Clonazepam and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ang...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2022

For Anxiety "I have anxiety and panic attacks and insomnia. My doctor prescribed clonazepam. I've been taking them for 3 years and had no problem at all with them. Then my new doctor took me off them. Now I have sleeping problems and my anxiety is worse, and panic attacks came back. They had me on 4 different pills and nothing works. I want my clonazepam back because they work for me."

• Jui...
• October 21, 2010

Clonazepam 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2019

For Anxiety "This medicine helps me with my daily activities. Sometimes my anxiety is so bad I can’t eat or drink. My throat feels closed up, and my mind is constantly racing with thoughts. I feel as if I’m out of my body and mind. I tried getting off of it cold turkey. My withdrawals were horrible, I had to retake the medication. Hopefully one day I’ll be back to normal without it, but for now it REALLY HELPS! I’m HAPPY AGAIN."

• for...
• January 29, 2011

Clonazepam 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."

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2021

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I was on clonazepam since 2019. I went cold turkey in October 2021, and it has been one of the worst experiences of my life. The withdrawal symptoms have been severe anxiety and panic attacks, paranoia, crying, depression, loss of appetite, lack of patience, and can't focus. Prior to taking clonazepam, I was taking Buspar for anxiety, but when it stopped working, I was put on clonazepam. I'd avoided benzos for anxiety for over a decade due to their addictive probability. When the Buspar stopped working, I crashed into a severe panic anxiety-filled meltdown, and I just wanted to feel better, so I agreed to the clonazepam-one of the worst mistakes of my life. Don't take this drug, it's horrible and should be taken off the market."

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

Clonazepam 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."

• Dav...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 30, 2019

For Anxiety "After a rough spot, as we all have in life, I saw a psychiatrist. He prescribed me 2 mg clonazepam daily. It was one in the morning and two at night. I can’t take them at work, as I work in surgery. So I took them at night and feel the effects mildly all the next day. I’ve always had insomnia, and it has helped with both anxiety and sleep, but now I am trapped, and it is so difficult to get off. My doctor never even as much mentioned this. Good luck to all of you when and if you decide to get off this stuff because you will always need more, as tolerance is constantly an issue. This drug is great short-term, not long-term. Doctors are mostly clueless as to what exactly a person suffers getting off these and other meds."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2015

For Anxiety "I am going through a very difficult time in my life with my fiancé being diagnosed with stage 4 renal failure. I am the sole provider of our family and was waking up to what felt like someone scared me or a heart attack. It was so scary, and when I addressed this to my Dr., he informed me that it was stress waking me up out of a dead sleep. I have had stress and anxiety before, but this was entirely different from what I've been through before. I started taking this, and ever since then, I've been so grateful. I still have stress, but I can manage it now and don't feel like I'm going to die in the middle of the night."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2015

For Anxiety "I am going through a very difficult time in my life with my fiancé being diagnosed with stage 4 renal failure. I am the sole provider of our family and was waking up to what felt like someone scared me or a heart attack. It was so scary, and when I addressed this to my Dr., he informed me that it was stress waking me up out of a dead sleep. I have had stress and anxiety before, but this was entirely different from what I've been through before. I started taking this, and ever since then, I've been so grateful. I still have stress, but I can manage it now and don't feel like I'm going to die in the middle of the night."

• Lon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2017

For Anxiety "I was involved in an accident a few months ago that claimed the life of the person I was with and tried to rescue. Both of us had to be flown out; I made it, they didn't. I had prior, minor anxiety issues, but never had the need for medication or treatment. I was one of those people who thought anxiety/panic attacks were more of a mental/attention-seeking action. I was wrong. I now know what it's like to wake up at 1 a.m. (sometimes reliving the scenario) and be in complete chest-pounding panic. I now know what it's like to have certain words or topics of discussion trigger major anxiety issues. I take this (1 mg dose) med as needed (post event, day or night) to help calm anxiety issues; currently 0-3 times per week (more a few months ago)."

• aut...
• February 11, 2020

Clonazepam 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."

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

For Anxiety "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."

• Bev...
• May 28, 2017

For Anxiety "I have had chronic anxiety since I was a child that worsened over time. Klonopin gave me back my life. There were times that I could not even get a breath from the time I woke up until the time I went to bed. This obviously turned into panic attacks. I tried SSRIs and SNRIs that are supposedly safer, however, they created more anxiety and they are not at all safer. Serotonin can build up and cause sudden death. So as long as you do not abuse this medication and see a licensed MD, it is safe and effective. I would like to add that I recently found out that I have an adrenal condition that causes anxiety, and being treated for that has reduced many of my symptoms, so make sure you have a full workup, many endocrine problems are the origin."

