Taking Clonazepam for 10 years, it's stopped working, suggestions?
Question posted by mary4ever on 1 Feb 2016
Last updated on 7 December 2023 by TKMarsh711
I have been taking 500mcg of Clonazepam for 10 years. It has been a blessing because I could easily go to work and perform my duties, and cope with my anxiety.
Lately I feel it's not working and I am desperate. Last night took 2 tablets only fell asleep at 5 this morning for 2/3 hours. Now I'm feeling agitated I don't want to take any although it's very tempting the way I'm feeling. And my doctor won't give me a repeat if I am using more than prescribed.
I feel sad anxious agitated. I'd rather be dead if I have to live like this. Any suggestions much appreciated.
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7 Answers
TK
TKMarsh711
7 Dec 2023
I've been taking clonazepam for about 17 years. When Teva changed it's "recipe", I had to change to name brand. It cost me about 200.00 a month but IDK what else to do. I've tried Xanax but it's short lasting relief. I also take Lexapro which I've taken for about 17 years also so I'm sure it needs to be changed. I take Buspar and gabapentin, all for anxiety. I occasionally have a flare up but for the most part I'm OK.
Votes: +0
AL
Always_Medicated
6 Dec 2023
Someone mentioned breathing exercises….really? That’s funny. U must be new to anxiety and panic and depression, etc. When my doctor first put me on Clonazepam 10+ years ago, breathing exercises were awesome when I felt an attack coming. They did help…for like a few years. Then it was a joke. I still take Clonazepam but 3 days ago a bunch of big ass messes and thoughts just dropped on me. I was carrying the worst part of the weight of the world right on my chest and I felt like I was going to die. The Clonazepam was not touching me. I am prescribed to 0.5mg, 3 times a day or as needed. I called and left messages with my doctor begging for anything else that might help. I read about Xanax being faster acting and just all around better so I got that in my head, and I think I still do.
My doctor didn’t prescribe me any Xanax or anything else that would help me and I was not in my right mind so I took 10 more Clonazepam and then another 5, basically until I passed out. The weight still sits on my chest, I’m back to taking the Clonazepam as prescribed but for what reason? It’s not working.
Votes: +0
NA
Nala789
7 May 2019
I would check to see if the manufacturer has changed on your medication if you are using a generic. They changed the brand on me and the new brand is not working at all like the last brand I had. I am wide awake at night and my pulse is high.. Check with your Pharmacist. Good luck.
Votes: +1
MA
Maggzbaggs
28 Feb 2019
Hey lady. I feel for you. I too have been on varying doses of c-pins for 10+ years. Lyrica didn't help my fibro or my GAD, so you've got that. Currently on 1mg 4*daily and not getting the relief Clonazapem usually offers Me. Real tired of folks saying "exercise" & "deep breathe". As if it could be that easy. Visited this page looking for a better chem; happened upon you. You are not alone. Hang in there. Those lucky folks who feel normal w/o Chen's seem quick to suggest jogging, exercise, etc. Proof they don't know the fear of leaving home nor the panic that elevates the heart tying up Sneakers in attempts to take a jog. Best advice: be honest w Doc , (as I must be), and pray they are decent enough to help.
Hugs
Votes: +1
CH
chuck1957
11 Feb 2016
mary; how long have you been on the Lyrica If it is new lots of times it can make the anxiety etc worse for a few weeks until you get through the start of it. Then it takes about 6 to 8 weeks to get the full benefit of the medication. But you do start to feel a bit better prior to that it's just that is when it reaches the full blood level and benefit. It has been a very good medication for many people for nerve pain and depression try and take it about the same time each day is best. And remember your not alone there are tons of people with the same condition as you have like most of us here, And learning some tricks to help get you through the bad days it's not a huge secret it's how we handle it good for you for seeking help and try to do some positive thinking and not think your the only one with this.
we all just have to learn how to deal with these things and take our medications once they find the right ones that is the hard thing.Life is well worth it once they get you in the right place your far from being alone hang in there you well get better .
