I am 61 and just started clonazapam for GAD. I cannot take SSRIs, can't tolerate side effects. I managed to not need a benzo for 21 years by taking Buspar, but it is not strong enough for my recent problems. I have to be on something lifelong now to keep from relapsing. I am hoping to find members who are my age and need to be on clonazapam for life, as I feel alone in my age group. I do not have panic attacks, just GAD. I hope to live into my 90s and wonder if I can take this at that age? Hope so, I am very healthy otherwise and my mom is 91 and grandma died at 97. I really like the clonazapam and how it makes me feel, if I could just stop worrying about it. I would like only positive feedback as I don't want to add to my anxiety. Thank you for listening.
How many years have you been on Klonopin? Who is the oldest person you know taking Klonopin?
Question posted by iamalady on 22 July 2013
Last updated on 14 May 2025
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209 Answers
I just turned 70 and I've been taking clonazepam daily for about 8 years. I take 1mg and break it into two pieces and take one early and sometimes the other half later in the evening. I guess I have GAD but never had that diagnosed. Clonazepam works great for me.
So glad it’s working…
I had answered this previously but could not figure out how to answer the question that was posted to it:
"I am 66-year-old and have been on a 0.5 dose for over 25 years. It gave me back a wonderful quality of life after suffering from panic attacks."
I was asked how often and does it hold me the entire day.
I take .5 at night about two hours or so before bedtime and it does hold me the entire day. I have tried two generics thought that did not. It seems to be about the manufacturer as far as efficiency in my case.
Well my worst fear has happened I’ve been taking .5mg for about 8 yrs before that I was taking less than .25mg for 7 years i’ve been pretty stable on them. Haven’t had to increase they have helped me and I have accepted that. I’m probably going be on for the rest of my life and I was OK with that, but just the other day I got a letter in the mail, stating that my doctor is no longer going to be seeing any patients under 65 years of age I’m 45 which means they’re going to do a lot of their care with seniors so now I have to find a Doctor Who will prescribe Klonopin long-term. I’ve already called one family physician, and they pretty much flat out told me no on the phone they will not see me has anyone else been down this road, this is the only medicine that I take only take it at night for my sleep anxiety
Nkc It’s not fair. My doctor resigned recently that put me on Klonopin, I’m staying at the same practice and was told I’ll be seeing the NP who has in the past refilled my medication. I don’t go back for a couple months, I am wondering if I will still get my Klonopin. All other doctors offices I called for a new doctor are months for scheduling, but I could get an appointment elsewhere, just not sure if they would continue my Klonopin so I’m staying put for now. I run out in May 2025. What state are you in? I’m in MI. My doctor wanted me on it for life, I’m at .5 mg a day for 10 years. I hope she left some notes on my behalf.
I’m in NC I was able to get an appointment with my psychiatrist that originally prescribed me the .5mg klonopin but I’m thinking he’s probably not going to be practicing too soon and retiring. I did make an appointment to see a new family physician and they said it’s on case by case, if they’re going prescribe me the klonopin let’s hope they do .. but I had schedule about two months ahead ..
Nkc
I had my new Dr appt. They are not going to take me off after 10 years but were grumpy, telling me how dangerous it is and that I was going to get dementia. There is no hard proof just risk, I said. And SSRIs and SNRIs also have risk of dementia, a lot of drugs have that risk. They agreed but a lower risk. SMH. Also told me I have to now come every 3 months for refills where my old Dr gave me enough refills for a year I just had to fill them within 6 months, they lasted me a year.
I was advised I’d do better getting my clonazepam refills from a psychiatrist rather than my family practice. I sure miss my old doctor. They didn’t care why I was on it, rushed me through my appt.
Was more concerned why I hadn’t had my wellness check than my chronic anxiety and needing lifelong medication. So I’m looking for a psychiatrist, but they will keep filling my clonazepam. I don’t like how I was treated. I take .25mg twice a day for 12 years never raised my dose.
My friends told me go to a good psychiatrist, you can talk about your stressors, your why’s on how come you want to stay on it. Better situation, treated better, and more relaxed environment. So keep your psychiatrist if you find a good one.
I’m over 75 and have been on clonazepam to help with sleep for at least ten years. I’m active, energetic and pretty fit. My mom and grandmother lived well into their 90’s. I did worry excessively about memory issues with clonazepam. The more I investigated and read about this possibility, I learned almost every medication could be in that category.
