Clonazepam and Memory Loss: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Fox...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 24, 2016

For Anxiety "I have general and social anxiety along with paranoia and panic attacks. I am on the max dose of 2 mg 3 times per day. I usually switch between this medicine and Xanax to slow tolerance, however, this is always an issue. This medicine allows me to do things and be me that I normally wouldn't be able to. However, it does build tolerance fast, causes short-term memory loss, and more aggressive panic attacks if a dose is missed. It is also extremely psychologically and physically addicting and can take your brain over a year to start creating GABA again on its own, which is what this medication's primary role replaces."

• Mat...
• July 23, 2016

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I would like to share with you my experience of Klonopin. Six years ago, I went through what I think was a dramatic, life-changing event for me. My wife and I were separating for good, and everything started falling apart. I started to lose weight, get out of breath fast. Then one day, I started to have bad thoughts-thoughts to hurt myself, others, even my own family. I spent many sleepless nights on the couch. For two months, I stayed there wanting to die, waiting to die. Then finally, one day, I got up and went to see a psychiatrist. I explained to him, and he put me on Klonopin. After a few years, I noticed I started having short-term memory loss. I am currently weaning myself off, but it's very hard. Anyone else experience this?"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2015

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Clonazepam on a situational basis, to help manage infrequent but severe anxiety attacks. Although I do find this drug does help to take the edge off in stressful situations like an interview or a crowded concert, the side effects and withdrawal symptoms are far too negative. While on it, I feel drowsy and forgetful, and the next day and even up to two or three days later, I get depressed (more than I normally am) and cry a lot. The last time I took it, I had severe depression and even suicidal thoughts (which I never have really had before) for two full days after. That scared me enough to not want to ever take it again. I highly recommend being careful and doing your research when it comes to Clonazepam."

• 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."

• rog...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 25, 2018

For Anxiety "Worked for a short time. Effective dosage increased rapidly, efficacy decreases at a similar rate. After 2 months, side effects became debilitating. Withdrawal symptoms (ongoing) include emotional instability, cognitive, and memory impairment."

• rog...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 25, 2018

For Anxiety "Worked for a short time. Effective dosage increased rapidly, efficacy decreases at a similar rate. After 2 months, side effects became debilitating. Withdrawal symptoms (ongoing) include emotional instability, cognitive, and memory impairment."

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2022

For Anxiety "I know everyone’s experience is different. So I know for a lot of people this has helped. I want to preface this by saying I already have terrible anxiety and depression before I started this. The first time I took it, it was amazing, I felt so calm and at ease. I took it twice in November, twice in December, once or twice in January, and I have taken it once per week the last three weeks. I am unsure if my condition is worsening or if the meds are worsening my depression. But the days after taking them lately I’ve been in extreme turmoil. It’s been excruciating depression and cognitive impairment. To be on the safe side, I’m going to try to stay off for good and try something that works more long term."

• dee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 29, 2021

For Anxiety "I've been taking clonazepam for about eight years for social anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. I usually take 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg a few times a week. Pros: It helps my anxiety tremendously. It makes it so much easier to socialize and focus. It helped me accomplish things I never thought I would. Cons: It impairs my memory a little bit and makes me a bit sleepy. Also, if I take it too many days in a row or at higher dosages, I experience depressive symptoms, namely a lack of motivation and trouble feeling pleasure. All in all, if you have really intense anxiety that hinders your ability to function in daily life, I'd recommend this medication. However, I personally prefer not to take high dosages or take it too frequently, as that can cause depression. Also, be aware that the drug can be extremely hard to get off of due to physical dependence/withdrawal symptoms."

• Som...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 15, 2019

For Anxiety "Taking clonazepam for anxiety. More social anxiety than anything else. Have been on this for a decade and started having issues with short-term memory while in school again and decided to get off it. Yes, the withdrawal is brutal, but the medication works for a while. Noticed it wasn't working like it did at the start when I switched to another drug for my anxiety."

• jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 21, 2018

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I started taking 0.5 mg, ending up at 3 mg daily for panic disorder. I used Klonopin and SSRI over the years. They worked for a time but then stopped; only Klonopin helped panic. Eventually, I felt rebound symptoms of panic and paranoia the longer I was on it, along with memory problems. Still recovering my life after a month off of it, and memories come back daily. Followed all directions; never abused it. Thought Klonopin was the best for 18 years. Now I have to start my life again. Daily use is a risk over a long period of time. If a doctor tries this, be your best advocate and question!"

• ser...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2012

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "It did stop the uncontrollable panic from post-traumatic stress disorder, but the side effects were unbearable for me. I had loss of appetite, uncontrollable weight loss, stomach pain, memory loss, headaches, dizziness, urinary pain, thinning hair, bad acne, depression, and constipation. It was so difficult to taper without severe withdrawals that I needed a 6-month tapering schedule. My dose was 1 mg twice daily. I find that Valium or Xanax have fewer side effects."

• Jeb...
• September 7, 2015

For Anxiety "I started taking this medication to replace Xanax in the early '90s. I am now 44 and have been on 0.5 mg-2 mg/day of this drug for almost 25 years. I also take sertraline (Zoloft) and buspirone (Buspar) for my depression, anxiety, panic, and OCD-all of which I've suffered with since childhood. The clonazepam has been a wonderful drug that has allowed me time free from the agony of anxiety. It has also caused me problems with drowsiness and memory. Withdrawal has been manageable on a couple of occasions. I am currently on 0.25 mg/day PRN and am trying to get off of it completely per my MD. The couple of times I came off of it precipitously to avoid drug screenings at work were some of the worst times of my life."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2017

For Anxiety "I was prescribed this medication to help with mild tinnitus. After 3 months, I was having severe memory issues and thinking problems, so the doctor tapered me off. After a couple of days, I started experiencing painful muscle spasms and a feeling of chemical burns all over my skin. The doctor said this is common after coming off of Klonopin and that it would stop in a couple of days. It took over 3 months for these issues to stop, and no amount of pain medication would even touch the sensation of chemical burns on my skin. Additionally, my tinnitus is now much worse than it ever was before Klonopin - instead of the steady mild hum, it now sounds like air horns are being blasted in my ears. Patients beware!"

