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

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@doorman- I believe I started with a half of mg. initially and was bumped up to 1 mg. within the 1st year.
You may be right about the responders. It seemed to take a month or more before I could really realze the differences which was a huge relief!
I've never had the urge to increase from 1 mg. I still bring along an extra half in a plastic bag when I travel especially on airplanes. It seems knowing I have some extra with me helps any anxiety and I can't ever remember needing to take it. Jim@thankful

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@thankful

@doorman- I believe I started with a half of mg. initially and was bumped up to 1 mg. within the 1st year.
You may be right about the responders. It seemed to take a month or more before I could really realze the differences which was a huge relief!
I've never had the urge to increase from 1 mg. I still bring along an extra half in a plastic bag when I travel especially on airplanes. It seems knowing I have some extra with me helps any anxiety and I can't ever remember needing to take it. Jim@thankful

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lol....I do the same thing. That is, carry around some Xanax or Klonopin......just in case....

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i would imagine its always good to have it as an insurance policy just in case 🙂

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i have been taking klonopin for 20 years. i seem fine. no side effects. however, it is a controlled med. it is stong. you can read pdr at pharmacy. supposedly many possible long gterm effects. i have been trying to get off for years, but i have anxirty when i do not take it. good luck to you. meds are not toys. be watchful and careful. i wish you best for your wellness.

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@njp1013

i would imagine its always good to have it as an insurance policy just in case 🙂

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njp1013- I think for me just knowing I have it with me puts me at ease! It works and thats what is important to me. Jim@thankful

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@cdcc

The reason is because upon awaking in the morning my anxiety is so bad I don’t want to get up. She says klonopin lasts longer then Ativan. Although I only take the Ativan in the morning and Seroquel at bedtime which to me does nothing.

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What you are experiencing in the morning is ativan withdrawal, not your normal anxiety. Klonopin is a longer acting benzo but very very hard to come off of. I know my father ended up in the ICU from Klonopin withdrawal. So just know that once you go on it long term it is very hard to get off a benzo. Also, because of the short half life of Ativan you begin withdrawal about 4 to 6 hour after taking it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh54uj6qH98

I have gone through Ativan withdrawal. I am 6 months out after going cold turkey. I do not advise going cold turkey if you do decide to go off the Ativan.

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@73years

i have been taking klonopin for 20 years. i seem fine. no side effects. however, it is a controlled med. it is stong. you can read pdr at pharmacy. supposedly many possible long gterm effects. i have been trying to get off for years, but i have anxirty when i do not take it. good luck to you. meds are not toys. be watchful and careful. i wish you best for your wellness.

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Hi, @73years - thanks for sharing your experiences on Clonazepam (Klonopin). Nice that you have not had side effects.

I have experienced some anxiety, as well, and have generalized anxiety disorder. Fluoxetine (Prozac) has been added to my usual buproprion (Wellbutrin) when my anxiety has gotten hard to manage, usually for a season.

If you are comfortable sharing, what is your diagnosis for which you are taking this medication?

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Please! Please watch this to the end. GOTO:
https://youtu.be/Yh54uj6qH98

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@lisalucier

Hi, @73years - thanks for sharing your experiences on Clonazepam (Klonopin). Nice that you have not had side effects.

I have experienced some anxiety, as well, and have generalized anxiety disorder. Fluoxetine (Prozac) has been added to my usual buproprion (Wellbutrin) when my anxiety has gotten hard to manage, usually for a season.

If you are comfortable sharing, what is your diagnosis for which you are taking this medication?

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anxiety i watched the benzo crisis below. i must get off klonopin. does mayo clinic have any protocals?

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@73years

anxiety i watched the benzo crisis below. i must get off klonopin. does mayo clinic have any protocals?

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There are protocols. But the very first thing you need to do is go to your doctor and tell him or her that you want off. If your doctor will not help you, find another that will. Also, get a psychologist and go to group sessions for support.

https://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/https://w-bad.org/
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