Clonazepam

[RockyMtnHigh]

Has anyone used this to help with panic attacks or insomnia? I have been feeling so incapacitated at times and am hoping it will relieve some of my symptoms.

I take it daily for sleep and anxiety. I take 1mg and have remained at the same dose for about 4 years. I have tapered off twice with no problems at all. Just go slow, depemding on how long you're on a particular dose adjust your taper time propotionally, e.g. typically the longer you take it the longer to ween. A very good psych doc once told me he felt it to be signicantly less addictive than most benzos for the most number of people. Disclaimer: your results may vary and this is in no way medical advice only poorly phrased heresay.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

There are quite a few benzo withdrawal sites out there for a reason. I think I was a member of benzo buddies for my clonazepam withdrawal? It was by far worse than my Ativan withdrawal.

Most doctors know this drug is addictive, but what they don't know is how horrendous the withdrawal is. Benzos, unlike other drugs, should not be weaned off in any sort of inpatient treatment because the taper is far too rapid. I think the maximum comfortable taper is 10% every 2 weeks? Or something like that. The sad thing is that you often don't know you're dependent until its too late. Tapers from high doses can take over a year.

My advice? Don't use it regularly. Not every day for insomnia or anxiety. Don't listen when you're told that the body completely withdraws between night doses as this is pure crap. The half life in some people is upwards of 50 hours, meaning that it's in your body for a lot longer than most people realize. And, if used every night your mind will forget how to sleep on its own. The rebound insomnia is pure hell.

I don't mean to scare you, rather it's best to be informed. Nobody, and I do mean nobody on benzo buddies knew how bad the withdrawal could be. If they did, the site wouldn't even exist.

 

[MomOfTwo]

Thanks for all the information and advice. I have taken the clonazapam for the last few nights after just not sleeping. I did not have a nightmare last night at all which was good. I do find though that I am extremely tired during the day so I don't know if it is a side effect or not. I was also a miserable bear to my tots today which is not the norm. I felt like I was my dad. I feel like such a bad parent.

 

[Phoenix_Rising]

The lethargy you describe & difficulty with parenting (likely as a result of not having the same amount of get up & go & energy as usual and just not feeling like your self) is a very typical side effect.

It is the main reason I hate this drug so much is I have significantly more energy & ability to get things done when I am not on it. I had similar issues raising my young child when I was on them.

It can get some what better as your body adapts but I find it never really goes away & there is a huge difference in me on & off it.

My partner took it once & it made him extremely irritable. For me, it is the opposite, it decreases irritability (but, again, I have epilepsy).

It has a huge impact on my functioning & interpersonal relationships, specifically due to its sedative/lethargy/apathy side effects. I don't get increased energy with exercise as I did before either. It really, really sucks. :(

When I came off it before I could not believe how much more energy I had.

Also, just FYI, because of its half life, the more days you take it, the more the medication level will build up in your body--which is why you are feeling this way after taking it for a couple of nights instead of right away.

 

[Bilby]

I have tapered off twice with no problems at all. Just go slow, depemding on how long you're on a particular dose adjust your taper time propotionally, e.g. typically the longer you take it the longer to ween. A very good psych doc once told me he felt it to be signicantly less addictive than most benzos for the most number of people.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, this has been my experience too, RockyMtnHigh. My psychiatrist also told me the same thing. I did not really have a problem tapering off it which is good. I guess everybody is different in how they react to different medications, and the same probably applies when coming off them.

 

[Ali1157]

I've been prescribed this before a couple times, but they only would give me one or two weeks worth at a time because it can be addictive. I soon figured out why. I have trouble with addiction and that stuff made me feel pretty darn good. Not in the sense of euphoric, but normal to not have anxiety or panic attacks anymore. I felt so relaxed. it was relieving for the time being

Basically its good if your just using it for short term use. dont use it for long term, if you do you will get the withdrawal effects which aint so hanky panky.

My anti depressant doesnt seem to work nearly as good as that stuff... probably a good thing ha

 

[YogiBear]

Hello Everyone,

I had taken clonazepam for about a year and a half before slowly weening off it. I found it to be less habit-forming than Xanax. For me, this is probably due to the fact that it has at least a 24-hour half-life, compared to Xanax's 4-6-hour half-life. When I used to take Klonopin, I took it more as a preventive measure against anxiety along with Xanax for sleep.

In the end, I realize that benzodiazepines should only be used on an as-needed basis. Unfortunately, I was not initially well informed; I accept responsibility there. I had (operative word) a psychiatrist who told me to take 3 mg Klonopin a day. He also told me to take 2-4 mg Xanax, because, in his words, my German ancestry necessitated my taking a higher dose. What a load of poo, in my opinion!

I weened off this medication over a four-month period. The first month I went down to 2 mg, the second 1 mg, the third 0.5 mg, and finally 0.25 mg. I am now off it. I also began tapering off Xanax during this same period, but am still presently on 0.75 mg Xanax, or 3 x 0.25 mg doses a day. I plan on tapering to 0.5 mg Xanax in January, and 0.25 mg in February.

My partner and I got into a big argument about tapering last night. He is concerned about me. I am going on three years of being in my situation of having had my life threatened, then discriminated against and fired because I am gay. I am still feeling the physical withdrawals of tapering off these benzodiazepines.

From what I have read, use on an as-needed basis. If cessation is desired, never quit cold turkey. Work with a psychiatrist whom you can confide in on a tapering plan. I would also recommend walking, lifting, eating right, sleeping, maintaining friendships (as difficult as it can be), trying to do things that give you joy (I know this can be a challenge), practicing (or practising, depending on your variety of English) relaxation techniques, and expressing gratitude for what you do have in your life.

Kindest regards,
YogiBear