How many years have you been on Klonopin? Who is the oldest person you know taking Klonopin?

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.

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.

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 will be 73 March 5th, and Ive been on Klonopin for at least 15 years. I was prescribed 1 mg., twice a day, but take only a half every day unless Im going somewhere for a long period of time. I do suffer from severe anxiety and sometimes from panic attacks. I have never abused this medication or taken more than I was prescribed. I dont feel any cognitive decline. I have to have something also and cant see going off of this at my age. Good luck to you!

I’m 79 and has been at 2 mg for last 30 years. Every time I tried to wean off is awful. If a new drug that replaces clonazepam I will try it

I wanna start off by saying that you’re not alone.
I feel your concerns about taking Klonopin long term. However compared to other benzodiazepines like Diazepam and Clorazepate which have a 200 hour half live due to their main active metabolite desmethyldiazepam. Clonazepam is considered a lot safer in that regard in terms of being used in the elderly. I myself am only 26 but have been on Klonopin 1mg daily since age 15 due to panic disorder and PTSD. No negative side effects in my experience taking it. Compared to others I was prescribed first which were not effective long term due rapid tolerance I would develop to them (Alprazolam and Lorazepam). Clonazepam has not stopped working over the years at all. Possibly attributed to its longer half life.
Hope this helps.

I think I answered before, but this question popped up again, so just in case I didn't, here it is. I have been on clonazepam for 15 years now and am 71 years old. Don't ever plan to stop. I need it. It make me feel and react more normally. The real me.

I’ve been off & on depending on my anxiety. Despite efforts to really reign in my health, I had a heart scare and now feel my demise is imminent. I’ll make each day count but Klonopin has been very helpful at calming my anxiety down which is in middle of night. I’m working as hard as I can on diet and exercise and lost 15 lbs recently(need another 35). Thx for posts as I can feel weak when relying on Klonopin but it definitely helps. Happy Holidays to all.

I am 60 years old. I have been on clonazepam for about 17 years. It's the only thing I take that has no side effects I can see. I'm sure I'll be on it for the rest of my life. I suffer from GAD.

30 years this month. Works very well for me with GAD.

I'm 74 and I was taking xanax for about 18 years. I have PTSD, major depression, and GAD. I never took more than prescribed and I thought I was in a good place mentally. My doctor took me off and put me on Klonopin, was on that for about a year and she took me off that, just stopped it cold. She said she wasn't comfortable with me taking it because of my age. I really wish I was back on it, I was more active , could go outside and I talked to people. I don't do any of that now. If it makes you feel better , take it and don't worry about it . Enjoy your life , be active and do what makes you feel better .

I am 66 and last year developed GAD(probably always had but got worse) due to personal issues. First thing my sleep and insomnia got worse until no sleep at all. I don't really agree that it is "bad" to be on this Rx long term, if it is a necessary medication to manage anxiety. The only real concern about long term use is the difficulty tapering and stopping the Rx and the risk of abruptly stopping from high doses. FDA says you May get this or that as they due with all medications. I talk .5mg day and 1mg night. I sleep well, feel well. I want to enjoy my life now to the fullest. Getting no sleep will for sure cause physical and mental issues. If by chance I do get a side affect later in life at least I am living now. BTW I did try to taper off slowly because of all the horror stories I heard about long term use on clonazepam. I ended up worse than before I started. STOP getting on the internet and reading and thinking about it your anxiety will go through the roof. Enjoy your life now.

You will be fine. God Bless you.

Hi iamalady,
I am a 70 year old female who has been taking Klonopin for 15 years. I have no problems with it and have never needed my dosage increased. I am very cautious because I have a history of addiction on my Dad's side of the family and did not want to take the chance, but my doctor convinced me to try it as my anxiety was taking over my life. I have GAD with emphasis on social and performance anxiety. I also have jumpy legs which the Klonopin has greatly helped as a bonus. I will be on this forever. I have suffered anxiety since I was a little girl and I don't see it going away ever. It's the only thing that has helped.