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 Page 2
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hollyhhh
27 Sep 2017
My body responds very well to this medication. I defiantly feel some sort of high or sedation. I feel very heavy, stumble and drowsy. I was instructed to never drive or operate machienary while on this medication. I don't take it daily though, I only take it as needed when I am overwhelmed or overthinking my self into a panic attack. It works wonders for me.
Votes: +0
PA
Pain Pal
16 May 2017
I cwake19 myself take 2 -1 milligrams of clonazepam a day & like yourself it helps me feel normal. Then again what is NORMAL to me it's not having the anxiety or panic attacks in my life. When I first starting taking Klonopin or clonazepam same thing just the generic form of the drug I was very very relaxed. Just like you said you build up a tolerance to the medication it still works though you just don't have that drugged up feeling. You feel like you are normal as we say it because there are no more panic attacks. I have been taking this drug for over 14 years & I think without it I would be lost. I have a benign essential tremor so I shake a whole lot without it. I'm sorry to say that I will probably be on clonazepam my whole life. My doctor also gave me atinonal a low blood pressure pill to take with it, he called it a Beta Blocker & the 2 meds work together. Sincerely. PainPal
Votes: +0
SY
syden
18 April 2017
Does I remember anything?
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MW
mwicoff
23 Jan 2017
I suffered from intense panic attacks for 1 full year of my life. Since taking even my first dose of this medication, I can confidently say that I have not had another terrifying episode of panic disorder.
Although every medication effects everyone differently, Klonopin works for me.
My experience with Klonopin:
When I first take my recommended dose, the effects are very subtle at first. I began to feel a sense of calm, the tension in my body and mind seem to slowly fade away to a point where I feel content with my current state.
I began to feel myself taking deeper, calmer breaths. I also notice I do not feel this "druggy, unnatural experience that tends to feel superficial like many other drugs.
It does not alter my way of thinking, however, allows me to slow myself down a bit and be present. No longer are my thoughts racing a million miles per minute. I am simply calm and content. I actually feel happier when I am on it.
Physically, I feel a bit slower but still motivated to get tasks done.
This medication has worked well for me.
I notice that the effects, linger on into the next day.
I only take Klonopin once or twice per week. So my experience may be different from yours.
I have a much lower tolerance.
Votes: +1
LI
LindaKayFrench
30 Nov 2016
I just started taking clonazepam o.5 mg to help wean off two Xanax a day. I also suffer from panic attacks since a ttraumatic event . But have been on Xanax for almost 20 years. I have never abused it nor felt the need to but my Dr felt it unsafe and I had to find a psychiatrist. I have POTS and my heart rate is very fast and very bad headache. Will this go away?
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ST
Stephzhere7
19 Nov 2016
Does Klonopin get you high
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ME
MeggieGirl
18 July 2016
The way you are feeling, and the difference between the two medications is exactly what the two pharmaceutical manufacturers and the FDA intended you to experience. Klonopin is more of a long-term PREVENTATIVE of anxiety, while Xanax helps relieve you of an anxiety attack AFTER it starts.
Because you describe feeling relaxed and taking a nap, many patients take the medication before bed to help them with nagging insomnia. Hope you've been doing well! :-) Meggie
Votes: +0
BU
buddyboy fooks
17 July 2016
I was just prescribed klonipin bout two weeks ago, it seems if I take it the way it was prescribed im really sleepy, which I deal with that during a schedule at work that keeps me on early shift one day then late shift another day .it gets so difficult to get the batteries charged back up enough to get out of bed.so they prescribed me armodafinil for shift work disorder, which doesnt seem to help at all.i need to find the perfect coctail that can get me through each day , knowing when I go to sleep at night ill khnow in the morning I can be refreshed and charged back up to be able to get through my day and mayb even b able to go out in the evening when not at work... this ptsd, bipolar junk sucks but I am glad after 40 years of feeling like trash I do not have to self medicate... been a long rd with a little more to go hopefully... good luck to all dealing with these issues...
Votes: +1
BA
bambina511
7 May 2016
If you take too much you might not feel high because it is a subtle feeling but others will notice so do not take too much the reason you do not feel that way the relief anymore is because you've built up a tolerance to klonopin klonopin can be just as dangerous as Xanax it does have the same withdrawal symptoms if you were to stop only they don't come as quickly since it has a long Half-Life it will last you if you take klonopin today your withdrawals will start 48 hours as opposed to 24 you must maintain this medication to keep your anxiety and panic attacks away do not stop it without talking to a healthcare professional such as a doctor
Votes: +2
SO
sourface
3 March 2016
It depends how fast your metabolism works... I take it twice daily for my anxiety and depression. At first it relaxed me and after I got used to taking them they didn'twork as well. They still calm me but I don't feel as relaxed as idid when Iifirst started taking them. They are also a muscle relaxer so Iit relaxes the body and all muscles. It is a good drug but you can gain a toleranceffor itand that causes it not to work as well.
Votes: +0
WA
wannabbetter
4 March 2016
I take 1 mg for anxiety and sleep. It does nothing for my depression. What dose do you take? You're right that over time you build up a tolerance.
SU
SuziCue
25 Feb 2016
I just started taking Klonapin a week ago. The panic, which would start as soon as I woke in the morning, never went away, and falling asleep at night was practically impossible. That is gone now (YAY!) The downside is that I feel VERY foggy and have absolutely no energy. I'm hoping that like some others who have posted, that will go away with time. It is very disheartening that I cannot go back to the happy-go-lucky, vibrant person I once was...
