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 4
I am 41 - i have been on anywhere from .125 - .5mg of clonazepam at bedtime. I was given this medicine after very serious emergency surgery I had shortly after having my first baby - needless to say I was very anxious. I have tried to quit 4 times - withdrawals are too severe - especially going through withdrawals while taking care of my 2 active children. I do struggle though with being on this medication for life because I don’t feel as energetic on it. I take 0.375 at bedtime. I also take Cymbalta. I find that I am much more tired than I was before this medication. I require a daily nap that I’m so embarrassed about. If anyone has had success increasing their energy while on this medication please let me know! I would love to talk. I have tried EVERYTHING I can for more energy - except taking another medication. I intermittent fast, cut out sugar - the list goes on and on. So please help me if you can! I appreciate this thread so much - it is truly so comforting to see other people doing ok on this medication long term.
I have been on Klonopin for prob 8 yrs. Now I take .25 3x day. I use it for nerve pain in my mouth. I started Cymbalta first at 20mg then 30mg and about to try 40mg Also for mouth pain. When I started the 30 I noticed how much more tired I am , I also eat clean, workout a lot. But by 9pm I’m falling asleep. Klonopin even at .5 never made me tired. I think it’s the Cymbalta.
I am a 46 year old male who suffers from GAD & Panic Attacks. I have tried 3 different SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro,) and none of these agree with me. For years I carried around a prescription of .25mg Xanax with me just in case I had a panic attack. Having them with me often times kept me from having any panic.
Since the pandemic my anxiety has increased significantly and I was prescribed .25mg Klonopin. I have been taking .25mg every other day for about a year and it has done wonders for my anxiety and panic. My reasoning for taking every other day is so that I won’t build up tolerance as quickly and need to up the dosage.
I am anti-medication and I know taking Benzos for the rest of my life is not a good long term solution…. But Klonopin is the only med I have ever tried that makes me feel normal again.
Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Keeping your dose to a minimum is a smart move. I also take Klonopin for panic and anxiety, and I frequently take one to two weeks without taking any. My doctor agrees.. I also find it makes the drug work a bit better.
Some people can take Klonopin for many years and never raise the dose. Looks like you figured out what works for you and that’s great. I’m with you, can’t take SSRIs. Klonopin works. I feel normal on .25 a.m. when waking up and at supper time. Same dose for 9 years. I haven’t felt the need to raise it yet.
Thanks for sharing your story…
How long did it take you to feel the full affect of the cycle of anxiety breaking up? I have felt relief within a couple hours of taking Klonopin but it hasn’t completely broken the cycle of the anxiety yet. Suggestions?
How long did it take you to feel the full affect of the cycle of anxiety breaking up? I have felt relief within a couple hours of taking Klonopin but it hasn’t completely broken the cycle of the anxiety yet. Suggestions?
I am 51 and have been taking clonazepam for 26 years. I was diagnosed with acute anxiety at age 7.
At age 12 I was given Xanax and then later at 24 given clonazepam 2mg. It is the only thing that works to stop or prevent panic attacks that I have found. Truly a wonder drug. Tried all sorts of SSRI's and nothing worked. Terrible side effects. I am now down to 1mg. Half a tablet in the morning and one half at night before bed. The only problem I have is from the new doctor and the clinic staff who want me off of the medicine. They treat me like I'm a drug addict every time I call in a refill.
Sometimes referring to clonazepam as a "narcotic" which it is not.
Many times they will hold off on refilling saying I need to be seen by the doctor which causes me to go without and into withdrawal symptoms.
The only reason my doctor has given for wanting me off the medication is that there are too many forms to fill out for the DEA.
Anyone else have this problem? I would like to find a physician who understands I need to take this medicine because it works for me. I've never had a history of abuse or misuse yet I am constantly treated as if I'm drug seeking, if not by the doctor, the clinic staff, or by the pharmacy. I am in the San Diego area so if anyone knows a caring physician who understands anxiety and panic disorders please let me know.
There are other, even OTC drugs that are more dangerous. Popular medical use of anti-hypertensives, for example can cause falls, just as benzos are feared to do by some doctors.
I am 70 years old and have been on clonazepam for 27 years. I cannot take Buspar. I had bad side effects from it. I have GAD. I had panic attacks. But no longer. I fear weaning off clonazepam they will return. My mental status is better on my regular dose of clonazepam. I have no mobility problems on clonazepam. I believe I have built up a tolerance to clonazepam. Although have worked hard to keep my dose to 2 mg a day for 27 years. I cannot tolerate the SSRs. I believe this doctor will cause my health and my mental status to fail by weaning me off clonazepam .
Glad to hear it’s working for you and no bad side effects after 27 years. I’ll be 70 in April, been on 9 years and will be on for life as I see it.
Brand new to this site---
I have been on Klonopin for 25 years. I'm 65. Dr will nor prescribe more than 4 mgs per day, NO MATTER WHAT..so I have the additional anxiety of knowing I cannot ever get 'more'.
