Clonazepam and Panic Attacks: What Users Say

• Ton...
• June 28, 2019

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I have lived with severe panic disorder since I was 17 years old, and I am now 49. I could not drive, could not wait in line in a store, and I could not go to family functions. I was always going to the hospital. Klonopin saved my life. I travel, I enjoy my family, I drive, I take 1 mg a day. I still have panic attacks, but I deal with it. This medication gave me my life back."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 11, 2016

Clonazepam for Anxiety "Yes, this medication works. It works very well for chronic anxiety disorder and sudden onsets of severe panic attacks. Knowing what I know now, I wish with all my being it had never ever been prescribed to me, and without the absurd nonchalance dozens of practitioners have portrayed. I'm 32 and have been prescribed clonazepam for 14 years. I've been in situations where my health insurance is in transition and I must go off the medication abruptly - this is when I realized how deep I was. Weeks upon weeks of non-stop physical, emotional, and psychological withdrawal effects that are like hell. Words cannot accurately describe just how awful it is. This, again, has been my experience during withdrawal as a long-term clonazepam patient. All skin, especially the face, becomes numb. Vision gets fuzzy and difficult to see clearly. Panic attacks become extremely exacerbated, frequent, and debilitating. Severe irritability. Worst of all: a terrifying disconnection between your mind and body; as if you're an onlooker watching and feeling this horrible thing happen to you, but not actually feeling connected to any of it - that one is tough to explain. All of this... It can last months, maybe more. That's right. Not just some one-week hump to overcome. After finding how awful the withdrawal is, I've been attempting to wean very, very slowly down from 3 2mg doses per day to eventually zero, hopefully. After six months of gradually decreasing in dose, I'm now at 2 - 1mg doses per day, and I'm not sure how or if I can go much less than that. No doctors I've had have been of any help. The wean down was my idea, and the rate of it was also my idea based on experience. It sure would be nice to meet a doctor that truly had knowledge of this withdrawal syndrome and took it a bit more seriously. I am confident that the medication is no longer treating my anxiety disorder, but simply preventing withdrawal from the meds themselves. And there don't seem to be any good alternatives. It's a long road ahead, please think it over and over with someone knowledgeable before being so quick to embrace this miracle drug. The truth is that most of us actually need very real psychotherapy, not chemicals that run our lives. Once again, all my point of view from my personal experience. It feels very good to share this."

• Cap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2025

For Anxiety "I started taking 1 mg of clonazepam 3 times daily after a fall at a limestone quarry. I fell from a little over 3 stories high. I ruptured 2 discs and herniated 1 disc in my lower back. I was in a wheelchair for about a year. From the fall, I developed a fear of driving and also developed severe anxiety, including panic attacks. I tried Xanax, Ativan, and Valium, and clonazepam was the best at helping me with the anxiety and panic attacks. I switched insurances from Blue Cross and Blue Shield to United Healthcare, so my doctor dropped me. Now, it's nearly impossible to get a doctor to refill my clonazepam medication. It's sad to see what our healthcare system has become. I'm almost 50 years old, and I find myself going from ER to ER just to be given a 3-day supply until I find a doctor willing to help me. Right now, I have to wait 2 more months before an opening. May God help me. Doctors don't realize the pain we endure having to go back and forth just to be looked at as 'the problem.'"

• Orp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 22, 2021

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I hope I can keep someone from going through this nightmare that I'm going through. Was on 3 mg daily for a year, over time, I grew dependent, and they stopped helping and causing worse anxiety and panic attacks upon waking. I didn't wean off properly and am in acute withdrawal. I'm suicidal, and my life is falling apart. Please stay away from this awful drug. IT WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 31, 2023

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I have been on Klonopin for around 4 years now. I had panic attacks so debilitating I couldn't go out of my house. I didn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I would finally fall asleep and wake up 2 to 3 times a night with terrible panic attacks. Sweating, heart racing, dizzy. I swore I was losing my mind. I didn't drive for a better part of a year. I couldn't work. I was a mess, and the hardest part was feeling very distant from my children. I give Klonopin 10 ⭐ s as it gave me my life. It helped me to breathe again. I don't care what anyone says, I will take them for life if I have to, to help me not feel that way ever again. I never want to endure such a breakdown."

