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Long Term Klonopin
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.
Hi, I have had anxiety attacks for 11 years and I have them 24/7. I have been taking Klonopin for almost the entire time. I recently found out that I am pregant
with my second child and I had to get to my doctors to change the prescription, due to the fact that klonopin can cause major problems in the fetus. My anxiety has sky rocketed. I was given 16 days to completely get off of klonopin, and am now taking prozak, because it is said to be a safe medication. I feel like I am in a zone 24/7 now with more anxiety than I can handle. My opinion would be not to take this or any benzo for that matter if you plan to have children in the future. Getting off the meds is not a fun experience.
with my second child and I had to get to my doctors to change the prescription, due to the fact that klonopin can cause major problems in the fetus. My anxiety has sky rocketed. I was given 16 days to completely get off of klonopin, and am now taking prozak, because it is said to be a safe medication. I feel like I am in a zone 24/7 now with more anxiety than I can handle. My opinion would be not to take this or any benzo for that matter if you plan to have children in the future. Getting off the meds is not a fun experience.
Klonopin helped (and continues to help) me tremendously.
I was diagnosed with GAD and bipolar mixed state in 2003. I suffered undiagnosed with the GAD for years before that with severe anxiety wich often manifested itself in hypochondriasis. Towards the 'end' (before seeking treatment) I was starting to get panic attacks. Finally after a prolonged incident where I was panic ridden and couldn't sleep at all for 3 nights straight I broke down and was able to get in to see someone immediately -a psychiatrist who would understand and help where my family doctor was unable to.
I was prescribed klonopin .5 mg two times per day, and that was increased to 1mg two times per day probably within that same month.
I've been on the 1 mg two times per day since March/April 2003, and the relief is still almost palpable. I look back and think about the absolute horror I went through when my anxiety and panic reached it's zenith and thank God that I was given this medicine.
My mother, who was always there for me to seek constant reassurance from during the worst times of my anxiety, says I'm a completely different person.
I do have some problems with some short term memory loss, but that was present before I started the klonopin . I've been on many different meds starting at 19 for depression, and even more now due to the bipolar, so it's hard to say what (if it at all) may have caused the memory loss.
Either way, I'd rather forget where I put my keys or not be able to find the word that's on the tip of my tongue than exist in a living nightmare, like I did 4 years ago.
I was diagnosed with GAD and bipolar mixed state in 2003. I suffered undiagnosed with the GAD for years before that with severe anxiety wich often manifested itself in hypochondriasis. Towards the 'end' (before seeking treatment) I was starting to get panic attacks. Finally after a prolonged incident where I was panic ridden and couldn't sleep at all for 3 nights straight I broke down and was able to get in to see someone immediately -a psychiatrist who would understand and help where my family doctor was unable to.
I was prescribed klonopin .5 mg two times per day, and that was increased to 1mg two times per day probably within that same month.
I've been on the 1 mg two times per day since March/April 2003, and the relief is still almost palpable. I look back and think about the absolute horror I went through when my anxiety and panic reached it's zenith and thank God that I was given this medicine.
My mother, who was always there for me to seek constant reassurance from during the worst times of my anxiety, says I'm a completely different person.
I do have some problems with some short term memory loss, but that was present before I started the klonopin . I've been on many different meds starting at 19 for depression, and even more now due to the bipolar, so it's hard to say what (if it at all) may have caused the memory loss.
Either way, I'd rather forget where I put my keys or not be able to find the word that's on the tip of my tongue than exist in a living nightmare, like I did 4 years ago.
klonopin was a great med for me after i took it for a week, i just hated taking pills everyday for anxiety but found out i had to , its a great med and if i ever get where i need it again i will take it and not think nothing about it. its a muchbetter med than ssri for me , no side affects and easy to come off if you need to .
My mother in law took Klonopin and Lexapro for a year. She has also come off both medications because her anxiety and depression has subsided. (WOW, wish it were me!) She is doing just fine now, not on any medication. She has the Klonopin just in case she needs it, but hasn't had to use it. KUDOS TO HER! You need to weigh the pros and cons for any medication. There are always side effects, but you really need to see and evaluate your situation. If you are planning on having children, I agree to not start any meds, but if that is a long time in the future or not in your plan at all, I suggest you give them a try!
I have been on Klonopin for more than 10 years for GAD (although I've had anxiety since childhood). It was & still is my miracle drug. What a difference it has made in my life! It works so well for me. I do feel bad about being on it for so long and wonder about the harm it might be doing to my body. I would love to not be on it...but there will always be funerals, stressful situations, bad days, sleepless nights etc. so I don't see myself going off it -. I have tried several times over the years to wean myself off but have decided the benefits outweigh the risks. I have tried different drugs for sleeping but then I am still anxious during the day so the last 3 years I have taken only 1/2 of a .5mg at bedtime to help me relax & fall asleep. If I need some extra during the day, I take a very tiny little piece - under my tongue - never exceeding more than a .5 mg tablet total on any given day. I used to take a higher dose but realized a little goes a long way. My advice to anyone out there who is taking klonopin is to find the smallest dose and times of the day that best works for YOU. Everyone is different and your needs change over the years also. I think by taking klonopin as long as I have, it has helped me need less & less. Sign me - a believer & huge fan of Klonopin.
i belive in it to i was on it for really bad anxiety it got me through it i took .025 am and .025 pm i only took two weeks but it really helped me out and if i ever get like that again i will take it again. i have ativan for the just in case attack ,but i might take it once every 3 months but when i got anxiety from my moms health, for 3 months i tried to fight it , i just got worse i gave in took the klonopin and wow it was great. so i belive init to .
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