I was just prescribed 1mg clonazepam twice a day by my doctor. I was prescribed this over a year ago but I have pretty much no tolerance I guess. At first I was on Xanax 0.5mg PRN for a few weeks and now I'm taking 1mg Klonopin twice a day.
I have a question though. I'm of course not wanting to get high on my medication, but do you "feel" when your medication kicks in? I can say that it lasts a long time and I haven't had any panic or anxiety episodes since I started taking it a week ago, but I don't feel that wave of relief that Xanax provides (which I didn't like because it makes it way to habit-forming).
Now, I take my 1mg twice a day, and I never feel much sedation or that loose feeling like I did on 1mg xanax for example, but instead I just don't get the anxiety in the first place. It seems that for me the klonopin is preventative for my panic and anxiety rather than acting as a med that leaves me feeling sedated and such, thus relieving anxiety. The first half tablet (0.5mg) klonopin I took last Monday, an hour later I felt sleepy, good, and my muscles were so relaxed and I went and took a great nap. Now, I'm taking 4 times that amount in a day and experience nothing of the sort, but I almost don't want to.
My point is that even though I still have basically no tolerance, I feel nothing when I take a 1mg clonazepam, other than the fact that my anxiety doesn't surface as usual.
My question: What do you feel or how do you feel after your klonopin dose(s) every day? Is my experience pretty normal?
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43 Answers
KR
Krose21
8 Dec 2024
I’ve suffered with anxiety for years and used to take Xanax 1-2mg, half a stick maybe 3/4th almost everyday(non prescribed from friends/relatives who were) but at that time I was at my partying/going out phase and it caused a lot of bad nights mixing with alcohol and decided to get off of it little by little.
Fast forward to COVID-19 2020 about 2 years later during quarantine I was alone 90% of the time and once things were going back to normal I realized I had developed agoraphobia and because antisocial to an extreme. Found myself anxious which would turn into panic while waiting in line at the grocery store so I can get back home ASAP. Found myself feeling panic attacks starting when in public around large groups of people basically (I live in NYC so wasn’t fun) I decided I needed to see a dr. I was desperate even though I hated the thought of dependence on pills on a daily basis just to function as a person.
Finally still as of right now almost 5 years later I no longer suffer with pointless anxiety or agoraphobia and being in public around large amounts of people. I have been taking Paxil (finally worked my way to 30mg) which is my normal daily dose. If unfamiliar, this medication works overtime and can take a month or 2 to finally feel the true effect. This has completely been a game changer for me on a regular basis but I am also prescribed clonazepam (Klonopin same thing) 0.5mg as needed for panic attacks or severe anxiety due to any life situations (still an over thinker) I don’t take them everyday ..maybe 4 times a week MAX and only max 1mg if I want to sleep good or I’m feeling a little uncomfortable in a social setting only .5mg. I found that Klonopin takes longer to feel the effects but is extremely helpful when needing a quick relief. It doesn’t slap you in the face out of nowhere like Xanax but while waiting for it to kick in, maybe 15 mins later you just realize you don’t have anxiety anymore and on the verge of panicking which in itself is a life saver. I strongly believe benzodiazepines should not be the only medication prescribed for anxiety and panic disorder as you will just start to feel sluggish during the day and coming down from it become irritated and it also makes anxiety worse as a withdrawal symptom. I personally feel people with these problems should look into an SSI medication as an actual treatment that causes no drowsiness, addiction issues or tolerance increase problems and to have benzodiazepines as an emergency backup when things can get too overwhelming and can feel like you will start to panic by feeling those dreadful symptoms. Sorry this is so long for anyone who took the time to read this but I do feel this will be very helpful when struggling to find what works for you. SSI medications take time to find which one and what dose works for you but once that is figured out, you can wake up take 1 pill in the morning and go about your life actually anxiety free which seemed like an impossible ask at a point. Then still have a benzo to help sleep or settle down after a long day at work.
Thanks for coming to my ted talk LOL I hope this helps anyone!!!
Votes: +0
RO
Rose-colored1
28 Jan 2024
Been talking Clomazapam for 30 years & l have never felt euphoric (high) from this medication. I have an anxiety disorder that crippled me emotionally and socially, taking this 0.5 mg 3 x daily has been a godsend for me. I was able to continue working full-time and enjoy a social life. I don't understand why you would increase the dosage if it was preventing your anxiety because that's what it's supposed to do. The only pleasure l get is knowing that my anxiety won't control me and I won't end up having a full blown panic attack.
