I am 61 and just started clonazapam for GAD. I cannot take SSRIs, can't tolerate side effects. I managed to not need a benzo for 21 years by taking Buspar, but it is not strong enough for my recent problems. I have to be on something lifelong now to keep from relapsing. I am hoping to find members who are my age and need to be on clonazapam for life, as I feel alone in my age group. I do not have panic attacks, just GAD. I hope to live into my 90s and wonder if I can take this at that age? Hope so, I am very healthy otherwise and my mom is 91 and grandma died at 97. I really like the clonazapam and how it makes me feel, if I could just stop worrying about it. I would like only positive feedback as I don't want to add to my anxiety. Thank you for listening.
How many years have you been on Klonopin? Who is the oldest person you know taking Klonopin?
Question posted by iamalady on 22 July 2013
Last updated on 6 June 2024
195 Answers Page 10
I'm 53 and was first prescribed Klonopin/Clonazepam 0.5 mg 4x/day when I was 19 (back in 1986). I've now been taking it for 34 years for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder, and have been very pleased with my quality of life. However, of late I have been experiencing some memory issues and confusion, and my current psychiatrist is quick to point the finger at the Klonopin. I've seen the study summaries, but after 34 years I'm not at all convinced that's the problem. I'm glad to find this string. Only long-term Klonopin users can understand that just stopping it is really not an option.
Another great read, thanks California. I read all 4 pages of these posts over and over when I get to feeling stressed about being on Klonopin. My husband said why don't you print the pages off so you'll have them in case this blog ever gets lost. Good idea, so I did. Now I can have all of you close to my heart even tho never face to face to talk to one another. It's so calming to know so many individuals struggling with anxiety disorders that are leading much better lives with klonopin and intend to stay on for the long term. I feel we are the brave ones that say I'm taking something that helps me live a normal life and the peer pressure I get from benzo bashers, I will forgive and still respect them, but they don't understand that some people can only find relief from the use benzodiazapines. Thank you all and I hope new people find us here and get relief also to have found friends who truly understand and want to reassure each other that we are a-okay. Big smile...
Hi I am new here. I have been on Clonazepam for GAD for at least 20 years along with various antidepressants that I’m not sure work. Clonazepam worked well for years at 1 mg in divided doses. I hated having to take meds and found Heather Ashton’s UK taper an d got my doctor to do it with me . When I got down to a low dose I hit the wall and couldn’t bear the suffering any longer so I gave it up and went back on my AD and a bit lower dose of.75mgs of Clonazepam. I have managed at that’s does for about ten years now though with some discomfort. I believe being on the same dose for so long I started to experience interdose withdrawal but was determined not to up my dose. The past three months something has drastically changed and I feel it is now not working well for me. I experience a lot of burning neuropathy in my legs , dizziness etc which I believe is starting to put me in a bit of a depression.
I believe this has come on especially bad since my psychiatrist of 25 + years has told me to try to reduce my dose as he may be retiring. He says he can’t refer me to another psychiatrist as they are a dying breed and most family doctors are being trained to believe Benzos are the devil. I am stressed to the max thinking of what will become of me now and in my old age. I am now 68 and believe I could not bear to detox at this point. It seems everyone here are not having problems with getting prescriptions for life! Has anyone got any suggestions or feedback about finding a doctor and whether or not they ever started going into interdose withdrawal and what they did for that. One other point to mention is that my doctor is pushing lyrica as a substitute for Clonazepam but I tried a low dose just to see and it makes me feel awful. Thanks J
That's really sad JanJan. Lyrica is a schedule V low abuse potential, Klonopin is a schedule IV low abuse potential. Marijuana used to be a schedule I and now it's legal in my state. It could be politics where some doctors will deny it and others will prescribe it. It may end up which state you live in or even what city you live in where patients will be prescribed Klonopin. I have not heard that psychiatrists are a thing of the past. I do believe you see a therapist now first and then the psychiatrist they work under will order your meds. Psychiatrists are not as active in talking as much to the patients as they used to be, they review your history and you spend less time with them. I think you will have to start looking for a new primary doctor or psychiatrist that understands your situation. Your psychiatrist sounds like he is tired, ready to retire and not interested in helping his patients find the help that they need. I hope you find the answers.
