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 9 July 2025
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Answers Page 15
I just turned 63, and I have been on clonazepam for over 20 years. It was prescribed for me first because a neurologist had diagnosed a "temporal lobe brain wave disorder," and as a child I had been diagnosed as having "petite mal epilepsy." I saw a therapist and a psychiatrist when my 90 year old mother was placed in a hospice. My Mom begged my sister not to make her go (she'd been living with my older sister for several years and my sister was burned out.) And my Mom begged me to let her come live with me and my husband, but all concerned felt that with my health problems, it would be too much for me. (My Mom has since died - a little over a year ago.) The psychiatrist got my clonazepam dosage up to 8 mg. a day for over 7 years. I've been gradually cutting down and am at 2 mg when I (try to) go to sleep. I just found a new primary care physician, and she told me not to try to taper down any further until I had been checked out by a neurologist to see if I still needed the clonazepam, and if so, what dosage. Apparently there IS a possibility that I may need to stay on it for the rest of my life! I have longevity on both sides of my family - one aunt lived to be 105! But I have other health issues (heart disease, Type II diabetes, etc.) and I'm on a lot of meds! I'm glad I found a PCP I think I can trust and work well with, but like she says, nothing changes until I've been seen by a neurologist. If I have to stay on it, I just want to understand everything there is to understand about the situation. I'm just tired of all the meds, all the doctors, and all the fear. The right PCP is my first step in the right direction. From now on I'm going to be very cautious about taking ANY new meds. But I don't want to live in fear of seizures. I almost wish I had gone to med school myself! Hope this lets you know you are not alone!
Oh thank you! You have been through a lot! Hugs to you. I know you need a higher dose for seizures. I think you are strong to get down to 2mg. It does not sound like you have short term memory loss or problems from the clonazapam. I have read great reviews by people using it for long term, but they are still much younger than we are. You may be on a lot of meds, but if they are helping keep you going and feeling good, stay with it. My husband is type II diabetic and on meds, just had dose doubled at age 69. He knows there are side effects, but w/o them he would be worse off. I also take diltiazem for SVT, something I just started having at age 61 from my anxiety and so clonazapam works better than buspar and I need to stay calm so as not to trigger the SVT attacks. The diltiazem helps the events stay under 150 beats per minute. Otherwise all tests show my heart to be healthy.
I have a question I've been on benzodiazepines Temazepam clonazepam lorazepam at the present time I'm only on clonazepam I ran out of my prescription and it was the weekend and I had no refills. And I guess I've never been through withdrawals but I'm assuming that's what it was a heavy heart beat really fast cold sweats felt like I was going to pass out another words faint and some chest discomfort!! Is this withdrawal symptoms from the clonazepam and after getting your prescription filled again how long will it take for your body to adjust to having your medication in your system again?
It sounds like withdrawal, I have never ran out or stopped abruptly without tapering, but once when I was off for 4 months after tapering I went back on and I thought it helped right away, or I felt the calming effects right away. Just found your question... So hopefully you are back on track.
I see a psychiatrist for mine. I know that if one stops the drug, the peak withdrawal time is six months. In-patient recovery is recommended. If someone runs out, it is very scary. All the symptoms do point to withdrawals. I was off of mine ONCE. After three days, I got them back and within 20 minutes, I was me again. Not a drug to just stop. Make sure you have a couple extra for times like this. I took many pharmacology classes and forensic toxicology. I’m not special, but advice is fact and completely understood by me. I know I don’t ever want to be without. Feels so bad. Good luck! It will be ok.
I would not worry about such a low dose. I've been on .25 twice daily for over 20 years now and never built a tolerance, Thank God. My psych said i should consider the goal of being off of it by age 65, not sure why they have this age built in as a time when one should be off of Klonopin, perhaps it contributes to issues occurring later? i was hoping i'd be able to stay on this low does for the rest of my life, but apparently not. i don't want to look into it yet because i know i'd need a year in a resort with nothing to think about except fun, sun and communing with dolphins in order to come off of it so i'm kind of procrastinating for now. Perhaps because you started on it so late in life you can stay on it for life? i would certainly ask your doctor if you can and factor that in before your body gets dependent. It is not fun being dependent on it as i am. i have to take it each day now just to avoid withdrawals and i would avoid that route at all costs IF YOU CAN. Otherwise, if you can't, relax, don't add to your worries, and just take one day at a time. NO need to cause yourself any further suffering. Good luck!
I was 33 when put on med and am now 50. This will freak everyone out, when my Mom was dying of cancer I was put on 18mg of Clonazepam (Klonopin) and it worked but was in a daze. I have had doctors reduce it over the years to where I am taking up to 2mg a day. It works but it has been difficult. I had an extreme anxiety attack where I had to go to ER. Blood pressure went through the roof and heart was racing. I kept saying “I’m not going to make it” so they gave me an extra dose of 1mg and it took almost an hour for me to calm down. Don’t run out of this med because the withdrawal is scary. Not so funny, after leaving ER I got a call within minutes that pharmacy had prescription ready.
I could very well be you body reminding you it needs the medicine. I experienced similar symptoms when I reduced my dosage.
However, if you’re having cardiac symptoms be safe and get yourself checked. If it from the Klonopin you will know pretty soon after restarting your meds. If your symptoms persist get to you doctor or ER to be sure it’s not a cardiac issue!
Good luck!
Related topics
buspar, klonopin, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, side effect
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