Klonopin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• rua...
• February 11, 2020

For Seizure Prevention "I was on clonazepam for several years to treat tremors and have been suffering withdrawal for over a year now. Was dizzy for a year, felt like rubbish, and got high anxiety from it. Still have anxiety caused by stopping this drug. Dr. say it may take years before symptoms are gone. I was a zombie while taking this drug. I say stay away from it."

• aut...
• February 11, 2020

For Panic Disorder "The withdrawals from this drug after taking it for 4 months have made my life a living hell. I wish I never would have touched it. I’ve experienced depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR), severe anxiety, stomach issues, flu-like symptoms, etc., for months on end. Just do yourselves a favor and never touch any benzodiazepines."

• Wil...
• October 2, 2019

For Panic Disorder "BEWARE! My doctor prescribed me this medication to help control my severe anxiety attacks. I was informed this medication was for emergencies only and was to take two .5 MG pills a day as needed. I only took the medication for emergencies and had no problem... UNTIL I took the medication for 5 days in a row, as prescribed, to control a bad string of anxiety attacks. When I stopped taking the medication after the 5 days, I felt horrible. I literally felt like I was losing my mind and experienced the worst anxiety and depression. It took two weeks before I felt close to being normal again and was able to leave my house. Please read about the risks of this medication. It’s highly addictive and the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. Research Stevie Nicks and how this medication ruined eight years of her life. Everyone should do some research before taking this HIGHLY addictive medication. If you get comfortable with the medication, you’re dancing with the Devil."

• Sun...
• November 19, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I was prescribed Klonopin about 6 years ago when I had a sudden experience of 'Zoloft poop out.' I was on Zoloft 50 mg at the time for Panic Disorder, and it worked beautifully for over ten years, but just stopped. I went from a high-functioning manager to a terrified mess, afraid to leave the house. Got myself to a psychiatrist, she prescribed 1 mg daily taken in two doses, and it was a godsend. Got on another antidepressant, citalopram, which did the trick. I was able to slowly taper off Klonopin with no side effects. Recently, I've been having some rebound anxiety (I'm in medical school: hello stress!), and once again I find myself utilizing Klonopin. I've done a lot of work with acupuncture, CBT, breathing, but KP is the most effective."

• Tes...
• April 30, 2017

For Panic Disorder "Have been taking Klonopin for nearly 20 years. At one point, my doctor was prescribing 3 mg per day. The past couple of years, I've been taking 0.25 mg (1/4 mg) per day. It has been very helpful in preventing panic attacks and reducing my anxiety in general. My only side effect has been mild drowsiness. My doctor has tried to help me go off this medication completely on two occasions. The first time, I developed muscle spasms throughout my body, including rapid heartbeat. The second time, I became unable to sleep, and anxiety attacks resumed. Both times, my dosage was decreased gradually over a period of 2 to 3 months after I'd been taking 1 mg per day. Since then, when my doctor suggested trying to wean me off it again, I reminded him of the prior problems."

• Cra...
• March 18, 2017

For Anxiety "Worst drug I have ever taken for anxiety. I took it as prescribed, and it actually caused me to have episodes of crying and anxiety. Well, that's wonderful-a drug that made me worse. Stay away from this, it could ruin your life if you get addicted."

• Mit...
• November 16, 2016

For Anxiety "I was prescribed .5 mg to be taken 2 times daily for anxiety. At first, I would only take a single .5 mg dose every once in a while if I had an anxiety issue, which seemed to help a bit. Well, last week I was anxious most of the week, so I decided to take a single, .5 mg dose once a day for 4 days straight. Boy, was that a bad idea!!! 2 days after stopping, my anxiety symptoms skyrocketed multiple times worse than before I even started the medicine. I had severe withdrawal symptoms for over a week after and didn't know a dependence could be gained in such a short period of time. My psychiatrist even said it was nearly impossible for that short a period at that dose. I won't continue this medication. Beware!"

• fla...
• January 23, 2016

For Anxiety "Increased depression at higher doses, which are needed as your system becomes tolerant, and you always will need to increase the dosage to get relief of the anxiety, negative thoughts in general, fear of withdrawal, agoraphobia if you do run out before refill, severe memory problems the longer you are on it, tolerance develops quickly, and what started out as 0.5 twice a day is now 3 mg a day, which leads to almost constant fatigue and a general feeling of hopelessness that doesn't go away."