I've only been on klonopin for 6 years. I'm 67 til April. Where I live no one has had trouble with getting Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin refills. Klonopin seems most popular with doctors for long term use.
Thank you for your speedy reply Ladyiam. I agree that I need to find a new doctor. Unfortunately that is very hard here in Canada as there is a doctor shortage and I have phoned so many and have yet to find one accepting new patients let alone one who sympathisized with long term benzo use. I found two young psychiatrists who are swamped and not accepting new patients or even allowing one to be put on a waiting list . All the others in Ottawa are of retirement age. I will see my psychiatrist who works at the big hospital here on Wednesday. I hope he will be of help this time. I usually just see him three or four times for repeats. Thanks for your well wishes. I am still hoppy I hear from anyone who has experienced interdose withdrawal. I am sure all I would need would be a slight increase to have me comfortable in my skin again . It was good to find this link just to hear of people who understand and hope to be able to continue on what works for them . Life is to precious to waste time feeling unwell unnecessarily.
I don’t know really how to post here . I posted above and don’t know if anyone will see my comment so I posted at the very end . Please see my above comment.
Hi hysterical, I have read klonopin can cause depression as a side effect in some people, but it was a low percentage. I guess you would have to consider whether klonopin made you feel much better on it than off and if your depression was a whole lot worse or just a little worse while on klonopin. I have depression but had it before klonopin, so I cant really blame the klonopin and when I am out and about having fun or its summertime and I'm doing things my depression seems so much better, so it's a grey area. Does depression cause anxiety or does anxiety cause depression. I'm not on an antidepressant. It sounds like you have tried quite a few different medications. Maybe you are experiencing withdrawal from one of them, it might be hard to figure which one tho. Try to remember when you felt the best and ask your doctor to go back to those medications and try sticking with it.
I dont have the answers for you, I get confused too and think, I should try this med, my friend does so well, or my other friend on something else does so well, and my mind gets busy worrying that what I'm taking does not work, next thing I know I'm feeling worse just because I'm over thinking too much or reading too much about side effects and was feeling pretty good the way I was. It's a hard struggle, I wish you luck getting on the right track and feeling better.
Thanks ... just don’t know what to do anymore .
Does anyone else here also have depression along with the GAD and if so, does The Clonazepam still work as well ? It looks like most everyone who has posted has not been diagnosed with depression .
I apologize, I should have given my full RX regimen. Back in 1986 I also began taking an MAOI (Parnate, 10 mg 4x/day) and a beta blocker (Propranolol, 10 mg 4x/day). The combination of all three together helped stop my panic disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and hand tremors (I was a mess!). That was 34 years ago. I've tried a few times to taper off, but each time it was a disaster. In 2006 I had an idiopathic seizure, and so Trileptal was added to the mix. I do feel at times like a walking pharmacy, but I have spent thousands of hours in therapy to no avail (at least in regard to taking medication), so I have quit beating myself up over it. I'm alive and have a good life! Things could be soooooo much worse. :)
Ladyiam
I have been in this depression / anxiety for the third time and it has lasted two years without relief . I don’t even know when I felt better and what I was on because I haven’t gotten out of this depression for two years . I am desperate to feel better . Start The Clonazepam tomorrow in place of Ativan . Still on Effexor which I don’t really think is working ...
Anyone ,
I have transitioned from Ativan to Klonopin last week . Have now been just on Klonopin for a couple days and he keeps raising the dose . Also on Effexor which isn’t doing anything IMO. I am experiencing more depression , more irritability, more anger and more anxiety on the Klonopin. Will this get better when it reaches a therapeutic level ... whatever that is ?
Hi hysterical, how are you doing on Klonopin. I went on vacation Feb 14 and just am reading again some comments as I am back home after a month. Effexor has side effects and is hard to taper I have heard, but I don't have experience with it. I can say when I went on klonopin it did not give me immediate relief. I also have depression, but I don't take anything for it. It was a few weeks when I noticed the klonopin was working well. It calmed me down finally and kept me from falling into the black hole again. It's not perfect, but I am doing so much better on it and it does help me with my depression somewhat also. Hope you are doing better...
