Does anyone ONLY take clonazepam and no other medication with it for anxiety? I have been on an SSRI but I feel I only need the clonazepam.
Clonazepam - Do you only take clonazepam?
Question posted by Kells80 on 29 March 2022
Last updated on 5 May 2022 by ColdWhiteNorth
4 Answers
ColdWhiteNorth
5 May 2022
I have anxiety and have been on ssri's and benzodiazepines of all sorts. Clonazepam helped my anxiety the best and took it solely for many years.
Long story short - Clonazepam IME works but after a while being on it solely you can get depressed. I took clonazepam solely without an ssri for over 12 years but started an ssri a few years ago. I find the ssri helps with the depression and anxiety which helped me lower my clonazepam dosage by 50%. Depending on the ssri it could help you lower your clonazepam dosage. But I am not you and you are not me so if you were doing fine on clonazepam solely I would speak to your doctor.
If you can keep your dosage from escalating clonazepam taken properly can help long term IME.
Also, ssri's and benzodiazepines tackle anxiety different ways so if you feel one is working for your body chemistry than stick with it.
Note: I do agree benzodiazepines are NOT the greatest long term solution and most aren't long term effective at all but IME clonazepam taken as prescribed worked well for my anxiety attacks for over 10 years without needing to escalate. I also found that clonazepam (although potent for anxiety) can make you feel down and depressed if you over-do the dosage unlike other benzodiazepines which can cause euphoria IME. But clonazepam is opposite IME as the more you take the worse you feel so only taking the minimum amount will help your anxiety and it prevents you from wanting more. IME anyways.. SSRI's and Benzodiazepines are both serious drugs and IMO if clonazepam works for you solely then why take another medication?
P.S. Have you been on clonazepam solely and then added the ssri or did you start both together? Because it may just be your mind thinking the ssri is doing nothing but in reality it is doing a lot unless you have used clonazepam before solely and know already. (Just wanted to make an accurate reply based on your situation).
Remember it's not as bad as it seems and the fact you are still fighting as we all are shows the drive to get better which is needed for recovery, all the best!
HelenaGreco73
5 April 2022
No. I always took it with a cocktail of other meds to treat the symptoms of my BiPolar and Depression. An SSRI, Clonidine, Klonopin, and Lamictal target my problems and keep me a sane member of society.
suemp123
30 March 2022
What an excellent question! I tried 2 SSRIs and neither worked. All the while, I was supplementing with clonazepam. The goal was for the anti-anxiety meds to work and I wouldn’t need the Clonazepam. Never achieved that goal, so the doctor switched me to Buspar. I don’t think that’s working either and I’ve been on it since July 2021, trying different doses. I’m currently at 15 mg total for the day. When I was on 20, I felt worse than I feel now. Still need that Clonazepam to feel human. Doc said, although it’s not ideal, some people just need this benzo daily and at small doses, that is acceptable with or without any other anti anxiety meds. I take 1/4 of a .5 mg tablet every morning, and again later in the day if needed. Why do you say you don’t need the SSRI? Ideally if that works, you can stop the benzo.
How long have you been trying the SSRI and what are you taking? I am going to give the Buspar a little longer to work, and if it doesn’t, I’m switching to Effexor. I’d like to find something that will control the painful symptoms of anxiety without having to depend on a benzodiazepine. Good luck in making your decision.
tinyceleste
30 March 2022
I take buspar (buspirone) in addition to 0.5 mg of clonazepam. When I was taking more of the clonazepam than I wanted to, say 2 or 3 of the 0.5 tablets a day, my doctor suggested buspar and it is working. (I didn't want to take more clonazepam because of memory concerns; my doctor was prescribing 1.5 mg daily.)
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, medication, ssri
Further information
- Clonazepam uses and safety info
- Clonazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Clonazepam (detailed)
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