Clonazepam for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 3)

• VIC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 14, 2016

Clonazepam "I have been orally using diazepam (Valium) 10 mg tabs, qty: 90 monthly. 1 tab 3x a day q 8."

• rdo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 8, 2016

"Clonazepam has been a lifesaver for me. As an addiction counselor, I thankfully understand the risks and have used it PRN for years now with no issues. Unfortunately, I have treated many people who did not understand the risks involved with this (and any) medication. Educate yourselves!! Benzodiazepines are an amazing class of drugs, if used correctly."

• Ren...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 27, 2016

Clonazepam "Been taking benzodiazepines for nearly 10 years now. Started with 1mg of Lorazepam once daily, but it stopped working after about 2 years. I got prescribed Clonazepam 1mg twice daily. Worked like a charm for 5 years, then stopped having any effect. Still, Clonazepam is amazing compared to Lorazepam. This is an amazing medication. I was prescribed an up-dose (2mg three times daily), but I usually only took one pill a day or two, because 2mg is very strong. I was also prescribed Xanax to take along with Clonazepam due to having a panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety, but after about a year I decided that the Xanax was pretty useless (and tasted like wet chalk), so I asked my psychiatrist to stop prescribing it. Just Clonazepam. It's great."

• Har...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 8, 2016

Clonazepam "This 'medicine' ruined my life. I took it just as the doctor prescribed Clonazepam, 5 mg every night before bed. He said I would probably need them for the rest of my life. He failed to tell me these are very powerful tranquilizers (all benzos are). We are only supposed to take these for no more than 2 weeks! It worked well for many years until one day it quit working. Tolerance, withdrawal, sick 24/7, med no longer works, sheer panic. Suffering all since that day, and it's been one year off now. These meds also cause depression over the years. I had a great life until this med caused me to lose everything! Nightmare! Please, don't walk, run from this poison!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 4, 2016

Clonazepam "I started taking this drug 10 years ago because I was always stressed and was waking up at 3 am. Started on 0.5 mg at bedtime, combined with Trazodone, and it would knock me out within 15 minutes - I almost had to rush to the bed sometimes. It was prescribed to take another dose in the morning, but I only did this once, as it made me very sleepy driving to work. I later discovered the Trazodone wasn't doing anything and now just take the Klonopin at 0.75 mg at bedtime, and it gradually puts me to sleep and keeps me there. If I wake in the middle of the night and would normally stress about stuff, I am able to fall back to sleep till morning. Helps with work anxiety during the day, too. It has been a miracle drug for me!"

• Fir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 8, 2016

Clonazepam "I was put on Klonopin at age 17. I took it as prescribed for 20 years, going from 0.5 mgs to 3-4 mgs a day. While it worked great for anxiety and insomnia, I wish I had never taken this medication. Last year, I was detoxed off of it. When I tapered off, I didn't sleep at all for 11 days. After that, I had extreme anxiety and agitation. I couldn't sit still for months, I had to take a non-addictive medication to be able to sleep at all. I was unable to eat well for months. Doctors don't think to tell you that this medication makes you physically dependent. You cannot stop abruptly, or you risk seizures. It is made for short-term use, about 2 weeks. I wish I had never taken this medication. I will never take another benzodiazepine again."

• Joa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 28, 2016

"I suffer from chronic, debilitating anxiety 24/7. Can't function, focus, family and friends withdraw from me as they don't understand the disorder or try to learn about it. I have been on 2 mg of clonazepam for 12 years, and when my anxiety gets to a certain point, I take a pill, and approximately 20 minutes later, my stomach stops hurting, my chest loosens up, I breathe normally, feel the fear fading away until finally I am relaxed and a totally different person... my real self :)"

• Rig...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 17, 2015

"Clonazepam probably saved my life. I've been on it for twelve years. It was originally prescribed to me because my antidepressant was not doing the job of suppressing panic attacks. Clonazepam worked incredibly well for me - for 12 years, 0.5 milligrams is all I need to stop the worst of panic attacks. I've never noticed any side effects, save for some drowsiness at times. The only downside that I've experienced is a mild physical dependence. If I go more than two days without clonazepam, I start to feel kind of jittery, restless, and tense. These periods of physical dependence have been easily remedied, though, by simply easing up on the dose over the course of a couple of weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2015

"One of the only things that really helps my anxiety and panic attacks. It definitely improves my quality of life."

