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 27 April 2025 (5 days ago) by ladyiam
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
208 Answers Page 6
Your welcome, anxiety can sure mess us up, nice we have meds to help us tho.
Thank you iamalady. I am 49 years old and re-started anti-anxiety (KC) and SSRI (Lexapro at 20 mg). About 10 years ago, I had major panic attacks that required me to be on Celexa and Xanax, but I was able to titrate off all meds after about a year. I was totally fine, but then last year, I could not get past a health anxiety fear that has gripped me very hard this entire year. Both of my parents have passed away. My Father died when he was in his 50s from heart disease and my Mom in her 70s. I cannot get away from a fear that I will pass away at a young age with a wife and kids. I've had countless blood tests, echochardio, echo stress, you name it that have come back normal. I continue to eat healthy and exercise. I guess that is all I can do. I have been taking Klonopin (C) everyday at about .25 to.50 mg per day-usually in the middle of the night when I wake up with some anxiety.
There are times when it makes me 100% back in the game, and other times my anxiety kicks in and feel groggy and panicky, but I'm nervous about taking more. I know I may be a life long clonazepam user and have to realize that its there to help. Thanks for posting and listening.
Well, this question and responses has been asked so many times. Weaning for a year... wow, what changes to our brain chemistry have been made? I posted my attempt to wean off and now I find that I'm most "normal" while taking this med. Good, bad? who really knows. MANY people say forever more... others struggle to rearrange what has changed in our mind's chemistry. All I know is we shouldn't have to go thru pain in this crazy world. For those who are good with it for life, so be it, I tend to think that's me. All I do know is IF I ever have to "come off" of it, they better have something very very powerful to help, cause the w\d is agony. To all my friends on this board, be well and stay as comfortable as you can. WE deserve it!
Hey everyone. I am 57 years old and have been on clonazepam for 35 years, along with Zoloft, and Wellbutrin. Currently on 2.5 mg daily of clonazepam and 250 mg of Zoloft. I have no problems with getting off the Zoloft and Wellbutrin, but my doctor wants e to decrease my clonazepam. I have tried before but w/d was severe. He says to decrease he is recommending a decrease of 5 mg a year, but acknowledges that being on it so long that I am at risk for seizures and may not be Abe to get off.
I think your doctor is right and wise. I have been on clonazepam for 35+ years, and would not risk convulsions in w/d. I would like an increase in case after such a long time the gabba neural receptors are no longer what they used to be. My friend was on it at a higher dose for about 7 years but "successfully" withdrew with his dr.'s aid, though judging by the present anxiety condition, I wonder if he too has had the clonazepam brain stamp. :-)
57 years old. 2003 diagnosed with spastic colon. Placed on donatol and Klonopin. I tapered off the donatol myself. Tried many times to taper off K and now doing it with a professional. Another year and praying I will be free.
How long will the weaning process be?
OK, so, I've heard ALL the evils of benzos. I've been on Klonopin for about 3-4 years. .5mg X 2 a day. It's worked, as a matter of a fact, better then anything, from antidepressants, to other chemical altering drugs (both prescribed and others tried) October 2020 I started a 5-10% taper, every 14 days, weighed by scale and didn't let my doctor know as I was afraid I'd be forced to taper quicker, get sicker, you know how that goes. In August 2021, I was down to such a small amount I was convinced I could be benzo free, then BAM I get hit HARD with withdraw symptoms that almost sent me to the ER. Luckily I decided to contact my doc and got back on the original dose I was taking. I was not yelled at or punished as I thought I'd be. I'm not sure folks, but I believe my brains chemicals have changed and "needs", maybe call it addicted, but what the heck.
The world is a mess, Pandemics, social injustice, political greed and, well let's just leave it there. I don't drink, smoke pot or do anything else. I think I'm OK using Klonopin, so be it. 70yo, I don't want to be in a state of stress, anxiety or panic. Can you blame me. I'd love to see more activity on this topic, won't you? Be well!
I appear to be in the same boat. Age 67, been on Klonopin 2-3 years, .5 mg. twice a day. I usually take less. But I doubt if I will get off any time soon. It is the only thing that works. Why should I get off and live in misery? Forget about ssri’s. They do zip….nada…..nothing.
I appear to be in the same boat. Age 67, been on Klonopin 2-3 years, .5 mg. twice a day. I usually take less. But I doubt if I will get off any time soon. It is the only thing that works. Why should I get off and live in misery? Forget about ssri’s. They do zip….nada…..nothing.