Votes: +1
MA
mary4ever
24 Feb 2016
Thank you I take Lyrica occasionally, but although it makes me feel awesome this feeling doesn't last if I take it on a regular basis, it would be nice though. The doc has now given me Kalma, apparently it is not Xanaz anymore, new name?? Not quite sure, but I am hoping to go back to Rivotril (Clonazepam), as this medication worked really good for a long time, so perhaps when I go back to it, it will give me the same good effect as I had when I was taking it for over 10 years, but as I said previously, it wasn't giving me the same relief lately and didn't want to increase the dose. My new doctor, before reluctantly prescribing me Kalma, suggested I increase the Rivotril but I opted for the Kalma as this was suggested by one of the users of this site. Need to get better! Don't know if I ll stick with Kalma, no much relief, only taling, 05 morning, and 10 at night. Any suggestions? Really appreciate it! Feel good here and not afraid of being judged. Thanks
CH
chuck1957
25 Feb 2016
Yes if the doctor would give you some Clonazepam should work much better than the Kalma and remember you can't compare different medications by the milligrams they are two different things completely like an apple to an orange. IT'S REALLY what is working best for you.
MA
mary4ever
3 March 2016
Hi chuck the Xanax I thought was making me nauseated so went to doctor who prescribed nausea pills which didn't work. I also stopped the Xanax and told doctor then I told doctor I wanted to go back to clonazepam to which she said that I should see a Psychiatrist so he could give me the right medication and wrote a riferral. However I started taking Clonazepam as I had a few left and didn't want to feel a panicky attack but after a few days the nausea started again.. Now I'm in the middle of the night feeling sick with nausea. I wanted to take a Clonazepam but I'm too scared. I have somebody get back to me as I'm not feeling good with nausea. Thanks I appreciate some feedback.
CH
chuck1957
8 March 2016
Mary sorry ive been down for awhile But this is common when your not taking on a regular basis I have found taking with crackers, and ginger ale helps with the nausea but starting to think half of mine is the anxiety also. please give that a try even if you just take 1/2 of the dose and wait about a 1/2 hour and take the other if you need it. let me know how it goes. a new doctor sounds like a good idea. hope your doing better
Mary; I agree so much with Laurie this is how I'm doing so well is doing different tricks I have learned when the medications were working so well. We all go through times like this It's not always the medication It's us and our problems even when we don't think we are thinking about a thing we don't notice and set off the triggers that increase our anxiety. You might want to talk to the doctor and see if you can take an extra pill for a week or so while you are going through what you are and if it does not settle down you well go in to see him or her. You might need something else to help out. Life well not stay like this trust me you well be doing better again. Try not to think of things like I would rather not be living if I have to feel like this Life is so worth it trust me I have been there and so understand.Are you taking anything other than Clonazepam you well be feeling better soon? Give your doctor a call.chuck1957
Votes: +2
MA
mary4ever
10 Feb 2016
Hi thank you so much for replying, as I was saying the Rivotril wasn't doing much anymore, I took someone advise to take Xanax instead, then go back to Rivotril and maybe it will give me relief as it used to. But doctor wanted my Rivotril back first. I didn't want to give her the Rivotril as I was thinking what if the Xanax gives me a bad effect, so here I am stuch with Rivotril. Will go back to Doc when it finishes and see if Xanax will help me better for a while.
I am also taking Lyrica, have you heard about that at all, it's for a pinched nerve and I can't tell you it makes me feel very good, very relaxed, not scare at all of anything. Why can't I be like that all the time. I am really gelous of those people that don't need anything to make them feel "normal". I have to hide it from everyone. It's my (terrible) secret.
What do you guys think ? I appreciate your answers.
LA
LaurieShay
1 Feb 2016
You may be going through an episode of heightened anxiety for some or reason or possibly none at all. Developing coping skills during these times is critical. These may be as simple as breathing exercises to more involved such as mindfulness exercises. You can let your doctor know of your present symptoms, duration and such. He may have other suggestions to help you cope, and at least would know that the 0.5mg Klonopin is not giving you the same relief. If you find yourself wanting to take more than prescribed, beware. If you run out early, and have to go without for a few days, can be dangerous.