Thank you for your question. What I can say first is breathe. I have had GAD all my life. It was not until 2001 that I finally started clonazepam. It is intended to be a short-term medication. I have been taking 1mg three times a day. I too cannot take SSRI meds. They make me more anxious. I hesitate to say this, but do not say you don’t have panic attacks. They are triggered by something and feel horrible. You may never have one but please know you will not die from them. People like us, suffer GAD due to genetics and environment. Things in our lives make us anxious. My mom is 73 and still takes hers. Since 1997 she has been on them. They do not hurt you but rather calm you. As we age, we may get depressed and doctors want to push anti-depressants. I suggest some therapy if you are willing. Maybe a few sessions to help you understand your GAD. I am 50 now and have no plans to stop. I know by 9 am if I forgot my pill.
I am physically dependent but not addicted. They are my lifesaver. I’m a licensed master social worker. I try to use what I can to help myself, but talking is always good too. Relax and know that you are going to be fine. At least you shared and got that out in the open. The pill works around the clock. What miligram are you taking? If your anxiety increases, talk to your doctor. I had to go up on mine and found that happy medium. Low doses may help for you. It is a great reliever of GAD. Also, research GAD on Google. The signs, symptoms, etc. I wish you the best of luck. Again, breathe and let the medication work.
I’m breathing. But it isn’t easy. The guilt my doctor and the media puts on me for taking a prescribed Benzo by my psychiatrist 18 yrs ago is my biggest obstacle. I’m 58, started at 3 mg long ago and currently am feeling great at .75 mgs of Clonazepam. I taped down to .50 this summer from over two years at 1.5. but I was a mess. Anxiety and panic attacks with horrible nightmares every day I moved my self up and the last month I feel pretty normal again. (Whatever normal is) I found this old thread and I finally didn’t feel so guilty. It’s good not to be alone .
You have no idea how happy I am to have found this site!
Some people drink a couple of martinis every night. I take .5mg of K/C. What's better/worse? Our fear and guilt about taking K/C can be disabling. People who post here that you have to get down to your 'root' issues to conquer anxiety (and other conditions) without medication don't live in the same world I do. I was trained in psychotherapy and spent years in my own therapy. It was quite helpful. But it doesn't cure psychiatric illness. JMNSHO.
I am currently going through my third depression which has been going on for two years with little relief . No SSRI has worked so far . Also have been on antipsychotics as well along with Ativan . Was put on Klonopin early on in this journey but taken off because I think it made me more depressed . I am thinking of going back on . I have a ton of anxiety and ruminating with my depression . Just don’t know what else to do .
I'm 77, take .5mg clonazepam daily for GAD. I've been on it for 8-10 years. I've tried to titrate off it but the anxiety became too fierce when I got down to .125. So, I resigned myself to stay on the drug which my new pdoc is ok with. Some days, very infrequently, I'll add a second .5mg. My concern, if you can call it that, is that it can affect balance in the elderly. My last pdoc told me there is a study to support that, and he wanted me to wean off of it (then he retired). I do have some balance issues which is probably not entirely unusual for someone my age, but it is real and I need to be aware of it. I also take Lamictal which affects balance. But neither are enough of a problem to convince me I should go off K. I continue to play racquetball and manage to stay on my feet so I tell myself it isn't that bad. It took me a few years to convince myself I didn't need to feel bad about staying on it.
In a perfect world, I wouldn't need it, and could get off it easily. GAD robs you of any measure of serenity. It can be crushing. There's no doubt in my mind what I would do if I were you, but it's your body and your brain. I would support you though in staying on K if the quality of your life is materially enhanced.