• zio...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 16, 2015

"This is a wonderful drug for anxiety. I received immediate help...20 years ago! Since my initial dosage of 0.5 mg/day increased to 4 mg/day. This drug almost ruined my life and marriage. I became completely oblivious to my surroundings and to the people close to me. I did not know what was happening. Fortunately, my wife pointed out to me how damaging clonazepam had become. Beware: the withdrawal side effects are far worse than the original problems I started taking the drug for. It's ironic that the withdrawal side effects mimic what I was being treated for: anxiety, head/neck brain 'zaps,' inability to sleep, inability to care, complete detachment from my surroundings, etc. This drug should not be used long term. Withdrawal: very slow."

• Fri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 15, 2015

Clonazepam "Have been taking 2 to 2.5 mg per day for many years. The only med that has alleviated my anxiety. Am 67 and have had the problem since childhood. Don't know why but it's too late to unravel. Suspect I'm wired that way or it's hereditary. Was very successful but life was a constant struggle until I got help at age 48. Would not want to be without it despite the doc's concerns about addiction. The horror stories about withdrawal are overblown. I wean off once in 6 weeks. No recurring issues. Therapy never had any lasting effect. Too late to consider stopping now and I don't know why I should. The trend against these meds is unfortunate."

• kit...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 27, 2015

"I have taken Klonopin for 10 years for anxiety. Dr. started me at 0.5 mg/day. Because of increased anxiety, my dosage was increased slowly to (3) 2 mg doses per day. I was at 6 mg/day for several years. It calmed my anxiety and helped me to sleep very well. I went on a 2-day trip 3 years ago and forgot my medication. I was up all night and realized that I was dependent on Klonopin. In the past 3 years, I have slowly decreased my dosage to 1 mg at night and 1 mg in the morning. I have been at this dosage for 1 year. If I forget to take this Klonopin dosage, I get very anxious. I want to decrease dosage more, 1/4 mg at a time. Klonopin absolutely helps with my anxiety, I just didn't know I shouldn't have taken the high dosage that I was on."

• Har...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 14, 2015

"I was on Klonopin for 16 years. No side effects. Been off for three years now, going through life changes. I am experiencing a lot of panic attacks and anxiety, racing thoughts, scared to be alone, and running to try to avoid these feelings. But it wouldn't stop. Now I am on Klonopin again for a little help to get through this tough time so I can think. Klonopin is my choice because I have been on it for so long. I know what it does for me, when I need it and when I don't. Like I said before, I haven't had a side effect, and after I take just one pill, I feel great, clear thinking and focused. A lot of people can't take Klonopin, but for me, it's my lifesaver."

• Mas...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 21, 2014

Clonazepam "I have been taking Klonopin for 20 years. It all started because I lost function of both my inner ears and had no balance. The ear specialist concluded that there was no treatment available for this condition, so my stress and anxiety level landed me in a pain clinic where medicine, exercise, counseling, and diet did the trick. In three days, I was back to normal. What I later found out is that Clonazepam was not only very effective for my balance disorder, but it took the anxiety away. Today I take 2mg a day in two or three doses and feel completely normal. When stress increases, I slightly increase the dosage. I take it with Lexapro so as not to end up in depression. The secret, for me, is daily exercise (walking) and Clonazepam/Lexapro 10mg."

• bla...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 1, 2013

"I have taken clonazepam for 20 years. I have remained at 0.5 mg 3x/day. This is the ONLY medication that has significantly helped with my anxiety. When I take it, I feel normal again. SSRIs have given me side effects; I have none with clonazepam. Some docs don't like to prescribe it long-term, although we are talking about quality of life. It ought to be the *patient's decision* if they want to remain on it. If being dependent on something greatly improves quality of life, then it's worth it IMHO. Some people are born with more anxiety than others. This medication seems to correct that imbalance in brain chemistry."

• jds...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 16, 2013

Clonazepam "After decades of debilitating anxiety, a psychiatrist put me on Klonopin. I have now been on this medication for about 15 years, and my anxiety rarely affects me anymore. Unlike other anxiety meds, I have not had to increase my dosage, and have absolutely no side effects. This medicine has been a lifesaver for me."