Since clonazepam helps me and other meds I’ve tried do not, I’ve decided to lean toward quality of life and stop worrying so much about the possibility of long term side effects. Studies are not conclusive about harm from this benzodiazepine. Best wishes and good health to you.
I am also 75, and have taken Clonazepam 1mg for many years at bedtime. I have tried many SSRI's, and SNRI's that did not work as well as Clonazepam.I am thinking about trying 25mg in the am to see how it will work compared to other antidepressants. The side effects from the antidepressants are just not tolerable. I do not have any side effects with Clonazepam other than being a little tired, which I can deal with. I do have doctors discuss the possible cognitive affects. I have periodic cognitive testing, and was told if my next one is as good as the last one I had I did not need to have another. I just want to enjoy life the best that I can, and if I need a little help to do so that is fine with me. Hope you are doing well!
Hello, I having been reading this post for years, about all the people that are on clonazepam. The question I need to ask is how are you all still getting clonazepam, when my doctor will not prescribe it, because they claim it causes dementia in older people? I have been trying to get off of clonazepam for years, because of the side effects I was having, so it didn't bother me when my doctor wanted to take me off. Don't get me wrong out of all of the other medicine I was put on Clonazepam was the best. It's just that I got immune to the medicine and then start having panic attacks on top of taking the medicine which meant that I would have to go up a dose. I was taking 1mg a day and refused to go any higher. So I had to try to get off of clonazepam. I stop taking clonazepam July 1, 2024. My problem now is that the panic attacks, anxiety attacks are coming back! I have been trying calming herbal teas but it's not working.
My new doctor offered to put me on some new medicine that starts working gradually as the weeks go by, but I turned it down. I have been prescribed lorazepam, or either Xanax for if I have a panic attack, but I haven't bothered to take it. I would really like to find out what is causing these panic attacks/anxiety attacks? I know everyone is different... but in the back of my mind I feel like it has something to do with trauma. When these attacks come on it's like doom, at that moment I am fighting for my life but I have now started asking the question... what are you fearing so much??? I have these racing thoughts, and these awful feelings... I have been dealing with with panic attacks since I was 17 years old, I am 63 years old now. I need to figure out how can I stop this rollercoaster of emotions! Panic attacks has taken over my life and it has to stop!
What I have been doing for years is taking ice cold water with me so if I am about to have an attack I hold the cold water bottle or drink the extreme cold water it shocks me back into reality. I can remember one time I had a panic attack so bad that I poured the whole bottle of water over my head, but it worked! I talk to so many people and it really hurts me to know that so many people are going threw this! I pray one day we will find a solution to what is causing this so dreadful spirit.
I am 75. Been taking Klonopin or like prescriptions my entire life ( since about 24 years old.) I am very healthy and act and feel younger than my age. Attribute this to the de-stressing. Maybe it is a crutch. But anxiety is a killer.
I am 81 and have taken clonazepam since I had a traumatic episode when I was 30.
If I try to stop panic returns. Dr tried SSRI and I was too sick from side effects
I agree clonazepsm makes me feel good and I hope to be able to take for rest of my life.
Olive, thank you so much for your post, it’s made my day brighter in this dark winter state of MI.
I’m also on Klonopin for nerve pain in my mouth. I’m 66 and have been on it for 10 yrs. It helps me. I take .5 2x day. Have no plans of going off. It’s about quality of life
I’m also on Clonazepam since it’s the only thing that helps me sleep better due to restless leg syndrome and anxiety. I am down from .5mg to .25mg at bedtime only.
I’m over 70 and my doctor wants me completely off. She’s concerned about it causing memory loss. I’m concerned about that too but want a good quality of life. So, for now, I’m staying on it. I’ve tried many other things at night for sleep. They either didn’t help or had intolerable side effects. Hope you find the answers you need to have a peaceful and healthy life.
My doctor resigned suddenly, she had been having her own problems but she was the best. I have enough medicine to last til May 2025, then the NP who I’ve seen a lot hopefully continues my clonazepam or I will be very worried. My heart doctor said he would continue to prescribe it for me as it helps my tachycardia, but he is my age 72, so he’ll be retiring soon I suppose. I have 3 cousins on it in a town close by for a life script. I might be able to switch to my cousins doctor. Have multiple reasons it works for me so fingers crossed.
