Clonazepam and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Kay...
• November 8, 2011

For Insomnia "I started using clonazepam years ago, recommended by my partner's psychiatrist at the time to help me with insomnia. I was using 0.5 mg only on occasion, and it was a miracle. I would fall asleep within an hour of taking them and have a great night's sleep. Loved it. Years later, the dosage is now 4.25 mg (as my resistance built up and the lower dosage no longer helped). I do take them about three times a week to sleep, especially Sunday night before the work week begins. However, I am now worried that my dosage is too high and I will have trouble getting off of them."

• Mis...
• August 30, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar and borderline. Clonazepam doesn't help treat my diseases, but is very helpful at minimizing many symptoms, such as anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and similar issues, so it makes life much easier."

• Tes...
• April 30, 2017

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "Have been taking Klonopin for nearly 20 years. At one point, my doctor was prescribing 3 mg per day. The past couple of years, I've been taking 0.25 mg (1/4 mg) per day. It has been very helpful in preventing panic attacks and reducing my anxiety in general. My only side effect has been mild drowsiness. My doctor has tried to help me go off this medication completely on two occasions. The first time, I developed muscle spasms throughout my body, including rapid heartbeat. The second time, I became unable to sleep, and anxiety attacks resumed. Both times, my dosage was decreased gradually over a period of 2 to 3 months after I'd been taking 1 mg per day. Since then, when my doctor suggested trying to wean me off it again, I reminded him of the prior problems."

• YEE...
• October 11, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I am a 25-year-old male who has been on clonazepam daily for 4.5 years. Diagnoses: bipolar type 2, PTSD, panic disorder. Before starting, I had severe substance abuse issues, primarily alcohol. I was self-medicating for the anxiety and panic in a vicious cycle. The first time I took 0.5 mg of this medication, I finally felt like a normal person without feeling high. The Rubik's Cube of my neurochemistry finally clicked perfectly into place. I have not had a single drink of alcohol in the last 4.5 years. Before beginning it, I was experiencing suicidal ideation, insomnia, and 6-12 panic attacks daily. I have since graduated with a degree in psychology with a 3.73 GPA and am now in graduate school for a BSRN. I take my doses at the same time each day, without any problems of abuse. I may be a rare case, but I am eternally thankful to the doctor who first trusted me with this medication because he saved my life."

• zio...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 1, 2015

For Insomnia "Yes indeed, Clonazepam is a 'wonder drug' for sleep (and anxiety); but beware... if I can just save one person from this drug... yes!!! I ended up on this drug for 18 years, and it took me four months of a slow taper to wean myself. During and after withdrawal, I had horrible side effects: nausea, insomnia, panic, loss of memory, etc. I have been totally off the drug for 8 weeks, and my side effects are slowly going away, but I still have a horrible metallic taste and smell. I'd try anything other than a benzo. It is not worth the side effects. Look at the drug warnings; they state the drug is meant for short-term use. Good luck."

• Sup...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2020

For Anxiety "On clonazepam to treat my restless leg syndrome and anxiety. Finally, I feel normal, and I am seizure-free. Combined with dopamine and serotonin reuptake meds, also gabapentin, I can't describe the normal feeling for the first time and no insomnia (for more than 20 years). But sadly, after my neurologist reduced the dosage, I feel terrible. I don't know if this is withdrawal. But I'm thankful for this med."

• kaj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2014

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "My neuro started me on 0.5 mg clonazepam in June 2013 to help me with extreme insomnia. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in Jan. 1995. My neuro in Sept. 2013 moved his office almost 3 hours away and no longer treats M.S. I am having a hard time finding a new neuro in my area that does not have a several-month waiting list (north Louisiana & Arkansas border). I ran out of this medication a month ago; obvious withdrawal symptoms have not been 'enjoyable': severe insomnia, nausea, extreme weakness; to me, it felt like it was causing my M.S. to get worse. Today is the 1st day in 4 weeks I feel semi, aka 50% back to my normal. Cold turkey off soma in 2012 was as bad as this drug."

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2021

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "Klonopin destroyed my life and damaged my whole family, especially my young daughters. It was given to me for panic, to take as needed. It does calm you quickly, but at the highest price. Very real side effects include paranoia, fatigue, confusion, and impaired judgment. I made several terrible, terrible business decisions while taking it. But the worst side effects come when you stop it. For me, zero sleep, insomnia, chest pain, fatigue, muscle loss, emotional emptiness, and suicidal thoughts/acts that go on and on. It has been four months since my last dose, and all I do is lay in bed. My daughters are watching their once vibrant dad erode to nothing, and I am helpless."

