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
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.
211 Answers Page 8
I’m 60 and head injured as teenager. After 22 years worked my way to up 2mg of Klonopin. Severe GAD. Now on 3mg. After therapist said forget about Alzheimer’s info not confirmed. Did not believe her as I had read other findings. She knew I had begun a taper. I was aware it would be difficult but she did not warn me of any symptoms never mind how horrific it could get being a long time user. Stupid me for not doing more research. Made it to 1.5mg. Happy to age with that amount. Then I entered hell. Rebound anxiety had be rolled in a ball sobbing hoping to die. It took 3mg to bring me back to life. Im prediabetic and my sugars spiked and idiopathic neuropathy in both of my feet. The added crazy anxiety exacerbated that problem too. Propranolol and increased Klonopin helped bring my blood sugar back under control. I’m a minority as I experienced protracted withdrawal symptoms. They can last for years. So upset about having to take 3mg.
Sounds like a nightmare.
There is no clinical proof that K causes Alzheimer's or dementia. I am 80, have been on a lower dose of K for 15 years and still am reasonably sharp mentally. If you really want to taper, it is a much more gradual process than you are apparently describing. You don't cut by .5 mg and hope for the best. That has horrific consequences, as you've discovered. Do some research on tapering. It might take you months to go from 3 mg to 2.5mg. That means a couple of years to get completely off it without going totally crazy. Or down to a lower, acceptable dosage. I choose to stay on my dosage and deal with any consequences, if there are any. The price for me of getting off is too high.
This is my second comment on the ScaredO1 post. Since posting, I've read an NIH extensive study analysis. Apparently there is a relationship between benzo use and dementia. No percentages are cited, i.e. what percentage of benzo users can expect to develop dementia. Or if its inevitable, or if size of dosage makes a difference. And it doesn't take into account the number of non-benzo users will develop dementia anyway. It makes getting off benzos a tough call and one not necessarily guaranteed to halt the onset of dementia. In other words, the damage may already be done. So what's one to do? I'm afraid we're all on our own. The medical community doesn't seem to care much what happens to us. Much as 'herd immunity' Covid advocates don't seem to care how many elderly die from Covid. Life is tough. We do the best we can. We're all on our own with some small amount of help from message boards like this one.
Hi robfur. That certainly was a discouraging reply. For 2 decades I never exceeded 1.5mg. 2mg for less than 2 years and then back to 1.5 for 7 months, I hope not to stay on 3mg for the rest of my days. That would be troublesome. As that would be a high dose cumulative effect in an aging brain. To say I might already be halfway there does nothing for someone who already has obvious anxiety issues. I’m frightened enough. Best thing I did was call and make an appointment with a Neurologist at a world class hospital today. It will be her call based on my medical and mental health records. Since I’m 60 maybe there’s hope to taper without putting a tremendous amount of stress on my already compromised body that cannot withstand chronic stress on my peripheral nerves in my feet or insulin resistance. Or maybe you’re right and I’ll be drooling within 10 years.
Hi robfur. That certainly was a discouraging reply. For 2 decades I never exceeded 1.5mg. 2mg for less than 2 years and then back to 1.5 for 7 months, I hope not to stay on 3mg for the rest of my days. That would be troublesome. As that would be a high dose cumulative effect in an aging brain. To say I might already be halfway there does nothing for someone who already has obvious anxiety issues. I’m frightened enough. Best thing I did was call and make an appointment with a Neurologist at a world class hospital today. It will be her call based on my medical and mental health records. Since I’m 60 maybe there’s hope to taper without putting a tremendous amount of stress on my already compromised body that cannot withstand chronic stress on my peripheral nerves in my feet or insulin resistance. Or maybe you’re right and I’ll be drooling within 10 years.
My 84 year old Aunt is on Valium and Xanax and has been for years, she is completely healthy.
I just wanted to say, I'm in my late 60s and have self medicated for most of my life. From pot to alcohol (happy to say,, 3yrs sober, from 2 bottles of wine a night), to SSRIs, mood stabilizers, so on and on. Finally, after a too rapid taper from Xanax, that sent me to the ER, my psychiatrist started me on Klonopin .5mg 2 times a day. Finally, something made me feel sane. It's been 2+ years and I've done great. My "Health Plan" Strongly suggest that their doctors don't have people my age on any benzos, but my psychiatrist supports my use, as it is the thing that works best for me. And I'm good with that. But, there is so much negative information out there, I at times doubt myself and wonder if I should slowly try to self taper. Then, reading what people who taper go thru, for months to years, I decide being on this medication has got to be OK.
