Question posted by Swallowin_Klonopin on 16 Aug 2018
Last updated on 3 February 2021
I've been on Klonopin (clonazepam, because my pockets aren't that deep) for a little over a year now and only take it as required for my panic attacks. I will take usually 1-2 (1mg) tablets per WEEK, so I'm not taking much. In fact my doctor only prescribes me 8 (1mg) tablets per month.
I've just noticed that clonazepam doesn't kick in very fast (about an hour) if taken orally, (about 30 mins) if taken sublingually.
Do you think if I express this to my doctor and tell her I've read online that Xanax kicks in faster, that she's be willing to give it a try?
I just want quicker relief from these attacks... I JUST had one, it was horrible.
Cheers!
Added 17 Aug 2018:
Does anyone have suggestions how I should bring this up to my Dr? Should I tell her I've done research and found that Xanax might be better for my situation, or should I tell her I'd like the Klonopin to kick in faster, and ask her, "have any ideas?"
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6 Answers
WA
Was wondering
4 Feb 2021
I was wondering, has anyone thought of the extended alprazolam tablet. You take once in the morning and is supposed to work, I’ve been researching as well and saw that. i’ve just been prescribed clonzapan and I too find that it doesn’t kick in as soon as I would like but also mor importantly that I have to remember to carry the second dose pill on me if I leave the house. I would prefer taking one in the morning and not having to worry. Any one familiar ?
Votes: +0
TA
Tammy Moulton
23 Dec 2018
I would not tell your Dr that you found this online . I've actually seen signs in Drs offices that say do not research online. Drs really don't like that we can get answer that way! And probably won't listen to you. Better to go in and just tell the Dr that you would like to try xanax and see if it helps you better than the clonazepam. Good luck.
Votes: +0
RO
Ros 2
1 Nov 2018
Hello Swallowin-Klonopin, From my experience, doctors don't like to hear that you researched this or that! I'm sure that she knows that Xanax kicks in faster then Klonopin! I would ask her if she would be willing to prescribe Xanax for you, but bear in mind that it does not last very long... 4 to 6 hrs. I personally prefer Alprazolam (Xanax) for my anxiety.
Take care & be well
Votes: +0
TH
The hard way
31 Oct 2018
Hey good people's.. Just thought to mention my 5cents worth.. After a long and arduous time getting off Xanax I certainly would have like an alternative. But sometimes no matter the choices albeit a wise one, decisions have to be made about your mental health.. Many of these drugs work well and are designed to. But what's being forgotten is the mention that you will have to do some mighty work on yourself and that takes some courage indeed. After many years of therapy and being as authentic as I could in a range of alternative treatment methods it came to a point where I couldn't eat, always sick, anxiety through the roof and just no peace. What id forgotten after 25 years was although I had good awareness, my body had literally forgotten how to deal with any type of distress. - Cue the work.. So to be brief I had to re-learn how to cope with uncomfortable feelings of any kind. Distress tolerance was the tag..
There's a range of different techniques esp with all the spritual and mind body soul stuff going around.. I genuinely had to drop my stuff and become open to that as pills alone wether getting on them or coming off them, I needed to do that.. Otherwise I would have gone crazy. We are complex. A pill will only do so much.. So meditating or listening to soft relaxing sounds before sleep. More fresh air. Breathing patterns. Good honest look at myself and what I can do to begin to not be so overwhelmed by my feelings.. Years later I still have my battles but I can tell you confidently the anxiety now is a completely tamed beast.. And at my worst I didn't think I could survive another day.. It takes wholistic care. A well rounded approach. Not just the right meds. They're not as far as I know an anti pychotic in that sense.. (I might be wrong) So good luck everyone but please be prepared to do other things while taking what you do.. Cheers
Votes: +0
JU
Jude3348
16 Aug 2018
I don't see why your doctor would not switch you unless he/she wants you to have a longer lasting effect. I was on Xanax for over 10 years. I NEVER had a problem with confusion or lack of concentration. As a matter of fact, I not only completed a degree in Behavioral Science but continued on to law school and then continued on for my Doctorate in Psychology. Xanax works great for immediate relief for panic and anxiety attacks. The ONLY reason I switched to Klonopin is because I wanted a long term relief and wanted to remain anxiety free throughout the day. If you want quick relief Xanax is your best bet. I'm speaking from dealing with years of anxiety and experience. Good luck!
Votes: +2
SW
Swallowin_Klonopin
16 Aug 2018
Thank you for the answer! One additional question:
Since Xanax doesn't last as long (which is why you switched to Klonopin) does the "come down" have a rebound affect? I do like the Klonopin because it stops anxiety / another attack from coming back for the whole day. I'm nervous now that Xanax might wear off too quick and will allow an additional attack to happen that day.
Thanks! Cheers!