• lup...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 23, 2025

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I was successfully on this medicine for 22 years. I started with 1 mg 2 times daily! Then over time, I increased to 4 mg, 4 times a day as needed! It helped tremendously with my insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks! My family doctor stopped prescribing this medicine! She took me off cold turkey! I suffered from hot flashes, seizures, fast heart rate, insomnia came back full force! I even had a seizure while driving! Thank God I didn't hurt anyone but myself! I totaled my truck. I have major memory issues now! It's awful coming off this medicine after having so many years of success!! It's been 3 years, and I'm still suffering with seizures! Going to see a new doctor soon to hopefully go back on them!!"

• Ano...
• August 2, 2017

For Insomnia "I had been using the TEVA brand for over 20 years. It worked effectively. Then, in the last 6 months, I have received two batches that did not work at all for insomnia or tardive dyskinesia. I was sleepless for over two weeks. Then, I had to visit the doctor. He had to prescribe a different generic clonazepam made by 'Accord Healthcare.' This brand is VERY inferior to the normal TEVA brand. I fall asleep fast but wake up about 4 hours later. So, the Accord brand is weaker and less effective. Many generics are inferior, even though they are supposed to be regulated. In Europe, I could buy clonazepam, the REAL medicine by Roche, for 2.50 per month. Europe is far superior in regard to health care."

• Hul...
• March 12, 2016

For Insomnia "I've been taking clonazepam intermittently for 15 months. It was prescribed to me by a neurologist for insomnia, nocturnal myoclonic jerks, and restless leg attacks. 0.5 mg has worked well with fighting off the nerve attacks and the wide awake feeling to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer than I can on my own. I also used it for longer sleep as needed for a special event such as traveling out of town. Finally, I was sent for a sleep study last month and found that I have severe sleep apnea while sleeping on my back and mild on my side. I snore loud off and on but would have no idea other than my spouse telling me. I have fragmented sleep, some of it with vivid dreams. I hope to start CPAP therapy soon and then wean off clonazepam."

• Sky...
• April 20, 2021

For Insomnia "Been on Klonopin 5 years, 1 mg at night and not really feeling it. Mostly was for insomnia. It’s hard to taper off. My doc said don’t, sorry just take, won’t hurt you???? I want to get off, but my mind tells me to stay on it. I take it before bed. Having bad thoughts, rebound insomnia. I need to talk to someone that knows how to taper."

• Lin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 10, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "For years, my Dr. tried a lot of meds for my restless legs, finally tried 1 mg clonazepam, and for 7 years I never had it since I take it every night before bed. Now we moved to Florida, and Drs. think I'm a joke and won't give me any, and I'm at my last straw with my restless legs, losing sleep and feel like I just can't take it anymore."

• SAD...
• April 5, 2021

For Insomnia "Was prescribed this by my new doctor, who refused to let me continue with the medication I have been taking for 2 years and actually works well for me. Took this at 7:30 PM and am still wide awake at 4:00 AM. Tried to sleep, but wide awake. Time to go back to the old doctor."

• Tha...
• March 3, 2015

For Insomnia "I was taking Xanax 2 mg 3x a day for about 10 years due to a motor vehicle accident with panic attacks that mimic a heart attack along with anxiety. It definitely knocked me out at night, but I recently got off them, weaned off, but still feeling withdrawals a month later. It gave me the worst insomnia, and I thought I would die from it. I was finally given Klonopin 1 mg in the morning and at night, and I am finally sleeping again, and my circadian rhythm is getting back to somewhat normal. Just hoping when I get off these, the insomnia and benzo withdrawals don't return, but again, working great so far...."

• Ang...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2022

For Anxiety "I have anxiety and panic attacks and insomnia. My doctor prescribed clonazepam. I've been taking them for 3 years and had no problem at all with them. Then my new doctor took me off them. Now I have sleeping problems and my anxiety is worse, and panic attacks came back. They had me on 4 different pills and nothing works. I want my clonazepam back because they work for me."

• don...
• October 3, 2009

Clonazepam for Insomnia "I was given this medication because of fibromyalgia and insomnia. I was unable to get a deep sleep, and as a result, my fibromyalgia was very bad. I was not informed of the issues of long-term use and have been on it for years. I started with a new doctor, and the first thing she did was take me off of this medication, down from 1 mg to 1/2 for 30 days and then cold turkey. This is way too fast for this medicine. I have had heart palpitations, hallucinations, inability to sleep at all, lightheadedness, high blood pressure, racing pulse, really weird thoughts."

• Hal...
• December 30, 2013

For Anxiety "One month, my doctor gave me 90 pills instead of 120, and I didn't bother to read the label, and he didn't tell me either. So, for the last week before my next appointment, I was going through severe withdrawals. I could not sleep at all. My pulse was over 100 (usually 60). My blood pressure was high too. I've been taking these for over 1 year now, so I don't know why he went to 90 instead of 120. I have very high anxiety, and it was not cutting it for me not being on it for a week. When I went back on it, I was just fine. I would for sure give this a 9.9 rating. Best medicine for anxiety I have ever taken!"

