Clonazepam and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Bur...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 28, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Please avoid this drug at all costs, it is a sheep in wolves' clothing. Works great in the beginning until it trashes all your good GABA receptors that keep you happy and calm. When this drug goes bad on you and you have to get off it, you'll wish you never took it. The withdrawals will take you to a dark place you never knew and wish you were dead. I would take back my old simple anxiety and insomnia any day to what this drug has done to me: now ruined my whole life, health, and mind. Now severely debilitated from it with zero quality of life. Bedridden, can't walk, horrific pain, and mental torture every single day, including the most darkest depression, terror, agitation, and chemical anxiety I've ever experienced, plus akathisia."

• Cyc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2019

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "It works very well. But it made me dull and sleepy. 2 mg a day on occasion isn't a problem. The half-life is over a day, so if you take it a lot or are told to take it daily, it will build up. If you have these problems, try a benzo that has fewer active metabolites and a shorter half-life. These side effects are much lower. Also, tolerance builds up over time, requiring more of the drug for the same effects. Withdrawal can be terrible, and the higher the dosage, the longer the suffering lasts."

• Zac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2015

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I was on this medication for approximately 5 years. The last couple of years, I had increasing anxiety and depression. I never increased my initial dose of 2 mg at night to help with sleep. My PDoc continued to insist that it was not the Klonopin that was causing my anxiety and depression. Who knows? I weaned myself off of the medication SLOWLY over 4 months. It really took me that amount of time, even that may have been too fast for me. When it works, it's helpful for me. The problem is that many people tend to build a tolerance to the med and will likely need to increase the dose to get the same effect, hence feelings of withdrawal that can come on automatically. I know everyone has his/her own opinion about this drug."

• Som...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2019

For Anxiety "My doctor has tried me on many different drugs from gabapentin, Seroquel, Xanax, Valium, propranolol, clonidine. Nothing works for me except Klonopin. Because of all the studies coming out and many people having adverse reactions to the drug, I am now reduced to taking Advil at 800 mg each night and clonidine. I never had withdrawals, gaps in memory, walking around in a zombie state. When I was taking this medicine regularly, I even skipped doses. Anyways, I’m not the doctor, and I am still being treated like a lab rat for trial and error medications. Sucks."

• 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."

• Bed...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2016

For Anxiety "This is the only thing that has ever worked for me and continues to work for me on a regular basis. As long as I take it according to the dose my doctor prescribed, I have never had an issue with this drug not working the way it's supposed to. On that note, I wouldn't say that it's for everyone, and if you are going to use Kpins, be aware that this drug can be addicting, and the withdrawals are next to unbearable. So use them with therapy for the best results, not just a script from an M.D. best."

• Kan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 15, 2019

For Anxiety "The drug is great, calms you, lets you sleep with anxiety and major family illnesses. However, do not use on a daily basis after 30 days. I was not informed by my general practitioners (2) to be exact how addictive this med is. Now I am going through tapering (a nice word for withdrawal) after 8 years. It is the worst feeling in the world. Now trying to get into Med Detox. Be very careful with benzos. In fact, only take when you are dying. It will calm your death anxiety."

• ann...
• May 28, 2021

For Anxiety "A couple of months ago, I ended up in the ER from stress. I was given Trazodone for sleep, 50-100 mg dose at night, and Klonopin at a dose of 0.25 mg three times a day. After one month, I quit the Trazodone and Klonopin, and five days later, I ended up in four different hospital ERs with the worst panic attacks, shaking, and despair. All they wanted was to give me tranquilizers and let me go. They checked my heart and took my blood test. Everything came back normal. I begged them to give me Propranolol because this is withdrawal from what I am going through, and they refused. Every time at four different ERs, they didn’t accept that I was going through the worst withdrawals from Clonazepam/Klonopin and from Trazodone. I understand now why so many people commit suicide. The torture was unbearable. My family doctor gave me the prescription for Propranolol, and the pharmacist told me clonazepam was the worst medication possible and that stopping them cold turkey was dangerous. I don’t recommend this drug to anyone."

