Clonazepam

My son was prescribed Klonopin for anxiety. However, a new doctor (he recently moved from the west coast to the east coast) wants to take him off it, and prescribed seroquel, which makes him like a zombie and he sleeps all day.

It seems like he is going thru the withdrawal symptoms from Klonopin described in a recent newspaper article in the Hartford Courant in which you were referenced. What is the best way to go to get over the withdrawal of Klonopin and what is the best alternate drug to go to for his anxiety? He says this is the most effective drug, but then we read that you shouldn't be on it long term. Looking for answers.

I have been taking Clonozepam since I have had my first stroke 2003. The stroke left me RLS and also uncontrollable body movement. I was 52 when I started this medication. I had to go on disability due to my strokes. While I was on the Cobra plan I had no trouble getting this Medication. The medicine that usually is given for RLS make me sick. So my neurologist I go to put back on the Clonazepam.

Now that I am on Medicare they refuse to give me the medication. I can have but I have to purchased it myself doesn't seem fair.

To GO. I too have to take Klonopin. I have neurological problems which respond well to this drug. When Medicare changed it's drug coverage, it refused to cover any sedative type drugs. I wrote to my Congressman to no avail. Perhaps the new administration will listen?? Yes, it's costly. I have tried taking the generic forms of it and often have had bad reactions to it or it does not work well and have had to return to the brand which is so expensive. I am looking for a generic form which most folks can take without problems..does anyone know of a few generic types which work and don't cause too many reactions? These generic drugs are a big laugh!! I've had a bad time with most of them. I am very drug sensitive anyway.
Thanks.

I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for over 15 years, (started shortly after a construction accident) Md tried me on a whole host of meds, to no avail now I am taking 1/2 clonazapam in the morning and sometimes 1/2 in the afternoon(1/2 of .50mg tablet) My concern is the long term effects, I have been taking it for over 7 years and would like to get off of it. Any thoughts?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WORK WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO REDUCE THE DOSE GRADUALLY. CLONAZEPAM IS A BENZODIAZEPINE LIKE XANAX OR ATIVAN, BUT BECAUSE IT LASTS LONGER, REDUCING THE DOSE GRADUALLY SHOULD BE POSSIBLE AND HELP YOU GET OFF.

Is there a natural herb or supplement that could substitute for clonazepam or it's medication type?

My MD prescribed Clonazepam for panic attacks I was having daily for nearly three months. They would start in the late afternoon and last for about 2 or 3 hours as it got dark outside. Many nights I didn't sleep more than 3 hours. Learning calming breaths helped quite a bit but I was still having a lot of discomfort much of the evening hours. I was very puzzled by the fact I was having these attacks since there was really nothing in my life that I thought warranted them.

I consulted a psychologist who thought that because I was having the panic attacks at dark it seemed my subconscious mind was aware of something my conscious mind was not yet aware of. Several weeks later I learned that I had a moderately high level of sleep apnea. Apparently, the psychologist was correct. My body was trying to warn me about a huge problem that I was not yet aware of.

Learning about the sleep apnea did not eliminate the panic attacks. After so many weeks a pattern had developed. That's why my MD put me on the Clonazepam which completely eliminated the attacks as soon as I took the first pill. What a relief!!!!

I take the generic clonazepam made by Teva (CVS) and do not have any side effects.

I have been on clonapin for almost 6 yrs. Started on 1 mg at night and progressed up to 3.5 mg a day! Now, I am down to .5 mg and almost tapered off completely. Clonapin was initially approved in 1981 by Merck, w specific directions it should be taken on a short term basis, about 12 wks. I take it for anxiety an have been able to virtually eliminate anxiety from my life.

I meditate, use herbal supplements, and take melatonin to help sleep on restless nights. On a short term basis, it is effective. But if one explores its efficacy, it is almost too potent. My exper. involved a down regulation of the receptors involved in its action and I needed a larger dose. Weight gain, lose of libido and lethargy have been some effects.

Also, grinding my teeth has caused dental damage resulting in a dental bill in the 1000's of dollars. The teeth grinding was a result of a prolonged withdrawal. Clonapin is effective for short term use, Merck intended for it to be utilized in this manner. Some countries, like Great Britain, have virtually banned clonapin-it is difficult to stop and is addictive. Clonapin is the last benzo. dev. and it really is too strong. I regret being on it for the time I have been on it.

I have been on Klonopin for approximately 10 years now. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and severe Panic Attacks with heart Palps and the the whole nine yards. I take 2 mg 4 times a day total of 8mg per day for almost the entire last 10 years. Prior to trying Klonopin I was on Xanax 1 mg 3 times a day.

