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 30 April 2024
194 Answers Page 9
I have posted here before. I tried to reduce my dose of klonopin for 3 years from 1 mg to about .3 mg and was a total wreck. Due to life stress--my son is ill, my mom is sick, multiple job changes in a short amount of time, I gradually increased back to .75 mg and am mostly doing okay. Any anxiety/stress I feel is now just situational (my son is very sick and we cannot get a diagnosis and about to start on some scary medication), and I see a therapist. I don't know if/when I will try to get off again. I am 50 and have been on K since I was 30, first off and on at .5 mg, then daily at 1 mg for past 10 years or so. I need to be functional and could not be when trying to wean.
I posted in May that after feeling resigned to staying on K, and being ok with it, a few memory episodes changed my mind about weaning off .5k 1x/day. So my pdoc switched me to Valium 10 mg, the equivalent of .5K. I did this for a month, and tho I didn't like the V, it was ok. Then after two weeks she dropped me to 7.5V and withdrawal symptoms appeared : insomnia, muscle spasm/pain, fatigue,balance and coordination, lack of appetite. I gritted my teeth, went to physical therapy for back and leg pain. Then after 2 weeks, went down to 5 mg of Valium, equivalent to .25 K .Then I really started to feel awful. Finally I called my pdoc and she rx'd trazodone for sleep which helped with sleep but had its own side effects. So we agreed that I'd go back to K, at a .25 dosage. I, on my own, upped it to .375 K and I am starting to feel a little better. I don't plan to stop my weaning. I am just going to go a lot slower.
Maybe months at each .065 reduction. This is powerful stuff and maybe worse for some than others. I now understand why some people go to inpatient detox for weaning off K. Living alone, at 77, the pain and fatigue are hard to deal with. You really need support to get off this stuff. Someone to talk to about it, help with meals, errands. I have dealt with bi-polar for years and weaning off K is far worse that the worst of B-P.
Hi, glad you came back and gave an update. Maybe Klonopin does not have anything to do with your short term memory. Sorry you were not successful. But there's always hope. I wont be going off, because of my tachycardia. It helps block it and I feel is safer than a beta blocker. After my research of antidepressants and sleep aids and beta blockers, they all say they can cause short term memory loss, so I picked the one I felt worked for me with no side effects getting on, and knowing going off would be hard, but they all say you have to withdraw slowly. I'm taking my chances with Klonopin..I'm 4 weeks out from a total left hip replacement and was able to take my klonopin on schedule right up to surgery and while in the hospital without stopping. I take 0.25mg twice a day. Morning and at 4 o'clock. I don't use it for a sleep aid. So far I have not had to raise it, on for 6 years. The nurses never batted an eye when it was time for my klonopin. They never treated me like a drug user, nor did my orthopedic surgeon. I wish you all the best.
Update: I am at .25/day (from .375mg) and plan to stay here until the first of the year. Going to .1875 mg so soon after dropping to .25 was too much for me. I plan to use 2020 to finally get off K. Gradually with plenty of time between reductions.
I am 40 years old and have been diagnosed with panic disorder anxiety depression bi polar and possibly PTSD. Klonopin saved my life. At this point I don't care how long I have to take it because it helps me cope where counseling therapy and CBT couldn't. However I do still attend counseling and I'm learning more about my disability which brings peace. I'm not sure if that answeres your question but if klonopin helps you take it responsibly drink plenty of water take advantage of therapy and push forward.
God Bless
PTSD survivors
Hey again! I’ve posted before.. ok my current situation... I take .5 klonopin each night for 2 years.. prior I only took 1/4 of a .25 for 10 years but had some stress related issues took a break from klonopin a few months but jumped back on with my current dose .5 . This has worked for 2 years but recently the floor sorta fell from under me and I went 3 days with no sleep... tried to take a tiny bit more of the klonopin (1/8 more) didn’t work and stressed so bad about taking more that I did not sleep at all
my doc decided that I needed seroquel so the past 3 nights I have taken that with my .5 klonopin to sleep... my stress and anxiety is through the roof... I keep asking myself should I take both? Or just add more klonopin and drop seroquel? I’m so stressed out cause I do not want to be on 2 meds right now.. plus the seroquel causes me to have restless legs... I worry so much about increasing my klonopin that it causes me to not sleep... I called my doc this morning and told him I would rather keep my klonopin.. he said I need to take more than 1/8 extra told me to take .25 more
Nkcsweetie,
So,so sorry you are going through this. I have been through the same thing twice. Let me explain. First, I cannot take SSRIs like Seroquel and Buspar, Zyprexa, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, or any other. I have explained to numerous docs that I have too much dopamine in my brain and I stay anxious. It was not until recently that I went through some hard times. That’s a story for later. But, I was given 3mg a day of clonazepam. Now, with this new doc, I explained that I stay wide awake, skin crawls, I could peel paint off the wall, and many other things if I take an anti-depressant. Second, I know my body and I refuse anti-depressants with every doctor. Third, I am NOT depressed. Why is it that docs try anxiety stricken people with all kinds of non-anxiety meds??? I tell my doc now that I have severe adverse reactions and I’m not putting another in my mouth. I have successfully decreased to .5 in morning and .5 at night. Do I need more at times? Yes.