• Sca...
• October 29, 2019

Clonazepam for Seizure Prevention "Klonopin was great for my seizures until it wasn’t. I have seizures in my sleep. I started with 1.5 mgs, then went up to 4 mgs. I have been on Klonopin, Clonazepam for 32 years! I noticed it stopped working, but I had to take it or no sleep at all. I finally went to a specialist for sleep. I got off of it, but too fast - 4 weeks went through withdrawals and went back on. I was getting used to Gabapentin. I decided to trick my body into not missing it. I tapered down, but I take 5-7 weeks in between dropping the dose. It has taken me 6 months to get below the halfway mark, but I made a mistake this drop and 6 weeks later I'm still feeling it. I only took 35 days....and I now know I should have lowered the amount I am dropping. I was dropping .5. Klonopin has a long half-life, it takes about 3-4 days before the body registers it and about 2 weeks to adjust depending on dosage and time. I might feel this for up to 2 years after the last dose. I am hoping a slow taper will help lessen that."

• 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."

• 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."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2021

For Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "After suffering Bell's palsy and then, after 8 dental surgeries, neck pain, severe migraines, over 10 years and 900 injections, pain medication for years, then I began to develop the worst jaw pain I have ever had in my life. I could not eat for 8 months, begged every dentist and doctor I could find to help me. It was a joke to try to get help. I was suicidal, then I finally found a doctor that cared - most of them don't anymore. After me doing my own research and reading about the drug clonazepam for burning mouth syndrome, which I also suffered from, I begged, and I mean begged him to prescribe clonazepam. Yes, I know the risks of withdrawals, but it worked, and it’s lessened the pain by 80%. I could eat soft foods, the burning mouth went away. So far, it has saved my life, but we will see the long-term effects. But if I ever have to go back to that pain, I am done."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 11, 2021

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "This medication is extremely dangerous, and they do not even tell you how severe the effects of these withdrawals truly are. I was on clonazepam for almost two years, and it’s been almost 2 weeks since I’ve last taken the medication, and this is the peak of the withdrawals. This medication is NOT intended for long-term use AT ALL. Make sure to always ask questions, too!!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

Clonazepam "STAY AWAY FROM KLOPINOPIN OR GET OFF VERY SLOWLY BY TAPERING ASAP!!! I used to read these reviews before starting this drug for sleep and thought those that had a bad experience were probably abusing the med or those that lost everything due to the drug already had issues. Not true!!! You can be so healthy, take the dose as prescribed, and still end up in a nightmare. If I can save one person from starting this drug or any benzo/z-drug, then I will have filled part of my purpose in life. Benzos are highly dangerous, highly addictive drugs, even at the lowest dose, and withdrawals are excruciating and lengthy. DO NOT EVER TAKE FOR ANY REASON. Your initial problem will seem like nothing compared to what this drug creates."

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2022

For Anxiety "Was on clonazepam for 8 years, worked great. Only increased the dose 1 time, from .5 to 1 mg at bedtime. Came off in February, and yes, withdrawal was bad, but I did cold turkey. Tried every antidepressant there is for my anxiety and panic, with no success. Now, 10 months later, the doctor put me back on 1 mg at bedtime. Only been a week, anxiety was gone except for panic today. Makes me very sleepy during the day, which I didn't before, so hoping my body will just need time to adjust again."

• Nop...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2023

For Insomnia "My experience with the drug has been terrible, to say the least. I visited my doctor because I suddenly started experiencing severe sleeplessness for an entire week. He prescribed me this medication without much explanation. I was instructed to take 0.5 mg-1 mg as needed for insomnia. Without researching it beforehand, I began taking the medication, and it did help me fall asleep. However, my nightmare began when I attempted to stop taking the drug after three consecutive months. My doctor assured me that since my dosage was low (1 mg nightly), I only needed to reduce it to 0.5 mg 'for a few nights.' Unfortunately, I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms. Over the next three months, I struggled to wean myself off the medication by taking it only 3-4 nights a week and enduring sleepless nights on the other days. It wasn't until I consulted a psychiatrist that I was able to establish a proper tapering plan. I gradually tapered off this medication over a period of 10 weeks. Although there were still a few challenging moments during the process, I am now able to sleep naturally without relying on it. Based on my experience, I do not recommend this drug for sleep purposes. Please exercise caution and be well-informed before considering it."

