Clonazepam and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 3)

• sbe...
• April 12, 2015

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "It works. I have panic attacks, and then I have severe, full-blown, three days without sleeping panic attacks. I only take 1 mg when I am having the severe attacks, and I make sure I only take that much. I would say I take maybe 2 mg a month. The reason why is that this really should be used for worst-case scenarios and not for moderate anxiety and panic. The withdrawals are unbelievably monstrous, worse than anything else. Taking it every day is a horrible idea because you will never get off unless you go to rehab. Klonopin needs to be used with extreme caution. Get cognitive behavioral therapy for your everyday moderate panic attacks and use Klonopin for these emergency 'can't get out of this' episodes. It is a tool, not a crutch."

• Wil...
• October 2, 2019

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "BEWARE! My doctor prescribed me this medication to help control my severe anxiety attacks. I was informed this medication was for emergencies only and was to take two .5 MG pills a day as needed. I only took the medication for emergencies and had no problem... UNTIL I took the medication for 5 days in a row, as prescribed, to control a bad string of anxiety attacks. When I stopped taking the medication after the 5 days, I felt horrible. I literally felt like I was losing my mind and experienced the worst anxiety and depression. It took two weeks before I felt close to being normal again and was able to leave my house. Please read about the risks of this medication. It’s highly addictive and the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. Research Stevie Nicks and how this medication ruined eight years of her life. Everyone should do some research before taking this HIGHLY addictive medication. If you get comfortable with the medication, you’re dancing with the Devil."

• Eri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 16, 2017

Clonazepam for Anxiety "This drug should not be prescribed for more than two weeks (and this has been known since the eighties). Most doctors in the USA don't have a clue about what benzos do to the lives of the patients they are prescribing to, and especially how difficult it is for patients to withdraw from these drugs. I was completely dependent on clonazepam after 30 days and remained on it for about eight years before I realized I had to get off of clonazepam if I wanted a chance to become healthy again. It took me 7 horrifying months to taper off, and I became disabled during that time. I lost about 85% of my long- and short-term memory during that time. I am educated, but I did not research this drug before I took it. Please don't make that mistake."

• Sup...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2020

For Anxiety "On clonazepam to treat my restless leg syndrome and anxiety. Finally, I feel normal, and I am seizure-free. Combined with dopamine and serotonin reuptake meds, also gabapentin, I can't describe the normal feeling for the first time and no insomnia (for more than 20 years). But sadly, after my neurologist reduced the dosage, I feel terrible. I don't know if this is withdrawal. But I'm thankful for this med."

• Eva...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 12, 2023

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I have taken varying doses of clonazepam for almost 30 years. Some of those years I took none at all. As a highly anxious person in general, I was scared to even try it for fear of addiction, withdrawal, etc. But after a particularly bad panic attack where I felt I was going to lose my mind, I asked my psychiatrist for Klonopin, because several people in my family have used it with great success. It is the very best benzo I have tried for anxiety and panic; it has a long half-life, which means (for me) that when I finally clear it, I am so far removed from the anxiety or panic-inducing thoughts that I don't simply just fall back into the abyss. I have a deep and abiding respect for this drug, as it has arrested several near falls into runaway anxiety that always leads me to my most feared outcome: a major depressive episode. You can take it sublingually for quicker effect; it has a sweet, benign taste."

• Liv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Anyone taking clonazepam, PLEASE take note. Took it for RLS, and I loved it, got great sleep with no apparent side effects. Thought this was the answer until the dosage had to be increased to be effective. Been on 1.5 mg for seven years, and when it stopped working, I then learned the hard way you must wean off very slowly, and the detoxing is horrible! This is what no one tells you! Had I known it would be like this, I'd NEVER have gone on it... and I do understand the trials of RLS! Nothing is worth this! Look up side effects of stopping clonazepam and how long it takes to detox, you'll be shocked... I was. Felt like I was going to die (and the really bad stuff doesn't start until the 3rd or 4th day being off..., look out)! Please be informed!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2018

For Anxiety "This medicine changed my life, seriously. I have anxiety/panic attacks, and I take 0.25 mg when I’m feeling anxious and cannot function, and I’ve been on this dose for 2 years. It works within 30 min and lasts the rest of the day so I can do whatever I need to do. I don’t take it every day, sometimes, I’ll take it for a week straight if I have something stressful going on, and then I’ll go weeks without taking it at all. I haven’t had any withdrawal symptoms, so I think it’s a great medicine if you have anxiety. I’m not sure I wouldn’t recommend taking this daily because I could definitely see it becoming less effective!"

