Does klonapin cause brain fog

Hoo boy, I know a lot about this topic. I was prescribed klonopin for anxiety and insomnia way back when (cheating spouse and 2 little kids). Much later in my life, I was told it was intended only for very short term use (6 weeks max) and I was prescribed through my PCP for 25 YEARS!!! In 2018, I moved to another state and found a doctor who agreed to help me get off of it which is very hard to do - it took me a year. Not only does it call brain fog, but it causes memory loss and long-term use of benzodiazepines may increase the risk of developing dementia by 32% to 84%. I was so relaxed while on it and slept like a baby and I'm sorry it was EVER prescribed to me.

@mialola
It can because it's a central nervous system depressant so can cause brain fog and other cognitive issues.
I agree with @babs10 regarding short-term use, however not everyone has that option. For example, people with seizure disorders. Unfortunately, illnesses like epilepsy are rarely short-term conditions.
There are 6 benzodiazepine anticonvulsant meds used for epilepsy, three of which are primarily used as emergency meds.
Seizure medications like most other drugs are not usually user-friendly.
Take care,
Jake

Thanks Jake.

How did you get off of clonazepam? I take 1mg 2x/day and have been for quite a while. I'd like to quit (taper, actually) and was wondering about your experience.

Thanks very much!

Joe

heyjoe415
Taper 1/4 of a .5mg pill every 3 weeks. A slow taper is the best way to avoid any problems.

@heyjoe415
Tapering is very individual but less is best. I believe it took me 2 years but I was taking 18 mg a day for seizures. I decreased my dose, usually every 3-4 weeks. I don't remember how many pill pieces I cut the pills into. But I cut my dose very slowly.
Good luck,
Jake

@jakedduck1 I also used a site called Benzobuddies to learn how to titrate (taper) - I read a lot of success stories.

It can be done! Good job getting off of 18 mg / day. I was on 1 mg and thought THAT was hard. Kudos to you.
https://benzobuddies.org/

Thanks very much Jake for the thoughtful advice!

Joe

Starting to taper off of .5mg which I’ve used primarily at night & it’s a struggle. I have extreme health anxiety & on heavy dose statin due to horrible heart calcium score. Had an echocardiogram, stress tests & even an angiogram where they in there w catheter. No stents needed which seemed like relief at time but a year later still feel like heart health declining. Ugh, venting. Thx.

@babs10 “Mother’s little helpers” is what Benzodiazepines were called in the 60’s. They were prescribed like candy to women. Not men, women. My mom got huge bottles of them, she had 7 kids and was an alcoholic. Doctor felt she “needed” them. She never got off of them.
They work in the exact same area of the brain as alcohol. The medical profession was duped into calming women just as they were with prescribing opioids as a non-addictive pain medication.
Now when those medications are actually NEEDED for short term use, we are refused.