The absolute only medication that helps my anxiety and keeps me on an even platform is Klonopin... I have tried tapering off in the past, however was unsuccessful, and landed me in the hospital for 3 days in the Coronary Care Unit. I developed a condition called (NMS) Neuroleptic Malignancy Syndrome. I was under careful care of an addiction specialist at Loma Linda University Hospital in Southern California at the time I went into the detox center to get off of the benzo's altogether.

In order to prevent total shutdown of my organs I was given around the clock intraveneous IV drips and 2mg IV push of Ativan until my body stabilized. Needless to say I go to the Psychiatrist on a very regular basis sometimes every 2 to 3 months to monitor myself, especially being on such a high dose. I have pretty much been told based on my medical history at this point that I will be on this the rest of my life.

It would be great if there were an alternative to this, because the withdrawals are deadly, at least for me they can be, and I was medically detoxed inpatient when this all occurred. Needless to say I take it every day as prescribed, unfortunately there are also those out there who abuse the medication as well which only makes it harder for those of us who need it to live to keep on getting it prescribed.

Anyhow that's my experience with it and as far as generics go I have noticed differences in my mood level and panic attacks on different brand generics Caraco being the worst and TEVA (USA) being the best. Just got my med refilled today with a new generic so am waiting to see if it is good, bad, or ugly.

I was diagnosed with migraine with aura well over a year ago. A neurologist recommended I take Clonazepam to help with insomnia. After taking the medicine since I was diagnosed has helped with the migraines I suffer from. However, I have discovered within that time how addictive Clonazepam can be. I do not take a high dosage, just .5 MG before bedtime. With my personal experience being so terrible, I DO NOT want anyone to take this drug. It does more bad things than I ever thought it would do. If you are willing to take this drug, make sure it is only taken for a short amount of time.

Michael - can I ask you more about your detox - I have tried so many tapers - sounds like you found a place that really specializes - do you mind sharing?

I have spent the last 6 months of my life coming off of Klonopin. And it's not over yet.
It has been by far the worst 6 months of my life. I never dreamed that life could be so dark and full of fear and danger.

I took it as prescribed - 1-2 mg. a day for 2 1/2 years for anxiety/panic attacks.
A psychiatrist gave me a prescription for Klonopin at the end of my first 45 minutes session with him in the spring of 2007.

In October of 2009 I decided to wean myself off. Not knowing the dangers of doing so, I proceeded with advice from my general doctor and my pharmacist. They advised me as best they could.
I was in for the most dreadful experience my life.

If I knew then what I know now after educating myself, I would have done things differently.

My advice for anyone trying to come off of Klonopin is to read "THE ASHTON MANUAL" by Heather Ashton of England (you can google it).
It is the benzodiazepine bible and should be read by anyone before they take their first benzodiazepine, of which Klonopin is one.
IT SHOULD ALSO BE READ BY ANY ONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO WITHDRAW FROM BENZODIAZEPINES, SUCH A KLONOPIN.

Klonopin should be taken for no longer than 4 weeks....at the very most...and only when desperately needed.
Otherwise I believe it should be banned. It is an extremely dangerous drug.

I sympathize with you, friend. I'm 54 and on disability, (I'm on oxygen; my lungs are extremely small and I struggle for air). Anyway, I understand the problem you have with the Clonazapam. I have to pay about $35 for the drug because NO Medicare Part D plan will cover it......WE'RE STUCK with it!!!!

Marshall, could you please contact me and let me know how you got off the klonopin. I have been trying to get off it a little at a time using Melatonin as I go. Problem is I'm now down to half a pill and having problems sleeping. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Gary

Wondering if anyone has suggestions on how they tapered off klopin.

Been on 1mg for about 2 yrs at night.

reduced down to 3/4 of a pill with two melatonin and slept so so.

After two weeks of that, tried going down to half a pill and now having major problems sleeping.

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Maybe i need to stay on the 3/4 of a pill longer before going down to a half?

Thanks, gary

A sleep doctor put me on Mirapex for restless legs. It worked quite well, but I developed a terrible tremor quite suddenly. My primary care doctor prescribed clonazepam, 2 to 3 .5mg tablets at night. It works great for the RLS, and I have no side effects. My new primary care doctor doesn't like it and wanted me to cut down to .5mg. I have tried, but at anything less than 2 tablets the RLS comes back with a vengeance. Too bad the soap thing didn't work for me.

