New to Clonazepam-question?

[Wannabebetter]

I have dealt with Depression and Anxiety for half of my life. Off and on depression meds and doctors perscribing me Xanax for the anxiety. Last July I went into severe depression/anxiety and finally got to see an Psychiatrist. I am now on 7.5 mg Remeron for sleep, Wellbutrin for Depression, and now started taking Clonazepam for anxiety (can't take Xanax with Remeron). She orginally wanted me to take the Clonazepam .5mg twice a day but I made the decision initially not to take it at all. I just saw her last week and told her that I had so much anxiety before last week that I needed to take 1 mg to calm down. She told me that she wants me to take the 1mg every day now at night. I tried it for a couple of days and had to call in sick from work since I could not stay awake during the day and had a bad headache. I decided to just try .5mg at night. I feel alot better but still groggy during the day and have this nagging headache. Should I go down to .25mg and see how that goes or just stay on the .5mg. I guess what I am really asking is will these side affects kind of subside in a week or two since my body is just trying to adjust? I would really appreciate any responses :0)

[Wannabebetter]

Thank you all that commented. I just started taking this a little over a week ago. I to redshoup can not handle too many meds. I am usually the 1% of people that have a reaction or I can only take the lowest dose possible for meds, but it usually seems to work. I did take only .13mg of Colnazapam last night and .13 mg this morning and feel alot better. That is only  1/4 of the pill at night and day. I have tried several different depression meds and the only thing that works is Wellbutrin so they put me back on it. I will try this low dose for a while and see how things go. Doctor is usually okay with me testing the dosage since I think I am her only patient that has this issue. She was kind of amazed when she had me on a higher dosage of Remeron and my ankles swelled like I was pregnant and my back was aching. Thanks for the support!

[redshoup]

I to have anxity but i do have bipolor disorder they cgave me Clonazapam for my anxity and could NOT take it! It made me mean and violent!!! They then switched me to celexa wich threw me into seziures.I am now takeing nothing cause they cant find anything that works.They tried to give me xanax but i refused cause i am terrified of what side effect will happen next! Hope the meds work for you but i do know you have to take for at least 7-14 days to see if the side effects subside cause your body has to get a certin level of the drug in it.After 7-14 days still the same then you know those side effects are not going to change. Stay on it for 1 to 2 weeks. Trust me side effects are my speciality appaerntly LOL

[lanvin]

I can relate to that feeling, thats what happened to me. They have a long half life so sometimes it can take a day for your body to realize you have reduced the dose, then withdrawal symptoms can happen and are not pleasant. The drug is great , however for me next time I will certainly weigh the pros and cons of dependency and possibly trying an off med for anxiety, I have BP and cannot take antidepressants either, which is why I have been taking clonazepam.

[29sillygirl]

Believe i commented on your other post.  But have to add something.

As i told you clonazapam is a wonder drug for me, as my body cannot tolerate antidepressants anymore.  I am 75 and have battled depression/anxiety since first hospitalization when 42.

Ok...so I decided last night to reduce amount of clonazapam I take from 1 and 1/2 to 1...
Mistake.  Didn't check with doctor naturally.  It is the weekend.  Today felt fine, until I started exercises.  Simple stretches .....suddenly the room was whirling.  As I don't have an ear infection, believe it is the body's reaction to a drop in dosage.

Wish I hadn't done it, as even taking 1/4 of 1 mg tab hasn't helped a lot.  Feel a liitle dizzy, but don't think I should drive yet.

Definitely speak to your doctor before reducing amount.

[lanvin]

I have taken clonazepam on and off for many years, it can definitely cause daytime drowsiness, but typically will subside after a couple of weeks or even days, You should tell your doc and she what she suggests, it is a longer half life benzo , so it will cause that drug hangover effect more than xanax or ativan or other short acting benzos, it is something your body will get use to, however I must warn from personal experience, this drug can be a nightmare. It works very well for anxiety but because of the nature of benzos, your bosy can become tolerant and need more dose for the desired effect if taken long term. So unless you really need it everyday , I would try to take it on an as needed basis and try to let  the other meds work for you. I am trying to get off of it and its been 6 mth of weaning, so just be cautious. Also they have done studies on the brain and cognitive behavioural therapy has been proven to be just as effective as meds for depression and anxiety. Just fyi, no one wnats to be on meds forever. I hope you get it all settled and yes to answer your intial question your body will adjust , but do speak to your doctor befire making any dose adjustment.

[Alisonj29]

When I first started taking Clonazapam it made me feel basically stoned. But it only lasted about a week and a half while my body adjusted to taking it. I was usually left with a slight hangover feeling as well. I take mine at night now and have been on them for over three years so I dont notice any side effects at all from them now. The side effects will subside.