• fla...
• January 23, 2016

For Anxiety "Increased depression at higher doses, which are needed as your system becomes tolerant, and you always will need to increase the dosage to get relief of the anxiety, negative thoughts in general, fear of withdrawal, agoraphobia if you do run out before refill, severe memory problems the longer you are on it, tolerance develops quickly, and what started out as 0.5 twice a day is now 3 mg a day, which leads to almost constant fatigue and a general feeling of hopelessness that doesn't go away."

• Myk...
• December 9, 2015

For Anxiety "I am coming off of this med, and it's freaking horrible. Number one: I said it did not work and was making my anxiety worse. My doc kept me on it, 2 mg a day plus 20 mg Lexapro. Never again. I have to say it is rubbish because you can't just stop. Going to a new therapist today. Thank God. Stay away from this pill."

• aal...
• August 21, 2015

For Anxiety "I have severe panic and anxiety attacks and have for over 20 years. When I tried to go off this medication, lowering my dosage slowly because of a pregnancy, I ended up with the bad anxiety again. Needless to say, I ended up going back on, and my son was born perfectly (at the time, 20 years ago, they were not sure of long-term effects). If anything, he is smarter than my other two children. I also take an antidepressant that works very well with it. I definitely recommend this medication. I am on a higher dose, probably more than most, I take 2 mg in the morning and 2 mg at night. Probably because my depression is worse than it was, but the anxiety is finally under control."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2014

For Anxiety "Makes me feel very depressed, anxious, and agitated. It makes me feel suicidal, and I can't sleep."

• jay...
• May 10, 2014

For Anxiety "I've been on 2 mg/day Klonopin for about 6 months now, and I do feel that it's not working as well as it was the first few months. Now my anxiety stems from my thoughts on whether I'm building a tolerance, which I think is NOT GOOD. The sad thing is this medicine has been the only one to actually let me go out into the world without the social anxiety I have without it."

• Dan...
• April 1, 2014

For Panic Disorder "I recently switched from Xanax to Klonopin for panic disorder. Klonopin does help me get through the day but doesn't totally eliminate my anxiety. I like the fact that I don't get heavy rebound anxiety on Klonopin (as I did on Xanax) due to its longer half-life. Overall quite long-lasting, pretty effective, but in the crisis of a panic attack, a Xanax is 1000X better for getting through it."

• Ash...
• December 14, 2013

For Anxiety "I was placed on 150 mg x2 a day Wellbutrin & 0.5 mg Klonopin x 2 a day. Wellbutrin gave me the initial energy I needed to stay awake. At one point, I didn't have enough Klonopin to get me through, so I cut my dosage in 1/2 for the Klonopin to 0.5 mg. Wellbutrin was overpowering, it made me too hyperactive and made my anxiety rage, so I stopped taking it and it helped calm me down. My depression disappeared and my anxiety leveled out. Since I've been back on 0.5 mg x 2 a day, extra as needed, and stayed off the Wellbutrin. The depression hasn't come back yet. If I forget to take Klonopin for more than a day, I start losing my thoughts mid-sentence, and I forget everything that I'm trying to say. Then my anxiety comes back and I'm a mess until I take it."

• Mo ...
• April 2, 2013

For Panic Disorder "In my opinion, this medicine is great. It feels good to be able to go outdoors with confidence. No more anxiety or dizziness. I can say hello to a nice girl at a coffee shop or even read a book without thinking everyone is looking and laughing at me. This medicine worked for me. I now go to the gym, have friends, and a lively weekly routine. I slowly want to see if I can handle life without them, but I always keep them around just in case I have an attack. Good luck, guys."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

For Anxiety "I'm a 48-year-old male, 6'2", 230 lbs. I've been taking Klonopin off and on now for the last year. It works pretty well for anxiety and takes about 40 minutes to kick in. I take 0.25 mg twice daily. I just started taking Lexapro 20 mg and have been on it for about four weeks. Not sure if it's doing much. We'll see in about another four weeks if I can stop the Klonopin. I have to agree with others, Xanax works well and quickly, but leaves your system quicker and leaves you more anxious. Klonopin seems to be a little bit smoother and longer-lasting, about 3-4 hours at 0.25 mg. This medicine gets a bad rap due to the people who abuse it. I'm in law enforcement and I see it every day, who abuse these."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

For Anxiety "I took Klonopin for ten years. Worked great for a few years, but I developed a tolerance, and over time, I developed worse anxiety and panic while on a steady dose."