• Kiw...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2022

For Anxiety "After an accident, I suffered multiple spinal fractures, then two spinal fusion surgeries. I became very withdrawn, depressed, and anxious after the injury changed my life. I was unable to work as a nurse, and the pain was unbearable. I became a recluse after being a very active, fit, healthy, and fun person. I began having panic attacks, my anxiety was unbearable. I was given 0.5 clonazepam to take as needed: 0.25 - 0.5. I had tried beta blockers, but they didn’t really help. Clonazepam literally saved my life. It takes about 15 minutes to work, I can still function. It has just given me enough of a break from the relentless anxiety to be able to function again. I feel calm and so much better. No side effects at all, apart from if I stop taking it for around 6 days, then I can feel withdrawal symptoms, which are not pleasant. I now take it mainly for muscle spasms due to muscle spasm/pain."

• Lau...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2014

For Anxiety "I have anxiety and am agoraphobic. I have constant anxiety, which I can usually deal with without medicines. But when my anxiety becomes extreme, clonazepam calms me quickly. It also works when I take one before I am going to be in a situation that I know will cause my anxiety to be intolerable (like a crowded grocery store). I take them only as needed, not necessarily every day, so I don't worry about addiction or withdrawals. However, I did go through withdrawal once. I found that cutting back on my dosage over a couple of days alleviated my withdrawal symptoms. This medicine has helped me face my fears, and I fully expect to one day either use it rarely or completely stop needing it."

• Blu...
• January 12, 2017

For Insomnia "Klonopin completely destroyed my life. I was physically dependent after just 30 days. It took me 1.5 years to taper off the drug, and I was disabled by the withdrawals. At 15 months off, I still have symptoms. Google benzo withdrawal before you ever take a benzo daily. My biggest regret in life is seeing a psychiatrist and taking Klonopin."

• Sug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2017

For Insomnia "I took this medication for anxiety... particularly because of nighttime anxiety that prevents sleep and then triggers a migraine in the morning. I was on it for 3 months at 1 mg nightly. I honestly didn't notice a reduction in anxiety or an increase in sleep. I came off after three months cold turkey after my script ran out. I've had horrible withdrawals from other drugs, but not this one! But I have heard stories of its addiction ruining lives!"

• j d...
• November 25, 2019

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "A doctor started me on Klonopin for my anxiety following a crystal methamphetamine addiction. Started gradually at 0.50 mg. Eventually, she felt the need to bump me up to 1 mg 3 times a day. It worked really well the entire time I was taking it. One day I decided I didn’t need it anymore, and then boom, withdrawals appeared. Some of the worst symptoms I’ve ever had. I had to go back to rehab to keep myself from having seizures. The recommended time to be on this medication is 6 weeks. I was on it for two years."

• Ang...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 19, 2019

For Anxiety "From the time I was little, I had restless leg syndrome (RLS). I never took anything for it. I would go outside in the winter and stand in the freezing snow in my bare feet, and believe it or not, it worked for a little while. In 1997, my dad passed, and I totally lost it. My doctor put me on clonazepam for anxiety and depression. It worked great. After some time of being on it, I noticed my RLS was gone. Amazing! Now they want me to slowly get off of it. My restless leg syndrome is back, and I don’t sleep well at all. My anxiety is getting worse again, and the withdrawal is horrible. I would stay on it for the rest of my life if they would let me, but because I have to take painkillers, I can’t be on both. They want me to take medical marijuana instead. I hate the thought of that. And I really hate the thought of going through withdrawal. I’m done for either way I go. Up the creek without a paddle."

• Tha...
• March 3, 2015

For Insomnia "I was taking Xanax 2 mg 3x a day for about 10 years due to a motor vehicle accident with panic attacks that mimic a heart attack along with anxiety. It definitely knocked me out at night, but I recently got off them, weaned off, but still feeling withdrawals a month later. It gave me the worst insomnia, and I thought I would die from it. I was finally given Klonopin 1 mg in the morning and at night, and I am finally sleeping again, and my circadian rhythm is getting back to somewhat normal. Just hoping when I get off these, the insomnia and benzo withdrawals don't return, but again, working great so far...."

• 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."

