Clonazepam for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 2)

• MIN...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 17, 2019

"I’ve been on clonazepam since I was 27 years old, and I am now 51. I have complex PTSD, diagnosed at age 21. At age 27, I was put on medication. First, I was on Zoloft, it gave me worse anxiety, and I developed anorexia. Then Paxil, I was really anxious, and it scared me. I ended up in the hospital for 11 days. I now know I had serotonin syndrome. I went to the hospital again, and the emergency department told me to get off these medications, and I was put on Klonopin, and when they ran out, I couldn’t sleep and was extremely anxious and fearful. I was prescribed 0.5 milligrams twice a day. My doctor now won’t prescribe anymore, so I had to go off. I’ve been weaning off since September 2018. It has been hard, but overall easy (staying mentally focused is key). I’m now on 0.25 mg, hoping to be off by 2020. This medication saved my life and helped me get stronger emotionally and psychologically. I honestly wouldn’t recommend any medication for anyone who has PTSD, therapy is best."

• Big...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 12, 2019

"I’ve been on Klonopin for almost 25 years. I’ve been mostly .5 mg 3x per day, but I usually only take it twice. Klonopin is an excellent medicine for panic and anxiety, which is what I use it for. It takes the edge off. Keep in mind though most medicines have a trade-off. For me, Klonopin has been a miracle drug, but it does take the edge off everything. Creativity went way down, attention span, sex drive, memory. Everything. Went off it cold turkey many years ago, and it tore me up with withdrawal symptoms."

• Mic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 9, 2019

"I've been taking 1 mg Clonazepam 3x a day for many years for MS and anxiety. One week ago, I switched to the generic blue pill with the C 1 on it by Accord. It literally has little potency. I immediately made a complaint. Folks, if you have a complaint, nothing will be done unless you call your local FDA office!"

• Rob...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 20, 2019

"OMG. I was prescribed Klonopin 2 mg three times a day for almost 15 years. I wanted to get off in 2019, so I asked the doctor to begin tapering down. In 9/2019, I was at 1 milligram a day - went cold turkey. HOLY MOLY!! Welcome to the worst time in my life for almost an entire month! In bed the entire time - shaking/sweating/convulsing/etc. Thought I would surely be the end of me one particular day when blood pressure went to the stratosphere and pulse was 180 ALL DAY! Think about your heart beating almost 200 beats per minute from 4 AM to 11 PM. I was going to call 911 but was so delirious I couldn't! This is hands down NOT a drug to take for a long period of time, YET not one doctor ever said a word to me!"

• Dou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 24, 2019

"I have been taking Clonazepam 0.5mg for about 10 years now. When my initial anxiety emerged, my doctor put me on Paxil. With Paxil, I was not myself and the side effects were horrible. Just this month, I had to take mental health leave from work due to being overwhelmed, I never had to do this before. The doctor tried putting me on Cymbalta, and the side effects trying to get on this drug were horrific, like a nightmare. I don’t know why doctors don’t listen. Clonazepam works 100% for me. They talk about the addictiveness of Clonazepam, but they never talk about the horrific side effects of antidepressants, going on and coming off those meds. I used to have panic attacks and anxiety even when on antidepressants, but once I was prescribed Clonazepam, I have not had a panic attack in 8 years."

• she...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 19, 2019

"I have a chronic illness as well as fibromyalgia and generalized anxiety. I've had insomnia for decades, and clonazepam, 1.5 mg taken nightly helps me tremendously. I've been taking this drug since 2006 and have always taken it as prescribed. I'm 55 years old. I recently had a physician tell me I must stop this drug because of dependence. So I don't know what to do. It's the only thing that helps me have a good night's sleep."

• Ang...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 19, 2019

"From the time I was little, I had restless leg syndrome (RLS). I never took anything for it. I would go outside in the winter and stand in the freezing snow in my bare feet, and believe it or not, it worked for a little while. In 1997, my dad passed, and I totally lost it. My doctor put me on clonazepam for anxiety and depression. It worked great. After some time of being on it, I noticed my RLS was gone. Amazing! Now they want me to slowly get off of it. My restless leg syndrome is back, and I don’t sleep well at all. My anxiety is getting worse again, and the withdrawal is horrible. I would stay on it for the rest of my life if they would let me, but because I have to take painkillers, I can’t be on both. They want me to take medical marijuana instead. I hate the thought of that. And I really hate the thought of going through withdrawal. I’m done for either way I go. Up the creek without a paddle."

