin for over 8 years now. I got one from a friend and liked it, so I asked my doctor for some and she just gave it to me, no questions asked. I did eventually find out I did need it, because I was on Ativan, which is way more sedating, it zombified me. When I became pregnant three years ago, I knew I could not be on clonopin, because of the birth defects it can cause to my baby. Cleft lip was a huge threat. So I did try and quit all my meds cold turkey. That was a huge mistake! The withdraws that you go through getting off clonopin is excrutiating! It is just as bad as a heroin addict getting off and going through withdraws. You do feel like you have the flue, every bone in your body aches, you just pound the pain out with your fists, you get major cold sweats, all I could do is rock back and forth in bed and cry to God to help me. My OBGYN said that the withdrawal symptoms were affecting the fetus and could cause miscarriage and was more damaging than being on the clonopin so she put me back on it. I did however ween myself down to 1mg. a day. My baby was just fine throughout the pregnancy and I had a healthy baby boy. I have since tried several attempt to get off the drug. I just cannot. My med doc. said it would be a course of a year to ween myself off. I dont want to be old in a care center begging for clonopin. I am 34. It scares me being so completely dependent on a pill. I do regret ever getting on this medication and warn anyone who is not on it and is considering, to weigh the consequences of withdrawal before you decide to commit to such an addicting drug. Yes, it helps my anxiety hugely, like I said I cannot live without it, but I know if I had never been introduced to it, I could have gone to something less addicting and I feel I would not have such a high anxiety level if I would have never taken it. Now I so dependent on it, I know that alot of it could have been controlled through self control.
35 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-22 17:02:28
Member Answer/Reply:
I've been taking 2 mg of klonopin every day and still do since I was 24 and I am now 43. When I had been pregnant with my son I quit taking Klonopin cold turkey, suffered through the withdrawal but went my entire pregnancy without it at all and even gave birth naturally. I went back on it only because of my panic disorder. Speaking only for myself - my body gets addicted to it but my mind is not - meaning that yes it is an addictive substance but I have never had a problem to stop taking it if I chose to. I've done it several times over the years and its the Panic Disorder that I end up taking klonopin and NO other reason.
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-04 23:51:41
Member Answer/Reply:
Hello,
I'm Leighann. Like your story I also found myself addicted physically to clonazepam (klonopin). Currently I am 36 years old and have taken it since I was around 20 for panic attacks and anxiety. I tried millions of times to stop with absolutely no luck. I was on 6mg daily at my highest and during my pregnancy I was on around 2mg. To sum up my story I really felt that emotionally I just didn't need to be on this med daily or at all for that matter, yet everything I tried to do/use to rid myself of it seemed pointless. Then the day came when my new doctor prescribed me only 1mg/daily and sent me on my way. Here's the kicker, he also started me on 15 mg of Abilify/daily. I realize Abilify is mainly for depression/schizophrenia/bipolar symptoms which made sense because I suffer from mild depression. After one dose of Abilify I literally felt I could go without the clonys. Sure I have gone without clonopin for a day here and there before but day two would always have my body in complete muscle tightness and constant fight or flight mode, that was until that first dose of Abilify. For the next few night on Abilify I withheld on the clonys just to see what would happen. Sure enough I was fine, zero panic and no muscle tenseness. I'm not sure why the Abilify works wonders on getting one's body ready and able to dismiss the clonys but I'm telling you it just worked, literally after just one 15 mg dose of Abilify. One downfall, Abilify is very expensive even with awesome insurance. If this is something that interests you into giving it a shot ask your doc for some samples of the Abilify. Hey it worked for me which is an absolute miracle in itself. Good Luck, Leighann
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-17 02:10:32
Member Answer/Reply:
Actually, Ativan is much less sedating than Klonopin.............it should not be taken along with alot of other anxiety medications and should never be mixed with alcohol...............I take it on an as needed basis for anxiety attacks and thus far I have been fine with it. I have also been on Ativan in the past, which is considered to be much more addicting, but works just as well in a lower dosage.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-27 13:23:08
Question/Comment:
i am 51. four years ago i was put on klonopin, zoloft and seroquel. the 4th year i was up to 6mg a day. when i look back i now know i was overmedicated. i moved and lost my klonopin. well i couldn't get a refill because it was to soon before my prescription. i was never told about the withdrawals. that was sept. 2008. well the first week i felt a little strange without my meds, the second week i felt like a had the worse case of the flu ever. by the end of the week i was so sick, vomiting, not able to even keep a sip of water down. i ended up going to the emergency hospital, i was almost dead and that is no exaggeration. i was severely dehydrated and already going into shakes and convulsions. imagine my suprise when the doctor said i was having withdrawals. well i decided then that i did not want to be in that situation ever again. i got a prescription from the doctor that cut down the klonopin to 1mg a day and seroquel from 450mgs day to 100mg. i started tapering down since i was told not to go cold turkey..(hellooo) so then i started taking half of the prescribed dose, and then skipping a day. i also kept a journal of dose and how i feld. after 2 months of sheer will power of the mind i am free of the zoloft and the klonopin. i occasionally take 150mg of seroquel at night to help me sleep. i feel alot better being alive, awake and aware, i have been reborn literally. my message is to BE CAREFUL. it is a fact that 30,000 plus die each year from prescription drugs. even after that the doctors are still trying to get me to take more drugs. NO! i have learned that i am the captain of my body and they are the facilitators. never again will i put my life in the hands of the doctors without first researching whatever it is they want to do. my friends and family tell me it is good to have you back, the drugs were making me nuttier then i (supposedly) already was. After some research i learned that the doctors and pharmacetical companies are more interested in making lots of $$$$$ and want us to be "sick". if we are healthy and well then they make nothing. i have since changed my diet and eat healthier foods, stay away from foods that contribute to depression etc. and get more excercise. it feels good to remember and be aware of what i am doing. well that is my experience and i hope it will be helpful to others.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-20 18:34:21
Question/Comment:
58 yr old female
I started taking valium at age 17 for severe depression. By age 19, got married moved and didn't take it for 2-3 years. I was diagnosed with psoriasis at age 19, not knowing anything about it, and now am disabled with it after taking methotrexate, soriataine, cyclosporine, 1 month treatment of Goeckerman therapy in Baylor Psoriasis Clinic..(1980) . Most recently took Enbrel injections, which wound me up in the hospital for pneumonia/w pluracy. All these drugs have much more adverse acions than benefits for me. Valium kept my nerves under control somewhat; I am now taking clonazepam 2 mg with parexotine (paxil generc) 20mg, and premarin 1.25 mg - all three at bedtime. I have always had a high metabolism, which I personally relate back to age 5 when hospitized 2 months with ensephylitus and paralyzed on one side for several weeks. So I personally feel my nervous system and immune system have always been compromised somewhat from that episode in 1955. I am currently taking chelation treatments since being taken off Enbrel because there was just nothing left from the Dermatologist standpoint. I was blessed by a Dr who has never seen psoriasis as bad as mine and he has absolutely saved my life. I was ready to give up; so much pain & immobility, lack of interest in anyone seeing me except my daughter. I live alone and am enjoying my grandkids 5 & 11. And have found quality of life with chelation, paxil, clonazepam & premarin. I had a hysterectomy at age 35 so I suppose I should worry more about premarin. But I don't worry anymore...........just pray, believe, and live as well as I can.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-20 05:33:26
Question/Comment:
I've been taking clonazepam apox.2 years now.Before it was persribed to me I had a LOW self esteem I thought everybody was looking at me,Talking about me I was afraid to leave my house.Now I facillitate large groups about HIV,AIDS&Hepatitis a,b & c I'm on a very low dose(0.5 mg.2 times a day.It has worked wonders for me. 49 year old Male
51 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-19 14:38:00
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Clonazepam for about 3 years now for anxiety/panic attacks ( as needed)and problems with sleeping. I can tell when I need to take the Clonazepam by my reaction to certain situations I face in everyday life. It makes me calm instead of freaking out. The Clonazepam helps calm me when I take it at night so I sleep better and feel more refreashed in the morning. You do have to watch, though, because it is a controlled substance and you can easily become addictted to it. I once ran out (because I get it through the mail, problems with paperwork), and found it hard to function without it. I think that it was partly my mind playing tricks with me because I knew I did not have the Clonazepam available and was afraid of my anxiety/panic attacks occurring. I stayed awake worried and thinking what might happen the next day. I have since made sure everything has gone right with getting the Clonazepam on time. I did not like feeling the way I did for the week and a half that I had to wait for the paperwork problems to be resolved. More-or-less I really think I was going through
“WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMSâ€. So PLEASE be very careful because you cannot stop taking it "COLDTURKEY" as they call it. Otherthan that, I cannot say enough about Clonazepam and how it helps me function with everyday life.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-18 20:20:56
Question/Comment:
I had petit mal epilepsy as a child which I outgrew. At about age 40 the eye movements came back, although not as bad. Since it wasn't absence seizures I was told that this wasn't epilepsy but a tick, which sometimes occurs with petit mal. I was given Klonopin, 0.5 mg daily. It works pretty good, I've been taking it almost 20 years. I don't think that I have any side effects.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-14 02:06:02
Question/Comment:
I have been taking clonazepam for about 15 years. I started at .5 as needed for panic attacks and gradually have gone to 1 mg 3 times per day. There's days that i take 1 mg at night to help me sleep. If i would have known about this drug, i would never have taken it in the first place. I'm having a hard time getting off of it. There was a time in the 15 years that i was off of it for about 3 years, and i gradually went back on it because of my anxiety and irregular heart beats. I've been reading all the pages here and i have not noticed anybody mentioning constipation as a side effect. Thanks for this program which keeps me informed about side effects with other medications. I'm taking atenenol and i've been noticing that my heart rate is low - in the mid 40's to high 50's, and especially at night. I also want to warn you that some doctors are not sensative about the side effects. During the past year i've been feeling bloated and i know that this medication relaxes your muscles. I'm wondering if this also affects your digestive system by slowly weakening your lower intestines. Is anybody out there experiencing these symptoms? I want to get off of this medication so bad but my doctor wants me to continue taking clonazepam along with the atenenol and atacand because he feels its needed to regulate my irregular heart beats. Does anyone out there have any answers for me? I've been praying for an answer. It's very scarey. Need answers.
62 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 18:13:19
Member 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.
49 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-28 10:31:49
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-24 03:59:20
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-09 02:54:00
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-18 20:56:22
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-02 12:14:07
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-07-06 21:26:54
Question/Comment:
I have used fluoxetine and clonazepam together for years with very good results for my depression and my anxiety disorder with no side effects. My liver function studies are always good.
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 10:38:27
Question/Comment:
I am 37 years old and started taking Klonopin about 8 months ago for anxiety/panic attacks and mood disorder. I only take 0.5mg at night. I recently stopped taking this and started taking valium because I was having some musculoskeletal problems. Is this safe to switch from one medication to the other or should you still taper off the Klonopin first?
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 03:16:00
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-09 03:06:45
Question/Comment:
I am 36 years old. Never had anxiety in my life. My dad passed away 2 years ago at the age of 58 very suddenly within 11 days. I had so much anxiety that one day i had a panic attack, thought it was a heart attack. I went to emergency room. I was prescribed klonipin. I have refused so many medictations, such as blood pressure, and wanted to bring it down on my own. I did, but, the anxiety was taking over my life. I started with .5mg 2 times a day. After one year i went up in dose to 1.5mg a day. It has taken me several tries to get it back down to .5mg 2 times a day, which i succeeded. Then a month ago i started counseling. I realized the klonipin must be suppressing in my brain, that needed to be dealt with. Since i started the counseling, then i have been feeling better, and brought down my dosage. I am aiming to stop taking it all together. My doctor told me it was not habitforming. Not true! There are withdrawals and it isn't fun, even at a low dose. I do not take any other medication for anxiety, thank god. I have tried all sorts of alternate self therapy, and am hoping to stop this medication.
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-11 01:28:50
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 10:48:31
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 13:10:05
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-15 15:34:48
Member Answer/Reply:
How much Klonapin do you take for sleep?
57 year old male
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-23 00:51:05
Question/Comment:
My doctor just gave it to me to take half of a 0.5 mg pill before bedtime. I used to take
0.25 xanax. He said the clonazepam is better for not causing a rebound anxiety in
the morning. Does this sound accurate?