• Wor...
• December 9, 2011

For Anxiety "My mom was put on 0.25 mg nightly Klonopin after having likely withdrawal and memory issues from Ambien. She experienced anxiety, panic attacks, and random episodes of fright/panic and memory loss. The doctors, of course, raised the dose to 0.5 mg given the anxiety, and the symptoms got worse - more anxiety, random attacks, and withdrawal symptoms in the morning. So they raised it to 0.75 mg, and she got even worse. I had to take control of the situation and spread the medicine out to 3x 0.25. This helped significantly, but nervousness continued. The doctor, not understanding her sensitivity, decided to reduce the frequency, not the dose, and this resulted in terrible withdrawal symptoms. Now using dissolved 0.125 mg rapid dissolve tablets to titrate off."

• for...
• January 29, 2011

For Anxiety "I have been on Klonopin for over a decade with success from my previous anxiety, frustration, and anger feelings. I rate this medication a nine because alone it's not 100% (it's used in adjunct with counseling and sertraline). I take 2 mg in the morning, and the only side effect for me is feeling like me again: relaxed, confident, alert, and in control. The dosage is too much for most, but for me (with a high tolerance), it keeps me in control. I have heard of some that use it successfully for insomnia; not me. Its long-lasting properties allow that I take it with breakfast and coast all day and night on it. I never notice an effect from it until I don't take it; then the anxiety, indecision, and tiredness reappear. So I'm on it for life, and that's okay."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2011

For Anxiety "I have been on Klonopin for over a decade with success from my previous anxiety, frustration, and anger feelings. I rate this medication a nine because alone it's not 100% (it's used in adjunct with counseling and Sertraline). I take 2 mg in the morning, and the only side effect for me is feeling like me again; relaxed, confident, alert, and in control. The dosage is too much for most, but for me (with a high tolerance), it keeps me in control. Its long-lasting properties allow that I take it with breakfast and coast all day and night on it. I never notice an effect from it until I don't take it: Then the anxiety, indecision, and tiredness reappears. So I'm on it for life, and that's okay."

• Jui...
• October 21, 2010

For Anxiety "Ever since I was taken ill with mono and strep, which occurred at the same time, I have suffered terrible anxiety, OCD with my throat, and some other strange changes. I had been through Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil until I was given chlorazepate. Chlorazepate was the only one that even worked in the slightest. I told my doctor I could tell it was working but felt that there might be something better. That's where Klonopin comes in. It helps control my anxiety and OCD to a manageable level. Sometimes I'll just break them in half and take 0.5 mg in a day, other days, sometimes I'll need to take 2-3. Basically, it has changed my life for the better, and I'm glad to have finally found a medicine that works."

• Muc...
• April 15, 2010

For Anxiety "I've taken Klonopin as needed for several years now. It is the only thing that works when I feel a major anxiety issue coming on from progressing into a full-blown debilitating attack. However, it always helps with that, too. Like someone else said, it has a longer half-life, and you don't experience the drop-off anxiety spike like some people do with Xanax. Xanax actually made me feel more anxious when it wore off between doses. I haven't had a problem with dependency, as I only take it for a few weeks at a time every other year or so. I'm careful to taper off over a couple of weeks, so I don't get rebound anxiety. All in all, it's been a lifesaver for me."

• big...
• February 7, 2010

For Anxiety "Klonopin has made me the woman I was prior to menopause. I am so very grateful. I could no longer stand the sleepless nights, horrific night and day sweats, constipation, anger attacks, anxiety attacks, and bouts of depression. A friend told me about Klonopin. It works without causing any side effects. I pray it continues as I honestly wished to just not exist any longer. I am once again functioning daily, interacting with family, and feeling normal, rested, and happy each day."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2010

For Panic Disorder "I suffered from panic attacks, anxiety, and depression for years. Since I started taking clonazepam, I haven't had a single attack! This drug has changed my life for the better. I still have some anxiety and depression, but I'm taking something else for those. My only wish is that I didn't wait so long to try the medication!"