• ibe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 17, 2019

"I have been taking clonazepam 1 mg for years. Mine was either yellow or white. Now it was changed to a blue color with C 1 on the back. It seems to me the blue ones don't take effect as fast. Seems like it takes about an hour, while the other ones only took 15 to 25 minutes. I don't know why."

• Stj...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 10, 2019

"I've taken 1mg daily for anxiety and panic attacks for over 20 years. I've never experienced any side effects from Clonazepam. I've tried to stop and have been successful, but the anxiety and panic attacks return. I live a much better quality of life with it, and I accept that."

• Mia...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 8, 2019

"Clonazepam medication works wonders for my anxiety."

• Ang...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 15, 2019

"I have been on a small dose of clonazepam for 30 years. This drug has saved my life. I lived in the house for years; was hospitalized multiple times. Along with an SSRI, I have been able to leave my house for short periods of time. I feel if used correctly and not abusing such a drug, it should not be withdrawn."

• War...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 10, 2019

"I am 34 years old and have been on clonazepam 0.5 twice daily since I was 19. I have never had any side effects and I can truthfully say that it has been an absolute lifesaver for me! I have anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD. I highly recommend it if you have anxiety/panic attacks, and it does help me relax and sleep. I've also never had to increase my dose in all these years while taking them."

• Har...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 25, 2019

"I've taken clonazepam for over twenty years with no side effects. I tried to stop a few times, but the anxiety and mood swings caused me to start again. I just hate the feeling of being so reliant upon it."

• ama...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 26, 2018

"I have been taking clonazepam for over 10 years. I take a 1 mg tablet 3 times a day. It helps me tremendously! I used to have bad panic attacks, and I would get so stressed out sometimes that I actually would cut myself to calm down. I started out on a lower dosage and eventually ended up where I am now. At first, it caused drowsiness, but not now. As long as I take the correct dosage 3 times per day, I am perfect! If I forget a dose, it doesn't take long before I notice it, and my family does too. I have never tried getting off of the clonazepam since I started it. If I tried, I would probably get help from my doctor and taper very slowly. It works and helps me, so I see no need in stopping taking it."

• Pat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 8, 2018

"I've been on either Klonopin or Xanax for around 20 years. When I try to stop them, it's terrifying. I've gone as long as 2 months without, and the withdrawal is even worse after 6 months than it is during the first 2 weeks. I can't take off work for a year to get off of these. I can't call off of work and say, 'Oh sorry, I'm hooked on my anxiety medication and I can't come in.' I got myself down to 0.5 twice a day, and that keeps my functioning. But I can't function without them. I don't know if my anxiety is really that bad or if it's the withdrawal. It's really messed up, and I have to chuckle when I see it says Klonopin is used for benzo withdrawal. That's like saying heroin is good for OxyContin withdrawal..."

• Wen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 30, 2017

"Have been taking clonazepam since 1996. Couldn't have gotten by without it. Probably will remain on it for my life, but the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives."

• 020...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 15, 2017

"I’m taking Cipralex for depression, and ONLY when I feel anxiety, I take ½ of a 1 mg pill. I feel better in 10 min. Good luck to you all."

• Dec...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 17, 2017

"Had terrible anxiety attacks. Have been on 0.5 mg for years. Really helped."

