Has anyone taken Klonopin?

Posted by cdcc @cdcc, Aug 1, 2018

Has anyone taken this medication. My med nurse wants to take me off Ativan and use Klonopin. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

@parus

I had taken Klonopin for several years and was brave enough to tell my PC physician about disturbing and dark thoughts. She prescribed Valium and I no longer had those disturbingly, dark thoughts. Everyone reacts differently to medications. Due to all of the drama over the use of controlled substances T
the PcCP can no longer prescribe a controlled substance. I have strong panic attacks and was only taking the Valium PRN. I now have ceased doing the things I was doing and avoid situations that trigger anxiety (i.e. PTSD). Is what it is...can't change it, can't fix it. At times anxiety is overwhelming.
Are we weak because of anxiety???? Are we weak when we, at times, need medication?
Needing medicinal aide must be a weakness. 🙁

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@parus

You present a difficult situation for many people. I certainly believe that we all need medications for various reasons. Somehow what is happening now by withholding meds does not seem appropriate or helpful for people.

Has anyone in this discussion group ever taken Buspirone (Buspar) for anxiety? It is not addictive, but it does work for anxiety. I have a friend who takes it for a bipolar disorder and it really settles her mood. Here is some information on it from WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8876/buspirone-oral/details

Of course, all meds have side effects as this one does, but it is not addictive which makes it a "safe" drug for prescribers.

Teresa

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@mattie

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NO SIDE EFFECTS BUT SOMETIMES TIRED. i WAS TAKING IT WITH pROZAC BUT NOW I STOPPED PROZAC...KLONOPIN STILL HELPING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND AS BEFORE. 20 BYEARS IS A LONG TIME....

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Hi, @mattie,
Wow, 20 years and almost no side effects from the clonazepam (Klonopin). That is great.

I notice that you were typing in ALL CAPS. You'll notice that we advise against using all caps in the community guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/. That's because all caps is considered shouting in online communications. However, a few members on Connect have to or prefer to use all caps due to typing difficulties (sore hands) or eyesight issues, and we honor that situation.

You said that you were taking the clonazepam (Klonopin) with fluoxetine (Prozac) then stopped the fluoxetine (Prozac), and the clonazepam (Klonopin) is not helping as much as before. Are you thinking you felt better when you took both medications?

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@mattie

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NO SIDE EFFECTS BUT SOMETIMES TIRED. i WAS TAKING IT WITH pROZAC BUT NOW I STOPPED PROZAC...KLONOPIN STILL HELPING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND AS BEFORE. 20 BYEARS IS A LONG TIME....

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peraps i should not type I hte arthritis and dupuytens and am luck to say anytehing her. forget i i wonet.

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@mattie

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NO SIDE EFFECTS BUT SOMETIMES TIRED. i WAS TAKING IT WITH pROZAC BUT NOW I STOPPED PROZAC...KLONOPIN STILL HELPING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND AS BEFORE. 20 BYEARS IS A LONG TIME....

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Hello @mattie

If you need to use ALL CAPS please do so. As Lisa mentioned in her post, we have some members who have arthritis or vision problems and for them it is much easier to use ALL CAPS. Since it is easier for you to type that way, please continue to do so. Your presence in our community is important.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

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@mattie

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NO SIDE EFFECTS BUT SOMETIMES TIRED. i WAS TAKING IT WITH pROZAC BUT NOW I STOPPED PROZAC...KLONOPIN STILL HELPING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND AS BEFORE. 20 BYEARS IS A LONG TIME....

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I feel this has no bearingion depression and what is wrong with me . I resign.

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@mattie

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NO SIDE EFFECTS BUT SOMETIMES TIRED. i WAS TAKING IT WITH pROZAC BUT NOW I STOPPED PROZAC...KLONOPIN STILL HELPING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND AS BEFORE. 20 BYEARS IS A LONG TIME....

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Oh, @mattie — that is exactly what we mean, is if you have a medical reason to use all caps, then please feel free to go ahead and do so. That is very hard to be dealing with arthritis and feel lucky to type or say anything.

We support you and value your participation and all you've had to share about mental health, neuropathy and other topics here on Connect.

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@parus

I had taken Klonopin for several years and was brave enough to tell my PC physician about disturbing and dark thoughts. She prescribed Valium and I no longer had those disturbingly, dark thoughts. Everyone reacts differently to medications. Due to all of the drama over the use of controlled substances T
the PcCP can no longer prescribe a controlled substance. I have strong panic attacks and was only taking the Valium PRN. I now have ceased doing the things I was doing and avoid situations that trigger anxiety (i.e. PTSD). Is what it is...can't change it, can't fix it. At times anxiety is overwhelming.
Are we weak because of anxiety???? Are we weak when we, at times, need medication?
Needing medicinal aide must be a weakness. 🙁

Jump to this post

Are you able to see a psychiatrist who could review your history and work with you to determine if you need to go back on an anti-anxiety medication? It sounds like you are perhaps suffering needlessly, and I for one do not think that we are weak if we need medication to help control depression or anxiety. There are also mental techniques / practices you might learn from cognitive behavioral therapy to help you get through those more difficult times and to make them a bit less severe. You certainly do not deserve to be in the situation you find yourself. Warm wishes. 🙂

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@mattie

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NO SIDE EFFECTS BUT SOMETIMES TIRED. i WAS TAKING IT WITH pROZAC BUT NOW I STOPPED PROZAC...KLONOPIN STILL HELPING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND AS BEFORE. 20 BYEARS IS A LONG TIME....

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When someone is reaching out for help, it takes alot of effort to type their message. Alot of the time they cant' see or read the small type. I will probably get kicked off for saying this but I think that was a very bad thing say to this person @lisalucier. They are probably feeling rejection by your remark. People suffering depression and Anxiety are very sensitive and can take things wrong. I feel this was unnecessary thing to say.

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@mattie

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NO SIDE EFFECTS BUT SOMETIMES TIRED. i WAS TAKING IT WITH pROZAC BUT NOW I STOPPED PROZAC...KLONOPIN STILL HELPING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND AS BEFORE. 20 BYEARS IS A LONG TIME....

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Hello @anniegk

I appreciate your sensitivity to @mattie and I understand what you are saying. Those of us who have dealt with depression and anxiety have a different way of responding to what we feel is unjust criticism. It has to do with the way we were raised. Many of us were shamed as children and anything that feels like being judged or criticized goes right to our heart and makes us feel bad.

I know that Lisa did not intend to hurt any feelings, she was just stating a guideline for the group but unfortunately it was taken as a criticism which was never Lisa's intention. Thank you for your post, I appreciate it!

Teresa

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@mattie

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. NO SIDE EFFECTS BUT SOMETIMES TIRED. i WAS TAKING IT WITH pROZAC BUT NOW I STOPPED PROZAC...KLONOPIN STILL HELPING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND AS BEFORE. 20 BYEARS IS A LONG TIME....

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@mattie please stay. Your input is very important to me. I dont care how you input your message (caps or small) iam just very interested in how you feel and what you have to say.

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