65 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-08 06:49:53
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 10:43:11
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-24 04:05:04
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-19 10:55:04
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-19 00:42:36
Question/Comment:
I have been taking clonazepam for probably 5 years at at a dose of .50 and only take 1/2 of it. But have recently noticed it isn't helping me with my insomnia (for which it was prescribed) so upped it to the .50 and now have noticed that I'm having more trouble with my insomnia and my legs (it isn't restless leg) can't get comfortable in bed. Have recently gotten off tramadol and the doctor wants me to go on Lexapro 5 mg. Anyone else had these problems?
68 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-05 05:00:43
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 10:41:24
Question/Comment:
I was just prescribed .5 mg of clonazepam (klonipin) I want to take it during the day for anxiety. I already take restoril, paxil, requip at night for sleep, restless legs etc. Will this dosage make me groggy during the day & how quickly does it work?
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-06 14:08:06
Member 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.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-13 16:30:54
Member 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.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-15 22:00:33
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-16 05:00:07
Question/Comment:
I had petit mal as a child and outgrew it. In my early 40's the eyes rolling back returned and I was told that since it was not absence that it was not epilepsy but a tic, it is as fast as a blin k. I have been taking .5mg klonopin once a day for about 16 years, works great. Of 5 children I have( born while I was off all medication), 1 had petit mal which he outgrew, he has mild eye movements and does not medicate. I also have 1 with grand mal seizures who is well controlled. I take Furosimide for water retention and have been told that they may interact.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-26 11:13:55
Member 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.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-01 06:43:58
Question/Comment:
I have taken klondipins for about a year now at low doses along with depression medication. at first it was with the highest doses of effexor but i was being taken off of effexor to be put on celexa. bad days were ahead of me. shakes, mood swings,suicidal thoughts and planning, severe depression and anxiety. doctors increase kondipins with the lowest doses of celexa and i started to feel better. I no longer take restroil to sleep. i am taking one less pill of klondipins and still sleeping better then before. was recently given depakote for severe migrains cause my current insurance wont pay for topamax. sides effects were told to me using this drug has high risk of weight gain and it is also used as mind altering and should be watched closely when taking restoril and klodinpins
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-24 23:28:22
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-25 22:18:26
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-21 09:16:06
Member 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
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-21 13:59:37
Member 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.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-09 17:29:11
Question/Comment:
i have taken klonopin for about 15 years ! It was given to me in replacing valium for dizziness/migraine disorder...well of course now I feel like I cannot live without it! I dont even want to ask the doctors to go off it..i am so dependent on it..they only give me 30 a month now of the 1 mgs. but i usually wish i had more. i dont think it helps anything but nerves , since i have some other health issues and that makes me feel sick.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-23 04:48:27
Question/Comment:
I took Clonazepam for about a year. While I was taking it, I had an episode which may have been a seizure and I had another such episode shortly after I stopped taking it. The first episode occurred 2-3 days after I increased my dosage from 1 mg per day, taken at night to 2 mg per night. I reduced my dosage back to 1 mg per night immediately. When I stopped taking the medicine, I did not gradually reduce my dosage but I also did not experience any obvious withdrawal symptoms. I am almost positive that my episodes were not grand mal (tonic-clonic) seizures, but I still wonder if my use of the Clonazepam and/or sudden discontinuation of it could have contributed to these episodes, which may have been simple partial seizures or complex partial seizures. In both episodes, my eyes rolled back and I was blind in both eyes for a brief time. About 3 months after my second episode, I had an EEG which revealed some abnormal electrical activity in certain areas of my brain, even though it showed no actual seizure activity. My first episode occurred shortly after I fell and a paramedic explained a sudden adrenaline rush & withdrawal as a possible cause. My second episode was preceded by an aura and was associated with stress, cold weather, and lack of sleep, which are all factors that I have read can affect the seizure threshold. I have discussed these episodes with my doctor, but I would like to know if anyone thinks that the Clonazepam could have contributed to these episodes.
26 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-10 09:26:36
Member 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
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-22 00:32:36
Question/Comment:
I have Bipolar II and I Depression with psych behavior and I take klonopin, geodon, wellbutrin xl, and lithium and I have been on this medication for about 6 months and I have noticed a difference I also take other medications for my other problems but I want go there this time.
