Klonopin

[susan303]

Hello,
I have been diagnosied with RSD ( Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy ) this is a disease with the nerves that alot of times causes disability in the person who has it.  I am only 31 and got hurt at work which caused the above problem.  The pain is so much worse at night and my doctor gave my Klonopin.  I have read so much bad things about this drug.  Is this drug safe to take.  I only am suppose to take it at night.  The mg is 0.5.  I have not started taking it yet.  I ask my doctor about it but he say's it's safe.  I am at the point now where I have to start taking something.  The RSD has moved into my left hip and lower back.  This injury is a result from hurting my left knee, and now my whole left leg is affected.  Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

[mothermary]

Hi susan,
I also was told I had RSD (4 yrs later a neurologist says it is not there, maybe it was, maybe not - and it was also due to an injury and took me thru the CA work comp nightmare)  
I have taken so many meds that it would take a week to list them. But, the Neurontin made me gain 5 pounds a month and feel like ****. My husband (we are now both disabled and got thru social security disability on the 1st try w/o attorneys) has taken klonopin for over 8 years and stops cold turkey without any complaint of side effects.  
I took klonopin with methadone, vicoden, ultram and even opana (a new extended release morphine) it didn't hurt  me and I recommend to try a little at a time.  We call them blues, which is the color of the larger dose and it takes away the anxiety of the pain.  I liken it to a glass of wine and a hot jacuzzi - a nice way to take the edge off and finally sleep. (I also have fibromyalsia, so sleep is precious)  You may go thru some sweating when you go off any meds, but then it gets you ready for menopause, so for the relief you get it is worth the price in my opinion...try a little for a couple of days....KEEP A JOURNAL it is the only way you will know what adding a new med does to your life...it makes it easy to look back and see if you really felt it was doing some good or not
I doubt I will sign on again for a while...working on the computer triggers too much pain--  
so Good luck and God Bless...
also read what the difference is between addiction and dependence. don't get down on yourself, RSD is nasty stuff.
mary

[Kathi50]

I took Neurontin off and on for over three years.  It made me feel absolutely awful!  But as time went on the docs said I was just one of those that can't tolerate Neurontin or even Lyrica.  Oh, and I originally started out with 300mg, then down to 100mg and finally my Neurologist had to try an Elixer at 50mg.  I still couldn't tolerate it.   And there was no way I could take it more than once a day. You CAN take Neurontin with Klonopin but I believe the Pharmacist is right.  I took the full pill at night before but it works best if I just split it in half.  That way I am not sleepy.  In the mornings after I take it, I just feel calm.  At night it just kind of lulls me into sleep.  No hangover feeling...nothing like that at all.   But since you have RSD and such, I would take it as the doc says.

[DTB2008]

as far as i know it is safe WHEN TAKEN AS DIRECTED however, it is VERY addictive, so be careful with them and be sure not to forget when you take it. i personally have never taken it, but my aunt took it for 3 years. she died in 2003 from an overdose of klonopin.  also its a good idea not to take it and drink alcoholic beverages. good luck with your rsd.

[susan303]

Thanks so much for your help.  I am just very afraid of it.  I have a three year old and a ten year old  and I am afraid I will just feel awful the next day to where I cant take care of them.  I am also on the Neurontin.  At this time I am only taking one at bedtime, but I have to get myself up to 6 a day.  Did the Neurontin make you feel bad?  How many where you taking a day?  I'm afraid the Neurontin and Klonopin might mix together and make me feel awful, but the pharmacist said it would make me really sleepy.  That's why the doctor gave it to me is because the RSD is so much more worse at night to help me sleep and to relax the leg.  I thank you so very much for taking the time to write me back on this....
PS... Did you ever take the pill whole?  IF so how did it make you feel?
Thanks again....

[Kathi50]

I have read plenty of horror stories about Klonopin myself.  For the 3 years I have taken .05 once a day and it works great; for anxiety, neuropathic pain, spasms, etc.  It IS addicting and I have head it is difficult to taper off of.  As a matter of fact, I thought I would try to taper since I THOUGHT I was becoming tolerant to it.  And I had some awful withdrawals even with a slow taper.  Soooo...my Neurologist said...worse things can happen..stay on it!  Originally, it was prescribed for small fiber PN but my Neurologist has since changed my diagnosis to Central Pain Syndrome and after my 3-4 year history with her.  And trust me, I have tried just about every nerve med there is...just cannot tolerate them.  So, I have come to the conclusion she is right, I am almost 51 years of age and I am just not going to worry about it.  If I have to go up on it, then that is what I will have to do.  And, no, I wasn't becoming tolerant of it...we found that much out.  What it is actually doing for me is quieting the Central Nervous System.  And, hey, with all my spinal issues and such...I will take the calming effect and even some sleepiness from time to time.  But what I do is split it in half...1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm.  That way I can function, still have some pain from other things, but at least I am upright and functional.  The medication I couldn't stand and I think is a nasty, nasty med is Neurontin.  But that's my own opinion.  If your doc says Klonopin would help, I would try it for a few days and see how you feel.  Oh, and a friend of mine has RSD in her arm.  Her Neurologist has definitely told her to go on Klonopin.