Xanax vs Klonopin and other Benzos

I've heard that Xanax is one of the worst to take for long periods of time and the worst to stop as far as symptoms. Is this true? I am prescribed an antidepressant plus Klonopin 1mg a day....I also get Xanax .5 mg from my mom, as she doesn't take them but gets them from her dr. I would like to know what people know or have heard and experienced.

Thanks!!!

K

[Devonlee]

I think you shouldnt be taking Xanax if it isnt prescribed to you. It highly addictive and hard to get off. You usually cannot cold turkey from it as it can cause health problems such as seizures. Take what is prescribed to you by your doctor and take it as prescribed. Anything else will lead you down a road you dont want to go. Good luck.

[BluCrystal]

I agree with Devonlee.  Xanax and Klonopin are both benzodiazepines, prescribed for anxiety.  Taking too many of these, or too much can have horrible effects on your body and mind.  Please stop taking the xanax.  The Klonopin, when taken as prescribed, should be just right for you.

[MrNewHope]

I was also givin klonopin for the first time by my doc yesterday for anxiety.  I'm now on day 4 clean for 160mg a day of oxycontin.  I could deal with the physical wd's but couldn't stand the anxiety attacks, hence the klonopin.  I'm prescribed .5mg twice a day but i took one last night for sleep and another about an hour later because it seemed like it didnt work.

I don't want to become addicted and I've read to taper is best.,But I also read you should not stop abrubtly taking this?  I didnt feel much taking them other either being hungry or tired. This is the first time I took klonopin and I have a bottle of 30.  I really hope I will be ok.  I just want to be dependent on vitamins and thats about it.

[Angel958]

Sorry to stick my oar in but from what I have read on another benzo site Klonopin is just as bad, if not worse, to get off of as Xanax so please be very careful

[km357]

Thank you for the comments and suggestions. I do appreciate them even if I don't take them and use them.
I know I should not take Xanax if not prescribed but I also currently take other things not prescribed, Norco and Tramodol. I guess that is why I am on here. I have huge problems with pills. Anxiety and pain. I'm a pill addict. I don't want to be. I find it hard to talk myself into stopping when it is the only thing in life that pretty much makes me feel an happiness are those periods time when on them. Yes I see a psychiatrist and am on Effexor and Klonopin. No, he has no idea I have a problem. Only one person knows and we aren't friends any more. He is an addict and alcoholic. I am ashamed to say but I am also afraid to not get the pills anymore.....hence my pill addiction and problem. The only thing I can say say that is good is that I haven't had any Xanax for about a week and am out but I am fine. I have Klonopin left.

[km357]

My desire to use and take these pills is higher than my desire to stop and be clean. Bottom line. Sadly
I guess cause I am so depressed and feel hopeless and am so TIRED of feeling depressed and crippled by it that I use other things. Do I want to die? No, although I have thought about it. One 3 things keep me from taking my life. My 2 nephews and my boyfriend. Those 3 things should be enough to make me stop.

[overopiates]

I really appreciate your honesty.I am 14days cold turkey off a big addiction of lortabs(10-15 10/500).It seems you don't realize ALL these pills cause depression&anxiety(I never realized how much until I got off them).I'm on cymbalta but until I was off the pills for a week that I started feeling the anti deppresants work.You have to be mentally ready to quick or you won't.Get there and u will b able to stop.It's not easy but once you do it you will feel so much better.Good luck.Keep posting.

[my_mayberry]

xanax has a really short half-life compared to other benzo's, hence the reason it's very hard to get off of when taking daily. longer-acting benzo's are preferred because you build tolerance more slowly, and weaning off them is much easier.

there are ultra-short, short, medium, and long acting benzo's. ultra-short are generally used only for surgery. short (like xanax) tend to be used for as purposes. medium to long acting benzo's are usually used for maintenance therapy or seizures.

[my_mayberry]

short are used for  **as needed** purposes

[tingtongtom]

klonpin, or clonazepam as it is named has a a pretty long half life and is actually very potent as far as benzos go. I have abused all kinds of benzos, 0.5 MG of clonazepam is the same as taking 10 MG of valium (diazepam).

I have suffered anxiety along time before abusing benzos and even as prescribed they are dangerous imo, in the sense that they do not solve the anxiety, they merely hide it, cover it up and in the long run make it worse.

You should never really cold turkey benzos as it is dangerous physically. I myself have had a suspect seizure. Tolerance builds quickly with benzos and before you know it, you need to take the same dose to feel normal, higher doses to have a desire effect and sometimes you don't even get that. With my abuse, it got to a point where I was taking up to 400mg of valium in a day. What caused my suspect seizure was a night of alcohol, 10mg of clonazepam and 200mg of valium.

I still consider that benzos even prescribed and at low doses are not the answer to anxiety and or depression. With regards to abuse, they are fun st the start, but quickly become an evil enemy.