And I take another half. If the doctor understood from you that you cannot take anti-depressants and knew why, you would be likely so much better. Amazing! Seroquel is the absolute worst as well as lexapro and Zyprexa (used for schizophrenia) and so many more. I’ve recently been given trazodone. I cannot take it and won’t. Short acting but not for me.
My advice is take control of your own feelings about certain meds. Tell your doc that you are not depressed and won’t take another medication. hydroxyzine and others are great with clonazepam. They are anti-anxiety. Maybe say, I will not take that, but I’ll give this a try. I finally found a doc who I recited the definition of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I have all symptoms. I did research and found that a LOT of us can’t take anything else. Stay the course and own your disorder. Own what you know helps you. Doctors push anti-depressants like they push opioids. Also, I had been on 3mg for 21 years now. I must say that I believe we are being scammed into needing these. Just enough benzo in the pill to curb the anxiety. The half-life is 37 hours. Why do they stop after 4? Drug companies force us to stay on them and everyone benefits monetarily. Unfortunately, it’s the good people who get all but what we need. Ask for an increase as needed. Good luck!!!
Currently 44 and been on Clonazepam last 12 years for GAD. I too am worried about it's long term use but it's the only thing that helps. Any info or support would help. Thanks
My only concern was short term memory loss. Then I read about people taking benadryl long term as a sleep aid. I know a ton of people who use benadryl for many years and guess what, it can also cause short term memory loss and some people need to increase it to get the same effect. So I dont use klonopin for sleep, but I'm sticking with it for my anxiety. Even SSRI's have long term side effects. Looks like a lot of people are in the same boat no matter what they are taking. I'll take my chances and feel good... with klonopin.
Are you still taking the meds?
Are you still taking the meds?
If you are referring to me, yes. I'm still taking klonopin.
Ok. I hope you are doing well on it.
Ok. I hope you are doing well on it.
Ok. I hope you are doing well on it.
I have occasionally upped my dose from .5 to .75 or 1.0 (on it for ten years). I too fell uneasy about doing so and usually returned to .5 within a day or two. I have posted on this board before about about planning to stay on K for my lifetime. However, I recently changed my mind after some egregiously upsetting lapses in memory which I attributed to possible effects of K. So I am currently on Valium (diazepam) as a transitional drug supposedly superior to K in terms of trying to get off benzos. I am three weeks into the transition and have been incredibly tired and low energy since I switched. I've even had some physical symptoms which may or may not be connected to my switch: extremely painful leg cramps during sleep which left my calves sore for several days. I also feel 'dopey' and tired all the time. I have heard others report similar symptoms.
I will start my taper off the Valium in three weeks and am quite anxious about it. Valium has a liquid form so it might be a little easier that trying to cut up K tablets. We'll see. I am not totally confident that titrating off is going to work. I am prepared to go back on K if necessary. K is far superior to Valium in its 'invisibility' of side effects. I am not suggesting anyone else try this. My motivation emerged because of the somewhat terrifying lapses of memory which I had read about being not uncommon in the elderly (I'm 77). Otherwise I wouldn't be trying this. I've carved out six months in which i can feel crappy without it interfering with outside activities. I hope that's enough. I know many will say 'not nearly enough' but I'm hoping.
Please keep us posted, as many people on here have been on Klonopin for over 25 years w/o memory problems. My aunt was on a benzo till age 90, she seemed fine and died of other problems not from bezo use. Good luck to you, hope it goes well...
Try Buspar (buspirone). It is a great treatment for anxiety that is not a benzodiazepine, so does not have the side effects associated with benzos.
I will comment occasionally about progress or lack thereof.
