Klonopin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• kcr...
• January 10, 2009

For Anxiety "Recently, I was prescribed Klonopin 1 mg, not only for anxiety but to help alleviate my muscle cramps, which I think are caused by the Seroquel I take for mood stabilization and sleep. Klonopin works great. No more tremors, cramps, or anxiety. It is very effective. It works better than any related drug."

• ann...
• August 28, 2009

For Periodic Limb Movement Disorder "It helps my stimulus-sensitive myoclonus. Ten out of 100,000 persons have this condition. It is caused by a flu virus, and when I do not take it, I have a jerking of the head. One can get the jerking in the arm, leg, and diaphragm. This medicine takes away all the jerking movement. I have a movement disorder since I have been 2 years old, and when I take this medicine, I am perfectly normal. At the age of 2 years old, I caught a flu virus and had to learn to re-walk and re-talk. I have above-average intelligence. I have been on this medicine since 1985. I have no anger fits or anxiety or other things people take this drug for, just stimulus-sensitive myoclonus."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Deb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I've been diagnosed with bipolar and severe anxiety. I saw a new psychiatrist two years ago who prescribed Klonopin. Best thing that ever happened to me. I was taking 3 mg daily. But I also take Seroquel for trouble sleeping. Together, the psychiatrist and I decided to decrease the Klonopin to 2 mg. Well, the anxiety is back after 2 years. And I'm really upset. Going to see my PCP on Tuesday and calling my psych doc as well."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Nes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I have an anxiety disorder, finally gave in to see a therapist, who recommended me to see a psychiatrist. I suffer from daily anxiety attacks. I've been through multiple medications that I felt didn't help me. She decided to try me with Klonopin 0.5, taking half of it in the morning and the other half in the evening. Within the week of taking it, I started experiencing nightmares, my anxiety was a lot worse, and I also felt more depressed. I felt terrible the whole time taking it. Everyone is different. Hope to find the medication that can help me with this."

• Zac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2015

For Anxiety "I was on this medication for approximately 5 years. The last couple of years, I had increasing anxiety and depression. I never increased my initial dose of 2 mg at night to help with sleep. My PDoc continued to insist that it was not the Klonopin that was causing my anxiety and depression. Who knows? I weaned myself off of the medication SLOWLY over 4 months. It really took me that amount of time, even that may have been too fast for me. When it works, it's helpful for me. The problem is that many people tend to build a tolerance to the med and will likely need to increase the dose to get the same effect, hence feelings of withdrawal that can come on automatically. I know everyone has his/her own opinion about this drug."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2021

For Panic Disorder "Klonopin worked well for side effects of high-dose fentanyl. Fentanyl and other opioids impart nervousness, insomnia, and can trigger serotonin syndrome. Drugs.com is the premier interaction checker. I enlightened a physician that wrote me a prescription for amitriptyline, and in combination with fentanyl, I was hospitalized for severe serotonin syndrome. I lived after 48 hours in the ER. I dropped the amitriptyline and increased my Klonopin. I lived."

• 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."

• Fee...
• August 29, 2009

For Anxiety "I started off 0.5 mg 2x per day. I now take 1 mg of Klonopin 3x per day. I no longer have the unsteadiness on my feet, and my anxiety has decreased even more (this despite being unemployed, as well as being a burn patient with severe nerve pain). Only caveat is to take exactly as prescribed, otherwise, I will become dependent or have severe withdrawal if taken more than supposed to."

• 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."

• Whe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 28, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Doc put me on Klonopin 2-3 mg/day after a brain injury. After a few years, my quality of life started falling quickly. After much reading, I found that Klonopin was causing the anxiety due to tolerance withdrawals, caused by increasing tolerance with no dose escalation. I was ripped off of the medication and barely survived. Six months of severe withdrawals: didn't sleep, could barely eat, muscles so stiff that walking was difficult, severe tinnitus, etc., etc. DO NOT take this medication for more than a few days or you are risking one of the most severe addictions known to man."

• Mou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 4, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Klonopin is very effective with my anxiety disorder. However, stay away from it. You will be addicted before you know it and will seek more and more. If you don't have it, you feel like you are in hell. Withdrawal symptoms are horrible, and you lose control of everything. You will get rebound anxiety, which is worse than your original anxiety. This is so bad that you cannot function without it. Therefore, you have to continue using it to avoid the withdrawal symptoms because they are so awful. Please, if your doctor prescribed this drug, refuse it and take a non-benzo drug. You will rue the day you ever started using it. I am out of medicine now and am in just terrible shape that I cannot sleep. Yes, it is very effective at treating your disorder, but it has got to be the worst drug to come off of. I was in rehab, and even the heroin abusers didn't have as bad withdrawal as I did. Yes, run away from this drug. It will help you but eventually destroy you."

• Tim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 9, 2022

"My sister and brother were helped by Klonopin due to having depression and PTSD anxiety. After having suffered from severe leg pain due to my need for back surgery, I had a severe anxiety/panic attack that went on for 3 days, and I needed serious help or I couldn’t continue working through my constant pain. I was originally prescribed Xanax, which worked well, but still gave me too much of a high and then a low that followed, which I didn’t like. My wife found articles about Xanax that showed that it was super addictive, so I changed to Klonopin for those 2 reasons. After being prescribed Klonopin and it finally balanced my mood and life, even though my back and hip pain have been constant, even after 4 back surgeries and 20 years, my doctor recently changed my anxiety med while I went on a weekend vacation. But, after ruining my vacation with a drug that did nothing for me, I spent my weekend in extreme anxiety. My doctor immediately put me back on Klonopin. No issues since."

• Ves...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 22, 2016

For Seizure Prevention "This medicine made me confused, slur my words, exhausted. I was basically living in a fog for over five years. No amount of sleep helped, I needed to take a nap every day and would still be tired when I woke up. I had difficulty thinking, repeated sentences, had anxiety attacks. This medication is only supposed to be given for a maximum of 2 weeks. It's highly addictive, and the user develops a high tolerance. Long-term usage can result in brain damage, and benzos are the most overly prescribed drug in the world. Withdrawal was horrible, but worth it! I got my life back after getting off of it, and I don't have anxiety or seizures, changed my lifestyle, diet, and exercise."

• 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."