Has anyone taken Klonopin?

I am starting my 5th week on effexor, and finishing 1st week at a raised dose of 150mg. Last Tuesday my dose of Effexor was raised an I was given .5 mg klonopin to take twice a day. The good news is its helping. This last week was so much easier for me that its hard for me to believe its been a week already when the previous four felt like a month each. The bad news is i am well aware of the stigma/horror stories etc etc about benzos and i am having hard time getting past that guilt and fear. why cant i just allow myself to enjoy feeling better? i know its only short term..like i dont plan to be taking these more than a month, but still those voices in the back of my head telling me 'this isnt really helping you etc etc'...what are your guys feelings and experiences with benzos and klonopin in particular. i know @doorman you did not have a particularly good experience

I am starting my 5th week on effexor, and finishing 1st week at a raised dose of 150mg. Last Tuesday my dose of Effexor was raised an I was given .5 mg klonopin to take twice a day. The good news is its helping. This last week was so much easier for me that its hard for me to believe its been a week already when the previous four felt like a month each. The bad news is i am well aware of the stigma/horror stories etc etc about benzos and i am having hard time getting past that guilt and fear. why cant i just allow myself to enjoy feeling better? i know its only short term..like i dont plan to be taking these more than a month, but still those voices in the back of my head telling me 'this isnt really helping you etc etc'...what are your guys feelings and experiences with benzos and klonopin in particular. i know @doorman you did not have a particularly good experience

@doorman thanks i appreciate that, how have you been feeling the last few days?

I am starting my 5th week on effexor, and finishing 1st week at a raised dose of 150mg. Last Tuesday my dose of Effexor was raised an I was given .5 mg klonopin to take twice a day. The good news is its helping. This last week was so much easier for me that its hard for me to believe its been a week already when the previous four felt like a month each. The bad news is i am well aware of the stigma/horror stories etc etc about benzos and i am having hard time getting past that guilt and fear. why cant i just allow myself to enjoy feeling better? i know its only short term..like i dont plan to be taking these more than a month, but still those voices in the back of my head telling me 'this isnt really helping you etc etc'...what are your guys feelings and experiences with benzos and klonopin in particular. i know @doorman you did not have a particularly good experience

@njp1013- I've never taken effexor, so I can't speak to that, but I've been on 1 mg of klonopin/clonazepam for well over 20 years.
I've never felt the need to increase the dose, but more recently have been being asked my pcp to consider getting off this drug.
I think many Drs. are under pressure with the opioid epidemic to also try to get stricter with benzo's as well. It's clear to him that I have not abused the drug so its just a point of conversation right now.
I've mentioned in past posts that klonopin I believe gave me back my life. I was going down this path of numerous panic attacks which caused me to start crossing off everyday things (driving on freeways, over bridges, flying to visit kids, vacations, etc.) that I could no longer consider.
I was able to do all these things again (in a few cases it took 1 1/2 years) but I'm doing them again!
There has been much conversation of this site about getting off benzo's for a variety of reasons and I just don't feel that for me that is necessary.
I admit that I have concerns about it more because for so many getting off didn't go well whether it was no real taper or going cold turkey and then trying to go back went even worst. I'm just not at a point to sacrifice the risk of loosing all that I have gained back.
I feel great and when I forget taking my dose it's more of a feeling like I skipped coffee for the day.
I have shared my story in several different forums as well as one on one and I feel that I've helped people who were experiencing the delibertating effects of anxiety and panic attacks. My Physiatrist many years ago told me this and as simple of a statement it is it just made sense to me.
Just as a car needs certain fluids to run correctly our own system in many ways is similiar. For some reason your body is not producing the necessary chemicals to offset your experiences and taking klonopin will even things out and allow you to take back those fears. Well that has been my experience and I will will always be thankful for his advise. Jim@thankful

@njp1013- I've never taken effexor, so I can't speak to that, but I've been on 1 mg of klonopin/clonazepam for well over 20 years.
I've never felt the need to increase the dose, but more recently have been being asked my pcp to consider getting off this drug.
I think many Drs. are under pressure with the opioid epidemic to also try to get stricter with benzo's as well. It's clear to him that I have not abused the drug so its just a point of conversation right now.
I've mentioned in past posts that klonopin I believe gave me back my life. I was going down this path of numerous panic attacks which caused me to start crossing off everyday things (driving on freeways, over bridges, flying to visit kids, vacations, etc.) that I could no longer consider.
I was able to do all these things again (in a few cases it took 1 1/2 years) but I'm doing them again!
There has been much conversation of this site about getting off benzo's for a variety of reasons and I just don't feel that for me that is necessary.
I admit that I have concerns about it more because for so many getting off didn't go well whether it was no real taper or going cold turkey and then trying to go back went even worst. I'm just not at a point to sacrifice the risk of loosing all that I have gained back.
I feel great and when I forget taking my dose it's more of a feeling like I skipped coffee for the day.
I have shared my story in several different forums as well as one on one and I feel that I've helped people who were experiencing the delibertating effects of anxiety and panic attacks. My Physiatrist many years ago told me this and as simple of a statement it is it just made sense to me.
Just as a car needs certain fluids to run correctly our own system in many ways is similiar. For some reason your body is not producing the necessary chemicals to offset your experiences and taking klonopin will even things out and allow you to take back those fears. Well that has been my experience and I will will always be thankful for his advise. Jim@thankful

hi jim @thankful thank you so much for your post. i hope that it helps me as much as it has helped you, even to just get me over this rough patch. i am going to take it until my next appt on oct 30 and see how it works for me...my hope is that by then my increased dose of effexor will have kicked in to the point where i can start cycling down on the klonopin but we'll see..in the meantime hearing your story is very helpful, thank you.