And at what milligram and for how long? I only want good stories. I can’t take anymore horror stories. I have already been on it everyday for four years and now the dose is at 2 mg daily. I’m scared and could use some positive stories.
Who takes Klonopin long term for anxiety, depression, OCD- whatever?
Question posted by Hysterical on 8 Dec 2020
Last updated on 6 June 2023 by maxieGRetreiv
Answers
I was diagnosed with non-military PTSD 27 years ago. My psych in CA said I had major depression with anxiety. I forget the antidepressant, but he also had me on trazodone for quite a while - kept increasing it until I experienced so many side effects... Moved to AZ & my psych here said that my diagnosis was incorrect - I had major anxiety with some depression (when the anxiety became too severe or lasted too long, I became depressed). He started me on 5 mg of Klonopin a bedtime (since it makes a person drowsy most of the time) plus 2-3 during the day as needed. Plus Lexapro in the AM for depression.
I have weaned down to 2 mg of Klonopin at bedtime and nada during the day - with one Lexapro in AM. My Dr does not know it; but I have been weaning myself down on the Klonopin - I decreased by 1/4 mg for a full month, then down another 1/4 mg... I am now down to 1 mg at bedtime. I have had a decent life since being placed on Klonopin and would not trade it for the major anxiety and depression that I had dealt with for quite some time. I do hope to eventually be totally off of it. But I am staying at this level for several months before I decrease it again. NEVER go off of a Rx cold-turkey. Asking for lots of potential problems no matter what the drug is. I have experienced no adverse side effects while taking this medication nor during my gradual withdrawal. I have been on Klonopin for at least 21 years - from 5 at bedtime to only 1 mg. No side effects. I am mentally alert.
As a side note: While in my doctor's office fairly recently, she asked me if I was in a hurry to go somewhere? I looked down & realized that I was holding the arms of her chair so tightly - very stressed over current situations. She offered me a "Bach Rescue Pastilles - natural stress relief" - I let it gradually dissolve in my mouth. Within 20-30 minutes, I realized that I was now sitting quietly with my hands in my lap. The doctorstated that many people right away go for another drug - when something natural might take care of the immediate anxiety. I keep a container in my bedroom & kitchen just in case. Rarely take them anymore. But they really take the edge off - without potentially harmful side effects from a drug.
Hope this helps some. Blessings.
I've been on 4 mg/day for about 14 years now. Originally it was prescribed to counteract some side effects of other medications that were causing muscle spasms during sleep and also to more generally help with poor sleep. Unfortunately I can't say my overall health is good but taking Klonopin has helped.
Thank you . I very much appreciate your feedback . I hope health wise that things get better for you .
I am prescribed 2 mg of Valium, 3 times a day but have been trying to take only 4 mg total a day.
My Psychiatrist wants me to take the 2 mg 3 times a day along with my low dose of Lexapro and calls it the "formula" that will help me the most. I was wondering how your space out your dosage of Klonopin. I have, like the original poster, are looking for positive feedback. It is hard not to read all the negative of benzos but if it improves our quality of life I would rather live a better life without the constant anxiety.
I wish you well.
Thanks for your response . I take my Klonopin at 10 am 4 pm and 11 pm . However , my dose was just increased and I have been on it for four years. I have major depressive disorder, anxiety and ocd . I’m wondering if my Klonopin is now making my depression worse . I have been in this episode for four years , 44 meds and nothing has helped . Hope the Valium continues to help you .
I'm been Klonopin for like 17 years now. I started with .5 x 2 and then went eventually to .25 once a day. It took a long time to get to that dose. This drug was a life saver! I always tell people it helps sooo much with anxiety. I still take it this day. Maybe I can wean off that last .25 mg.
Glad you are able to decrease. I am on 1.5mg and now find myself needing more because I am on my 45th antidressant that is causing horrible anxiety. I was supposed to taper off the Klonopin when I found an ad to work for my anxiety and depression and never found one. Now I believe I have built up a tolerance and need to increase my Klonopin and I’m really scared.
Did you ever feel like you had to increase it? I am feeling tolerance now after four years. I’m also feeling more depressed and agitated. Don’t know if it’s the Klonopin or not?
Related topics
klonopin, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, dosage
Further information
- Klonopin uses and safety info
- Klonopin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Klonopin (detailed)
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