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Expired clonazepam?

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Posted 7/16/2016 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone!

Lately my life has been stressful and anxiety starts to set in and sometimes accompanied by a bit of sadness. But then the sadness subsides. I've been able to control it and make it go away but then sometimes I start to get stressed again and here goes the anxiety and I think I'm making it much worse now by focusin on it too much. I feel like I can't control my mind right now and change my train of thought.

I clean and talk to family and that distracts my mind but then I go back to the overthinking. Blah! I don't take medication daily. My anxiety is situational. I've taken lexapro 3 times in the past for less than a year and it worked great. I don't want to take lexapro again. Side effects are nasty at the beginning but subside. My doctor has prescribed clonazepam aka klonopin on an as needed basis but I never use it. And now that I want some relief the one I have says to take before 08/15/15 so with that said is it bad to use it now?
Posted 7/16/2016 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
sorry to hear your not feeling well. i'd suggest calling your doc and let him or her know that what you have has expired. they should have no reason not to refill it for you, even if its just enough untill you can be seen and then maybe a longer supply. it's encouraging to read when people are using thier as needed benzo's responsibly! some doc's are apprehensive even using them anymore where i live because of how much abuse there is with that class of drug.
i doubt there'd be any harmful effect of taking the expired stuff, may not work as well, but i know for me it would probably just cause more anxiety, get me thinking too much about that expiration date.
Posted 7/16/2016 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Rockoa.

I'll be fine. I will call him Monday. I just want to have the klonopin there if I feel I can't shake the anxiety off. Yes it's extremely important to use benzoz only as needed. It's crazy how people can abuse of it. Haha I get what you mean. I would probably rather not take an expired medication. id probably be thinking too much about the expiration date too. This is why my anxiety is worse because I'm thinking way too much and focusin too much on the anxiety. Overthinking makes you feel like your going insane in the brain!

What do you deal with mostly?
Posted 7/17/2016 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi roxy8820,

On your prescription bottle it will have the date it was filled (usually somewhere at the top. The expire date on it is more likely when the prescription expires not an expiration date for the medication. If you are seeing an expiration date of 8/15/15 that would be end date for refills.

You can still take Clonazepam long after the date on the bottle. I took my Clonazepam 2 years after the refill date was expired. If you need a Clonazepam then take one. Take care.
Posted 7/17/2016 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, it's safe...

...but the efficacy could be lessened as rockoa mentioned.

However, it may not...so don't take more than you are prescribed of course!

If you are still hesitant, and want to wait until you get a fresh refill...see our Resources for some great coping skills that may help get you through. The Stress Relieving Exercises and Meditation links are a great place to start.:)

I hope you find the relief you need soon either way!

Peace and progress,

S.C.
Posted 7/18/2016 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your helpful information. At this point I have not yet taken the clonazepam. My anxiety has not been extremely high. At this point it's just bothersome especially with the overthinking. Idk if clonazepam will help with the overthinking. Overthinking is making me feel like I'm going crazy haha when in reality I'm not. My brain needs a break.

Ugh I feel that my emotions are all out of whack. I think I'm going to give in to lexapro again but I really don't want to.
Posted 7/18/2016 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Roxy,

Go after your recovery with all the available tools you can. If therapy and self help are not giving you the relief you need...then use your medication options...that's what they are for!

With continued efforts and time, you may be able to back off the Rx's in the future if that is your desire.

Keep up the good work, and update often so we can cheer you on!

S.C.
Posted 7/19/2016 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you S.C

I'm trying to overcome this on my own but doesn't seem to be going too well. Yesterday was a rough day at work. Anxiety was mild throughout the day but my darn emotions were all out of whack. I cried as soon as I got home and felt relieved.

My dr prescribed new clonazepam because I asked him for it but the only time I really feel anxious is in the morning and I don't want to take it in the mornings because then I have to go to work. And the nurse recommended I take it at night but then I don't feel anxious at night.

Maybe I do need to start lexapro again. I'm just not looking forward to the nightmare of side effects I experience the first week but I know in the long run it will help out. It's helped out three times before.

Have you tried lexapro?
Posted 7/19/2016 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
R.,

I see how that timing is challenging...I understand why you wouldn't want to take a benzo first thing before work, as it could possibly make you sluggish.

An SSRI on the other hand would keep a steady level of med in your system to cover both the a.m.and p.m.

The only other thing I could recommend is really focusing on your self help skills upon awakening (getting up earlier if need be )...and using your Clonazepam just as a rescue med when absolutely needed. You could try it on a weekend/day off first to see how you feel...and judge whether or not you could work while using it.