• Gen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 7, 2013

Clonazepam "This medication opened up a whole new world for me. I developed a very bad anxiety and panic disorder and lived with it for years. Therapy and many other medications did not help! I didn't notice much of a difference initially, but by the time I was up to 1 mg 3 times a day, my life so greatly improved. I currently take another medication (Xanax). I was taken off the medication because I became an alcoholic. When I detoxed from alcohol, I was immediately taken off Klonopin. My only concern for people that are taking it is that if they decide to stop, please withdraw from it properly by a gradual reduction over a period of time. The hospital took me off of it without gradually reducing it. The withdrawal was horrible!"

• Jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 12, 2012

Clonazepam "I have had an extremely good experience with this medication. It works so well for my anxiety and panic disorder."

• jul...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 11, 2012

"I had severe anxiety and 'social phobia.' Clonazepam has been a lifesaver for me. I have been taking clonazepam for over 10 years and expect to be on it perhaps the rest of my life. I'm 50 and also have bipolar 2 disorder. I never feel the need to take more than my dosage of 2 mg at bedtime."

• jul...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 11, 2012

Clonazepam "Very good results and treatment outcomes for anxiety and 'social phobia.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 2, 2012

"I have been on clonazepam for almost 19 years. It was prescribed for anxiety disorder when I was in my late teens and helped immensely. I found that I also couldn't sleep, turns out it's not from insomnia, it's from racing thoughts. I usually only take it at night about an hour before bedtime, and I can fall asleep and sleep through the night. I started on 0.25, 19 years ago, and have only gone up to 1.5 a night, 19 years later. I also have atypical hypertension, meaning my blood pressure will go up if I am anxious. With my doc's approval, I can take this if my blood pressure rises. Much better than getting on a blood pressure medicine that I really don't need. Hoping you the best!"

• Cap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2025

"I started taking 1 mg of clonazepam 3 times daily after a fall at a limestone quarry. I fell from a little over 3 stories high. I ruptured 2 discs and herniated 1 disc in my lower back. I was in a wheelchair for about a year. From the fall, I developed a fear of driving and also developed severe anxiety, including panic attacks. I tried Xanax, Ativan, and Valium, and clonazepam was the best at helping me with the anxiety and panic attacks. I switched insurances from Blue Cross and Blue Shield to United Healthcare, so my doctor dropped me. Now, it's nearly impossible to get a doctor to refill my clonazepam medication. It's sad to see what our healthcare system has become. I'm almost 50 years old, and I find myself going from ER to ER just to be given a 3-day supply until I find a doctor willing to help me. Right now, I have to wait 2 more months before an opening. May God help me. Doctors don't realize the pain we endure having to go back and forth just to be looked at as 'the problem.'"

• Che...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2024

"I've been taking 0.5 mg for about 7 years. Not perfect. I still had some bad anxiety. We think that it caused me to call an ambulance and get a shot of something to reduce my blood pressure, I think. But it has been working for the most part. I would like to take it twice a day, but my doctor is telling me no because it 'may cause dementia.' By the time I'm ready to go to sleep, I'm shaking inside again. I take it in the morning so I can feel somewhat normal all day. I think I'm gonna try cutting my pills in half and take it twice a day. No one seems to wanna prescribe it, but it's the only thing that helps. I have pretty bad PTSD and anxiety. Lots of trauma over the last 40 years. I'm 40 now. I did try stopping it once with no withdrawal. But after a month, I had a bad panic attack. My doctor gave me something else that gave me side effects, so she put me back on Clonazepam. I wish I had a better doctor. I feel awful all the time. So hard to relax and be happy. :("

• Dav...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2024

"This particular medication helps take the edge off, and it does it well. I have bipolar and GAD, and I've been on Clonazepam 1mg twice a day for several years. I became addicted to this drug, which is in the benzodiazepine family. Treating anxiety and depending on clonazepam to take it away is vital to my particular situation, but it comes at a cost. Please be aware of the addiction part of it all because when I don't take it one day, my body feels it, and it isn't nice. I'm giving it an 8 out of 10 because it does work, but there's potential for it to be abused. Best wishes to all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 7, 2023

"Works great but so addictive. I live in an ALF (assisted living facility) and they manage my medication. Unfortunately, they run out of it several times, causing serious withdrawals each time."