Clonazepam and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 6, 2022

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I have been on Clonazepam several times and stopped without withdrawal symptoms - I have agoraphobia and panic attacks. I take 0.25 mg as needed or once a day. I started twice a day, 0.25 mg. It helps me cope with my mom's passing away in 2021, it banned my panic attacks I have been having since I was 18 years old. I didn't know what they were until I visited a psychiatrist that prescribed Zoloft for my agoraphobia in 1996. I'm still taking it, much too long. Now my GP physician suggests I go up on my Zoloft and stop the Clonazepam. I started out on 25 mg Zoloft, now on 50 mg. I have OCD as well with agoraphobia and panic attacks. Clonazepam is the only drug that keeps me calm, relaxed, and not tense or grinding my teeth at night, all that goes away with Clonazepam Wafers. People give this drug a bad reputation, so many have abused it and caused them to become addicted, taking more than what they need. It's not the drug, it's how you take it, only take it as prescribed and with no other pain meds or alcohol. It is a good drug."

• Fee...
• August 29, 2009

Clonazepam 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

Clonazepam 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

Clonazepam 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."

• Emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I started taking clonazepam a few days ago, and all I can say is it's a life saver! Panic attacks and anxiety are controlled, and I'm feeling happier each and every day. I was reluctant to try any type of benzo, but I can say that it has been a miracle! I’ve tried all the SSRIs, they work to boost my mood but only make anxiety worse, so if your main issue is your anxiety, ask your doctor for Klonopin. I can now live a normal life."

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

Clonazepam 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."

• Son...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2017

For Anxiety "This medication was useful for the first few months, but I have spent the last six tapering and getting off of it. It is truly poison and was NEVER meant to be taken long term. You will develop a tolerance, keep needing more and more to achieve the same effect. It causes memory issues, fertility problems, and increased anxiety over time, agoraphobia, and depression. Getting off of it almost ruined my life, but it was the best decision I ever made. Please, for the love of all, do not ever touch this medication, there are other ways."

• Son...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2017

For Anxiety "This medication was useful for the first few months, but I have spent the last six tapering and getting off of it. It is truly poison and was NEVER meant to be taken long term. You will develop a tolerance, keep needing more and more to achieve the same effect. It causes memory issues, fertility problems, and increased anxiety over time, agoraphobia, and depression. Getting off of it almost ruined my life, but it was the best decision I ever made. Please, for the love of all, do not ever touch this medication, there are other ways."

• Win...
• June 27, 2015

For Insomnia "I can't believe that there can be a clonazepam board without anyone bringing up the physical dependence that comes with this drug and the difficult long withdrawal that produces greater insomnia and anxiety than the insomnia and anxiety that led to starting the medication. That said, when taking it, it works. It, like most, if not all benzos, actually starts messing up the natural sleep architecture. The longer one takes this, and the higher the dosage, the more difficult the withdrawal, both physical and psychological. Never, after having taken this medication regularly, suddenly stop. If you do, within three days or so, you'll know why I post the warning. I take 2 mg per 24 hours and have taken it, with one difficult break, for 9 years."

• Bre...
• March 1, 2021

For Insomnia "This drug can be life-saving for some, but as everyone else has said, you do NOT want to start taking this medication unless you are REALLY in a bad spot. Dependence builds, and then getting off them becomes next to impossible without a super long, slow taper, and even then, your anxiety and sleep will worsen as you get lower and stop, leaving you worse off than when you started. I've been on and off this med for a few years, and I find it works for me better if I don't take it daily. I also noticed, over time, that it was actually starting to give me MORE anxiety, even when I'd try to up the dose for a few days in a row to catch up on sleep. Only take this medication with extreme caution. Get on something safer long-term, like an antidepressant. They're a much better way to deal with anxiety since benzos build tolerance, and you'll always need more and more to get the same relief. Awful medications. Again, can be life-saving, but long term, they are definitely life-threatening."