Votes: +0
DB
dboothe
30 Dec 2023
I have been on 1mg Klonopin per day that I take at bedtime. It helps me sleep and keeps my brain from racing which would keep me awake. If I have a bad day, I can take one more. In this case I would be anxious. If possible, I try to relax while the medication is working. There is no high or big relief moment. I just realize in 20 minutes or so that the anxiety is way down. I've been taking this for 14 years and it has had the same effect all this time with no dosage increase. Best of luck!
Votes: +2
RO
Rodney1973
30 Dec 2023
I take 1mg 4× a day. As far as feel, it really doesn't do much to me except make me slightly sleepy. I take it for anxiety and intrusive thoughts and it really calms those 2 things down.
Votes: +1
SL
Slitherz
7 Aug 2022
That's what happens exactly after the very 2nd tablet of Klonopin of the same dose! Nothing at all eupohric, but be sure at the same dose after no matter how long, no anxiety and panic attacks(as long as Klonopin is in your system!). Hope this helps.
Votes: +0
FA
Fawn Strader
14 May 2021
I have been taking clonazepam for 25 years. It prevents my panic attacks, anxiety, and helps me to sleep at night. I take one mg am, one mg afternoon and 3mgs at night. I have never felt "high", and never felt like it was kicking in. It never causes drowsiness for me in the daytime. Since it is so effective for me, I stay on it despite all of the warnings that it is addictive. Also, I don't ever feel the need to take additional pills. My Doc seems to think it is safe. I will be turning 70 shortly. I hope this will help you.
Votes: +2
SK
skressler
14 Jan 2020
I'm in the process of tapering off Xanax & lorazepam. High doses. They were prescribed to me during my husband's pancreatic cancer journey & I was so panicked & afraid which wasn't a good option if I wanted to be the round the clock caregiver. My Psychiatrist who's also a Pharmacologist put me on clonazepam for the same reason you mention. It doesn't give you that relief in 20-minutes. He said, it won't make you feel less anxious but it will prevent the severe withdrawals. clonazepam unlike all other Benzo's isn't water based, breaks down slowly, really slowly but lasts hours longer. I'm only a week into this and not to get off topic but I'm new here and I can't find a "chat" place to go to interact with others going thru the same thing. If any of you would be kind enough, please direct me. I need a place to not feel so alone in the middle of the night when thoughts & fears & all things dismal seem to pounce into my brain.
Votes: +0
GE
Gene toyota
31 Jan 2019
Tired so tired . I was on alprazolam and was energetic. I was having memory problems. I moved to another state & just as I had thought the Dr. Switched me to 1mg Clonazepam 3 x a day it makes me feel so tired and depressed.
Votes: +0
TA
Tammy Moulton
23 Dec 2018
Did you raise the dosage of your clonazepam by yourself or did your Dr raise it? If what you were taking was working to keep the anxiety away but you wanted to feel the way you did at one point. Is not only abusing your prescription but building up your tolerance to it. And soon you will be running short or running out of your med. And if you do try to get it early your Dr is going to stop prescribing it to you. And you will have a hard time finding a new Dr who will prescribe it. Because it will show in your records that you started wanting it early. Not to mention that you are contributing to the stigma that Ppl who use this drug abuse it.
Votes: +0
TA
Tammy Moulton
23 Dec 2018
Sorry I just wanted to add something else. I've read all the other stories and answers to this question. And was just wondering why no one else except me has a problem with this person chewing up their clonazepam just to try and get that happy feeling again. I hope this is just a question and you are not already chewing your med!! Because now it has gotten so hard for Ppl who really need this drug to get it because of the Ppl who are abusing it. I'm not saying that you are. But by chewing it up and taking more and more of it will only make it harder for you if you are taken off this drug..
SK
skressler
15 May 2021
Sadly, this is very correct news.
GE
Gene toyota
23 Nov 2018
Yes I know what you mean. I also had been on xanax ot gives you more of a good feeling high that leads to most likely abuse of them . I do like them better I felt better . I moved and my new Dr. Refuse to prescribe xanax and I was given Clonazepam and it really made me feel tired . After a while I felt nothing with one milligram. I now take 3 1 milligrams a day and I dont feel so good mostly more depressed now. I dont have any panic attacks or anxiety now but sounds like your feeling the same way after being on xanax or alprazolam. It's a double edged sword that feels better but most people cant stick to the daily recommended dose as they are chasing the high the life span is much shorter than the Clonazepam. You can even miss a couple days but it's not that way with xanax it's out of your system too fast . Personally I would like to try xanax again to see how I do . I cant get them here from a dr.