Ultimately you need to do what is going to be best for your recovery...feeling your best possible is the goal!

We are supporting you in whatever you decide. :)

S.C.
Posted 7/20/2016 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hey S.C

So to this day I have not needed to take the clonazepam. Anxiety is mostly mornings as I mentioned before. And I rather not feel sluggish at work. Plus I've always been very hesitant about taking clonazepam unless I'm having a full blown anxiety attack.

I have a dr appointment today and I'm thinking he wil want to put me back on lexapro. I'm so nervous because I didn't want to go that route but it's probably the best. I am just terrified of the start up side effects. Usually it's horrible nausea and my anxiety spikes! It makes me feel worse than what I was feeling before I take it but in the end it helps me and relieves me of all.

I just want to feel myself again. I have mostly good days but these not so good days are the days I realize I may need the med. I have kids and they need me so I need to get better for them. It just makes me sad that I have to go through this again. Darn stress. Life has been super rough these last few months so boom here's the anxiety again.
Posted 7/20/2016 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
R.,

Talk your options over with your doctor today...making him/her aware of all your concerns...and I am sure together you can come up with a plan that will be the best all around for you.

Keep us posted, so we can keep you in support!

S.C.
Posted 7/20/2016 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks S.C

I will keep you all updated. This website has really helped me so much through these difficult times.

How are you doing?
Posted 7/20/2016 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I am doing well, thanks!

Keeping busy with my Summer classes, preserving our fruit and vegetables from our garden...

...lots of family birthdays, and our anniversary coming up in 2 weeks.:)

Good things!

S.C.
Posted 7/21/2016 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
S.C

I'm glad to hear that!!!! Oooh anniversary! What do you have planned for that. What do you do in summer classes?

I need to get more involved with things as well. I work but I would like some additional activities.

Well I went to my doc and he suggested I get back on lex for a couple months and to take clonazepam as needed. He almost prescribed Zoloft but then he says since lexapro has worked for me to stick with it. I told him I hate how the anxiety increase at first so he suggested I take 2.5 then move up to my normal dose of 5mg

I won't start until Friday. I rather start Friday so I have the weekend to deal with side effects. I wouldn't want to start today and feel horrible at work.
Posted 7/21/2016 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Aw, thanks for asking! :)

It's our 21st...so we are going medium...since last year was a bigger celebration. We'll do a weekend get-a-way to a historic/resort town (San Juan Bautista) a couple of hours north. There is a Spanish style B&B with wine tasting in the area...and great hiking a short drive away (The Pinnacles). I can't wait!

My Summer classes (dance) are just laid back and fun. I still teach technique and routines/choreography for fun...but there is no Nutcracker or Spring Recital to get ready for like the rest of the year...it's nice.:)

Okay, so sounds like a good plan to begin your re-start on Friday. Try to stay positive...because maybe this time you will not have any pronounced effects...and simply get the relief you need!

Keep positive mantras running through your thoughts to ensure the best possible outcome (see our Resources for a link on this!)

Whether you use your Rx to help you gain recovery while you do therapy and/or a self help program...with the intention of weaning down again at a later time...

...or whether you decide that long term use is a beneficial recovery tool for you...

...either way, know that you are making a good choice for your anxiety management, and that we wish you the best and will be here to cheer you on! :)

Keep us updated,

S.C.
Posted 7/22/2016 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
That's awesome S.C. I hope you have the best time!!!!!!!

Summer dance classes sound fun. I'd like to try those.

Yes I need to read positive mantras. I just took my first dose of lex and I'm nervous. Even though I know this med has helped me in the past very well the first days are always rough. And each time I start it I'm a nervous wreck. I'm praying and hoping this works for me the same as before the fourth time around.
Posted 7/22/2016 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I am confident that you'll get through your start up well.:)

Keep us updated, so we can keep you in support!!

...and thanks for the well wishes...means a lot! :) :) :)

S.C.
Posted 7/23/2016 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your confidence! I have overcome the start up 3 times before so I'm sure I can do it again. I will def keep you al updated. You all help when I need someone to talk to especially when I'm feeling anxious.

Do the links provided show any resources on CBT? I know psychiatrist can show you but I only see a counselor and I don't know if he does that. I'm going to ask him. But I've heard it's very effective so I want to try.
Posted 7/23/2016 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Most of the material in our Resources is CBT based. The on -line therapy...Moodgym and E-couch, as well as the Therapy Worksheets....the Positive m
Mantra/Affirmations...these all have some components of cognitive re-training.

They are all good...so I would recommend getting started on any of them while you look into also going through a full CBT program with your therapist!

Best wishes in advance.:)

S.C.
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