• adm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 31, 2016

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I had my ovaries removed (outpatient) 5 years ago at age 41. Next day (never fell asleep) I had paralyzing fear, but had no idea why. My husband took me to the ER where my heart rate was 173! I was in the hospital for a week, 3 days no sleep. I was given Klonopin, it was AMAZING! I had been admitted for my first ever panic attack! After leaving the hospital I continued having insomnia and panic attacks. My GP now prescribes 0.5 mg as needed. I have a bottle in my purse and by my bed. I only take HALF a pill, ONLY WHEN NEEDED, and RARELY do I take the other half 30 min later. Just knowing I have a med that works on hand reduced number of attacks. When used RESPONSIBLY, Klonopin is a LIFESAVER! Never take more of any med than you actually need!"

• anx...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2012

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I have been taking Klonopin for many years. I started having weird feelings, like I was going to die. I kept ending up in the ER. The doctors kept telling me it was anxiety. I didn't understand why anxiety would make me feel this way. When the anxiety would kick in, I literally thought I was dying. My heart would race, my body would get tingles, and I would feel choked. It was scary and still is. I have tried many anxiety medicines-Paxil, Effexor, Xanax, Lamictal, Geodon, and many more. None have worked the way Klonopin works. With Klonopin, I feel safe and I do not get jittery feelings. I am so grateful to have a medication that actually works for me. If I miss a dose, I will get severe anxiety and a panic attack."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 11, 2024

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking clonazepam daily for 4 years. I'm prescribed 0.5 mg 3x daily. However, I usually only take it 2x daily, if that. I feel like this drug gets such a bad rep. I have never had to increase my dose, in fact, I don't even take what I'm prescribed. On really bad panic days only is when I take the full dose. It doesn't make me feel sleepy, it makes me feel normal. I haven't experienced a full-blown panic attack in years. The doctors have put me on all the SRIs out there... I had terrible side effects with all of them. Some even gave me panic attacks and depression. This is the only thing that's worked for me. It's nice to see others on here taking it longer than me with no adverse effects because anytime I tell anyone I take it, they say how bad it is. My psychiatrist told me taking the medication is better for my body and mind than having daily panic attacks, and I feel that is true. Having severe constant panic attacks really took a toll on my health. Thankful for this medication."

• Bel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 30, 2019

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I've been on Klonopin for probably 25 years. It's worked so much better than Xanax. I got down to taking 0.25 at night and 0.25 in the morning. But this year my mom died, and I had been her caregiver for a long time with zero support. I did great until she died, now I'm having panic attacks again. I have fought with myself about upping my dose since I do know what withdrawal is like, but today I took extra. My doctor told me I should. To be honest, I am ready to feel normal again. I'm tired of not being able to participate in life."

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 16, 2020

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "Been on clonazepam for 20 months this time. Dose is .5 once daily. Started to titrate my dose down early August. Went down to .25 and was easy. Had 4th day symptoms but minimal. November had panic attacks. Decided to cut again, as this indicated inter-dose withdrawal and definitely didn’t want to go back up. In early December, went down to .17. Hard to cut that pill, so dose is iffy. Been on this until now, added gabapentin to manage symptoms. Not perfect but haven’t increased dose. Most nights, sleep with the gabapentin. Starting to feel inter-dose withdrawal again, so plan further titration in about a week to .125. This sounds counterintuitive, I know. But, dragging it out too long isn’t great either. Go slow. This is slow. But, important to go slow and manage symptoms. I resisted adding gabapentin, but it’s helpful and easier to get off later. Once I get to .125, I’ll wait another month. This is doable and I look forward to being free."

• Tom...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 1, 2019

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "Well, started with 2 mg Xanax for my extreme panic attacks and went over to clonazepam 2 mg when I had to choose between driver license or Xanax. So now, 10 years later, I'm struggling with dependence and am on 14 mg clonazepam daily minimum. Doctor doesn't know I'm on such a heavy dosage because I need my driver license when I'm at work. So now I am forced to be a criminal and buy these pills in bulk because the doctors started me on these medications. Seriously, I don't know what to do anymore. I'm going downhill fast, and tapering off these dosages is almost impossible because the panic attacks I had before are 100 times worse now. Have woken up at times in the hospital because of seizures related to tapering. Believe me when I say this, use it short term if you HAVE to. Long term has destroyed me, my economy, and my life."

