question about clonazepam

[kteen16]

i was put on .5 mg of clonazepam for panic attacks,
and i usually take it if i get anxious,
i feel wierd if i go a day without taking it.
like not myself,
is that normal?

[Jack0413]

I have been on .25mg of clonazepam for the last 3 months, usually only 1 pill a day in the evening but there has been the odd day when I would take 2.  I was dealing with panic attacks and anxiety but my personal situation has now changed slightly so the anxiety should not be so intense now.  My concern is is it possible for me to be addicted to this drug already.  I take such a low dose and some days I don't take any at all I am just concerend about the withdrawal symptoms.  I had no idea it was such a powerful drug.

[underwolv]

ok, lets take a deep breath here, nothing to worry about, serious. I am not a doctor but someone who has suffered from anxiety for nearly 15 yrs, and i have done alot of reading on all of the drugs and avoided meds until I got sick of feeling like sh*t everyday and not being able to enjoy even the simple things in life, like going out to eat. Anyway, enough aqbout me. My personal opinion is that your doctor is not doing you much service by prescribing Klonopin as needed. Xanax, because of its short half life and quick reaction time, is ideal for sporadic usage. that stuff would relieve me for sure but knock me out most of the time and it gave me a little bit of rebound anxiety. If you are anxious ecveryday, take it everyday, pretty simple. Reason is probably not what you think, Klonopin builds up in your system after about a week of daily usage, ideally once in the am and once in the pm. Then if for whatever reason you miss a dose say in the morning, no withdraw effects because you have built up enough in your blood stream, like a reserve. So ultimatly what you get is a constant steady state of calm, at least most of the time. I like it also because i never feel like i am on medication, big thing. Plus it is very safe if you use it smart. Meaning this: Communicate with your dr. on any change in dosage. I was started on .25 2x a day, it was good to me for a few weeks then i went up to .50 2x a day, once in the am, once in the pm. THat is considered the standard dosage by some, and it certainly makes me feel normal most days. I do have times where I feel crappy but that is everyone and again, i don't won;'t a drug that makes me unable to focus, or walk around like a zombie. Do not worry about seizures, you do not take enough to allow such a reaction, BUT, on and off usage at higher doses to where you just stop taking it, will increase the chances for such an event. ANyone who is on Klonopin or Xanax or any Benzo for any length of time even at moderatly small doses, and quits cold turkey, are abusing and misusing the drug. They typically pay the price. People who taper real real slow, usually have little to no side effects. I personally think you should suggest to your doc, .5 2 x daily, i think 3x may not be necessary, i mean, try out at the lower amount if you take it daily. if you feel like you need more, than maybe approach 3x but i am pretty anxious all the time and have a stressful job, and I can get by on 2x. If I am having a bad moment I may take and extra .25, but i usually try to just deal with it. We live in stressful times and to feel uptight is natural response, Klonopin just helps those of us that run on a tighter chord to chill a little bit but stay in the race. I see so many post of people saying how can i quit this drug or i quit cold and this happened, they dont want to be hooked and fear withdraw but if they are smart, use the drug right, talk to the dr., dont drink (if you do, be warned) alcohol with it, try to take advantage of feeling better and eat better, exercise, take vitamins, think positive, laugh, etc. Most importantly, stop worrying, you are obviously too young to worry about such things, life is too short to feel like this. I got tired of it and decided, for better or worse, if Klonopin can make me enjoy my life, then I am going to take it for the rest of my life until I feel i can taper and see how that goes. I think this is damn near a miracle drug, it just seems that too many people take it irresponsibly and learn the hard way that benzos can be a *****. Again, no Dr. here so I cannot tell you what you SHOULD DO, but I know for fact that this drug is not meant to be taken as needed, and I will bet that if you take it 2x a day, same time everyday, in 2 weeks you will come back here and tell us that things are much better. I could be wrong but I think you might be suprised. Long post for sure but i know how it feels to take on something new and have the fears, if you take this drug as intended, it will do wonders. Hope this has been helpful. Peace.

[kteen16]

now youve worried me,
somedays i would take 3,
or somedays 2
or somedays 1
depending on my anxiety?
IS THIS BAD?
my doctor gave me these instuctions
now im worried to death that im gunna get something like Status epilepticus
UHH, scared here.

[kteen16]

What?
I was perscibed to take it FOR panic attacks.
is this a bad thing,
oh god nowim gunna worry about it.
i did take it on a day to day basis, but only when iwas anxious,
which wasevery day,
i was perscribed .5mg 3 x daily WHEN REQUIRED.
?

[RubyWitch]

Klonopin is NOT meant to be take on an "as needed" basis! EVER. It must be taken on a very strict, daily routine, morning and evening. Reread what underwolv had to say! Excellent advice.
If you go a day without taking it, you will definitely feel weird as what you are feeling is the beginning of withdrawl. I repeat that you cannot take this medication only when you feel anxious. If you feel that a prn (as needed) medication would be better for you, there are many used for just that purpose. I urge you to discuss this with your doctor and decide which would be the better treatment for you.
Peace
Greenlydia

[underwolv]

Hi, were you prescribed to take this as needed or once/twice daily?
Clonozapam is typically meant for long term treatment, with its long half life it  would depend on how long you go between doses, but you may experience withdraw symptoms as a result of taking it as needed. I think you would be wise to discuss this with your Dr. I take .5 2x a day and it has helped me 100%. I still feel a bit crappy at times and occasionally have anxiety but it has reduced it by 95% easily. I have been using it for 5 months and have no plan to go off of it anytime soon. If I do, taper very slowly. I have seen good posts here by Ryan who can also give very intelligent commentary as well on this med.