Ocbobdee. You've come to the right place for support. I'm 69, 8 years on klonopin. I quit worrying about being on it. With my klonopin, it's another good day, instead of struggling just to get through the days.
I have been on clonazepam for 30 years. I honestly don't know how I could have survived without it. I've heard the cons, yet nothing else helped.
We have to live our lives as best we can, my fellow sufferer. I hope you are helped as much as I have been.
CA Totally agree. Comments like yours are very helpful. Thanks!
I am on Valium and it helps to see that it is ok to take what we need to be able to function. I do struggle with taking the dose that my doctor has prescribed and can't convince myself that it is ok. May I ask what dose of clonazepam you take. I am only taking 4 mg of Valium spaced throughout the day and I can take 6 mg a day per my doctor. For some reason I feel that I should just try and fight through the horrible anxiety. He even told me to look at it as a diabetic who needs their insulin to survive.
Maria 82 love your doctors philosophy
Hello amalady! You may not even see this as I see it's been many years! I'm currently 62! I've been on clonazepam since I was 28. I have just been through the weening process from clonazepam! I was a bit concerned for you and others on this forum. I was told that clonazepam is one of many meds on a geriatric list of meds that needs to stop a we age. I was hoping to be a lifer but my docs wouldn't allow me to. It has something to do with our slowed metabolism and sleep. Today is my first day completely off Klonopin. I'm having some side effects already. I've been on 1mg for a number of years. The dose has fluctuated through the years. I took it for panic disorder. It was the only thing that worked. I have slight sleep apnea and I don't use a pap machine. I sleep quite deep when I sleep. My days and nights are flipped.
I've had severe memory issues for years, to the point of watching a movie for the first time only to find out I've already seen it. It's scary. I look forward to having my memory back. It can also be a cause for Alzheimers and dementia. Please just ask your doc about the geriatric list of meds! Best wishes!
I was taking Clonazepam for 25 years. I developed some heart and breathing (shallow breathing) problems. My Cardiologist and Pulmonologist attributed these to Clonazepam (benzodiazepines). Since I will soon turn 70, I decided to taper off of my 3 mg/day dose. I knew it would be difficult. I had read about the withdrawal, and had heard the adverse effects of withdrawal. However, at my age my health is more important to me. I have been off of this med for two months now. I am doing okay except for some residual anxiety which I am trying to handle. Just my personal choice. No judgement here.
I am 80 and have been o Klonopin for 9 years with no problems. I will be on it for my lifetime.
Do you take it everyday and what dose are you on?
Since 2010 and I’m 30 years old and Yes I was put on all the major benzodiazepines and Klonopin (clonazepam) works best for me. Ativan was horrible, and had panic attacks during the day and night. The Xanax I felt like I needed another at 1mg 3x daily and it didn’t have muscle relaxant properties like Klonopin had. The Valium I was prescribed helped with my back muscle relaxant properties, but didn’t work as well for panic and anxiety attacks.
Currently I am prescribed 1mg 3x daily clonazepam, gabapentin, and Paxil.
Next visit I am going to ask for a sleep aid at only for night use. Or if she wants to do 2mg twice daily of the Klonopin. Or can a physiatrist/specialist/doc prescribed the 3mg clonazepam for the day and at night - one of the sleeping benzodiazepines such as Tempezam, estazolam, Valium.
Or add a muscle relaxant like Baclofen or Zanaflex. Carispordol (Soma) worked very well with back pain and anxiety!
Wildcatvet, there are many people who's lives have changed for the better after getting help with klonopin. And Klonopin is used for many, many off label uses that work wonders for people that have nothing to do with anxiety. Don't scare people away from a drug that can help so many people live a better life. Some people may have problems with it, others will never have problems no matter how long they use it. In this stressed out day and age it's a blessing to hear success stories for those who need to take it. Are you on klonopin?
I wouldn't and have never touched any benzodiazepine!
I am 76 years old, and just started to take Valium for a vestibular disorder. I plan to take it for the rest of my life. I am also struggling with a low dose SSRI. Depending on your dose of Klonopin, you should be fine.
I also take Valium. What dose are you taking and is it on a daily basis?
I can take up to 12 mgs a day. For reference, 0.5 mg of Klonopin is equal to 10 mg of Valium. So Klonopin is a much stronger Benzo.