• Cor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2019

For Anxiety "This medication has worked wonders for me. I have extremely bad anxiety and had no relief for months on end. Was convinced I was going crazy and in a frantic state of mind constantly. Not sleeping well, not eating well, panicking, overwhelming and intrusive thoughts at a high. As soon as I got over my fear of taking medication and actually swallowed my first dose, I found the next morning to feel a huge sense of relief from the anxiety. I was not as paranoid and socially anxious, which I’ve never experienced even on good days. The benefits of this medication are incredible. I will say that becoming addicted to this seems to be a very reasonable statement. I don’t know how long I’ll be on it, but my tolerance has quickly risen and I’m taking more and more for the same relief. It’ll be a month on it now, but this is the only thing that has worked for me. For desperate situations like my own, this medication is a lifesaver."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2015

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I can take 0.5 mg twice a day as needed. Some days I don't take it. It helps so much, even with my depression. I take one of these if I'm planning on killing myself because I'm suicidal every day, and the urge will pass once this calms me down. I take it for anxiety, panic attacks, and twitches/seizures."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 19, 2023

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I was prescribed clonazepam, first at 1 mg a day. Little did I know, after two years of seeing my caring physician, we learned clonazepam has been a bit of a lifesaver for me! I suffer mainly from social anxiety with agoraphobia, afraid of new places, being seen out. A half a year into taking the medication, I titrated up to 2 mg a day as needed. My doctor 'experimented' with alprazolam PM on me for 14 days. 30 .5 mg pills. I had rebound anxiety along with a few days of panic attacks. I couldn't wait to take my dose that night of Klonopin! I was diagnosed as a bit bipolar soon after my prescriber was informed of my impulsivity and isolation. Mania was in overdrive along with severe OCD and even attention disorders stemming from a distress in the nervous system, high-strung, sensitive stomach, etc. Today, I take a total of 4 mg a day as needed, some days I take 2-3 or 3-4 mg. This medication comes in need to those like me. Other anxiolytic exercises help as well."

• Tam...
• December 1, 2018

For Anxiety "Was on clonazepam for 10 years after trying other antidepressants with no relief, had reactions to the antidepressants. Had to find a new doctor due to mine retiring. Have been off the clonazepam for 4 months and have tried 6 different medications. None have worked for my anxiety and panic attacks. They have continued to get worse than ever before! I have to be on opioids due to many medical conditions and have thyroid problems and autoimmune disorders, which only make the anxiety worse. Followed all the rules and never abused the clonazepam, lowered my dose myself with no problem! Trying to find a new doctor who will prescribe clonazepam is impossible, just because you have to take opioids too! You are put in the category of an abuser, which I am not. I just know what works for me and what does not. Really tired of these doctors not treating their patients because they are more afraid of the black box laws."

• Mac...
• June 29, 2016

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I am a 16-year-old girl who has suffered with extreme anxiety and severe depression since I was 9. The reason why I was so depressed was mainly because I was mildly depressed, so they put me on Cymbalta, and I suffered from the 'black box warning' in which adolescents and teens can experience suicidal thoughts and actions. That really messed me up. I'd have panic attacks where I was convinced I wanted to, and I'd puke and shake and stuff. It still happens, but when it does, my parents give me 0.25 mg (I'm very, very lightweight, so they don't want a lot in my system), and it seems I work alright. I'd like to take it every day, but my parents are so hesitant to give it to me."

• Hot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2015

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I started suffering from panic disorder for three years and was not using any treatment. It got to the point where I was agoraphobic and wouldn't leave my house. I was scared for my life and felt like I wasn't even a human being anymore. I suffered dramatically from what is called derealization. I ended up turning myself into a hospital that had a mental health outpatient program, which put me on Klonopin 0.5 mg twice a day, and it literally changed my life. I finally have a life again and can move around and do things. I can go to work. I still once in awhile start to have panic, but the Klonopin doesn't allow me to actually have a panic attack. My general anxiety is now down to nothing, and I can feel like I can live again. The first month had its ups and downs."