I'm having hip surgery in 2 weeks. Yesterday I took an extra dose so I could enjoy dinner out with my husband for his b'day, my anxiety is bad right now. And I see myself taking more to get to the surgery date and maybe more after. I take more before dental appointments. I take a little more but usually far between. I will report back after my surgery and let you know if I am able to come back down... but that could be awhile... sorry
Hello I have posted before... little update I started klonopin years ago for like 7 years on a tiny dose a quarter of .25mg then took a small break... had to restart 2 years ago with .5mg since my anxiety was pretty bad at the time... I only take it for sleep. Recently I’ve been having a bit more anxiety mainly do to feeling bad taking this pill... I don’t want to increase my dosage or I stress about it ... my doc told me just take a little more on my bad days but I’m so afraid I will not be able to go back down ... do some of you guys have to take a little more at times but jump back on your original dosage? I hate all the horrible stories on the web about this med since I can’t take anything else ssri make me crazy.. this is the only one that helps... I love this site cause there are times I just read y’alls comments and it makes me feel better
These horrible studies are awful. Just listen to yourself and take as much as you need to. You will be ok!
Would love to connect on here.
I responded before, but it disappeared. I am 56 and have been on it for 23 years. Started at 1.0 and after 8 years, increased to 1.5. Now, 14 years later, I am up to, sometimes, 2.0 I have needed to get name brand now, as TEVA does not make the Green pills anymore and the Accord and Actavis brands do not work for me. I have a heart condition now and can't take any antidepressants. The only one I can TRY would be Trintellix. I have had SO many things happen in the past few years that my shrink gave me .5 XR Xanax to take each day... ONLY because I can't take any antidepressants. I was prescribed it for PTSD and insomnia. The insomnia was unrelenting and we had tried everything. I totaled 2 cars in 6 weeks, due to insomnia. I do know that if I could get on an antidepressant, I would not need to take the Xanax during the day. I feel ashamed getting two benzos at the pharmacy and that's wrong. I'm also a nurse. Never, ever abused anything. Thank you to the person who started this thread!
Hi wackattack, There are many people who take more than one benzo type every day. They don't normally post because like you, they feel guilty. There are people who take multiple heart pills a day, same for diabetics, depression, it's called usually a cocktail, and so I don't see any difference with anxiety disorder. Please don't feel guilty... if it works that's what really matters...
So I started this thread 6 years ago and all of us are pretty much lifers on klonopin. I'm having hip replacement and can take my klonopin up to the surgery day, but wondering the hours and days after surgery if I can take my klonopin as I guess they give you opioids for pain after. A lot of people have posted here that are on klonopin for life, so any of you been through major surgery? How did they handle your post OP surgery days? Any replies would be helpful. Thanks...
So I started this thread 6 years ago and all of us are pretty much lifers on klonopin. I'm having hip replacement and can take my klonopin up to the surgery day, but wondering the hours and days after surgery if I can take my klonopin as I guess they give you opioids for pain after. A lot of people have posted here that are on klonopin for life, so any of you been through major surgery? How did they handle your post OP surgery days? Any replies would be helpful. Thanks...
I am 58 and have been on generic Klonopin for 25 years for GAD. Prozac 20 mg for the same amount of time. I started with 0.5 Klon at night then for the past few years increased to 0.75. About 2 weeks ago, I had an awful episode, waking up with sweats and shaking and feeling awful every day. My psychiatrist prescribed 1mg Klon + 30mg Prozac. I'm still waiting to feel normal again. I'm afraid I got accustomed to Klonopin and need a higher dose. My PCP makes me feel guilty about increasing the dosage because of all the alleged long term side effects. But I trust my psychiatrist. I just want to feel normal again.
My mother is 94 years old and she's been taking klonopin for 22 years now.
She's still completely independent. Drives car..pays bills..etc . ... So shes done very well taking the drug.
Hi Jab, that is awesome to hear about your mom. I read each and every post that comes through on this blog. I want to say something to every person that posts here, but I don't want to over run the site with my posts. But I can't help but say something every now and then because all the testimonials are so comforting to read. I hope they keep coming forever. I love reading them...
Thanks to everyone who finds us here...
I am 59 and have been on clonazepam for about 5 years and I'm crossing my fingers that I will always have a doctor who approves of me using it, because I feel like I am going to be a "lifer". I have been on and off of a variety of antidepressants, Vistaril, and several other benzos to control lifelong anxiety with secondary depression. My current regimen is Celexa and Remeron daily with Klonopin as needed. I don't take it every day, but I take it most days. I only take .5 mg, which usually does a pretty good job of keeping my anxiety under control. Despite the bad rap it gets for affecting memory and concentration, I feel far more focused when I'm on it. I don't know if it will increase my risk of dementia as I age, but I'm willing to take the risk of a POSSIBLE adverse affect in the future in exchange for the known positive benefits I am reaping now.