• Ted...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2024

For Anxiety "I've had anxiety my entire life. I also remember developing RLS at a very early age. I would kick myself to sleep by lying prone while one leg would contract and kick down on the mattress. Also, while sitting, usually all through a school day, my leg, it varied, but one would vibrate all day. I could stop, but I found it was a motor response to relieve my mental speed. I wasn't recommended benzos until my late 20s, but since then I've led more of a normal, relaxed life. I recommend always working with your medical provider, and no matter what, keep the dose as prescribed, i.e., don't use it as a crutch for normal BS happening. This is serious medicine and can warp your memory if you abuse it. The difference between a medicine and a drug is dosage."

• Bur...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 28, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Please avoid this drug at all costs, it is a sheep in wolves' clothing. Works great in the beginning until it trashes all your good GABA receptors that keep you happy and calm. When this drug goes bad on you and you have to get off it, you'll wish you never took it. The withdrawals will take you to a dark place you never knew and wish you were dead. I would take back my old simple anxiety and insomnia any day to what this drug has done to me: now ruined my whole life, health, and mind. Now severely debilitated from it with zero quality of life. Bedridden, can't walk, horrific pain, and mental torture every single day, including the most darkest depression, terror, agitation, and chemical anxiety I've ever experienced, plus akathisia."

• rua...
• February 11, 2020

Clonazepam 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."

• Lou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 28, 2020

For Panic Disorder "I have been on 2 mg Clonazepam, which is the generic of Klonopin for panic/anxiety disorder for at least 10 years. It has helped tremendously with the panic attacks. I also have trouble sleeping, I wish it worked better for that. I had to have 50 mg of Trazodone added every night. I still have trouble going and staying asleep. But overall, the Klonopin has been a Godsend. I recently ran out for 4 days, I realized how good it was working. No real withdrawal symptoms except agitation and more anxiety than usual. I was so glad to get it back."

• Mit...
• November 16, 2016

Clonazepam 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!"

• San...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 23, 2021

For Anxiety "At first, when I started tapering off clonazepam (2 mg), I was very much worried reading the comments here and felt like I could never get rid of it. But here I am, today, 3 weeks sober, without any withdrawal symptoms at all! Let me share my story in brief, hoping it can help someone leave this poison. Timeline: May-Aug (4 months) Week one and two: 1.5 mg (cut off 0.5 mg) Week three and four: 1 mg Week five and six: 0.5 mg Week seven and eight: 0.25 mg After this, I started dividing 0.25 mg into so many parts and started taking one of them daily so that the body knows it’s being fed with clonazepam. After two weeks, I started tasting it, just a bit. And then tasted it again after 3 days. Then 4 days. Gradually took it to a week. And then it stopped. Not feeling anything since 3 weeks now. Mind you, this slow tapering reduces withdrawal symptoms to a minimum, hence, there were slight heart palpitations sometimes, or pain in jaws or anxiety, but not much. Best wishes!"

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

Clonazepam 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."

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

For Panic Disorder "I have had panic disorder for years, thanks in large part to a serious medical condition that has since been addressed. Klonopin has helped tremendously, even at a fairly low dose (1 mg daily). I would add that this is not a drug to stop cold turkey; having tried, I can tell you that it worsens the anxiety and panic. I'm also not thrilled that I still take it after so many years. But it has greatly improved my quality of life, and for that, I am grateful."

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

Clonazepam 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."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2011

Clonazepam 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."

• Nev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2021

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I was prescribed 5 mg at bedtime for a year because of severe PTSD. At first, it helped with acute anxiety. Nobody explained or warned me of how this drug works, so I just blindly took it, thinking that such a small amount is harmless. Had I known better, I wouldn't have taken it every day. Six months in, I became agoraphobic and couldn't feel anything: happiness, love, excitement, etc. It made me tired, lose my hair, coated my tongue, caused pain, and the worst sense of impending doom and anxiety. This drug is so dangerous and downright evil. It's only meant for short-term use. I will NEVER touch the stuff again! If I could give it a zero, I would."

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

Clonazepam 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."