Klonopin and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

"STAY AWAY FROM KLOPINOPIN OR GET OFF VERY SLOWLY BY TAPERING ASAP!!! I used to read these reviews before starting this drug for sleep and thought those that had a bad experience were probably abusing the med or those that lost everything due to the drug already had issues. Not true!!! You can be so healthy, take the dose as prescribed, and still end up in a nightmare. If I can save one person from starting this drug or any benzo/z-drug, then I will have filled part of my purpose in life. Benzos are highly dangerous, highly addictive drugs, even at the lowest dose, and withdrawals are excruciating and lengthy. DO NOT EVER TAKE FOR ANY REASON. Your initial problem will seem like nothing compared to what this drug creates."

• lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

"Just watching a CNN special with Lisa Ling. Stay away from this drug. The withdrawal symptoms often lead to suicidal thoughts. Your doctor will switch you to Valium to ease the craziness you will experience, but this can be worse. Stay far away."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2014

For Panic Disorder "A very good medication. I never felt so calm in my entire life. Withdrawals from it do suck though. I take it as needed"

• Dad...
• December 16, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I was dealing with financial struggles, marital problems, and I couldn’t focus on making a plan to move forward. Klonopin/Clonazepam stopped my heart from racing 24/7 and finally, I could function. Klonopin + an antidepressant did it for me. I’ve never used meds before - if anxiety is getting the best of your life - this is a good solution. Btw, I stopped Clonazepam cold turkey for 6 weeks after 6 months of 3x0.5, sure my heart started racing a little again but went back on full dose, then after 2 months I cut down to just 0.25... so not everyone is affected by the addiction or withdrawal. For those who need this drug, it works miracles. Btw, my doctor didn’t demand to down the dosage, but anyone using meds should always listen to their body and keep to a minimum if possible."

• j d...
• November 25, 2019

For Panic Disorder "A doctor started me on Klonopin for my anxiety following a crystal methamphetamine addiction. Started gradually at 0.50 mg. Eventually, she felt the need to bump me up to 1 mg 3 times a day. It worked really well the entire time I was taking it. One day I decided I didn’t need it anymore, and then boom, withdrawals appeared. Some of the worst symptoms I’ve ever had. I had to go back to rehab to keep myself from having seizures. The recommended time to be on this medication is 6 weeks. I was on it for two years."

• Sca...
• October 29, 2019

For Seizure Prevention "Klonopin was great for my seizures until it wasn’t. I have seizures in my sleep. I started with 1.5 mgs, then went up to 4 mgs. I have been on Klonopin, Clonazepam for 32 years! I noticed it stopped working, but I had to take it or no sleep at all. I finally went to a specialist for sleep. I got off of it, but too fast - 4 weeks went through withdrawals and went back on. I was getting used to Gabapentin. I decided to trick my body into not missing it. I tapered down, but I take 5-7 weeks in between dropping the dose. It has taken me 6 months to get below the halfway mark, but I made a mistake this drop and 6 weeks later I'm still feeling it. I only took 35 days....and I now know I should have lowered the amount I am dropping. I was dropping .5. Klonopin has a long half-life, it takes about 3-4 days before the body registers it and about 2 weeks to adjust depending on dosage and time. I might feel this for up to 2 years after the last dose. I am hoping a slow taper will help lessen that."

• 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."

• Mr ...
• February 6, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I have been using Klonopin for over 5 years, and I have found it to be very effective in reducing anxiety in combination with a low dose of Paxil. Take 0.5 mg during the workweek and none on weekends. Also, take 0.5 at night to help sleep. I have not built a tolerance and find it a very useful tool in managing anxiety. My goal has been to use it sparingly but will not hesitate to take more for more dentist visits, interviews, etc. Just know if you do, you will be tired and drained afterward. Wish I had found my right combo of meds before I quit a great job due to anxiety. Also, Ativan didn't treat me very nicely. Had severe withdrawal as it has a shorter half-life. My quality of life has improved because of Klonopin. Oh... no weight gain either."

• Mor...
• October 9, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I started on Klonopin 5 years ago when I was experiencing uncontrollable panic attacks that nearly cost me my job. Prior to that, I was taking Xanax. Xanax works great short term (but is clearly addictive and many people are prone to abuse it). I explained my concerns to my doctor and was prescribed 1 mg of Klonopin three times a day, which worked wonders but decided to taper down over the past six months. I was able to get down to 1 mg once a day without any problems but it's really tough to get lower than that without experiencing significant withdrawal. People are correct in stating that it is very difficult to get off of completely, but like all meds, you have to weigh the pros and cons. I haven't noticed any side effects thus far, nor have I felt the need to increase my initial prescribed dose (actually decreased). If panic and anxiety are ruining your life, the downsides of Klonopin are vastly outweighed by the benefits it provides. Life is too short to live with unnecessary anxiety."