When I'm not anxious I feel like I can live my best life; my creative energy flows (I'm an artist, so pretty important), I have a sense of humor, and my social skills greatly improve. I know it negatively affects some people's driving, but I'm actually a better driver, especially in strange places or heavy traffic, when I'm not a nervous wreck. I have no desire to try to go off of it; my brain chemistry is so screwed up at this point that I go through hell when I try to withdraw from SSRIs or any psych medicines, so it's just not worth it. Here's to being your best self and better living through chemistry!
I am 62 and have been taking .5 mg clonazepam for over 20 years.
I sleep better with it and helps manage my anxiety well.
I have not had an inclinations to abuse this medication though my PCP would prefer that I take it.
My psychopharmacologist supports my use of it.
All of you are amazing human beings. I just turned 60. Always exercised to control my anxiety and depression. But since I’m older now can’t exercise like I used to. This last Christmas had a complete breakdown with panic attacks. I started reading online and it scared me to death! What is a person to do? The doctors won’t prescribe them. Had to pay a quake doctor cash for a prescription of Klonopin. End up in a hospital or take the medicine? I’m feeling so much better now. I’ve decided to take my meds and live with the consequences. Do any of these doctors ever think about what damage uncontrolled anxiety can do to your body?
I'm 53 and was first prescribed Klonopin/Clonazepam 0.5 mg 4x/day when I was 19 (back in 1986). I've now been taking it for 34 years for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder, and have been very pleased with my quality of life. However, of late I have been experiencing some memory issues and confusion, and my current psychiatrist is quick to point the finger at the Klonopin. I've seen the study summaries, but after 34 years I'm not at all convinced that's the problem. I'm glad to find this string. Only long-term Klonopin users can understand that just stopping it is really not an option.
Another great read, thanks California. I read all 4 pages of these posts over and over when I get to feeling stressed about being on Klonopin. My husband said why don't you print the pages off so you'll have them in case this blog ever gets lost. Good idea, so I did. Now I can have all of you close to my heart even tho never face to face to talk to one another. It's so calming to know so many individuals struggling with anxiety disorders that are leading much better lives with klonopin and intend to stay on for the long term. I feel we are the brave ones that say I'm taking something that helps me live a normal life and the peer pressure I get from benzo bashers, I will forgive and still respect them, but they don't understand that some people can only find relief from the use benzodiazapines. Thank you all and I hope new people find us here and get relief also to have found friends who truly understand and want to reassure each other that we are a-okay. Big smile...
Hi I am new here. I have been on Clonazepam for GAD for at least 20 years along with various antidepressants that I’m not sure work. Clonazepam worked well for years at 1 mg in divided doses. I hated having to take meds and found Heather Ashton’s UK taper an d got my doctor to do it with me . When I got down to a low dose I hit the wall and couldn’t bear the suffering any longer so I gave it up and went back on my AD and a bit lower dose of.75mgs of Clonazepam. I have managed at that’s does for about ten years now though with some discomfort. I believe being on the same dose for so long I started to experience interdose withdrawal but was determined not to up my dose. The past three months something has drastically changed and I feel it is now not working well for me. I experience a lot of burning neuropathy in my legs , dizziness etc which I believe is starting to put me in a bit of a depression.
I believe this has come on especially bad since my psychiatrist of 25 + years has told me to try to reduce my dose as he may be retiring. He says he can’t refer me to another psychiatrist as they are a dying breed and most family doctors are being trained to believe Benzos are the devil. I am stressed to the max thinking of what will become of me now and in my old age. I am now 68 and believe I could not bear to detox at this point. It seems everyone here are not having problems with getting prescriptions for life! Has anyone got any suggestions or feedback about finding a doctor and whether or not they ever started going into interdose withdrawal and what they did for that. One other point to mention is that my doctor is pushing lyrica as a substitute for Clonazepam but I tried a low dose just to see and it makes me feel awful. Thanks J
That's really sad JanJan. Lyrica is a schedule V low abuse potential, Klonopin is a schedule IV low abuse potential. Marijuana used to be a schedule I and now it's legal in my state. It could be politics where some doctors will deny it and others will prescribe it. It may end up which state you live in or even what city you live in where patients will be prescribed Klonopin. I have not heard that psychiatrists are a thing of the past. I do believe you see a therapist now first and then the psychiatrist they work under will order your meds. Psychiatrists are not as active in talking as much to the patients as they used to be, they review your history and you spend less time with them. I think you will have to start looking for a new primary doctor or psychiatrist that understands your situation. Your psychiatrist sounds like he is tired, ready to retire and not interested in helping his patients find the help that they need. I hope you find the answers.
