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.  

[chrisen77]

I was just prescribed .5 Klonopin once daily as needed. I have panic attacks and mostly I awake in  the middle of the night terrified. I have found if I take a 1/4 at lunch and 1/4 at bedtime I don't wake up in fear. I tried taking 1/2 and it aggitated me and a whole one made me feel drunk for 2 days. I know over time I will build tolerance, but am grateful to not need a huge dose to begin with.

[MTgalval]

I had some major caqstrophies happen in the last 2 years;  husband of 17 yrs divorced and remarried, long-term friend and patient with Lou Gehrig's, I cared for the month after husband left me, he is now deceased from disease, house burned down with my Pekingese PoohPooh inside, no insurace, broke my ankle the next week.  Started taking Kalonopin and Prozac, upping my Kalonopin doses as tragedies befell, after husband left.  I have been able to cut down, as I move to Seattle to stay after broken ankle (no house).  Change of scenery has done wonders, but every now and then I get anxious, and have to take a pill immediately.  I dont know what I would have done if I hadn't had my meds.  Lost 80 lbs from husband leaving, so that just shows you how powerful your mind is.  I don't feel any bad affects, as i have ut back fro 5 to 2-3 daily.  Absolutely take the heartache and anxiety away.  the Kalonopin does.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

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 .

[klonopin fan]

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.

[suzi-q]

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!

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

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 .