• Bon...
• June 24, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I was diagnosed with general anxiety, social anxiety, and panic attacks about 17 years ago. I was prescribed many different medicines, but what has worked best with my panic attacks and overall anxiety is Klonopin. I was prescribed 0.5 mg 3 times daily, it has been a godsend. I do not go above my prescribed dosage and can take it any time of day and stay right on track at work, etc. I have been on this dosage for 7 years, and it's made a huge difference in my quality of life. I will say that I ran out over a holiday weekend and couldn't get any more until the following Tuesday. 3 days without it caused severe withdrawal symptoms: unable to sleep, watery mouth, dry heaves, and clammy skin, it was awful. So don't miss dosage(s) and you'll be fine."

• 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!"

• lau...
• November 7, 2016

For Anxiety "Stay away from this nightmare drug. It can most likely cause depression and more. It's dangerous. I had withdrawals for months. Horrible."

• ocd...
• February 1, 2016

For Anxiety "This drug works well 'short term.' As all of the literature you have read about it says. However, 'short term' is ambiguous. For some people, 'short term' might mean it retains its efficacy for 2 years without problem, as it did for me. If it seems you have been on this for years and it's still working, don't fool yourself. 2 important things to note. 1. Tolerance withdrawal - doctors will never tell you about this, some don't even acknowledge that it exists. This means that when your body has developed tolerance to this medicine, even though you keep taking your steady dose, you will start to experience godawful withdrawal symptoms. Believe it. 2. Taking over 1.5-2 mg per day does not provide any benefit."

• jud...
• October 24, 2015

For Anxiety "Klonopin was fast-acting and highly effective for my anxiety. Be aware though! Very bad experiences developed on the few occasions I couldn't get a refill. The withdrawal is immediate and the world literally stops. I could not think, eat, or breathe properly. Eventually, I began taking it just to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I took it for ten years and got slowly weaned off of it."

• Ben...
• October 13, 2015

For Anxiety "Initial relief. Grew tolerant of the drug within 2 weeks. Went from 1 mg as needed and was legitimately prescribed 5 mg as needed. Would end up taking 5-6 mg. The inner dose withdrawal was horrible and led to suicidal thoughts because the pain was so bad. The inner dose withdrawal could have been 2 hours after taking a pill. Was feeling my mental capacity fizzle away after a year of use and decided to get off it. Which led to 5 months of weaning and 16 more months (and counting) of severe, horrific withdrawal state. Every symptom imaginable. You feel like you're a dead zombie. Still struggling to finish sentences and talk 16 months out. Do not recommend to anyone. Find other solutions, please. Most doctors are clueless about the hell."

• sbe...
• April 12, 2015

For Panic Disorder "It works. I have panic attacks, and then I have severe, full-blown, three days without sleeping panic attacks. I only take 1 mg when I am having the severe attacks, and I make sure I only take that much. I would say I take maybe 2 mg a month. The reason why is that this really should be used for worst-case scenarios and not for moderate anxiety and panic. The withdrawals are unbelievably monstrous, worse than anything else. Taking it every day is a horrible idea because you will never get off unless you go to rehab. Klonopin needs to be used with extreme caution. Get cognitive behavioral therapy for your everyday moderate panic attacks and use Klonopin for these emergency 'can't get out of this' episodes. It is a tool, not a crutch."

• Tak...
• April 16, 2014

For Anxiety "This is a miracle for me. I have experienced abrupt withdrawal, but that was my fault, and all that happened was my vision was extremely blurred and I was in bed a few days. Do not drink with this medication, take it as needed instead of all the time. Then you won't have withdrawals if you forget to take it. I don't understand why this old trusted medication isn't prescribed more often. It never produced 'euphoria' or anything like that for me or anyone I know on it - but it's dangerous with alcohol, I guess, and so many people drink. I've been on 6mg a day - which I found way too much and went down to 2mg on my own."

• Wen...
• April 2, 2014

For Anxiety "I began getting severe panic attacks in the middle of the night every night. Not just regular sleep pattern problems. But waking up wanting to be dead. This went on for a couple of years until I could not bear it anymore. My doctor prescribed me Klonopin, and it has done the trick. Prior to Klonopin, I tried Ambien, Ambien XL, and Seroquel. I personally think it's a good idea to follow your doctor's instructions and start with the milder medicine. But to those who warn of the withdrawal symptoms of Klonopin, I have to say that opinion does not apply to all. Not wanting to die in the middle of the night every night for 2 years is such a benefit to me that I will risk the withdrawal symptoms that may come with stopping later down the road."

• 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."

• sus...
• September 21, 2009

For Panic Disorder "I was on Xanax for several years (4-5 mg per day). It helped a lot in the beginning, but the longer I took it the more jittery I became. My doctor finally put me on Klonopin up to 3 mg a day and it has been amazing. I have only been taking 2 mg a day so far, but I'm sure I will probably need 3 mg at some point. But I went directly from Xanax to Klonopin and I have never missed the Xanax. I was really afraid I would have a lot of withdrawal problems but I suppose the Klonopin took care of that. Anyway, it has been amazing how much better I feel and sleep since changing to the Klonopin. It has changed my life. I'm so thankful my doctor tried it. I really didn't want to take anything, but I don't think I have a choice. I need it to function normally."

• Zab...
• September 10, 2009

For Panic Disorder "Long life and half-life, no anxiety spikes between doses. Less withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing. Also less sedating even at 2 mg, 3 times a day compared to Xanax."

• 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."