I advise you to have your doctor to prescribe you a higher dose and then cut the tablets. I have so much clonazepam from this. I had my doctor to prescribe me 1 mg of clonazepam when I was taking 1/4 of the medicine. I then cut the tablets into 4.
48 year old with 34 years of prescribed benzo use (lorazepam then clonazepam), until this year. I had to move from Illinois to South Carolina in March of 2024 and when I started with a new medical group in August they kept kicking the can down the road with regard to my clonazepam prescription. Six visits, several hundreds of dollars and 5½ months later I finally learned that they won't refill my Rx. Without it my GAD & insomnia turn into severe panic attacks and weeks upon weeks with only a few hours of sleep per week.
I'm not posting this to scare you or to be negative. I'm suggesting that you prepare for a situation like mine, while you have access to the medication that you need. I had 150 2mg tabs set aside for this and I'll run out in a few days. If you want to continue treating your anxiety with the medication that actually helps, prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Because Dr's, medical groups/hospitals, insurance companies and law makers can & will swing wildly between liberally prescribing and cutting everyone off.
I can't begin to describe how helpless and worthless this crap is making me feel and I don't want to see it happen to you.
Please take care of yourself.
79 y/o female klonopin has been great for the last 20 yrs. diagnosed with military PTSD, GAD SAD MDD CHRONIC pain +. benzo was use in Europe during world war II For anxiety to the major population for over 30 years. there is a book written about this event however cannot think of the name of the woman who wrote it. I wish well. Take everyday as gift.
resparz
Love reading all the new comments, they are so gratifying.
I am 66 and take .5 2x daily for neuropathic pain in my mouth. I have been on it for prob 8 yrs . I don’t take the generic as it doesn’t help me. I stopped reading the horror stories as I know I don’t abuse it. I also take Cymbalta for the same reason .
I take cymbalta 60mg daily for 20y/os word great for military ptsd with chronic pain about 25%
I learned to improvise care for myself most VA Docs are not helpful for Vet
62 Years old and been taking it for 25 years at 1mg up to 4 times per day as needed. But can go 3 days without taking it and actually usually average 2 or 3 per day. This is the best medication I ever have been on for GAD, panic attacks, OCD, and IBS pains.
I have answered this question before, but it was probably several years ago. I am now 78 years old and I’ve been taking Klonopin for about 35 years. I take 1 mg every night for sleep. I wouldn’t even try to sleep without it so I guess I am psychologically addicted. Not sure if I am physically addicted because I have been taking the same dosage for all these years. If I was physically addicted, wouldn’t I need more for the same effect ? isn’t that the definition of addiction? I have a relative who is 85 years old and has been taking Klonopin for almost 50 years. She is as sharp as a tack and I believe that I am sharper than most of my friends of the same age. My biggest fear is that my Doctor Who gives me Klonopin will retire, and no other doctor will give it to me because of my age.
As doctors do not withholdor Klonopin is a benzo and now it's connected to opioids
Most VA doctors will not give Veterans benzos and a narcotics best even though they need it desperately however, private doctors are much easier to get the drug you need for pain
I’m 79 -active and healthy. I took the lowest dose only at night for over 5 years. My physician recently asked me to quit taking Klonopin .25 because it might eventually destroy my memory. I’ve been off for a couple of months. I’m not sleeping as well.
I had a great deal of benefit from taking it. Now I’m conflicted about it.
Perky, I’ve been on .5 mg split in half .25 am and .25 pm for 10 years, I’m 72. My doctor did just resign from my office and she always gave me enough refills to last 1 year. I’m supposed to take it life long, so I’m worried. My daughter says her younger doctor believes in it and I could switch to her if necessary. I’ve never increased my dose yet either. I compare my memory to my friends my age and see no difference.
I am not a doctor however I've been studying as a late person for 22 years about Klonopin benzos Cymbalta and other drugs and open ways however, I've never read anywhere that they will make you lose your memory. If I find anything I will let you know I've been taking them for over 20 years. I know my husband wishes I would lose my memory, but I haven't so good luck. You can't always listen to doctor some of them don't read up on new update updates
I started taking it in 2000. Then in 2002 to Xanax was added with it. In 2015 I was taken off both 2 to 3 years later I was put back on Klonopin. I was 20 when I started taking these now I'm 59 and I take Klonopin and propranolol and valproic acid. I have nothing more than stress problems. If you want tell me what your experience has been and what you do for it.
Related topics
buspar, klonopin, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, side effect
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