Trying Klonopin

[Eagle3]

So, new doctor decided my BP needed to come down, and instead of trying beta blockers first (which I'm grateful for!), he's trying more anti-anxieties, specifically Clonazepam.

The Pros: I'm actually sleeping without vibrating for a good portion of the night. I don't feel like I'm going to stroke out when I do any physical activity, so BP has normalized. The vertigo from Meniere's disease has lessened. Less fibro pain and muscle spasms/tightness. Less anxiety throughout the day. When in the dosage sweet spot, I really feel like myself in ways I haven't in a long time. Actually able to do more exercise that I have in a long time.

The Cons: Takes a high dose to get any sleep, but can't wake up in the mornings (miss my alarm or feel like death when it goes off). Taking too much at any point in the day leaves me feeling unmotivated, almost dead inside. Issues with heightened suicidality, but could be due to other triggers and situations. Emotional instability when dosage is not right.

What this medicine is doing right, I like very much. Not sure I like the stuff that comes with it though. I mean, its awfully nice to be able to sleep, but I've destabilized on the job and if my therapist hadn't been so accommodating, I might have been hospitalized.

I guess what I'm wondering is, should I stick with it and hope things get better as we smooth out the dosage? Or should I go back to what I was doing and hope I can eventually afford more holistic meds (really want to try THC/CBD). My situation really does suck ass, it wouldn't take much to push me over the suicidal edge...should I play with these meds knowing that?

 

[bellbird]

My situation really does suck ass, it wouldn't take much to push me over the suicidal edge

Does your prescribing doctor know this?

Benzodiazepines typically carry quite a high risk of addiction and drug tolerance.

These are pretty significant potential issues for someone who doesn't have a pre-existing suicidal tendency, so I strongly recommending letting your doctor know exactly where you're at if you haven't already.

Or should I go back to what I was doing

In that same vein, this decision should also only be made after discussion with your doc :)

Hang in there @Eagle3

 

[Fadeaway]

After my experience, I would say run far far away from that drug. I thought it was a god send at first. The slow decline was like a frog in boiling water, I didn't notice how bad things got and the worse things got, the higher they would raise the dose.

I was only on it six months. I had been given small amounts of ativan in the past, but never a dailey regiment. Once my cognitive function had declined so much I choose to quit against medical advice. They didn't address a slow taper nor did they tell me anything about the withdrawal process.

I didn't think 6 months could cause the level of withdrawal symptoms I had. I truly belived I was dying. I would rather be burnt alive, it would have been more humane. 13 days in hell. I made it through though and I am on the other side now. Please let my story be a precaution.
I know other people tolerate it just fine, I wasn't one of them. I wonder if we are slow metabolizers or not. I don't have access to my genetic testing that told me about medication anymore. It is speculation at best. Your symptoms just sound so similar to mine.

 

[Mach123]

I agree 1000 % worst withdrawal ever!

 

[Hayleigh]

I have been on klonopin off and on for three years and have never had any withdrawal symptoms. I know I am not addicted as I go without it a couple days a week. personally cbd oil helps just as much.

 

[EveHarrington]

I have been on klonopin off and on for three years and have never had any withdrawal symptoms. I know I am not addicted as I go without it a couple days a week.

That really doesn’t show you aren’t dependent as it has a long half life, 30-40 hours, and even longer if you are a slow metabolizer. Sometimes med withdrawals don’t kick into day 3 or 4.


OP, stay far, far away from this one as a daily med. The dependency risk isn’t worth it. If you do become dependent, withdrawal effects can last the better part of a year. All of this can be found through an internet search.

At most, use it as an occasional anxiety rescue. If you need something every day, it’s advisable to find something else.

Ativan withdrawals are far less nasty for me, but even so I don’t take it more than a few days in a row.

 

[ladee]

I was on Klonopin for 10 years. Recently had to get off of it because of pain meds I have to take and my pain doc would not let me take both. (Klonopin prescribed by another dr.)

The prescribing Dr did a detox with me, but, put me on a beta blocker to help with the anxiety. I do NOT have high blood pressure, but supposedly the meds she used for detox was for anxiety also.

I was very blessed to have an easy detox off the Klonopin, only about two days in the middle of the detox was I jittery. But the beta blocker was hell!!! I was unable to catch my breath after about two weeks of being on it.

I was not addicted to the Klonopin, even being on it that many years. But I can say, I do feel better, more clear headed, less depressive thoughts and feelings. Glad I am off of it. But it did work and I was glad I had it when I needed it. Please talk with your prescribing Dr before you abruptly stop taking it. I have heard that anyone who does a cold turnkey detox has a lot of problems.

 

[Eagle3]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I'd only been taking it for a week or two so far before posting this. I decided the loss of myself was too great a price to pay, although it sure felt great to not hurt, or wake up vibrating, or have high bp headaches, or constant movement in my head. Gotta admit, I wish this one had worked, but I'm heeding everyone's advice. Prescribing doc said he's going to try atypicals next, which he says are stronger, but I'm hoping to get with an endocrinologist or Functional Medicine doc who understands autism and anxiety on the endocrinological system....these GP's keep playing with things they don't know about, and I'm convinced if I can find a root stabilizer in the brain, the rest will even itself out.

I told my bro to hide the bottle of Klonopin from me, since all I could think about was downing the whole damn bottle when I got home. He did. Still not sure if I might keep them around for as-needed situations, but the suicidal side effects are just awful for me.

 

[EveHarrington]

Have you had any luck with mood stabilizers?

I’m on Trileptal and it’s great for calming nerves as it regulates signals in the nervous system.

 

[Eagle3]

Those just make me very angry, which is not good for my already-too-high bp. Generally, if its a psych med of any kind, I get the worst suicidality ever. Turmeric and lemon-water and magnesium have been FAR better than anything else as far as depression goes. If I could just get a handle on this over-active brain of mine, I might be able to exercise again, which is the goal for me.

 

[EveHarrington]

Which mood stabilizers have you tried?

 

[Eagle3]

Some joker put me on lithium once...worst thing I ever took. I really don't handle psych meds of any kind well at all. My system prefers to use natural methods and the pharmaceuticals just keep causing more and more problems.