• Nat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 26, 2024

"I have been taking benzodiazepines since I was 12, started with Xanax 1 mg for severe panic disorder, and then got off of it at 15 as my psychiatrist left. I tapered in 3 months. During those 3 months, all my symptoms came back with horrific panic and physical symptoms. Soon after that, my symptoms became so severe I ended up getting surgery to take an adrenal gland out as they thought I had a tumor causing so much adrenaline in my system and HR 180 while sitting and BP 176/118 at 15 years old! Come to find out, no tumor, I actually have dysautonomia and severe anxiety disorders and panic disorder. This medication is the only thing that keeps me alive. Without it, I would be dead, and that is not a joke. We tried all medications and treatments for my hyperadrenergic disorder and dysautonomia, and nothing worked. It didn’t help that I also have anxiety disorders, which makes my hyperadrenergic POTS flare. I have been on clonazepam for 10 years. The only thing that works. Life saver."

• peo...
• February 11, 2018

For Anxiety "I've been on and off this medication about 3 times. It has been a lifesaver with helping me with my sleep anxiety, which was so bad at times I would go 4+ days with zero sleep. It became pure torture and was affecting every aspect of my life. If possible, I would recommend getting a referral to a psychiatrist before getting on this medication. They have a better understanding of psychological disorders and will be better able to help you and less likely to shy away from medications that could be life-changing for you. As for getting off the medication, I've done it 3 times now with a very slow taper (took 1-2 months) and didn't have any withdrawal symptoms. Currently weaning without a slow taper, and I am paying for it. I was taking 1 mg and tapered to 0.5 mg for a week, then stopped. I am having headaches, feel shaky and exhausted, heightened anxiety on day 1. Hoping this will pass within another week, if not, I may go back on 0.25 mg for a couple of weeks, then half of that..."

• Spi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2020

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Was prescribed clonazepam 0.5 mg once a day before bedtime for RLS. Worked well for a few weeks, but after 6 weeks of taking this drug, I felt complacent and numb and stopped enjoying activities. I am now off it for 3 days, and the withdrawal symptoms are evident: tired, irritable, and anxious. However, I do feel better today, more like myself, and my sense of humor is returning. It appears this drug does work for many people, but it was not for me. RLS significantly impacts the ability to sleep and is difficult on lifestyle. Good luck to others reading, and I hope the post has been useful."

• Fre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 20, 2017

For Anxiety "Yes, stopped anxiety in its tracks, BUT, and a big but, it is very addictive, and getting off of it has been very difficult, EVEN when using a titration method of slowly decreasing the dose. I went as high as taking 3 mg over a 3-year period. The withdrawal from this drug for me was incredible, it's been a month that I have been off of it, and the anxiety and 'brain fog' are intense. I'm hoping this goes away over time, as it's very difficult to concentrate. Do your homework BEFORE taking this medicine. Be well."

• Nin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2022

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I took clonazepam for a year, and the dose was 0.25 once a day for anxiety and insomnia. I decided it was time to stop. I am probably at around week three, and I wasn't expecting severe withdrawal symptoms as I felt that my dosage was low. It has been a rough few days with insomnia, nausea, and some anxiety. I think doctors should probably look to alternative medicine, as most anxiety medications have side effects and are difficult to withdraw from, not to mention that they just aren't good for you long-term. The lure of the benzos is that relief is instant, with minimal side effects initially. Looking forward to feeling better, and have learned a very hard lesson. I am going to pursue natural methods to ease my anxiety and work on coping strategies instead of taking medications that just mask the problem."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2018

For Panic Disorder "My experience with clonazepam or Klonopin began over a year ago. At the time, it was being made by Teva Healthcare. Last August, they were bought out by Accord Pharmaceuticals. I noticed a difference with the color of the pill and the way I felt. To act on my behalf, I have contacted two senators as well as Accord, since it was no longer working. My anxiety and tinnitus picked up a great deal. I have to travel quite a bit to look after my aging parents. I have lost a great deal of sleep due to the buyout. This isn't your grandma's clonazepam anymore. What your doctor knows or contact the FDA or your local congressman. This is not the same medication that it used to be. People with anxiety suffer severely, and these changes have been drastic due to the pharmaceuticals companies."