• BIG...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 15, 2017

"This medication should never be taken as a long-term treatment for anxiety, panic attacks, etc. This medication also should be given at low doses to begin: 0.5 once or twice a day. The reason for these conclusions is that I first was given clonazepam over 25 years ago after extreme anxiety from a major surgery. My dosage was high (started 2 mg x 3 a day and eventually 2 mg x 4 a day). I was on 2 mg x 4 a day for well over 20 years, and getting off has been almost impossible, even in a detox center, even with tapers. This last year we slowly were sort of successful by cutting it back down to 2 mg x 3 a day, and that took over a year of tapering. I still get the shakes once in a while, this drug is dangerous for now, I crave it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 13, 2016

"My best friend was taking this medication for many years. He committed suicide in September. A few months before, he told me that the drug wasn't working and that it was a different manufacturer. He said he had been trying to get off it but was unable to. He was under a psychiatrist's care. I'm not sure of the entire story, only what he told me. However, he started to withdraw from all his friends and let his work slide. The last time I saw him, he looked terrible: shakes, sweaty, awful. That was months before he died. He was 57 and had been taking the drug for decades. All I can say is it sounds like a dangerous drug for some people. I am saddened by his passing and wish there was something we could have done to help him."

• ryp...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 25, 2016

Clonazepam "I'm suffering from OCD and anxiety disorders for the last 22 years. This pill is the only one that helps. Only 0.5 mg and you immediately feel the difference."

• Neo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 7, 2016

"This medication helps me kick the habit of heroin and calm my hysterics."

• Fox...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 24, 2016

"I have general and social anxiety along with paranoia and panic attacks. I am on the max dose of 2 mg 3 times per day. I usually switch between this medicine and Xanax to slow tolerance, however, this is always an issue. This medicine allows me to do things and be me that I normally wouldn't be able to. However, it does build tolerance fast, causes short-term memory loss, and more aggressive panic attacks if a dose is missed. It is also extremely psychologically and physically addicting and can take your brain over a year to start creating GABA again on its own, which is what this medication's primary role replaces."

• Dar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 22, 2016

"I am trying to get off benzoids after taking clonazepam for over 36 years. I am having extreme difficulties (extreme to the point of life-threatening). I am using a shorter (effective) half-life than the 30 to 40 hours for clonazepam. I'm over the DTs, but life is now truly hell. Frankly, I'm going through a quasi-living hell. My desire to stop clonazepam stems from a desire to cut down the 'zombie' feeling all day and sleeping the clock around. It's been 20 days now, and I'm not really sure I'm going to make it. I would advise any one thing if clonazepam (or any other benzoid) is considered: DON'T EVEN START! You'll regret it. It has destroyed my life."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 11, 2016

Clonazepam "Yes, this medication works. It works very well for chronic anxiety disorder and sudden onsets of severe panic attacks. Knowing what I know now, I wish with all my being it had never ever been prescribed to me, and without the absurd nonchalance dozens of practitioners have portrayed. I'm 32 and have been prescribed clonazepam for 14 years. I've been in situations where my health insurance is in transition and I must go off the medication abruptly - this is when I realized how deep I was. Weeks upon weeks of non-stop physical, emotional, and psychological withdrawal effects that are like hell. Words cannot accurately describe just how awful it is. This, again, has been my experience during withdrawal as a long-term clonazepam patient. All skin, especially the face, becomes numb. Vision gets fuzzy and difficult to see clearly. Panic attacks become extremely exacerbated, frequent, and debilitating. Severe irritability. Worst of all: a terrifying disconnection between your mind and body; as if you're an onlooker watching and feeling this horrible thing happen to you, but not actually feeling connected to any of it - that one is tough to explain. All of this... It can last months, maybe more. That's right. Not just some one-week hump to overcome. After finding how awful the withdrawal is, I've been attempting to wean very, very slowly down from 3 2mg doses per day to eventually zero, hopefully. After six months of gradually decreasing in dose, I'm now at 2 - 1mg doses per day, and I'm not sure how or if I can go much less than that. No doctors I've had have been of any help. The wean down was my idea, and the rate of it was also my idea based on experience. It sure would be nice to meet a doctor that truly had knowledge of this withdrawal syndrome and took it a bit more seriously. I am confident that the medication is no longer treating my anxiety disorder, but simply preventing withdrawal from the meds themselves. And there don't seem to be any good alternatives. It's a long road ahead, please think it over and over with someone knowledgeable before being so quick to embrace this miracle drug. The truth is that most of us actually need very real psychotherapy, not chemicals that run our lives. Once again, all my point of view from my personal experience. It feels very good to share this."