I have been on klonopin for 21 yrs. For anxiety, panic, fibromyalgia. It helps. I have thought of Tapering down but it enables me a functioning life. I'm 57 yrs old. I'm on different meds for chronic pain and depression. I'm going through spinal stimulator process. I'm keeping it the way it is. I have read horror stories about taking klono this long , but at times I read air is bad for you lol. HAPPY with the big K. My primary of over 30 yrs feels if I'm able to function and be productive the positive over rides the negative I m glad I found this site.
Thank you for your comment. I have Fibromyalgia as well. What I do not understand is having a doc tell me that fibro is in my head. No it’s not. I live in Texas and long for summer. I am pain free. Cold triggers it but I move on. I do not take clonazepam for fibro. I take it only for anxiety. I have 30 left every month for most months. I don’t require a second one until bed. It has pretty much stopped working except my body and brain say no it hasn’t so take it. Climbing the walls and peeling off the paint is what withdrawal would be like. I’d much rather be labeled than go insane. I’m on Accord manufactured clonazepam. Mylan gave me nightmares. I was then given meds for those. Who made them? Mylan did! I take hydroxyzine to sleep and try to stay calm daily. We can do this!!! So what if we’re on clonazepam. Walk a step in my shoes and tell me you would feel any different. I don’t know anyone who is not on something.
Nobody’s picture by the word Normal in the dictionary. I’ve said this before.
No one here has anything to feel embarrassed.
Hi. Thanks for sharing. I thought I was the only one. I see it has been a while since this post, but I hope this helps. I am 49 and have been on clonazepam for 19 years. I see that genetics play a big role in anxiety. I have panic attacks, hate crowds, and generally hate to leave home. I “deal” with everything and multi-task like crazy. I feel that my doc should have put me on these short term, but she said, no. Lifetime it would be. I know by 9 am if I have not taken my pill. I have physical dependence and know that coming off would be cruel and wicked. I must stay on mine! I empathize with you and hope you are well. We have too much Seratonin in our brains and not enough Dopamine. I don’t sleep well and I avoid life because of GAD. Doctors push SSRI’s but, like you, I cannot take them. I hate them and I stay awake for days on one pill.
We (I am inserting this here and hope it’s ok) are NOT depressed! If docs could figure this out, life would be great. I wish I did not have GAD but do the best I can. Good luck to you! I was anxious as a child but did not know to tell my parents. I thought everyone was like me. I do not overtake my meds and have the choice to take one mid-afternoon if I need to take it. I usually do not. Today, I know two things: I am not depressed, and nobody knows how GAD feels unless they post like we have. I rely on my faith daily and breathe easier when I see stories about similar, almost carbon copy revelations. I am glad I am not bi-polar as that is horrible to treat. I pray all of us with mental disorders can get the word out. No matter your issues, I wish you the best of luck. I’m in that boat and want you to know that I do understand!!! Take care. We are such giving, submissive, caring individuals. People just don’t understand what they don’t understand. I used to say, I’m sorry quite a bit. I no longer do that. Inspiration like this keeps me going. Just wait until someone has their first panic attack. It’s a horrid feeling. Then and only then will the weird alternate universe in which I live, reveal a whole new set of rules. Just remember... There’s nobody’s picture beside the word “NORMAL” in the dictionary. Everybody has something or they are lying. Thank you!
Very well said...
Hello and Merry Christmas
Iamalade, Please don't worry about taking Clonazepam, generic for Klonopin, because you are worrying for no reason. I am 70 years old and very active and I will be on Clonazepam for the rest of my life so I can function like anyone else. I am an registered nurse and worked for 50 years. Retired last year! I have been taking Clonazepam since 1975. Tried to get off it once because doctor told me that there are better drugs. I was messed up for many months until I went back on the Clonazepam. Why fix something that is not broken. No seizures as long as I am taking the Clonazepam. If it works then I would say you are good. Happy Holidays.
Thank you pidge! Iamalady and ladyiam are both me. Thanks for the kind words. I'm so happy for you and your reply means so much to my peace of mind and to others struggling with guilt because they are on clonazepam for the long haul of life. Happy Holidays to you also. I will be 67 soon. You are an inspiration to me. Bless you...
