What do you know about Klonopin?

Just wondering, since I've been prescribed this, what do you guys know about Klonopin? I have it to take "as needed" but have read some disturbing remarks concerning the addictive qualities. Unfortunately the tools that have been working so well for me, no longer seem to be doing the job. I find myself with a new symptom - thinking that I'm not breathing well - almost feeling like deep breathing isn't enough. I know (in my head) that it isn't so, and that the breathing is just fine, try telling that to my psyche! Anyone else have breathing issues?

Reepin

Thanks SC - I appreciate your help. As it is, I only take 1/4-1/2 tablet at most and only when I am at the end of my rope, having tried all of the coping skills. God knows, I will be the last one to have a substance abuse problem (LOL) I have to talk myself into taking ANYTHING!

hugs, Reepin

I am weaning off .25 mg twice a day and suffer consequences if I miss a dose..It won't hit me till 24 hours later but sure enough, anxiety, tight throat, shakey...and look at my dosage! very small indeed.. I think I'm quite sensitive to Benzos but I don't need them anymore since today is week 5 on Lexapro and feeling much better.

I was on klonopin for 5 weeks total started on .50 for 3 weeks then dropped to .25mg- I take .50mg of trazadone to help me get so sleep and it seems to be working..I hope I can leave this behind someday and sleep on my own. I was able to before when I was on other SSRI's and Lexapro ..

Wishing you the best.

Post Edited (pattygirl) : 6/26/2014 12:11:08 AM (GMT-6)

hello,

i was prescribed Klonopin .5 once daily years ago for GAD and axiety attacks. I was prior taking xanax when needed, and the problem with xanax, was that I found myself needing it more often. the switch from xanax to klonopin was a very good move by my physician for me. Klonopin from whAt I was told, will last longer and generally be less addictive. it works slower than xanax, but in the long run, for me at least, has prevented the unpredictable full blown axiety attacks fron occurring. but check with your doctor and any concerns you may have, he/she should be able to set you at ease. best of luck to you.

I was addicted to Klonopins so let me tell you my story to help you and others. I started with Xanax but I needed something stronger so started taking Klonopins for anxiety. The doctor was very carefree in giving it to me. I was taking 2 mg a day about 4 days a week. The first 3-4 weeks, I experienced a nice feeling from them and I was really liking it. It would last a few hours only. Around 6 weeks, it would reduce my anxiety but the euphoric feelings went away. After 8 weeks, if I did not take Klonopins for 3 days,. I would shake, and feel like I had a fever, which went away with taking more Klonopins. I then saw where this was headed.

I needed to up my dose of Klonopins to regain that euphoric feeling again. I also needed Klonopins at least every 3 days or suffer withdrawal symptoms. Seeing very clearly the direction I was headed, I began to research Benzos and came across some very serious Benzo addicts. I then began to taper off, but I did it too quickly, and immediately went back to 2 mg to take away the withdrawal symptoms.

So I had severe anxiety and panic, coupled with an addiction to Klonopins and suffering horrible withdrawal trying to get off them. I found a website called Benzobuddies and asked many questions on the forum there because although I was only on it for months at that point, I found others on Benzos for many years all supporting each other as they taper off them.

What I did was get a razor blade, and cut a miniscule amount o the Klonopin and take it everyday at that amount for 2 weeks to stabilize. Then cut another tiny amount and do that for 2 weeks. I did this until I got down to such a small amount, I could simply just stop or what was referred to as taking the jump.

During this time I would suffer shakes, fever symptoms and some hallucinations. Not everyday, but occasionally.

I got off all medication, took lots of herbs and supplements and did some serious life style changes, exercise, meditation, etc., and I am much better now. I used a panic attack hypnosis MP# that I forgot the name. I took the Heal Anxiety Package from Eastern Essentials herbal medicine which helped me tremendously not only get off the KPins, but my anxiety in general. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I took Kava Kava tincture. Now some say Kava Kava is bad for your liver. I do not know but I took it for a little and liked it. I did Buteyko breathing exercises, and I went to therapy.

This is my story. Others have their own story. I think Benzos are dangerous, and almost worthless. See, my anxiety was so bad I could not work. I had to take Klonopins or Xanax to leave my home. But I spent more time getting off them than when I was on them. I can only imagine withdrawal from higher doses for longer time. Obviously, once in a while is probably not so bad, but I wasn't taking them everyday and I got addicted.

In my opinion, Benzos should be seen as a temporary way to only be used as needed and never looked at as a cure or long term plan. Maybe something to carry in your wallet just in case. Now maybe some people do need them to function, so I am not 100% against them, but for me, if I could do it all over again, I would have never touched them. Maybe some get addicted quicker than others. In any case, drugs do not offer a long term plan for curing anxiety. I suggest doing some of the things I mentioned above or whatever else is out there that works for people. Some people maybe need Benzos, and maybe later on after they do other natural things to get better, they can then taper off. But in any case, it is not a long term remedy and should never be looked at as a cure.

I am not a doctor, this is just my opinions!

Demetri- thank you for your insight! I appreciate it more than you know. As it stands I take 1/4 pill (.5gm) ONLY when I feel the need - never daily, and when it's a full blown attack I'll take 1/2 pill but ONLY THEN. I DON'T want to get attached. I tried Kava Kava for a while but didn't notice much of a difference. I am trying so many other techniques - mostly breathing and exercise. I would love to find a good guided meditation so if you know of one, please pass it along. I know that Klonopin can take the edge off, but I've never had the euphoric feeling you speak of. I'm also seeing a homeopath, hoping for help. Docs are way to eager to hand out prescriptions, in my opinion.

Kitt - of course you are correct! I didn't have my glasses on (LOL)! Love you for thinking of me!

Reepin said...
Demetri- thank you for your insight! I appreciate it more than you know. As it stands I take 1/4 pill (.5gm) ONLY when I feel the need - never daily, and when it's a full blown attack I'll take 1/2 pill but ONLY THEN. I DON'T want to get attached. I tried Kava Kava for a while but didn't notice much of a difference. I am trying so many other techniques - mostly breathing and exercise. I would love to find a good guided meditation so if you know of one, please pass it along. I know that Klonopin can take the edge off, but I've never had the euphoric feeling you speak of. I'm also seeing a homeopath, hoping for help. Docs are way to eager to hand out prescriptions, in my opinion.

Glad I could help. I spend lots of money on homeopathy and noticed nothing! I can say at this point, I do not believe in it at all! With Kava Kava I got a tincture and took like 3 full dropperfuls multiple times a day.

I used Rescue Remedy to take the place of Klonopins and felt like it did work. It may be a placebo, but I used it and felt it helped. Sometimes I would just hold it in my hands or comfort.

Have you checked out the Eastern Essentials Calm and Relaxed Remedy? It is sold as part of a Heal Anxiety Package. It came with meditations ebooks, herbs and other stuff. This was by far the best program I used. I do not sell it or make money of this or anything like that. Just my experience. I actually found it because the guy who put it together was also addicted to Klonopins and wrote some article about it which led me to discovering his anxiety formula. Then on the site he has this free video and went from there. Take a look at the video and see what you think.

Also, really thinking this anxiety thing through, like come on, how many ambulances and hospital visits do I need to go through to be constantly told I am not dying. Then really pushing through anxious moments and facing my fears. Exercise and yoga were great! So many things you can do.

But homeopathy, I don't know man. Take a sugar pill that has a vibration in it that matches the vibration of the problem you have and like cures like. I am not sold on it.

Post Edited (Demetri) : 6/27/2014 6:19:02 PM (GMT-6)