I'm 79, have basically got your history, take .5 K daily (for 15 years). Don't notice it too much anymore but not willing to torture myself by trying to get off. No adverse side effects that I'm aware of, but as one ages, stuff starts to happy which one can easily attribute to K for no really good reason except fear and suspicion (and bad publicity). I choose to ignore those possibilities. The notion of tapering off however never completely leaves my mind. I have tried a few times but always given up. I don't try anymore, or haven't recently. Hang in there and don't think too much.
I've been on the same small dose (1.50mg) for approximately 30 years. I don't feel it much anymore, but I certainly feel it in withdrawal.
I'm 58and recently crossed over from xanax 3mg a day to clonazepam 2.5 mg a day. which is not high enough.
I've been on Benzos 43 years for health anxiety, depression insomnia stress and BIPOLAR 1/PTSD
NOW THEY WANT To TAPER ME DOWN TO 3 5MGS A DAY WHICH
THE CUT IN JULY Totaltally STOPPED ME.
AND THEN THE END OF August came and never fails Seasonal Depression stopped me right in my tracks. All I do is sleep im so depressed. I can't get the doctors to understand that I dont need 15 different meds that I just need the clonazepam and 3 mg a day is what would be the highest I would need. Im tolerance right now and it really wouldn't be high enough but I know they will never give me more than 3mg a day
My gram was 83 and still took librium and 5 minutes before she passed away she had her last one. My while family in my dad's side takes them but their all in Chicago I'm in 1200 miles away.
I am sorry you are going through this. Any chance you can find a different doctor to work with? I am 51 and have been on klonopin about 20 years. Have tried to get off and I just can't.
I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder at 16, but was not put on clonazepam until 18. I'm 54 now. I would not be alive today if it weren't for this medication, literally! I also have chronic pain due to scoliosis & 3-4 other spinal surgeries. My pain doc was prescribing me my pain meds, my clonazepam, & Cymbalta for depression. Two or so months ago he closed his practice. I saw my PCP & was told that I cannot be treated for both. I HAD TO DECIDE WHICH ONE TO TREAT! I had been taking the same meds at the same strength for 10 years! Of course my panic disorder was my first priority. They tapered me off of clonazepam & opioids at the same time, at home! I was bedridden for 3 full weeks. I went thru hell. I was in terror every single minute of the first week or so & that's when I was considering taking my own life. But I still couldn't take a step. And then Panic Disorder reared its ugly head.
Hi. I am so happy you are back on. It is awful when you are on for that long and a doctor gives you a choice. I hope you find something for your pain. I've been on it for almost 7 yrs. Tried going off once, will never do that again. I'm 61 and take it for anxiety and nerve pain from a dental injury.
I'm glad you're back on it. I switched doctors once and she took me off of it cold turkey. My anxiety was so bad, I couldn't leave the house like you. Thankfully I found a new doctor and he put me back on it. I don't understand why many doctor's won't prescribe it. If they had to go through the anxiety that we do, they would change their mind.
(My sister accidentally posted using my account not long ago, so I hope that doesn’t mess things up on this.)
I posted on here when I had been on Clonazepam for only 9 months. It helped pull me out of a horrible decade of chronic insomnia. I was barely functioning because I was so sleep deprived. Thankfully, a friend who is about 10 years older than me had the same issues and told me about this med.
(We had both tried everything natural, and a couple of other sleep meds before finding this one that has worked for both of us.)
It has now been 3 years on 2mg per night for me, and things are still going well. I have added liquid melatonin to my nightly regimen the past year, and that has helped with my sleep even more. As we age, our melatonin levels severely decline. I take 20 mg under my tongue about 30 min after my clonazepam and fall asleep within 10 minutes or so and sleep 7-8 hours.
A sleep clinic doctor prescribed mine, and anytime I have mentioned wanting to wean off, he tells me “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and that he has patients who have taken this “for decades” with no problems at all.
I always feel better after talking with him and reading comments on this thread. I never read negative threads like I use to.
Thank you!
I really got caught up in trying to get off, which launched me into over three years of hell. I can't spend years of my life trying to get off klonopin just to say I am med free. I don't feel it has any adverse effects, it does not work for sleep as well anymore but I do think it helps my anxiety. I don't think we should be demonized for taking medication that helps us live a normal life.
