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Clonazepam/lack of sleep/withdrawl symptoms

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Posted 1/21/2010 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all!  I've been struggling lately and thought I'd come on here and see if what I've been experiencing is common at all.

Its VERY real to me!  I have been prescribed to take clonazepam and I do.  But something I have noticed recently or maybe not so recently, is that if I miss out on sleep, I totally feel like I'm withdrawing from my clonazepam.  Its not like, oh I feel sleepy or even a little on edge.  I fell like I do when I miss a dose of clonazepam (which I dont do anymore).  But I feel so much angst and stiffness and shortness of breath!  I feel like my heart is being strained!  Not so much like its racing but that it feels like its just got alot of strain on it!  I have with-drawled from clonazepam before.  I used to forget a dose or something and by the next day, feel like I had to take twice my dose or more to survive it!  My body is very much dependant on this drug!  I hate it but I take it bc I do have panic attacks sometimes.

Anyway, anyone that has ever with-drawled from clonazepam (klonopin), knows how very uncomfortable and scary it can be!  And I get this feeling every time I miss sleep!  Like if I get any less than 4 hours of sleep.  And I exaggerate not, its just as intense as withdrawaling too fast from clonazepam!

Am I alone on this?  I mean more than just the regular "a little anxious if I dont get good sleep".

-Jen  

Posted 1/21/2010 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
I get very anxious if miss sleep, that is a very normal reaction. But with the severity of your reaction I suggest talking to your doctor about that. Maybe he can up your Klonopin or change you to something else in the same med family. Have you tried taking the Klopopin as soon as the feeling starts? That might help. Good luck!
Posted 1/21/2010 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I get the same way if I miss sleep. Even if I have spent several hours out shopping our something and I am extra tired. As soon as I get home and sit down I feel short of breath and anxious and so on.

kitkat
Posted 1/22/2010 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the responses! I'll talk to my doc about it.
Posted 1/22/2010 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
I just started taking clonazepam for about a week. I feel kind of dizzy all thr time. The majoy elephant of anxiety is off my chest but will this feeling go away in time. I am also takng Paxil 20 mg at night. Impatien
Posted 1/22/2010 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Impatien


Hello and Welcome to HealingWell. Getting on some of these meds can be a challenge until your body adjusts. Perhaps you could cut back your Klonopin a bit if your feeling to foggy.



I would check with your Doctor but I can not see why he would object.



Again welcome.



Kitt
Posted 1/23/2010 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
I had the same reaction when I first started it two weeks ago. I was on a pretty high dose. I talked to my doc about it and we lowered it a bit and the dizziness is much improved.

I was stumbling all around. I felt like I drank a bottle of wine.

I hope it works out for you...best to discuss with your doc first.

kitkat
Posted 1/26/2010 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies, I did cut down to .5 mg of clonazepam two times a day. I take the paxil at night with one dose then the next dose at 9-10am the next day. sometmes I need a little xanax later in the afternoon. I feel like that doesn't work as well. Even though I get a little dizzy with the clon. I feel it gets rid of the heavy anxiety. It is such a trade off. I am hoping the paxil will help everything. We have a vacation planned and do a (good amount of social drinking) and I feel like I am already half in the bag. I also hear such horror stories about getting off clon. Is it really that bad?
Posted 1/26/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Impatien I might suggest you start you own post, so we don't hijack Jennara's question. Hugs!
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