Doc wants me to get off this. I just want to be calm. I'm considering Ketamine nasal spray to help with the overall depression/ anxiety. I'm just exhausted from dealing with both and not having a supportive spouse. I know if he were a little kinder to me about this--I would not feel like such a freak. BTW, he has anxiety issues and doesn't mind taking my Klonopin when he needs it. Life is funny that way.
Midkid65
I’m no doctor, but some of your anxiety could be because of worrying about having to come off. If you can find a doctor who doesn’t want you off, and you just take that dose and stop thinking or trying to get off you might be surprised how well it will work for you. That logic worked for me, I just take it, I don’t even give it much thought anymore and because of having it out of my mind I haven’t needed to increase it.
FINALLY a psychiatrist today that prescribed me .5 2x a day for my severe anxiety. I can’t tolerate SSRI’s and I’m not depressed I’m EXTREMELY anxious to the point I isolate & leave my house only when absolutely necessary with help of Xanax. Last drugs prescribed Mirtazapine & Clonidine have caused excruciating stomach & digestive issues. Psychiatrist said when taken as directed & not abused ( I’m a recovering alcoholic) it’s perfectly fine . I’ve taken Xanax as needed for 10 years & never have I take more than 1 mg in a day. I’m HIGHLY Med sensitive.
good for you man! tip for you would be to practice exposure therapy, it kinda helps a lot with anxiety. even if its just goin out and getting lunch and eating inside around people will help you out a lot.
I am 68 years old and have been taking .5 mg. clonazepam for many years - at least ten. This was prescribed by a psychiatrist for anxiety. I think it is safe to use long term if you take it as prescribed, not miss doses and take the smallest possible dose needed. I took BuSpar for quite some time but developed muscle pain and weakness and had to stop it. You can have withdrawal from clonazepam - quickly! Once I had to leave town on urgent family business, ran out and after 4 days could not sleep, was extremely jittery, shaky, hot and agitated; I had to have the doctor call in a prescription long-distance. You can develop seizures from withdrawal if it is severe or if you are on higher doses. I have now run out of my clonazepam prescription for 48 hours and I have been almost paranoid, have a racing heart and had difficulty concentrating today. I tried filling the script Monday but poor communication between the pharmacy and my doctor has delayed this. I hope I can get can get it tomorrow and I don't have to wait over the weekend until Monday.
I don't believe I can ever withdraw without left over adverse effects. After 35 yrs. I think I should be on a higher dose. I think I am infact withdrawing BECAUSE I have not been increased in the dose, just steady minimum side 1.5mg for so long. Bottom line. As for advice to get off it, I would be more secure in taking it if Dr. Breggin et al could assure me that I would actually improve instead of risking increase anxiety related effects as I get older. Still I told Stephen I would give it a try, but only within "comfort" limits.
Who is Stephen?
Who is Stephen?
Dear iamalady,
I hope you are doing well during Holiday Season. I have not switched to CBD oil thanks to posts from this site. I have been doing ok on the 20 mg of lexapro and mainly .25 mg of klonopin in the early AM hours. I have noticed that if I am feeling really anxious in afternoon, another .25 mg seems to do the trick for me. As ive state, my Dr. is very much for the anti-depressant, but I think it hasnt done much for me this whole year. Anyways, have blood work and follow up visit in another month and going to insist that the klonopin works for me and I dont want to be made into an outcast. I know exactly what my issues are: a fear of dying early like my father, and I think about it everyday. Its debiliatating, but there are good days as well. Thank you again for your posts.
I keep my Klonopin dosage quite low…….never more than 3/4 mg./day. I take occasional drug holidays for two weeks. When I resume, it seems to work better. It can be a great drug for us anxious folks….just be smart about it. As far as ssri’s…..forget it. They make things worse for me. Mirtazapine is the exception. What a great drug for me……7 hrs. of sleep, a great appetite,,,
Thank you Cujo_byte. Great reply.
So, the question of CBD and helping with Klonopin withdrawal. From personal experience, I found try to taper off, (1mg\day) was Horrible to say the least. And I don't believe CBD helped at all. But that was me. I am back on 1mg\day and probably will be for some time to come. I'm 70yo now.
Good Luck!
1st off, Happy Thanksgiving!
I want you to know that you need not worry about long term effects of Benzodiazepine particularly clonazepam. The FDA, DEA, CDC all have different opinions on the way to handle the real issue with benzos, which is teens/children/young adults abusing them. 1 look at any Reddit sub shows the glorification of Benzodiazepine abuse as if it is the equivalent of opioids in the previous decade.
The Box warning on clonazepam comes from a very skewed, unthorough study of the correlation between long term use of Clonazepam and the instances of dementia.
It's a way to cover their butts. And to freak the doctors and pharmacists out as an attempt at making them more vigilant than they were during the years leading up tto and during the opioid epidemic.
I have been on Clonazepam every day of my life since 1981. It was just Roche Klonopin back then, and stayed that way until September 10, 1996 when Teva got approved for the first-to-file ADNA patent for their generic version of Clonazepam. Actavis was next on October 31, 1996...