• Mr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 18, 2022

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I have been taking Klonopin for 2 years now. Up to 4 mg a day if needed. But I mostly took around 2 mg or 3 mg every other day or sometimes every day if life was chaotic, which usually is. THIS DRUG IS BAD! I had no idea getting off it would be about as hard as opioids. I keep weaning down to 0 mg, but then after 7 days, I have extreme nightmarish panic attacks (rebound). I have tried this twice. I cannot seem to get past the 7th day. This drug is awful. I wish I never got on it long term. Yes, it does work for panic attacks, but I should not have started taking it regularly even though my psychiatrist allowed me to. I read all the horror stories of how long recovery takes. It looks and feels hopeless. I have not felt myself in the last 2 years either. Never happy. Just a zombie going through the motions. But when panic attack is so bad, I feel like I am going to die, and I cannot do a single thing all day long. Stay away from this medication."

• Dee...
• September 12, 2015

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I started having panic attacks that rendered me unable to even get up. My first one landed me in the hospital. I was disoriented, rooms looked like they were sideways, objects that were not moving looked like they were. I couldn't get enough air in, I needed to close my eyes, driving was out of the question, and I was nauseated and terrified. After two weeks of being out of work, I was put on Klonopin along with antidepressants. It is the only thing that has allowed me to function like I could before the panic/anxiety attacks started. The only drawback is that I have to take it at the same time each day and cannot miss a dosage or the dizziness, panic, and feeling like I am going to pass out comes back. It has been a lifesaver."

• jay...
• November 19, 2014

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Restless legs, sleep dramatically improved. Used for years until I moved to a new town and saw a new doctor who discontinued therapy. Best relief ever obtained from any meds tried. I also have myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, bruxism (broke off a large filling due to nightly grinding), anxiety, occasional panic attacks, and a stressful home environment."

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

For Anxiety "Have been using for 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, 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 the 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."

• Use...
• May 4, 2008

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I have been taking this medication for a long time now. Before I was put on Klonopin, I always took panic attacks and felt nervous all the time. I stayed depressed and also had thoughts of suicide. My doctor had put me on everything you could imagine. I was on Paxil CR, Lexapro, Vistaril, and Seroquel. They never helped me at all. So I decided to change from my foreign doctor and got a new doctor. I told him my problems, and he said he was going to start me on Klonopin. Since then, my life is great!"

• Mis...
• August 30, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar and borderline. Clonazepam doesn't help treat my diseases, but is very helpful at minimizing many symptoms, such as anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and similar issues, so it makes life much easier."

• YEE...
• October 11, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I am a 25-year-old male who has been on clonazepam daily for 4.5 years. Diagnoses: bipolar type 2, PTSD, panic disorder. Before starting, I had severe substance abuse issues, primarily alcohol. I was self-medicating for the anxiety and panic in a vicious cycle. The first time I took 0.5 mg of this medication, I finally felt like a normal person without feeling high. The Rubik's Cube of my neurochemistry finally clicked perfectly into place. I have not had a single drink of alcohol in the last 4.5 years. Before beginning it, I was experiencing suicidal ideation, insomnia, and 6-12 panic attacks daily. I have since graduated with a degree in psychology with a 3.73 GPA and am now in graduate school for a BSRN. I take my doses at the same time each day, without any problems of abuse. I may be a rare case, but I am eternally thankful to the doctor who first trusted me with this medication because he saved my life."

• djs...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2015

For Insomnia "I have had insomnia since March last year, and it turns into nervousness or anxiety and then becomes panic attacks. Then I asked my wife to go with me to a doctor, and it was a psychiatrist because insomnia was in our mind, and it does not mean that you're crazy when you go to that doctor. My doctor gave me clonazepam or Rivotril here in the Philippines. First, I took 2 mg, 1 mg, and 0.5 mg as of now. I take it in the morning when I need it for anxiety panic attacks and add another 0.5 mg if my attacks are strong. I take 0.5 mg every night for sleep since March last year. I don't know what to do if there is no Rivotril or clonazepam in my life. So far, the best medicine for me! Thanks to my doctor."