I cant seem to get my reply to you to work
Thank you pidge, you are an inspiration to me and others. Wishing you a very long happy life on clonazepam and glad it works. Thank you for replying and giving some of your history. Happy holidays to you too.
Ladyiam, I hope you got my messages. Let us all have a great New Year!
I wish you many more years to come also. I hope to travel a bit now that I am no longer working, and before I get too old! ❤️
Got your messages. Happy new year and many travels to you.
Do you not fear that some doctor might not want to prescribe it to you for life?
Yes I do, but my doctor assured me benzos are here to stay. My heart doctor also will prescribe it, he told me because it helps with my tachycardia along with my diltiazem. Can you imagine everyone cut off their benzodiazepines, or antidepressants, the world would be in a mess. Many doctors and professionals are on benzodiazepines, not just your average Joe.
My biggest worry is there will be a shortage like there was with buspirone lately. That was scary. If that happened with klonopin the rich, famous, influential people would get the drug first, the rest of us would suffer , but the same thing could happen with any of the antidepressants. I've been reading the stories on several antidepressants people are trying to quit without luck. They cant get off and are miserable with withdrawal symptoms because they quit working for them and they don't know what to do. So why are they really any better, I don't know... Seeing a psychiatrist would be your best bet if you are worried about not getting your klonopin. Hope this helps you relax a bit, or helps you decide which way to go in your decision. Nobody likes being on medication, but sometimes you have to be.
P.S. somewhere along the way, you mentioned that GAD is a lifelong "illness" and that is not correct. There is absolutely a way to make it go away, but you need to do the inner work. I've been in this field for 15 years. I've done much research and have much personal experience. GAD is typically rooted in early trauma. you would have to either do the inner work to integrate or leave it as a nervous system "glitch" as the body stores trauma. Medication, like benzos, without accompanying therapy or "processing" will, of course, leave it as a lifelong "illness" but please don't identify yourself as having an illness you can't get control of or heal - it's bad for the psyche to see it that way and it means you are already ignoring the parts of yourself that are already compartmentalized off and manifesting as "anxiety"
And it's much easier to not do the work and just keep medicating to avoid the inevitable withdrawals...
My doctor found out through lab work that I had hypothyroidism several years ago. Recently I went for a year without my thyroid medication because it was on back order, and thought it would be a good time to find out how I would function without it. I found out all right - started having frequent daily anxiety attacks interspersed with some panic attacks. I was also low in Vitamin D3 which also causes anxiety. OK, so I addressed those issues and still had problems with anxiety. That was treated with buspar 3 times a day, along with Trintellix, one of the newer antidepressants. I wasn't able to take any other antidepressants successfully, and I know this because I had tried most of them. Wellbutrin worked for a long time, but it eventually quit working. Buspar alone was working well for me, also when taking it along with my Vitamin D3 and Nature-Throid. But my new doctor (who I am so blessed to have found recently) added Trintellix to my Buspar regimen.
I can say that I am anxiety and panic free because of this. I am not taking clonazepam, but felt the need to address the above comment made by Susan about anxiety not being a lifelong "illness". Yes, you can do the work, eat right, exercise more, yoga, meditation, take more natural supplements (I spent thousands of dollars taking them to feel better) and all the other "work" to treat anxiety. But for many of us, it takes more. It is also a fact that for many people who leave anxiety untreated, it can lead to depression. And an anxiety/depression combination is much much harder to treat! So I continue to take my Buspar and Trintellix faithfully every day, and thank heavens that I can look forward to waking up each day without worrying and ruminating about every little thing until I feel like I might drive myself crazy! I presently do not do this, and I attribute it to addressing my thyroid issues and other issues along with my anxiety and depression issues with the proper medications. To tell an anxious person not to take medication for it - well, would you tell a diabetic not to take insulin? Or would you tell a heart patient not to take heart medications? Be thankful that so many people have been helped through the years by medications such as klonopin to keep anxiety at bay, as well as off-label reasons for taking it. I commend you people who have stuck to a medication that can be so helpful to you, in spite of the bad rap it has been given in the last few years. We have to not listen to others and try to work out individually ways to have better quality of life, in spite of negative feedback. Listen to your body. If it is working for you, continue on... Find a doctor who will work with you.