Sorry, not applicable to your question-
What is however, is that I have been taking 2, 2mg tabs 4× daily with a 5th dose of the same 4 mgs available if needed. I have been living with both Epilepsy and Agoraphobia w/panic and GAD as well. Insomnia, OCD, migraine, and many other ailments that are all very well managed with Clonazepam. I have been on lower dosages, having wanted to find the lowest effect dose. I got down to 8mg daily in 2016, but the seizure activity increased and I couldn't get myself out of the house to get to my appointments. So it's been back up to 16mg with the total allotment of 20mg per day which I haven't needed more than once or twice a month for the last 4 years.
I have not been negatively affected by Clonazepam in any way.
My 40 years on this lifesaving miracle of a drug has me happy, healthy and active. My mother is 79 and has been taking Klonopin since 1976. She is healthy, sharp as a tack, and well as can be.
I have 2 other relatives who are in their mid 80s that have been on Clonazepam since it was released as a new molecular entity in 1975. They are both mentally sound and physically as fit as can be expected for their age.
I hope this helps. Take care, best wishes.
✯✧(✷‿✷)✧✯
Cujo, Wow, thanks so much for all this information, it is very helpful to us life-timers. Glad you are doing so well.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Cujo, Wow, thanks so much for all this information, it is very helpful to us life-timers. Glad you are doing so well.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Cuju. Thank you for your personal experience and information on your use of Klonopin. It’s so appreciated and helpful to our Klonopin community.
Thank you Cujo. Appreciate your comments very much.
Thanks so much for the comment Cujo! Very informative!
Has anyone tried to utilize CBD Oil (purity) along with klonopin/lexapro or is this a recipe for disaster. I have not asked my Dr., but have a follow up in a few weeks. I know he wants me to decline usage of klonopin (currently on just .25mg a day (1 pill early AM), unless traveling, then usually .50mg). The klonopin works as I've stated before, but so many people telling me CBD Oil helped them to titrate off of klonopin. Confused so thanks for any help. Have a Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Dear iamalady, did you ever use lexapro and klonopin/clonazepam at same time. My Dr. did fill my .5mg clonazepam and I asked him if lexapro could titrate off of and of course he said it should be opposite, but I feel like lexapro (on a year) has not done much. I have much better luck staying calm and focused with clonazepam. Sticking to that that .25mg twice a day. Who knows, maybe I'm just stuck in this position where my health anxiety going to be there and clonazepam helping, so I should stick to it along with exercise and eating healthy. Thanks again for listening.
Hexagon5
I tried Lexapro, with Klonopin, but only made it 3 days on lexapro because of nausea. I hate side effects and Klonopin worked and did not make me sick. My anxiety is not perfectly controlled but much more manageable now. In the world we are living in today I don’t think you can completely eliminate anxiety. But when anxiety makes you physically ill and depressed, I believe in treating it, not just being sick every day because you are to scared to try something. I’m living a much better life with Klonopin. And I don’t want to go back to the dark side…
Iamalady
Same thing Lexapro for 3 days with my clonazepam couldn't take the side effects of Lexapro so stopped it stayed on clonazepam doctor wanted me to split my.05 mg divided dose of 1/2 pill twice a day I don't feel it's enough. I did do 1/2 + 1/4 and did okay better
I am 70 and have been on low dose of clonazepam for 25 years. I have had anxiety, sometimes crippling, since I was a little girl. I also cannot find a med to help with this that works as well, so I'm with you. Sometimes I don't take it for a day or 2 if I can just to assure it keeps working well. You are not alone!
I understand completely! I’m 70 now and can’t get off Klonopin. I don’t even take my prescribed dosage, but do usually take half a mg. a day. I take a whole mg. if I’m going to be around crowds.
Best of luck to you!
It will be 9 years on .25 twice a day for me. I have anxious days where I could take more, but I discovered if I ride it out, I really can get by and so I don’t increase. My doctor is really great, she believes in Klonopin and has never asked me to lower my dose or try to come off it. She believes in Klonopin for life if you need it and can control your intake.
To the last person who posted about doctor wanting to reduce your Klonopin... yes, it seems things run in phases. Klonopin has been effective for many of us for YEARS , but brings with it an additive quality, as it changes brain chemicals, etc. (usually for the good) NOW, the trend is to "get people off of it". But, honestly, the W|D can be incredibility difficult and process needs to be Very SSSlow. Then the trend is to switch to an anti-depressant, like Lexapro. I know for me, that was a disaster. MY feeling and my doctor, is if Klonopin is working, you're not increasing it or abusing it, stay with it. You may need to find another doctor. Big Pharma, politics, etc. seem to move us in directions that at times may not be the best for you. Just be careful of a FAST reduction or "detox". It can take up to a year to reduce for some. Just my opinion, not to direct or scare or discourage you. Best to you!
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buspar, klonopin, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, side effect
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