Most wont even prescribe Clonazepam here to help anyone, I had already been on a benzodiazepine so that is the only reason why my DR. Continues it . When he retires I have a feeling that I'll be not able to get any from a new Dr. Until I end up having a panic attack and going to the hospital. Good luck to you .
Votes: +0
JA
JaymeF1984
23 Nov 2018
I take .5mg nightly to help Me sleep because I also take generic 3000mg keppra daily. That high dosage makes it difficult for Me to sleep. It takes about a half hour to an hour to kick in and makes Me feel tired. I take it to also help control My seizures. My doctor prescribed it along side with the generic keppra. Being off it a few days is not good. I have seized in My sleep and accidentally punched My husband in the nose. So I can't be off of it. I've had secondary seizure disorder for 6 years. I'm not sure how long I've been on keppra and clonazepam but it's most likely about 5 years. It took time to get the seizures completely under control. I cannot say I have not had any seizures because I don't know when they're happening. They can last anywhere from seconds to a minute.
Votes: +0
NI
Nixetta
1 July 2018
I just started klonopin 3 days ago 1mg first day way to much so I been taking half an feel so tired all the time
Votes: +1
JA
jackieKerouac
7 April 2018
I have been taking 1 mg of klonopin 2x a day or 2 mg once a day for 8 years . I don’t feel immediate side effects of klonopin unless i am having a panic attack.( which usually happens 3 days after i don’t take it... which is rare. In that case it brings my anxiety level down tremendously without making me feel like i took a Xanax or need a nap.
It definitely isn’t as effective for an extra severe panic attack. But I can take deeper breaths. I can think straight and not feel so disassociated. My heart stops pounding. My hands stop tingling.
when i take it everyday otherwise i don’t feel anything necessarily. Which is the goal bc i don’t have extreme anxiety and i don’t constantly want more klonopin (which is why my dose hasn’t changed)
the fact that you don’t feel side effects and you also don’t have anxiety when you take it is exactly how it should be.
Votes: +3
MS
MsBella
4 Feb 2018
Everyone please keep in mind that there are side effects with Klonopin that you may not even be aware of such as cognitive decline (loss of short term and long term memory) clumsiness, extreme sleepiness are a few. Because it takes longer (18-50 hours) to clear from your system, taking a dose every 8 hours is simply adding to the dose you already have in your system. I was taken off Klonopin for two months after being on 3mg for 30 years as I have Severe Anxiety Disorder, so I do know a bit bout it. I know from whence I speak. The Dr tried to put me on Visteral which had no effect at all. Since the mental health clinic no longer prescribes benzos, they suggested I visit my regular Dr who had no problem refilling the prescription.
The effects while I was off Klonopin were amazing. My memory came back as well the extreme clumsiness disappeared altogether. The sleepiness was gone as well... however my anxiety was the worst its ever been, so I chose to return to this drug because it seems to be the only one that controls my anxiety. I'm choosing to handle it differently this time, taking only 1mg a day every two days now that I know the long term side effects as well as knowing how long it takes to clear your system.
Let's All Be Careful and Safe Out There. Be Informed ...
Votes: +2
MD
mdmcdaniel
4 Dec 2017
I was prescribed 1 Mg 2 x a day a few weeks ago and am miserable. Early morning insomnia, no appetite and enhanced anxiety. Dr is urging me to stick with it and possibly adding another Rx as a controller but don't know if I can continue. Will it get better?
Votes: +0
RE
Redfinch
25 April 2021
I started having an anxiety breakdown this past January. I tried talking to a therapist (onZoom)... did a lot of “Tapping”. Then, went to a psychiatrist one time who made things worse (for over $200... no wonder people can’t get mental help!). That led me to my GP and he has me on a track to improved health. I lost too much weight so he put me on Mirtazapine. It helps with sleep and appetite. I take clonazepam during the day PRN. I’ve gradually worked down to at most .375mg. but usually only .125 or .25mg. It takes about an hour to gradually relax my nerves. I’m hoping to need it less and less as the Mirtazapine takes over. Just a suggestion for what is helping me. This is the third Clinical Depression with anxiety that I have suffered with through the years. Previously, Lexapro was what I used and it helped for quite a long time. Don’t rely on just clonazepam if you can supplement and then drop the clonazepam. (Only keep got emergency after that)