Need help, started having palps in march and had a panic attack they gave me clonzapam and I tried several ssri couldn't tolerate them. Now I'm stuck on 1.25 mg clonzapam and if I don't take them I can't breathe my anxiety out the roof. What can I do my dr wants me to try doxepine. I tried 10mg that's as far as I could go. What do you suggest? Going through menopause too. Does taking ad's help you get off clonzapam? I'm still having chest pains heart palps on 1.25 I just take the pain sometimes help please?

mel,

Please have your hormones checked!! If I had done this years ago, I would most likely have been spared a lot of pain and suffering.

Go to someone who can do saliva testing. It is the best way to go... ad get the bio-identical hormone replacement if they are out of whack.

If i knew then what I know now about hormones and Klonopin, I would never have taken the first Klonopin...

I would have most likely found relief with hormone replacement, like I and doing now.

Klonopin is highly addictive and can cause major problems.

I am curious what herbal supplements you have found helpful for coming off clonozepam. I take 5-htp, have tried valerian, L-tyrosine... none are that effective but I am extremely prone to anxiety, and advice is appreciated. Much thanks.

I was put on klonopin back in 1995 after an elective surgery that went bad. I was having severe panic attacks with generalized anxiety disorder. I have been on different types of benzo's since I was 19 and never had a problem coming off of them. My psychiatrist at the time told me to look at it as if it were heart medication because I would probably be on it for the rest of my life. If I would run out, I would do fine up until the 4th day at that point I would have frequent clear urination with no pain. I would feel dizzy and have nausea. It was also as though I could smell the drug itself.

I have tried to wean myself off many times. I have not taken it in over a month now but suffered dearly and had to take xanax to get any sleep at all. I urinated so much that I lost over 15 pounds in the first two weeks of coming off of it. Looking back I gained over 60 pounds within the first three months of starting it. I figure the frequent and miserable urination had to be the poisons coming out of my system. I have had to go to the E.R. three times already because I feel like I am coming out of my skin.

I wonder if I will ever have a normal life again without it. The doctor's that I have told about my experience have told me that the psychiatrist who told me I would be on it for the rest of my life had truly done me an injustice. Perhaps this medication helped me get through some tough times in my life but nothing that might have benefited me could have even compared to the hell that I am going through now and after taking it for 16 years I have no idea how long this agony will last.

I agree with Mitchell's comment. I've been taking Clonazepam 0.5 mg for about 3 months, and I do not recommend it. I was having dizzy feelings (work-related stress), insomnia, and was prescribed this medication by a neurologist. The medication worked initially, as I slept 3-5 hours of sleep (instead of nothing).

As time passed, I had to split the pill up as I was getting bad side effects. I'm 26 years old, and now I'm trying to get myself back to normal as I'm consistently confused, tired, feeling of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and not wanting to do anything.

Now, after talking with my doctor and psychotherapist, it was decided to ween off this medication and try amitriptyline (which I'm reading similar feedback so we will see). The moral of the story, if you have anxiety go to a therapist first, then seek drug treatment. Also, on a side note it's nice to have an outlet like this, as when you talk to people on how your feeling, many people have no idea what your going thru.

In all seriousness, for those who have trouble sleeping you may want to check out the painter Bob Ross. I watch him every night before bed and pass right out. His voice is real soothing and it really calms me down. I started taking clonazepam 0.5 mg a little over 4 years ago and currently cut that pill into 4 small pieces. Does anyone know if the side effects of withdrawal ever go away??

If he was taking it regularly, he should have been weaned off of it, not just taken off.

I have been taking it for 10 years. It was the medication that did the trick with my general, social anxiety and panic attack, a life saver! Have been taking 1 mg in the morning and 1 mg in the evening.
Now, I want to get off of it.
I have been hiding the fact that I'm taking this medication, from everyone including my wife, for 8 years...

I went cold turkey on evening 1 mg, and had difficult time, nevertheless successful. I'm having a bit of difficulty sleeping. But I could live with that since I'm not having any God forsaken horrible anxiety attacks.

Now I got a bit of courage and I only need to cut the morning 1 mg out, which seem tricky since the most of social interaction happens during the day.

Anyway, I should put a disclaimer that withdrawing should be consulted with doctor...(I haven't discussed my resolution with doctor, but seem dangerous to go cold turkey like me from what I'm reading on the Internet).

Just want to say, drug definitely helped me. But I want to live free (including free from secret drug).

I'm 30yrs old I've been taking clozapam **since Sept2011-its now Dec 3-Rd 2011*I'm not sure bout this drug been having bad heart palpitations to the point where they think I have SvT...I'm scared I think its making me sick...plz someone help.....what should I do????