To the person who just listed every single reason why we shouldn't be on Klonopin, I believe you are in the wrong group. This is about supporting those that are on Klonopin not the other way around
It's an open forum.
Please post your sources.
Please post your sources.
Please post your sources.
Submitted. Pending approval by the moderator.
Wildcat didn’t read the question that posters are asked to answer. We want personal experience - you or someone you know. I notice you didn’t respond to my post asking you for personal experience and who wrote this screed with some citations. I consider you a troll if you won’t disclose more.
Wildcat didn’t read the question that posters are asked to answer. We want personal experience - you or someone you know. I notice you didn’t respond to my post asking you for personal experience and who wrote this screed with some citations. I consider you a troll if you won’t disclose more.
I did respond if you read the comment section. People need to make informed decisions not based on anecdotal personal experiences.
I have been taking 2mg of Klonopin for 25 years. I am now 69 years old. I would still be taking it but my doctor wants to ween me off. I had no problems while taking it for Restless Leg and Insomnia. It works beautifully, as long as you take it as prescribed. Do not try to up your dosage... keep with the same dosage and check with your doctor if you’re not happy with the results.
I am trying to ween myself off and doing it gradually to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms of withdrawal mimic your symptoms for taking the drug only more so. I didn’t realize this drug causes dependency... I wasn’t told. I wouldn’t be too concerned If I were you. Stay on it if it helps you, indefinitely at your age. I am wondering why my doctor wants me to try to go off when it has been working so well for 25 years.
Seems like she’s concerned about dependency, but I am not asking for more or a stronger dose, so why not just stick with it?
Right now I am suffering leg twitching and jitteriness because I am reducing my dosage by 1/2mg every month or so after 25 years’ !
What the heck! I am nothing if not tenacious... I will be successful and go off of it... only to have to replace it with something else for my Restless legs!!
Don’t worry, any questions ask your doctor!
I am 70, and have been taking clonazepam for 25 years. I take for panic attacks and for sleep. My dosage has been one mg in the morning, one mg in the afternoon, and 3 mgs for sleep before bed. My Dr. said that it was safer to stay on it since the withdrawal is so bad. It the only thing that prevents my panic attacks. I also have anxiety. My Dr. says it is safe at my age. I do not worry about it. I hope this helps you.
My GP also agrees. I’m taking Mirtazapine for sleep which works well. Anxiety during the day is my issue. I was trying to take as small a dosage as possible during the daytime but was constantly suffering. He allayed my fears and told me that I was under-medicating. It took several months (6) to understand that I needed to do as he recommended. I take .25mg in the am and .25 either noon or evening ( some days both). That amounts to a max dose of .75mg. Some days I don’t need to take any. I don’t understand that and wish my anxiety would go away or lessen but, that doesn’t seem to be happening right now. I also use the “EFT” or Tapping Solution App. It is very helpful and has had positive results in studies as a mind body therapy for many problems, including anxiety.
My GP also agrees. I’m taking Mirtazapine for sleep which works well. Anxiety during the day is my issue. I was trying to take as small a dosage as possible during the daytime but was constantly suffering. He allayed my fears and told me that I was under-medicating. It took several months (6) to understand that I needed to do as he recommended. I take .25mg in the am and .25 either noon or evening ( some days both). That amounts to a max dose of .75mg. Some days I don’t need to take any. I don’t understand that and wish my anxiety would go away or lessen but, that doesn’t seem to be happening right now. I also use the “EFT” or Tapping Solution App. It is very helpful and has had positive results in studies as a mind body therapy for many problems, including anxiety.
My GP also agrees. I’m taking mirtazapine for sleep which works well. Anxiety during the day is my issue. I was trying to take as small a dosage as possible during the daytime but was constantly suffering. He allayed my fears and told me that I was under-medicating. It took several months (6) to understand that I needed to do as he recommended. I take 0.25mg in the am and 0.25mg either noon or evening ( some days both). That amounts to a max dose of .75mg. Some days I don’t need to take any. I don’t understand that and wish my anxiety would go away or lessen but, that doesn’t seem to be happening right now. I also use the “EFT” or Tapping Solution App. It is very helpful and has had positive results in studies as a mind body therapy for many problems, including anxiety.
I’m now back to taking the clonazepam .125mg at a time. I usually need to take three doses and occasionally four. How would anyone know if they can get off this med if their anxiety is really debilitating?
Related topics
buspar, klonopin, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, side effect
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