I've only been on klonopin for 6 years. I'm 67 til April. Where I live no one has had trouble with getting Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin refills. Klonopin seems most popular with doctors for long term use.
Thank you for your speedy reply Ladyiam. I agree that I need to find a new doctor. Unfortunately that is very hard here in Canada as there is a doctor shortage and I have phoned so many and have yet to find one accepting new patients let alone one who sympathisized with long term benzo use. I found two young psychiatrists who are swamped and not accepting new patients or even allowing one to be put on a waiting list . All the others in Ottawa are of retirement age. I will see my psychiatrist who works at the big hospital here on Wednesday. I hope he will be of help this time. I usually just see him three or four times for repeats. Thanks for your well wishes. I am still hoppy I hear from anyone who has experienced interdose withdrawal. I am sure all I would need would be a slight increase to have me comfortable in my skin again . It was good to find this link just to hear of people who understand and hope to be able to continue on what works for them . Life is to precious to waste time feeling unwell unnecessarily.
I don’t know really how to post here . I posted above and don’t know if anyone will see my comment so I posted at the very end . Please see my above comment.
Hi hysterical, I have read klonopin can cause depression as a side effect in some people, but it was a low percentage. I guess you would have to consider whether klonopin made you feel much better on it than off and if your depression was a whole lot worse or just a little worse while on klonopin. I have depression but had it before klonopin, so I cant really blame the klonopin and when I am out and about having fun or its summertime and I'm doing things my depression seems so much better, so it's a grey area. Does depression cause anxiety or does anxiety cause depression. I'm not on an antidepressant. It sounds like you have tried quite a few different medications. Maybe you are experiencing withdrawal from one of them, it might be hard to figure which one tho. Try to remember when you felt the best and ask your doctor to go back to those medications and try sticking with it.
I dont have the answers for you, I get confused too and think, I should try this med, my friend does so well, or my other friend on something else does so well, and my mind gets busy worrying that what I'm taking does not work, next thing I know I'm feeling worse just because I'm over thinking too much or reading too much about side effects and was feeling pretty good the way I was. It's a hard struggle, I wish you luck getting on the right track and feeling better.
Thanks ... just don’t know what to do anymore .
Does anyone else here also have depression along with the GAD and if so, does The Clonazepam still work as well ? It looks like most everyone who has posted has not been diagnosed with depression .
I apologize, I should have given my full RX regimen. Back in 1986 I also began taking an MAOI (Parnate, 10 mg 4x/day) and a beta blocker (Propranolol, 10 mg 4x/day). The combination of all three together helped stop my panic disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and hand tremors (I was a mess!). That was 34 years ago. I've tried a few times to taper off, but each time it was a disaster. In 2006 I had an idiopathic seizure, and so Trileptal was added to the mix. I do feel at times like a walking pharmacy, but I have spent thousands of hours in therapy to no avail (at least in regard to taking medication), so I have quit beating myself up over it. I'm alive and have a good life! Things could be soooooo much worse. :)
Ladyiam
I have been in this depression / anxiety for the third time and it has lasted two years without relief . I don’t even know when I felt better and what I was on because I haven’t gotten out of this depression for two years . I am desperate to feel better . Start The Clonazepam tomorrow in place of Ativan . Still on Effexor which I don’t really think is working ...
Anyone ,
I have transitioned from Ativan to Klonopin last week . Have now been just on Klonopin for a couple days and he keeps raising the dose . Also on Effexor which isn’t doing anything IMO. I am experiencing more depression , more irritability, more anger and more anxiety on the Klonopin. Will this get better when it reaches a therapeutic level ... whatever that is ?
Hi hysterical, how are you doing on Klonopin. I went on vacation Feb 14 and just am reading again some comments as I am back home after a month. Effexor has side effects and is hard to taper I have heard, but I don't have experience with it. I can say when I went on klonopin it did not give me immediate relief. I also have depression, but I don't take anything for it. It was a few weeks when I noticed the klonopin was working well. It calmed me down finally and kept me from falling into the black hole again. It's not perfect, but I am doing so much better on it and it does help me with my depression somewhat also. Hope you are doing better...
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buspar, klonopin, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, side effect
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