Votes: +0
GE
Gene toyota
7 Sep 2018
Ya I know what you mean . I've been taking it for 2 years and I have not been happy go lucky and lack in energy . But it's been a good thing also as I don't have panick attacks that I usually end up in the hospital for . It's a horrible feeling but I'd rather not have panic attacks. I was on Xanax it didn't make me feel tired but I moved and the new Dr. won't give out Xanax. I'm tired of not feeling good also .
VS
vShikko
10 Feb 2016
First off let me start by telling you guys I know what you're going through. Anxiety whether it be a gripping memory, a backpedaling thought, or even the simplest words can spur your mind off into a whirlwind of disaster.
Mentally, you can fight it though...
I took SSRI'S (Zoloft) (Ativan & Xanax) for a few years and they didn't do diddly squat, these next few paragraphs will change your outlook on anxiety forever.
Let's look at your brain for a second. It fires signals throughout your body every hundredth of a millisecond. If you were to take an EEG scan on one of us our brains would be lit up like a Christmas tree. Over-Stimulated, Caffeinated, and probably agitated by the smallest stimuli.
Brain waves dictate our thought patterns, emotions, and over all well-being.
Most of you are pro-beta thinkers, have mild adhd and slight offset from the norm, which is a start. I felt that way the first 16 years of my life. We want our minds in either a strong Alpha, Gamma or Theta wave setting because these are times we're most at ease and able to be cognitive and think clearly, not anxious and held back by doubt or worry.
A little about me, starting in 2005, I started researching and combing through what works and what doesn't. Turns out this tiny little amino acid made from green tea was all I needed. It's usually sold OTC at healthfood stores in 100/200mg doses. It's called L-Theanine!
To sum up it's effects, you're mind slows way down subconsciously because L-Theanine produces Alpha waves. Alpha waves are that similar relaxed feeling you get while you're daydreaming or sleeping. You maintain a level of alertness which is why it's recommended more over Klonopin or Xanax. What it's doing is filtering out the constant bombardment of crap that fills our lives everyday. Then it basically tunnels your primordial thoughts into a clean, relaxed, setting where there's no pressure and you can actually focus.
I turn 32 this year, and I've been taking 200mg L-Theanine daily since 2005 with little to zero side effects including anxiety. The worst thing I've noticed is some days I'll sleep better than others and I feel groggy but that's minor. Plus, it works in synergy with coffee or caffeine. It literally takes away from the negative impact caffeine has on your CNS, while it shortens your learning curve so you're able to retain knowledge better! L-Theanine has been a game changer for me!
I hope any of you get the same result as I have, L Theanine is not a miracle cure, it does take about 1-2 weeks to kick in before the effects and your tolerance for stress builds up. Once it does though, I promise you it's smooth sailing the rest of the way.
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SuziCue
25 Feb 2016
I'm very glad the L-theanine is working for you vShikko. Unfortunately for me it isn't that simple.
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BigHairDontCare
10 Oct 2017
This is great to hear- never knew it could work like this! If you don't mind me asking, are you male or female- I'm 32 year old female and I struggle with ADHD(my entire life) and recently was diagnosed with ptsd/anxiety-(due to some tragic events these past 2 years- they are treating my ptsd/anxiety with Zoloft and lorazepam(been on these for about a year) & I also take adderall for about 20 years now- just curious if you take anything for ADHD or if you used to- I have some side effects from the Zoloft/Ativan and would love to try something like this
DZ
dzorra
6 April 2018
Hi vShikko, I would like to use L-theanine to help treat my anxiety, but am concerned about it interacting in a negative way with the thyroid medicine (levothyroxine) that I take for hypothyroid. It is the only prescription drug that I take. I have read a lot about L-theanine, but have not been able to find any research on this possible negative interaction. My doctor has never heard of L-theanine, so that's no help. Have you come across any information?
I take 1 mg of Klonopin at nite to sleep. It puts me to sleep in 20 minutes & I sleep for 6 hrs. I've been taking this med for 1 1/2 yrs. I'm supposed to take it during the day for anxiety, but my brain is too foggy & fatigued to take it in the a.m. Also, I cannot fall asleep unless I take the Klonopin so I cannot imagine trying to get off of it. Klonopin does nothing for my depression so I'm still searching for the best A/D. Currently I take Paxil which does not motivate me.
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QU
Quando62
28 Jan 2016
YES, very very normal. I have been on Klonopin and Xanax for 20 years. Xanax hit stronger for the panic attacks, but wore off quick and I had to keep increasing it. Klonopin I have been switched to 8 years ago at 4 mg per day PRN. I take 1 mg most days for my Generalized Anxiety Disorder and it keeps me stable, not panicky, helps my ADHD and no euphoria or sleepy. IT is a preventative med like you said, it lasts much longer in your system.
Votes: +3
MO
Morrisseyjunkie
28 Jan 2016
I've been on a few benzo's before finally being put on a stable dosage of Klonopin 3mg. per day. Ativan 2mg. for breakthrough relief from panic attacks or anxiety that won't go away. Xanax 1mg. when all else fails. I like the feeling Xanax gives me. Similar to Hydrocodone.
ER
Erica22503
28 Jan 2016
It takes the edge off. I have no anxiety, and if I get upset it calms me. It works better and faster if you take it with warm water.