32 years old Lakeland Georgia
34 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-04 12:35:32
Question/Comment:
I have firbo since 10 years and take Clonazepam since 3 years. I started with 1 mg 3 years ago to help my muscles to relax and as sleeping aid. By now I had to increase to 4 mg. Looks like I need more and more - that's why I tried stop taking it. Went back to 2 mg, bad had severe withdrawal symptoms (shaking, mascle spasms, sleepless nights), so bad that I had to go to the emergency room twice. A toxologist told me this stuff is highly addictive and I'll need a withdrawal plan (e.g. a replacement) to get rid of it. He told me to take 6 mg the first night and then back to my normal 4 mg. That helped - the withdrawal symptoms vanished.
I'll see a psychatrist (these doctors know best how to handle traquilizers like Clonazepam) for a withdrawal plan.
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-03 15:25:44
Question/Comment:
klonopin is a great medication and has done wonders on my bipolar induced anxiety and has made my life so much better. i also am under a great deal of stress from pain that requires large doesages of morphine. take what your doctor tells you and what your body tells you that it needs. i take both heavy depressants and am still lively and vivacious - i can drive, drink, be myself. it is all about how the body reacts to the medication combination - despite all of the meds i sleep about 3 hr per night.
bottom line k-pin works wonders; take it in large does most every day but on good days i can go with out for a few and have no side effects; it has made my life so much better.
32 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-03 05:33:49
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-24 04:16:57
Question/Comment:
I AM A 39 YEAR OLD FEMALE I HAD BACK SURGERY 3 YEARS AGO AND THE PAIN IS THE SOME OR WORSE. I TAKE CLONAZEPAM (KLONOPIN) IMG WHEN I HAVE ANXIETY I PROBABLY TAKE TWO TIMES A WEEK. I STOPPED ZOLOFT AND STARTED CYMBALTA FOR DEPRESSION THIS IS HELPING.
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-20 00:31:35
Question/Comment:
I am a 43-year old female. I have been taking clonazepam with different anti-depressents for about 7 years. Right now I am taking citalopram, generic version of celexa. My doctor doesn't like me taking more than 1 mg per day and since I have been on them so long now I don't feel I have gotten addicted to them where I am increasing the dosage regularly. I was up to 3 mg per day when I started with this doctore 16 months ago but he is more into cognetive therapy and exercise than pushing meds. I have questioned him twice now about switching meds but he claims that benzodiaza's are all basically the same and at least with these we now I am not suffering from severe side effects. When I am having a really bad day or need to go to the dentist he has adviced me to take more....seems to work as much as they can. Its not all about the meds, its about the positive we have to teach ourselves to overcome such illnesses. I am suffering from severe anxiety with mild OCD and PTS after being abused mentally and physically from my ex.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-16 11:50:24
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-06 15:50:48
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-10 11:46:44
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-11 16:52:47
Question/Comment:
I am a 48 year old female. I have been on clonazepam for 3 years now. Thank God for this drug. I used to have such terrible anxiety-panic attacks that it felt like I was having a heart attack (shortness of breath, sweating,nervousness,unable to concentrate). Since I have been on clonazepam my whole life has changed. I do not have as many attacks, I am more relaxed, and do not let the little things get me upset. I take as needed but, if I have to long of an interval between doses I will have anxiety, panic, and hot flashes. I find it amazing that my insurance company "does not see anxiety attacks as a disease" and will not pay for this medication. I would like them to have to go through what I do when I get hit with one and tell them "it is not a disease!)
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-16 08:35:26
Member 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!!
37 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-01 17:15:22
Question/Comment:
I JUST STARTED WITH CLONAZEPAM A FEW DAYS AGO AND SO FAR THEY SEEM TO BE DOING PRETTY WELL I GOT STARTED OF THE BECAUSE I GOT ADMITTED TO THE MENTAL HEALTH FLOOR AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR SEVER PANIC ATTACKS AND THINGS SEEM TO BE DOING BETTER I TAKE EACH DAY AT A TIME AND HOPE FOR THE BEST
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-11 14:10:42
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-12 15:35:09
Member 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
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-13 14:13:11
Member 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?
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-26 19:14:38
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-04 17:28:53
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