JU
Jude3348
16 Aug 2018
Well, in my experience with Xanax to relieve my anxiety and panic attacks, I would take 1 mg. of Xanax immediately when I was triggered and it lasted for hours. However, I had to either self-talk myself to calm down and remove my mind or myself from the situation that caused myself to panic. When that wasn't possible and my anxiety started again I would take another 1 mg. tab. Now, I'm not saying that only taking Xanax will be a cure all. I had to go through CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for years to learn coping mechanisms when feeling my anxiety and staying away from the person or situation that caused my severe anxiety. The more I studied how I can change my reactions the better I was able to cope. I realized that I was allowing others to affect my behavior. I had to keep strong and stand up for myself and not allow others to affect me. They certainly didn't care how I felt. They didn't have to take a pill to calm down.
I was the one allowing myself to become upset because of someone elses actions. I know it is so hard to battle this and your feelings should not be taken lightly. It took me years to learn that no one can control how I react. I just had to get it through my head that this episode will soon pass. It is a whole new way to approach a situation. However, it works. You have to get strong and work on yourself. The more I concentrated on myself, realizing it wasn't me, it was them, the healthier I became and the less anxiety I had... and the less I needed a pill to calm me down. I hope that me sharing these experiences with you helps. Please feel free to ask me any more questions.
SW
Swallowin_Klonopin
16 Aug 2018
This was very helpful. I've been doing the 4-7-8 breathing technique every morning and every afternoon after lunch, and that's helped immensely. It's just hard to think straight when panic hits (as I'm sure you know).
I'm getting better at realizing the "moment" will pass and that the world isn't really ending.
Thanks again! Cheers!
JU
Jude3348
16 Aug 2018
You're welcome! Ya know, I recently started acupuncture again and that has been helping. Also, when I do my breathing techniques like you are doing I noticed my improvement on blocking things out. Also, I bought a diffuser and calming oils like lavender, blood orange, peppermint, etc. and lying on my bed with darkness, door closed and breathe slowly inhaling the scent. Some of the oils that you can put on your palm or wrist that you can breathe in really calm me down (just like the oil suggests). It is amazing how little things like that can take you away!!!
SW
Swallowin_Klonopin
16 Aug 2018
I will definitely have to look into keeping some of those oils at my desk at work in case I feel an attack coming on. Thanks for the idea!
I've been working from home a lot recently (thankfully my job is flexible and allows me to do that) to avoid having an attack at work. It's the worst locking myself in the bathroom at work waiting for it to pass/my Klonopin to kick in.
Cheers!
WA
Was wondering
4 Feb 2021
I was wondering, has anyone thought of the extended alprazolam tablet. You take once in the morning and is supposed to work, I’ve been researching as well and saw that. i’ve just been prescribed clonzapan and I too find that it doesn’t kick in as soon as I would like but also mor importantly that I have to remember to carry the second dose pill on me if I leave the house. I would prefer taking one in the morning and not having to worry. Any one familiar ?
Yeah, Xanax kicks in faster yet you can develop chemical dependence on it easier. As you only take it as needed, it should not be too much of a problem. Xanax can make you feeling confused and difficult to concentrate though.
Votes: +1
SW
Swallowin_Klonopin
16 Aug 2018
Thanks! This is what I was thinking too, I just wanted to check with the community. I didn't realize it could take it difficult to concentrate or feeling confused. When you say that, are you meaning more so than Klonopin? I already find it hard to concentrate after taking one, but it's better than the perpetual fear/anxiety that another panic attack will happen after recovering from a panic attack, in my opinion.
Thanks for the response! Cheers!
IN
Inactive
16 Aug 2018
In my opinion, yes. I know some people have taken high dosage of Xanax for years without much issues, but the people I encountered always have difficulty concentrating on their job and had cloudy feeling.
SW
Swallowin_Klonopin
16 Aug 2018
I'm hoping that is only relating to the fact that they were taking high doses. I only take 1 every 3-6 days. After I do take them, I find it's hard to focus (or perhaps it's the lack of wanting to focus, since my inhibitions have been lowered), but once the Klonopin wears off, my concentration is sharp as ever - as far as I can tell (assuming it isn't degrading slowly over time); I find it hard to believe my cognitive abilities could be permanently impaired by taking 1mg every 3-6 days, but I could be wrong.
P.S. I'm not intending to sound arrogant at all, if that's what it's coming off as. I genuinely don't think a dose of my size/frequency could cause permanent cognitive impairments. To be fair, I haven't done much research on the subject of small dosages, so I could be completely ignorant and talking out of my ass. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Cheers!
WA
Was wondering
4 Feb 2021
I was wondering, has anyone thought of the extended alprazolam tablet. You take once in the morning and is supposed to work, I’ve been researching as well and saw that. i’ve just been prescribed clonzapan and I too find that it doesn’t kick in as soon as I would like but also mor importantly that I have to remember to carry the second dose pill on me if I leave the house. I would prefer taking one in the morning and not having to worry. Any one familiar ?