• Hai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2019

For Anxiety "Once my doctor prescribed this medication, clonazepam, with 0.25 mg, and I felt relieved. Then I thought of increasing to get its full benefits (0.25 to 0.50, then 0.50 to 1 mg, then 1 mg x 2, and finally 1 mg x 3). The more I increased, the more I felt relaxed, focused, and smart. So, I was on 3 mg per day. Finally, when I ended up with 3 mg, I started having the side effects like sleepiness (more like sedation), forgetfulness, decreased sexual urge, confusion, increased depression, etc. I tried a lot to quit from it, and my anxiety came back more severely and had a fainting sensation. I had to be admitted to the hospital to withdraw fully from it. Now, I am fully withdrawn from it, but my anxiety has increased more than usual, with disorganized thinking and speaking, slight forgetfulness. This is an occasional or short-term drug which is given during the initial period of any drugs. Using this for a long-term period creates high dependency for this drug, and you will no longer be the same person with it!"

• Wha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2020

For Night Terrors "I have a very passionate relationship with this medication. I love it and I despise it. It has caused memory loss, extreme sedation at inappropriate times, and it's one hard drug to kick. It took me over a year to get off this medication, and I had to take 0.25 mg every other day for about three weeks at the end before I finally had rational thought patterns. I hate sleeping and suffer from PTSD. While it managed my symptoms, I became a dissociated, mindless zombie at the end of my use of the medication."

• Hop...
• December 12, 2018

For Panic Disorder "You can get 1 mg and break it in half for who asked about a 0.50 mg dose. I like this for panic, but only use it as needed for specific panic-induced moments. Definitely causes fatigue, memory issues, and it doesn’t mix well with alcohol - even 1-2 drinks. Causes extreme fatigue and memory issues. Also can cause a hangover headache. But I love it and use it only as directed."

• rat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2016

For Anxiety "Been on clonazepam low dose for 2 months, consultant upped med to 2 mg at night to help with sleep and restless syndrome, started to lose short-term memory, palpitations at night, and falling out of bed for some reason. Have reduced med to 1.5 mg but will take it 3 times a day, less peaks, seeing consultant Sept 2016 and may ask for a change, also taking pregabalin 200 mg am and pm for 1 year. I hope consultant can resolve clonazepam as anxiety is reduced and do not worry so much. Hope this helps, I think memory problems are common with clonazepam, not sure if this improves over time or gets worse."

• rat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2016

For Anxiety "Been on clonazepam low dose for 2 months, consultant upped med to 2 mg at night to help with sleep and restless syndrome, started to lose short-term memory, palpitations at night, and falling out of bed for some reason. Have reduced med to 1.5 mg but will take it 3 times a day, less peaks, seeing consultant Sept 2016 and may ask for a change, also taking pregabalin 200 mg am and pm for 1 year. I hope consultant can resolve clonazepam as anxiety is reduced and do not worry so much. Hope this helps, I think memory problems are common with clonazepam, not sure if this improves over time or gets worse."

• yea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 7, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Drug works well for OCD and other anxiety problems. In fact, it's the only pharma drug that helped me for OCD and anxiety (sometimes). Common problems for people include: a) needing to increase the dosage (after a while, the low dosage may stop working). b) Withdrawal may cause problems for some. c) Cognitive impairment long-term usage. I take it only several times a week (not daily)."

• Wor...
• December 9, 2011

Clonazepam 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."

• Cam...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 17, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I was prescribed this medication, clonazepam, for 14 years. Now I have dementia. Because nobody told me that I have a 50% greater chance of getting Alzheimer's than the person who didn't take them. This is the worst drug you can ever take. If you have a brain... quit this disgustingly harmful drug. The people that prescribe this medication should be ashamed of themselves!!! My life will never be the same because of this awful drug."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2012

For Anxiety "Absolutely wonderful medicine at alleviating anxious states. I take 0.5-1.5 mg occasionally as needed, transforms anxiety and panic into a state of relaxation and tranquility, allowing me to drop off into a deep sleep or have a productive day. I have no side effects whatsoever, such as sedation, dizziness, or amnesia."

• pep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I had started taking this medication after I slowly went off lorazepam since it stopped working for my panic attacks. I found that clonazepam took time in the beginning to work since it's a long-lasting one. After a couple of hours to days, it started working for my panic attacks and insomnia issues. It helps my pins and needles issues too, and my blood pressure is normal too. The only problem is it makes my depression sometimes worse. I also get a little bit oversleepy, like in the daytime, I feel a hangover of sleepiness, and sometimes I feel a bit dopey, so I take two 5 mg of it at nighttime, but if I feel it too much, I sometimes take 1.5 to limit too much sleepiness. I also am afraid to lose my brain because I tend to forget where I put things."

• Ash...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 6, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I wish this drug didn't cause tiredness and memory problems. The drug is amazing and, in my case, non-tolerance building. I take 1.5 mg (85 kg male). It works, but it's really hurt my memory, and I'm often lethargic and lazy. That said, I was previously unemployable due to horrible GAD + SAD. I hope better drugs come out, but for now this is it. 8+ years. No tolerance. Max was 4 mg, now on 1.5 mg. Can lead to minor depressive feelings. I also take with Lamotrigine (mood booster + mild help for anxiety). P.S. Why does it only come in 0.5 mg and 2 mg? That's annoying."