• Hal...
• December 30, 2013

For Anxiety "One month, my doctor gave me 90 pills instead of 120, and I didn't bother to read the label, and he didn't tell me either. So, for the last week before my next appointment, I was going through severe withdrawals. I could not sleep at all. My pulse was over 100 (usually 60). My blood pressure was high too. I've been taking these for over 1 year now, so I don't know why he went to 90 instead of 120. I have very high anxiety, and it was not cutting it for me not being on it for a week. When I went back on it, I was just fine. I would for sure give this a 9.9 rating. Best medicine for anxiety I have ever taken!"

• don...
• April 1, 2016

For Anxiety "I started this drug in 2004 because of bad panic attacks and high anxiety anytime I was outside my house. In elevators, in crowds, in cars if there was a lot of traffic, and a million other situations. I did no research on this drug, just assumed my doctor knew best. It definitely works, probably the best anti-anxiety drug on the market, and longer lasting than Xanax, however, it does come at costs. Depending on how much you take, or how much anxiety relief you need, it can really be debilitating. If you need higher doses, it can make you drowsy, cannot drive. I highly recommend this drug for emergency usage only because it's addictive, and I didn't know this but stopped abruptly and had withdrawals like a heroin addict when I stopped."

• Sea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 25, 2022

For Anxiety "There is a drug metabolizing/genetic test for people to take to make sure any potential medication can be correctly metabolized without an issue. I feel this is important to know before you introduce anything into your system. I suspect this might have to do with certain people not being able to correctly get rid of the drug, so it hangs around too long which can cause withdrawal or addiction issues. Personally, I have no complaints with this medication, and my experience using it has truly allowed me to live my life. I have been on and off of it for many years, taking it as needed. I used to use it daily when I was in the military and had no issues coming off after continuous use for 2 years. As of today, it's only as I need it. I understand people have/had issues with this medication, but please get a drug metabolizing test to see which medications will work correctly for you. This will be the missing link for many. Be well..."

• Wic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 15, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "My RLS is inherited and turned predictably vicious by the time I reached my early 40s. It was destroying my life. I was put first on clonazepam (1 mg) in 2003, and 13 years later, I am now at 2 mg taken several hours before bedtime. Some health experts describe clonazepam as 'the most dangerous pill in America' because once on it and once dependent, you risk two things: the first is severe withdrawal symptoms beginning within three to four days of stopping. The second is that even after being weaned from the drug, you will likely experience the sudden onset of withdrawal symptoms weeks or even months after stopping. I am also on pramipexole and gabapentin."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2016

For Anxiety "I find that clonazepam works really well for generalized anxiety, but if I do have a panic attack, then it doesn't do much. When I first started, I was prescribed .5 2x a day and then 1 mg of Xanax as needed for panic (15 a month). This was a great pairing, but the withdrawal was long and awful when a new doctor took me off the drugs cold turkey! Needless to say, I am no longer a patient of hers. I was prescribed .5 2x a day again, and it reduces my anxiety without making me less 'sharp.' Tolerance does build fast, and when I was on a strict schedule, if I missed a dose, I was a nervous wreck. I now take it as needed, but I may have to increase the dose soon because .5 doesn't work like it used to."

• Ins...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 25, 2019

For Anxiety "I have suffered with anxiety, depression, and panic disorder my whole life. I was prescribed this clonazepam med a few years ago and am now taking about 3 mg a day, and it’s a lifesaver. I’m a night shift nurse for a few more months, so it not only helps my anxiety but also my circadian rhythm problems. Scared to go off if I become pregnant though (I’m a 25-year-old woman and heard withdrawals are pretty bad)."

• 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!"

• Sci...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 10, 2021

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "This class of drugs is bad. It causes dependence in as little as two weeks. If you use them like I did (my pain doctor prescribed it for me for CRPS), you will find yourself a year later addicted to a drug that only makes you feel worse even when it's not causing withdrawal. It only worked for a few weeks anyway. I was on opiates for 24 years and have been on benzos for 16. I went through opiate withdrawal successfully. It was a nightmare, but I've tried many times with benzos, and it is so very much worse. I've given up on quitting and just take the lowest maintenance dose I can. DON'T start unless you like Russian roulette. It's your choice ultimately."

• 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!"

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2018

For Anxiety "This benzo has helped me get my life back. I've been on it twice in my life, so I know what the withdrawals feel like. I slowly tapered off of it when I found out I was pregnant, and it was difficult, but not a horror story. Now that my son nurses only once a day, I am able to take 0.5 mg of Klonopin at night. Within the first day of taking it, I noticed a difference. My anxiety is almost not there. I can relax and breathe. I take this in combination with Wellbutrin XL 150 mg, and it's the perfect combination for me."