I referred to "anxiety" ~~~ I should have included anxiety, anxiety and stress, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, atypical depression, and dysthymia, among others... (just to name a few).
GMC and mioshamo, your message is very knowledgeable and respectful of others. I've done yoga, meditation too, still do, no smoking or drinking since mid 20s. Just finished therapy again, thought I'd give it another go. It just doesn't work for me. I try to keep my meds at as low a dose as possible, but I would probably feel better if I was not afraid to increase when needed. Thank you for joining in here with your thoughts and information.
Someone mentioned you have to do "inner work" to resolve childhood trauma that causes GAD. Ummm. I was in therapy for 10 years -- not much childhood trauma, but whatever -- I am bipolar (runs in the family among female relatives), all the therapy in the world, as well as alternative medicine, yoga, meditation (which I still do), exercising so I'm exhausted when I go to bed, lots of non-benzo meds to try to remedy extreme anxiety that comes on in the middle of the night and wakes me up. I average 3 hours of sleep per night. I've been benzo-free for 3 full years. I'm long past any "withdrawal" symptoms. I have no w/d symptoms. When I got off, I did it entirely on my own and did it slowly. 3 years of suffering is enough. Only benozs help me. So, please don't judge others on their use of benzos. You have zero idea of each individual's experience. One med is not the same for all.
Some get help from SSRI's/SNRI's, others, like myself do not. I'd gladly take anything, try anything, deal with "childhood trauma" if that helped... I've done all of that and given it years and years of the old college try. Guess what? The answer for one is not the answer for all. Glad therapy and "dealing with childhood trauma" have worked for you or others... doesn't work for all, including me. I can't stand judgment of others when you haven't walked in their psychiatric shoes.
I have been on this drug for almost 30 years. I will probably need to be on it for life because my body is addicted. That is the price I will pay for having received the benefits of this drug when I really needed it
May I ask your age now? You don't need to answer, it's your right to have privacy.
I am 51 and was put on it at around 24 or 25.
I started on Ativan back then but when the doctor saw I had full-time (generalized anxiety d/o), he switched it to Klonopin because of the long half-life.
they don't prescribe this anymore for this, i don't think. And if they do, it's supposed to be very infrequently.
it did save my life... for many years.
But, because of the physical dependency, if i miss even one dose or am late with it, i start suffering
Any side effects?
I have been on clonazepam for about 15 years. I am 64. Doc says I will have to take it the rest of my life
Like you at first I loved it
Now I dont even know if it's doing anything
Tried other meds too , body rejected. Thought about weaning off of it
And using it when I need relief the most.i take it for cervical dystonia. I'm in so much pain all the time now I had to quit my job and retire early. I would at least like to work part time.been a maintenance tech. For 30 years. It sucks
I have found a Clonazepam blood level that consistent works the best. I prefer not worrying about have a seizure. I would think having a constant level would help pain too! You know yourself the best. Do what is good for you. God Bless
Hi. I'm 70. I have been on Clonazepam since 1975. It controls my juvenile myoclonic seizures. Had a normal life with restrictions. I too hope I will live another 10 years at least. But if I can't get my Clonazepam I may be lost. Having trouble finding a generic that works. Do worry as long as you feel good. Life is too short to worry.
Agree about not worrying. That's what got us on K/C in the first place -- a congenital disposition toward general anxiety which some humans unfortunately are cursed with. For many years, vodka martinis (plural) were quite helpful for me. But they started to do more harm than good. My system couldn't tolerate them. K/C is a much more subtle and reliable method of anxiety control, and more consistent through the day. If there are severe detrimental side effects, I'm not aware of them. Or any side effects for that matter, other than feeling more normal and sleeping better. After five years of angst while trying to titrate off, I have resigned myself to taking it 'for the duration.' It's a relief to have made this decision.
After 2.5 years of trying to get off I have decided to forget about tapering for now. I am trying to stay at a dosage of .5 mg instead of the 1 mg I was on for years. I am not feeling great but I am doing better. I had titrated down to about .36 mg and was a mess.
