Clonazepam and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2019

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I was misprescribed clonazepam for depression by what I realize now was an incompetent psychiatrist. I was too depressed to do any research to find out that it is only to be taken for 2-4 weeks, and even that is too long. I was prescribed it for 18 months, at which time a psychologist told me to quit, which she had no business doing as she was not even an MD. Another incompetent. Not knowing any better, I tapered for 3 weeks (like I would have for an antidepressant) and ended up in severe withdrawal. I should've taken 1-2 years to taper in that it changes your brain function; it's like taking a poison. I took the last portion of the 2 mg dose I was prescribed in August 2014. Nearly 4.5 years later, I am functional, but I am not back to normal. Please do not take any benzo drug except for an occasional panic attack or a few days in succession. They have a place, but long-term use is definitely not their place."

• sus...
• September 21, 2009

Clonazepam 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2015

Clonazepam for Anxiety "Okay, here is the thing with Klonopin. It's a drug that works perfectly. There is literally no way to be anxious on a high enough dose, and benzos will be your saving grace if you are suffering from several panic attacks a day or even if you're catatonic. It's also got a pretty good record for being safe, as far as I know. Here's the bad part. Any drug that works too well, that allows you to feel too good on it, runs a high risk of dependency. Not only that, withdrawal from this drug is miserable and painful if not done correctly and under supervision. You'll be told this is 'not abusable as Xanax' because Xanax is common among recreational drug users. That's a fallacy. Klonopin is very easy to double up on and abuse. Do not mix with alcohol."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2015

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks since I was 7. I'm currently 33 and just discovered Klonopin. I was on Paxil for 12 years, and it was a miracle pill until I built tolerance to it and it stopped working. I've recently switched to Zoloft, and it's been a rough road. However, my psychiatrist put me on Klonopin to help ease the anxiety, and it has been amazing. I only need 0.25 mg 2 to 3 times a day, but it gave me the ability to function. Even with withdrawal from Paxil and startup side effects from Zoloft, I can still keep my head straight. Anxiety and panic are debilitating, and when I weigh my options, I'd pick Klonopin every time."

• ocd...
• February 1, 2016

Clonazepam 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."

• Rya...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 3, 2020

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "Story summarized: Believe the horror stories. They are true. I started taking it as a 30-day supply for anxiety and insomnia, it helped me so much I wanted more after the 30 days. Doctor wouldn’t do it, so I moved on. Didn’t take it for months, back to the old sleepless, anxious, angry person. Got the script, it helps every single day of my life. Newsflash: Good luck stopping. Same withdrawal as heroin. I will just take the pill and feel good and normal. 8 stars because it did pull me out of the death spiral, but lost 2 because nobody on earth deserves to take this nasty ass pill. Confusing, yup. It does help with a lot of different things... but good luck leaving!! :/"

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2024

For Anxiety "Clonazepam works wonderfully for me. I was on Xanax (Alprazolam) for many years, but it wore off way too fast. I found myself watching the clock for my next dose. Eventually, Xanax didn't help at all. My Psychiatrist put me on Clonazepam (the same dose as I was taking off the Xanax). What a positive difference! I take one dose in the morning and another dose in the evening. Clonazepam has stopped the racing thoughts and constant worry. It doesn't wear off in between doses like Xanax did. I function so well again! I feel 'normal'. I feel like I felt before I ever started taking Xanax. The only downside to taking Clonazepam are the scary stories online about how Clonazepam is the hardest drug to stop taking. The withdrawal symptoms are 99% of the reason that I'm still taking it."

• jud...
• October 24, 2015

Clonazepam 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."

• Bon...
• June 24, 2017

Clonazepam 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."

