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Klonopin as needed?

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Posted 8/23/2007 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody,

I've been taking klonopin , I would say 2 or 3 times a week,.5mg,mostly twice a week,for anxiety.....I have to say it is a wonderful antianxiety medication,it does help me alot,but I am too affraid about addiction...I've been told to stop taking it cause I will end up addicted one day and that the withdrawals will be horrible....and that scares me....any advice will be appreciated...

Thank you

Micha

Posted 8/23/2007 4:59 PM (GMT 0)

Micha,

Hello and I am wondering who told you to stop it due to addiction.  You are not using a heavy dose and 2-3 times a week is not going to drive you to addiction IMO.  Yes people do become addicted to the benzos but it takes time, using it regularly and/or misusing it.

If you need it and it works, I would use it as prescribed.  If you need to go off it there are some very good Slow weaning processes avaialable to follow so you don't go through severe withdrawal. I hope this decreases your fears. Gentle Hugs to you.

Posted 8/23/2007 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Micha,

I take Ativan (1mg) 2 to 3 times a week, and do not believe that I am addicted.  I have taken klonipin in the past, and have been fine on it also. You are taking a very low dose, I think people are likely to become addicted when their dose get increased to over time.  When the lower dose doesn't do anything and they need more. or they use it on a regular basis.  I would definetly use it as directed by you doc, then you will be fine.

Posted 8/23/2007 5:08 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you Kitt for your reply.....it is one of my friend who told me to quit before it is too late and go thru the suffering of withdrawals......I have been prescribed Klonopin years ago by my doctor along with lexapro...I took lexapro for a year and a hald and stopped it due to weight gain and kept taking Klonopin as needed which I mentionned it to my dr and he agreed on that.I was prescribed 1mg in the morning and 1mg in the evening but never ever that I used that much......Klonopin is great....but I got scared and wanted to get more info on it..........

Thank you for your help

Micha

Posted 8/23/2007 6:15 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you Olivia for your reply....I thought so that .5mg is a low dose....and actually my dr wants me to be on a steady dose on a regular basis instead as needed.....but he keeps it up to me......so I've been like that for 2 years and doing good so far.......There are people who oppose completely the use of benzo but my dr is ok with it as long as that I dont abuse it....but the horror benzo withdrawals stories that we hear out there are scary......and you have people who swear that benzo was their Godsend.....donno...it's confusing....I personnaly think that klonopin was and still is a big help for me...cause I feel that it really takes care of my anxiety....calms me down......slows down my racing thoughts.....helps me sleep better.....takes away my stomach cramps.....I can say nothing but good things about klonopin so far....

Micha

Posted 8/23/2007 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I take .5mg of Klonopin for sleep just about everynight. I've ran out of it, and not had any for a couple weeks, and never had a problem with withdrawals. I think it's been about two years that I've been taking it like this.

The higher you go, the more the risk. With a low dosage, even daily use isn't a large addiction concern. If it helps, it helps. Hate to see people go without help for fear of addiction.
Posted 8/23/2007 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
.5 mg Klonopin two or three times a week? You're not going to develop a dependency on such a small dose. If it helps you, take it. It's one of the safest benzodiazpines there is, and it's very effective as you noted.

I'm on .5mg twice a day, everyday. Have been for several months. There's no doubt I have a dependency but I couldn't possibly care less. It has helped me get my life back. Risk/reward.
Posted 8/24/2007 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on it for months and am now at 4mgs a day. I'm sure I'm addicted and yes I have tried withdrawal (an absolute nightmare) but no other med can even get my anxiety half way under control so I have to stick with it.
Posted 8/25/2007 12:28 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you all .....I felt relieved after reading your replies....i will keep on doing what I've been doing.....my state of mind comes first and life is too short to be  lived miserable......

Micha :-)

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