Long Term Klonopin

[WorrierToo]

Hi, I'm pretty new to the forum and I have a question for everyone about klonopin.  I'm someone with GAD who worries alot and also has panic attacks and palpitations.  I had to leave work early two times recently because I just couldn't handle it.  My doctor gave me Xanax to take for the anxiety, but I don't want to get addicted so I don't take it too much.  Maybe one or two times a week at most.  I've been reading about the klonopin drug and how you can take it  everyday, so I asked my doctor about it.  He told me "Yes i could take it everyday - if I wanted to get adddicted!"  He said it was almost the same as Xanax and he discouraged me from wanting it!  I was wondering about anyone else out there who took it for a long time, because it seems like if you take it for a few weeks, you would not want to stop - if it's really working that is.  Like me, if I were taking it, and if it really helped my anxiety, it would be so hard to stop taking!  Anyway, has anyone taken it for a month or two and then stopped?  What's it like?  Can I take it for a year?   or two?  I'm desperate to stop the anxiety, since it's affecting me at work, and my job  is going downhill.  

[Grus007]

Hello Casey 124.  How is your usage of Klonopin going?  After trialing every SSRI, which was grueling, agonizing and pure torture.  I have found Klonopin to be my only relief.  

How are you feeling and what is your dosage?  

[GADforever]

You take it for life.  It is very addicting.  I've been taking it for 18 yrs for insomnia.  I started out with 1/2 mg.  After 10 yrs I went up to 2mg and am still on that dose. It has a long half life so it works for my GAD during the day as long as I don't drink too much coffee.  I need caffeine to get going when I get up.  Klonopin has saved my life.

[casey124]

After the loss of my father and the diagnosis of a small heart problem, I spiralled into my 3rd episode of Chronic anxiety in my life.  I'm 42 and a health professional.  Previously, I seemed to rebound from my 2 earlier bouts of anxiety.  This one has lasted with diminishing effect for just over a year.  I am a strong believer in Klonopin.  It is a miracle drug for me, without impairing my judgement at work with patients, driving or raising my children.  I average .5 miligrams a day but have no problem bumping it to 2 milligrams a day, if needed.  I'm actually more confortable quitting Celexa and remaining on Klonopin because the side effects are fewer and Klonopin literally makes me feel like my old self. In fact, I'm not sure I've experienced ANY side effects from Klonopin.  I've had 4 different Dr.s tell me different things related to dependance/addiction.  I will take Klonopin for as long as I need it because I'm a better Dr., husband, father and friend with it.  

[schecter]

I have been on klonopin now for 3 days 0.5 twice a day, in went cold turkey on a 0.5 once a day long term use of alprazolam.  After 14 days went through crazy panic attacks and insomnia. So went to my Dr this Monday he put me on klonopin 0.5 in the morning and 0.5 for sleep. my question is can i quit this after a week? or do i need to taper at such a short time and low dose that i am on? I only took 1/2 of 0.5 this morning. He wants to introduce effexor or the equivalent next week. Please help.
John

[luckylady56]

I have been on -.75 milligrams for about 9 months. Rarely did I take the entire dose until the holidays.. So I took all 3 pills (.25) as directed. Late January I started missing my exits and forgetting everything. What I was going to say and peoples names that I have known for a long time. Over a period of about 3 weeks I have weened myself off the clonipine and my memory has returned. But so have my anxiety attacks. So now I am doing a self-measurement of a 6-7 anxiety level before I break down and take a clonapine. Last night I woke up at 3 am with anxiety and took the .25 and went right back to sleep.
I hate anxiety and wish I did not have it. I keep hoping it will go away, but it always rears its ugly head at the worst of times. I feel bad for you that you have such a high level.

[tazmania799]

I've been on Klonopin 2mg every day at bedtime for 8 years.  It has really helped stabilize my cyclical bipolar disorder.  I also take lithium and Celexa.  My psychiatrist said I needed to take these for the REST OF MY LIFE.  Last month I had the misfortune of not getting my Rx refilled in time and had to go 5 days without Klonopin over long holiday weekend.  Withdrawals were HELL.  I even had a seizure.  And there was nothing I could do about it--just wait until next business day and get my psychiatrist to call in new Rx.  After the withdrawals, I decided that I no longer want to be on Klonopin.  I am clearly physically dependent on this drug.  I do not like the idea of being on a medication that causes such horrific withdrawal symptoms after missing just a couple of doses.  Since I got my new Rx, I decided to cut down to 1mg for the next month, then cut down again in another month until I can be Klonopin-free.  I don't know if my bipolar symptoms will kick in and interfere with my withdrawal plan.  If I get manic while withdrawing slowly, maybe I DO need to take Klonopin the rest of my life.