• Don...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 16, 2016

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "My doctor began prescribing Klonopin 1 mg 3 times a day when I was 23 years old to help treat anxiety and sleep disorders. I took Xanax for 11 years, and it did help my symptoms, although I did build up a tolerance pretty fast but kept at the same dose. But when my doctor retired and a new doctor took over his practice, I was abruptly discontinued from Xanax. This was a dangerous thing to do. I began to go into withdrawals within one day without the Xanax. The withdrawals were excruciating and lasted for weeks. I was in constant extreme anxiety. Sleep was nearly totally absent for more than two weeks. My thoughts started to become almost to the point of psychosis, which also lasted for weeks. So never abruptly stop benzos unless medically supervised."

• Ron...
• July 14, 2017

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I've been taking two 1 mg tablets of clonazepam for many years. I stopped once cold turkey and ended up in the hospital. My plan is to take the two tablets and cut them into quarters, ending up with quarters, then I plan to drop off one quarter each month, taking a total of 8 months to get off of them. Do you think that's long enough where I will not experience withdrawal symptoms? Any advice would be helpful."

• Ron...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 21, 2018

Clonazepam for Seizure Prevention "I've been on 2 mg, 3 times daily for the last 10 years for seizures and haven't had any problems with the drug. I've let myself run out in the past a few times, and the withdrawal is mild compared to powerful narcotic analgesics such as OxyContin or methadone."

• Har...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 8, 2016

Clonazepam for Anxiety "This 'medicine' ruined my life. I took it just as the doctor prescribed Clonazepam, 5 mg every night before bed. He said I would probably need them for the rest of my life. He failed to tell me these are very powerful tranquilizers (all benzos are). We are only supposed to take these for no more than 2 weeks! It worked well for many years until one day it quit working. Tolerance, withdrawal, sick 24/7, med no longer works, sheer panic. Suffering all since that day, and it's been one year off now. These meds also cause depression over the years. I had a great life until this med caused me to lose everything! Nightmare! Please, don't walk, run from this poison!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 19, 2019

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "Clonazepam helped anxiety for 2 weeks, but I was on them for 8 months. Terrible withdrawals - been off for 4 months now and feel like I'm dying, withdrawals could last years. Do not take for more than 5 weeks, dangerous benzo. Doctors need to be more educated on these dangerous drugs and not hand them out like candy!"

• Raf...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 26, 2015

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I was diagnosed with PTSD and GAD after 2 tours in combat. I began to suffer from anxiety in 2009, I was prescribed Zoloft and Klonopin .25 mg (as needed). Klonopin was an immediate relief for unexpected anxiety attacks. 15 minutes later, I was functional again. After 2 years, Zoloft destroyed my libido. So I took myself off and relied only on Klonopin. It began as needed, then 2 a week, once every day, and finally twice a day. The anxieties were reoccurring quite often, I quickly built a dependence to get me through the day. It turns out that I was getting anxiety due to my addiction to Klonopin. I decided to get off cold turkey (not recommended) and I went through 2 weeks of withdrawals. It's a quick relief but addictive. Be careful!"

• Ben...
• October 13, 2015

Clonazepam 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."

• 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."

• Jen...
• November 14, 2017

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I have been on Klonopin for 10 years. Nobody told me what this stuff does to you. 21 days into a cold turkey withdrawal, and I wasn't here. I was trapped in my own body like I was paralyzed. You cannot use one benzo to come off the other. They have a new IV drug you can use. It will detox you in a week. And you are supposed to be fine, plus it's a benzo blocker also. So please don't trade one for the other. If you are on Xanax or anything like them, please, please just wean off them. Quickly!!!!! I'm personally going to detox in the next couple of days. I'll leave another review then."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 17, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been taking Klonopin for approximately 7 years now but only on an “as needed” basis. I only take 1 (0.5 mg) when I feel like I truly need it, and sometimes I just cut it in half. This drug is great for that purpose alone. I would never want to take it daily and end up with dependency. This is just my opinion and personal experience with it. I always keep it on hand for peace of mind, and my doctor (knowing I don’t abuse it) still prescribes it for me. My heart goes out to people who have been taking it daily for years and then try to wean off only to find themselves in a nightmare of withdrawals!!"