• Swi...
• October 9, 2014

For Panic Disorder "I have post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and panic/anxiety attacks. I have had PTSD most of my life, I just didn't know what it was. I have been in and out of therapy for 15 years now. My psychiatrist has put me on all kinds of combinations of medications. Right now, I am on 40 mg of Celexa once a day and 2 mg of clonazepam 4 times a day. I have been on Lorazepam and Ativan, but they only work a few days. I was on Xanax for many years, and it worked great, my dosage kept going up. I was taking 2 mg 4 times a day and still had anxiety attacks. I am now on clonazepam and have been for most of the last 12 years. Occasionally, they will stop working, and I am put on Xanax. After 2 months, they stop working, and I am put on clonazepam again, and they work again."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 28, 2018

For Anxiety "I have been taking this medication for like 4 years now or close to 0.5 mg once a day. I took it in the past and stopped when I got pregnant, no withdrawals. I tried to taper off recently, and I had bad racing thoughts with anxiety and panic attacks, so I got back on them. I’m going to let my psychiatrist tell me when to wean off and do what’s best for me to wean off one day, until then, I’m taking them as needed if or when I do have a panic or anxiety attack."

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

Clonazepam 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."

• Bad...
• September 19, 2021

For Anxiety "I started taking Klonopin about 10 years ago...as needed. Got COVID-19 and took it every day for 6 weeks. 1 mg. Didn't feel good. Quit. Withdrawal was horrible. Ended up in a psych emergency room. They gave me Ativan, 11 of them. Would give me no more. I had to quit (cold turkey). I suffered for months. High blood pressure. Social anxiety, tinnitus, and now I'm left with tinnitus, low blood pressure, and general weakness. I never feel good anymore. I'm 75, was and I think, still am relatively healthy. But every little pain or bump is heart disease or cancer. I really can't go on like this, so I'm seriously thinking of going back on the Klonopin. I'm 75, let's be realistic. What do I have left? 5...10 years if I'm lucky. I never took high doses, max maybe 1 mg. A few days a week, but I never felt better. My gut problems, including an anal fistula, were tolerable. And for the most part gone. I'm now just staying at home, I have no interests. I'm really thinking of going back."

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

Clonazepam "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."

• alb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2025

For Anxiety "Gave been using 2 years now. Tapered off .5 mg in 10 months and experienced extreme anxiety and panic, so reinstated. Had to increase to 1 mg, then 2, and just recently 3.5 once in a while. Tried 5 times to taper off and it is excruciating, so as long as I can still obtain it, I will be using it. Encountered 2 docs who would not prescribe it when my regular doctor had no appointments left. They were jerks. Asked doc what happens when he retires and I can't get it. He said I can always get Valium, but that stuff doesn't work on my issues. I find after 2.5 years it doesn't work as well, but I have to take it or boy do I suffer from withdrawals. I'm 68 and am not looking forward to klon as I age. Hope I can still get it as I age."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2015

For Anxiety "Took 0.5 mg in the am and 1.5 mg in the pm for 7 days as prescribed for anxiety. Unfortunately, I experienced a paradoxical reaction to this medication, resulting in extremely high anxiety, depression, irritability, etc., which led to a stay in the hospital. I know paradoxical reactions are considered to be rare-just be aware if you take this med and you feel worse, talk to your doctor right away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 7, 2016

For Insomnia "I had really bad insomnia, didn't know what to do. I had been lacking sleep so bad I was desperate, so a friend had clonazepam for sleeping, and she gave me one to try, and I slept like a baby. It also helps with anxiety. I've been on them for quite some time now. I take two 0.5 mgs every other night, and I find they are not helping anymore for sleeping, so would it hurt to take another?"

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 14, 2021

For Panic Disorder "This medication saved my life. After suddenly suffering from extreme out-of-the-blue panic attacks, which led me into a constant state of anxiety-afraid of having another one, afraid I was dying from some terminal illness, afraid to drive, to go shopping, to go to work, to be left alone because I thought I was going to have another attack. My attacks started suddenly while driving one day. I thought I was having a stroke, and the medical workups I had done and the number of trips to the ER I was diagnosed with panic disorder/agoraphobia. I lost 20 lbs in one month. At first, I tried an SSRI, but that made me 1,000 times worse to the point I was manic and couldn’t sleep, felt like I was on speed, and things just got worse. I stopped the SSRI and refused to try another one. My doctor prescribed me 1 mg of clonazepam, which I’ve been taking for 3 years, and I live my life as normally as I did before the panic attacks, and I haven’t had another attack since. My life has been back to normal."