• Jml...
• November 12, 2016

For Insomnia "This medicine has destroyed my life. Yes, it works well, and yes, I was able to sleep, but tolerance builds up quickly, you need to keep increasing your dose. It might not increase in everyone, but it did for me. It also ended up causing major depression from use, which I cannot get out of. I also went through the worst withdrawal trying to get off of this, and I am still unable to sleep since using it. I think it affected my brain's chemistry. I literally only sleep 5 to 6 hours a week since quitting. I know the temptation could be great to start it because, as I said, it works for insomnia and anxiety, but be warned, it is nearly impossible to get out of your life. I'm currently on family medical leave from work trying to get my life back together."

• 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."

• met...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2021

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I'm prescribed to not take more than 1 mg per day as needed. Typically, I take between 0 and 4 mg per WEEK. Been on it for almost a year now. Taking it in this way has yielded zero negative results. I never get withdrawal symptoms the weeks, and (on a very rare lucky month) I don't take it. At this dose, combined with the Effexor and Trazodone, it's enough to end any panic attack within about 1 hour tops. I literally only take it when I have panic attacks. If you suffer from panic/anxiety and are OK using this only when you feel you really need it, it's a pretty good med. I don't doubt that those who are on ridiculous doses like 3 mg+ per day will have withdrawal issues, as this is a benzo after all. It also helps with my Autism symptoms. I'd say this drug is excellent if all you need is a once or twice weekly emergency med. I have not experienced consistently daily doses, so I have no input to that effect."

• Sim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2022

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I was on this drug for 3 months, 1 mg. It was 0.5 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg at night. When I tried to taper off, I did it slowly and I somehow cut that 0.5 mg in the morning. But this happened next - I started feeling really bad withdrawal symptoms even while on 0.5 at night. So I stayed for a while like that, but the symptoms became more and more intense, so I put myself in the hospital to finish my journey. They took it away immediately, and 0.5 mg I kind of went cold turkey. Trust me. If not for other benzos that keep me as still as possible, I’m still going through some nightmares now… Even this 0.5 mg is a huge deal to withdraw. So: 1. Either you taper off slowly and this takes months. 2. Or you go to some detox or hospital, where they help you take it away. I guess both options work, but to sum up - this is a terrible benzo to wean off. I don't like my doctor, who put me on this stuff."

• 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."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2021

For Anxiety "Originally prescribed lorazepam as a when-required dose of 1-3 mg a day for panic disorder and PTSD. Three years ago, I developed not only a dependency but a tolerance. My GP didn't seem to get it, and its effects became so short-acting I was on a rollercoaster. Ended up at a drug clinic, where I was carefully moved to a dose of clonazepam, 1 mg day/night. The withdrawal from lorazepam was the worst experience. Never take that stuff... the clonazepam is working great. Almost feel normal. I can do so much more with reduced anxiety levels and now looking at gradually reducing the dose to drop benzos altogether, although I'm advised that could take up to a year and I could end up on an SSRI. Happy in the clonazepam space right now. Guess time will tell. I'm 60 and have suffered from panic disorder and PTSD since my 30s."

• Mac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2021

For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal "I took clonazepam 2 months, 2mg a day. I didn’t know that I would have a withdrawal, wasn’t educated on the drug. It was the most awful thing that has ever happened to me. I felt like I was going to die. I wouldn’t wish this nightmare on the worst scumbag on earth. I was scared to death of having a seizure, my heart was beating harder than on amphetamines. I had some weird and awful neurological symptoms that persisted for months. Even now, when I drink a couple of beers, the symptoms come back (vertigo, feeling like the floors are too high, weird tremor). I’m free for almost 1 year now. I will never ever touch a benzo of any kind. You would have to hold me at gunpoint to have me contemplate touching that awful drug. And even then, I’d probably say: Bullet, please. If you read this, please do not take this awful thing. I promise you that there is nothing good in it for you. There are better ways."

• 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."