Klonopin does work for me. I was on Klonopin (.5 mg) for 10 years (2007-2017) due to anxiety that accompanies my Bipolar Disorder. After a decade, I was determined to get off. I titrated down SLOWLY. It was brutal. Lots of squirming around, clenching hands and fists, kicking my legs at night. BUT, I got off. Then I slowly got off my SSRI that I was being given also for anxiety. Then I was only taking a mood stabilizer for BD. What finally drove me back to Klonopin 4 months ago (Feb. 2020) was 3 full years of insomnia. Three years of never sleeping through the night, waking every single night with anxiety: adrenalin running through me, tapping my feet, getting up and rocking back and forth. Over the past year, my psych and I tried over 8 different drugs to try to help me sleep through the night without the need of Klonopin. Nothing worked. Tried suggested marijuana as I live in Colorado--only helped 4 hours per night or so.
Is it the same with Ativan? Is it ok to use Ativan long term as Klonopin?
It's not the same, yet it is a benzo like Klonopin. Not sure why 2 benzos would be needed
Hi Nolie123. Did you feel numb before the Klonopin? You are taking a few different drugs, so did you feel better before klonopin? I take 0.25mg am and pm. for anxiety, but not for sleeping. I also take buspirone 5mg 3 times a day. I don't feel numbed out on klonopin. I'm 68. 7 years on klonopin. Hope your psychiatrist can help you figure it all out. Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your concern.
I have posted on this thread a couple times over the years . I am in a three and a half year treatment resistant depression . I took Klonopin early on and am currently on ativan but in addition to that I have tried 30 medications to try and come out of this . SSRIS, SNRIS , antipsychotics, tetracyclic antidepressants; etc . I am beyond weary . My psychiatrist keeps insisting I continue down the antidepressant path until I find one that works for me . I believe my main issues are anxiety and ocd which led to a depression . This is my third depressive episode . I really just want to quit them all and go back on Klonopin and see what happens . When I was on it earlier it seemed to make my depression worse but right now I don’t really care . I’m just so tired. Any thoughts ?
Hi everyone. I’ve been on .05 mg klonopin at bedtime for 2 years. It’s mainly for sleep. I am also quite concerned of becoming dependent on this drug. I do sleep well on it but regardless of what time I take it and go to bed I consistently wake at 5:00.am. This is way too early. Prior to my taking Klonopin I would wake up around 7:00 am. The details leading up to my taking Klonopin are quite lengthy so I won’t bore you. I also take15 mgs Remeron at bedtime. I have been diagnosed with clinical depression with anxiety. I’ve had ECT rTMS which neither worked. I’m feeling numb emotionally and have lost all spiritual connection with God. I just go through the motions daily and am afraid I will feel this way forever which terrifies me. I’ve read that psyche meds can numb you emotionally but my psychiatrist says no it’s the depression. I failed to mention I am also on lithium 150 mg. Trintellix.2.5 mg and 1 mg of Abilify. I just want to be me again. Has anyone else felt emotionally numbed out while taking Klonopin?
I failed to mention that I am 73 years old
withdrawals from klonopin are the worst. have your doc increase the dose or try to ween off of it. You could have seizure from withdrwals. i have gone up to 30 days without kpins ans lost 25 pounds. I could not eat or do anything. If u are experiencing withdrawals, u have become dependent like me. do ur best not to run out. i run out a few days short every month and it is the worst. good luck!! dont give up
@crazy in Iowa. For not having anything to say, you said a lot. Sorry it has not worked out for you. I'm thankful every day to have this drug available to me. Been on for 7 years now, am enjoying what's left of my life, and we never know when our time is up. It's also nice to share our positive journey on taking klonopin with others who take it and it has given them a better quality of life also.
I’m 64. Been on Klonopin since I’m 28
Singer 430
That's a long time. I assume you are still doing well. Thanks for replying here.
I am 65 years old and was prescribed klonopin 4 years ago. If you only want positive feedback I don’t have a thing to say about it. Any doctor that’s prescribes it long term to anyone... let alone someone over sixty should be held accountable in a court of law. Do the research lady!!!
I’m sorry you are having a hard time getting off klonopin... May I ask what made you decide to stop taking it?
Well, I've been taking it for over 15 years and I can surely call it a life saver. Medicines can have different effects to different people.
If I stop taking it, yes I get anxious (but that's just the same old anxiety I had daily before I ever took it).
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buspar, klonopin, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, side effect
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