• Soe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2019

For Insomnia "I have been on clonazepam for six years, and it had always worked for me. Over the past year, my doctor has steadily been increasing my dosage. I am now on 4 mg and still cannot sleep. I still can't get a good night's sleep. I am going for a sleep study soon. My doctor is going to try another benzo, hope it helps. Thank you."

• mat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2022

For Anxiety "I have been experiencing extreme anxiety due to the fact that my 25-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This leads to extreme anxiety and sleep deprivation, and I am totally exhausted and just beat down. No energy. I saw my psychiatrist yesterday and was prescribed Klonopin, 0.5 mg twice daily, once in the AM and once at bedtime. Within a day, I am much calmer and slept for 10 hours. Praise the Lord. Things that got me cranked up just the other day just roll off my shoulders now. The doctor compared Ativan vs. Klonopin and said the latter stays in your body, which is called 'half-life,' is 3 times longer with Klonopin. If you suffer from any of my similar symptoms, please visit with your doctor about Klonopin. Male, age 61."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2017

For Insomnia "I've been taking 1 mg of alprazolam for years. A new doctor gave me 0.05 of clonazepam. I am NOT sleeping with clonazepam. The first dose was taken several hours ago. I have severe insomnia. Because I'm 67, the doctor uses that as an excuse to not keep me on alprazolam, which actually worked. Tried melatonin, nothing. I SERIOUSLY need sleep. How long does it take for 0.05 clonazepam to kick in?"

• Deb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2017

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I've been diagnosed with bipolar and severe anxiety. I saw a new psychiatrist two years ago who prescribed Klonopin. Best thing that ever happened to me. I was taking 3 mg daily. But I also take Seroquel for trouble sleeping. Together, the psychiatrist and I decided to decrease the Klonopin to 2 mg. Well, the anxiety is back after 2 years. And I'm really upset. Going to see my PCP on Tuesday and calling my psych doc as well."

• Dav...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 30, 2019

For Anxiety "After a rough spot, as we all have in life, I saw a psychiatrist. He prescribed me 2 mg clonazepam daily. It was one in the morning and two at night. I can’t take them at work, as I work in surgery. So I took them at night and feel the effects mildly all the next day. I’ve always had insomnia, and it has helped with both anxiety and sleep, but now I am trapped, and it is so difficult to get off. My doctor never even as much mentioned this. Good luck to all of you when and if you decide to get off this stuff because you will always need more, as tolerance is constantly an issue. This drug is great short-term, not long-term. Doctors are mostly clueless as to what exactly a person suffers getting off these and other meds."

• a m...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 12, 2023

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I inherited panic disorder, and after trying numerous medications over the course of two years, Klonopin was the only one that made life possible for me. I started taking it when I was 16 years old, and now I'm 40. At one point, I was prescribed an insane amount of 6 mg per day for 10 years. However, after moving to another state and being told that it was an excessive dosage, I personally took it upon myself to gradually reduce my intake to 4 mg (1 mg tablets) per day. During the process of tapering down, I used Xanax temporarily and another drug commonly used for alcohol detox to help ease any side effects. Surprisingly, I didn't notice any significant side effects during this period. I successfully managed to reduce my dosage over time. However, I have experienced two seizures in the past from abruptly stopping the medication, which scared me. These seizures occurred when I was not fully aware of my surroundings, and they happened fairly quickly. That's why I'm currently taking 4 mg per day and planning to slowly taper off completely over the course of a year while using other strategies to help alleviate any side effects. Klonopin has been the only medication that has effectively prevented severe panic attacks for me, which sometimes lasted for days. It eliminated symptoms such as out-of-body experiences, body twitches, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating, and the feeling of a heart attack. It provided immediate relief. I've already succeeded in reducing my dosage from 6 mg to 4 mg, and I believe that with a gradual and long-term tapering-off plan, I can successfully discontinue the medication completely."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2016

For Insomnia "Lamictal has controlled my bipolar type 2, which manifests as depression and hypomania. I never have full-blown mania. My GYN doctor prescribed hormone replacement treatment to treat my mood swings. It completely inactivated my Lamictal, so it was as if I went off it cold turkey. It was the most horrible experience of my life! My HR increased to 130, my BP to 160/98, my thoughts raced, and then I couldn't focus or make sense and made serious mistakes. I didn't sleep more than 15 hours in 5 days and no sleep the last 48 hours. Klonopin saved me when 4 meds failed. Just don't ever drive! I plan on using Uber! Hope this helps someone! As with all meds, will need to adjust and figure out how to taper off. I have an amazing Pdoc though, and I have strong faith."