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 15, 2022

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I regret ever taking this awful drug, clonazepam, in the first place. I wish my doctor never prescribed it to me. I want to sue her so bad. Never told me how hard it was to get off of it or that it was addictive. I've lost almost one year of fun moments, memories, and quality time with my family because of this drug. I always have to stop the vehicle and walk it off, or I have to do breathing techniques just to calm myself from the withdrawals of gradually getting off of it. Thank God it took me 4 and a half months to finally lose the effects of it. SMH, this truly is an awful drug, worse than anything I've ever encountered."

• Gen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 7, 2013

Clonazepam for Anxiety "This medication opened up a whole new world for me. I developed a very bad anxiety and panic disorder and lived with it for years. Therapy and many other medications did not help! I didn't notice much of a difference initially, but by the time I was up to 1 mg 3 times a day, my life so greatly improved. I currently take another medication (Xanax). I was taken off the medication because I became an alcoholic. When I detoxed from alcohol, I was immediately taken off Klonopin. My only concern for people that are taking it is that if they decide to stop, please withdraw from it properly by a gradual reduction over a period of time. The hospital took me off of it without gradually reducing it. The withdrawal was horrible!"

• Pai...
• July 19, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I had these awful headaches, it felt like a tight band around my head, and it was coupled with severe pain. I told my psychiatrist, and he prescribed 0.5 mg of clonazepam. Within a day, my headaches went away. I tried lowering my dose every 3 months, but the headache would come back. I was on it for over a year when I read more about headaches online. I came across a type of headache with symptoms similar to mine, and one of the recommendations was magnesium. I took 25 mg/day of magnesium for 1 week, then cut down my clonazepam, and my headaches were gone. However, after being on it for over a year, discontinuing clonazepam proved to be hard. I tried quitting cold turkey and had withdrawals within 2 days. I had to slowly taper down over a period of 4 months, but I experienced 3 weeks of withdrawals after my final dose. A week of magnesium vs. 1.5 years of clonazepam. I give this drug a 7 because it worked, but I deducted 3 points because it's hard to discontinue once you develop a dependency."

• Hay...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 9, 2021

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "Now I'm worried about a few people here - especially Chrissy. Read Dr. Peter Breggin's book on psychiatric medication withdrawal. He is a renowned psychiatrist, often referred to as 'the conscience of psychiatry.' You can do it yourself, but remember that the time it takes to withdraw without too many symptoms is dependent on how long you have been taking it and the dosage level you've been on. It took me two years to w/d from 0.5 mg after 20 years. I also took melatonin to ease withdrawal - very helpful! When you reduce and you experience the type of symptoms described here, just know that they are temporary and there WILL come a day when it will be OVER. You are not alone! My love to all that come here. Stay strong!"

• Big...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 12, 2019

For Anxiety "I’ve been on Klonopin for almost 25 years. I’ve been mostly .5 mg 3x per day, but I usually only take it twice. Klonopin is an excellent medicine for panic and anxiety, which is what I use it for. It takes the edge off. Keep in mind though most medicines have a trade-off. For me, Klonopin has been a miracle drug, but it does take the edge off everything. Creativity went way down, attention span, sex drive, memory. Everything. Went off it cold turkey many years ago, and it tore me up with withdrawal symptoms."

• ok ...
• January 13, 2017

For Insomnia "I have to say I was prescribed 0.5 mg of Klonopin for sleep. I've tried other medications, Ambien, Lunesta, etc. with not too much success. The Klonopin worked wonders, but after about a month on the medication, I felt very weird. I started to have hallucinogenic dreams with bouts of gloom and doom during my waking hours. It got to a point that I got moderately depressed thinking such negative thoughts and decided to stop taking the medication. Wow, I never thought withdrawal would happen to me, but it certainly did. Sweating, nervous, agitated. It took about 5 weeks off of the Klonopin for the withdrawal symptoms to cease. Please be careful, folks. It's one of the most addictive medications out there."