I switched to the brand name in order to control as many variables as possible. I'm extremely sensitive and can feel it if i am even late with my tiny dosage. My brain needs it to function normally now although i doubt i need it for anxiety anymore.
I'm starting clonazepam .25/ noon .25/night today ... it's a desperate attempt to survive. please wish me luck! I'm horribly scared of this drug because of reports on the net. so I'll be back on this forum again (first time on a forum ever) just to ease my worries. thank you all
I was also scared of it when I started, read so much negitive stuff I was petrified. I use for nerve pain in my mouth, been on for 5 yrs. Not going off. I was so happy to find this forum. Don't be afraid of it.
I'm glad you found this forum. I take the same dose 5-1/2 years. I worry too because of the bad stigma associated with benzodiazepines. It's not fair. Clonazepam works and it's a great medication for many things besides anxiety. Come back and let us know how you do...
You shouldn't go on this medication unless it's only for a very short time... a few days, or, if you need a lifetime adjustment. Long term use means life long. Withdrawals are simply to severe... worse than any other drug prescribed or illegal. But it is a miracle drug for me and I have come to accept that this is a life long medication. So be aware.
This is pretty much a forum for those who need lifelong treatment. I weaned off 1/8mg at a time over several weeks and was successful for 4 months off and had mild withdrawal, felt fine, was having no more withdrawal, but my anxiety induced tachycardia came back which is why I went on the first time, so went back on. I still stubbornly play around with my dose and withdrawal is not that bad when done very slowly, but I get to almost quit and I freak out about my tachycardia coming back, which rears anxiety's ugly head, so I just stay on. I do have a cousin, a daughter, and my therapist who have successfully weaned off and been off for years. Try other things first, but if all else fails, some of us really need a benzodiazepine.
I posted a few weeks ago. Have been trying to figure out if I should continue tapering klonopin. I have been tapering for 2+ years from 1 mg to .35 mg. I am so sick I have no idea of what to do. I know many of you have positive experiences being on the drugs but so many say get off no matter what then are sick forever. I just don't know what to do. Go back on full dose, keep tapering even though I am really sick. This is terrible.
Was there a lower place in your taper where you did feel good? Perhaps go back to that dose and not the full dose. If the klonopin worked, why suffer so, but you should also let your physician know whats going on so they can advise you. And no, i don't believe in going off no matter what. Why suffer. If klonopin stopped working, your doctor might try something else in the Benzo family, or you might be a person who does well on an antidepressant along with klonopin, you should definitely check in with your doctor for support also. Don't make yourself suffer... hugs
Thanks so much. My doctor, both primary care doc and psychiatrist, told me to go back up. I just took an extra .5 mg and wow, the nausea is gone and I have stopped sobbing, which I had been doing for hours. This is such a powerful drugs and tiny dosage adjustments I guess really do make a difference. I know I cannot keep torturing myself and need to updose to something, just not sure where to go, have not been stable that much below 1 mg. My son has recently fallen ill, he is 16 and is losing all this weight and now weighs 107 at 16 years old and 5 foot 10. I am totally losing it. I don't know how to be there for him when I am depressed nearly suicidal and can barely eat or sleep. I don't think I can get off and still be functional. The years I was on Klonopin were good years; just so much pressure to get off now. I do have doctors who will prescribe so maybe I just stop tapering and updose. This is pure torture.
I went back and found your older post. Your doctor is aware of your problem then and you took klonopin and remeron for helping sleep. Nothing is working for you at this time. I hope your doctor can get you back on course. Best wishes for your return to more good years, I'm sorry you feel so sick.
I am 52 years old and was prescribed Klonopin 25 odd years ago for severe panic and Anxiety disorder. It is a lifetime drug for me
I get no pleasure high from this drug. It stabilizes me to where I feel normal. 2mg daily for several years. It has prevented many years of misery and suffering.
I am 55 and have been on Klonopin since I was 25 with no problems at all.
Thank you Danny!
Related topics
buspar, klonopin, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, side effect
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.