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[Steve P]

My Dr. says I should take Klopin every day if I need it. I'm not afraid of becoming addicted as much as I am developing a tolerance and then it not working any more. AD's haven't worked for me and if I build up a tolerance to the Klonopin, then where do I turn? Any advice would be helpful.

[taysmom1016]

I take Klonopin 4 times a day (well, 3, I take 2 at night to help me sleep). I'm on it now for anxiety but have been on it for almost 4 years (only 1-2 then) for restless leg syndrome. It still works just as well for me as it did when I started it. I'd say take it if you need it, if it helps, but don't take it out of habit or because you think you have to. I can take 4 in a day, then the next go almost all day until bedtime without taking it, depending on my mood and activity level. If I can keep busy (and thankfully it's warming up so I have lots of yard work, flowers, etc. to do, not to mention refinishing some furniture) I don't think about it and I don't take it until bedtime. Good luck to you, I hope it works out for you. I also take L-theanine and sometimes valerian root to calm me if I'm just a little restiless, not overly anxious, something you might want to try.

[Steve P]

Thanks Taysmom. I wake up every morning with a lot of anxiety and start right away trying to decide whether to take some or not and how much. I try to just take it every other morning so I won't build up a tolerance. But the days I miss I tell myself why should I be miserable. I usually don't have to take it again after that morning dose. I take Remeron to help me sleep and it works great. Anyway thanks for responding. I'm new here and am just getting the hang of things. Take care. Also thanks for the tips on L-theanine and valerian root.

Edited by Steve P, 17 April 2012 - 06:23 PM.

[Between3and26characters]

I can take 4 in a day, then the next go almost all day until bedtime without taking it, depending on my mood and activity level.

Not to be the antithetical, but am guessing the reason one can do this is because the Klonopin has reached a steady state in their system and has a half-life that will stick with one for the better part of a day. Can ask your doc; this is what I have been told by mine.

I went on 1 mg of Klonopin when I was in my early 20s. I had been taking Ativan for anxiety but the anxiety was unrelenting (generalized anxiety disorder) so the doc was looking for a better fix. Some 20+ years later am still taking 1 mg. I have been off of it once – terrible – and then tried again about a year ago (also not on any SSRI at the time). This was super terrible. Docs have different opinions / experience on Klonopin use / withdrawal. I just decided that hey, have anxiety, that is a fact, tried several times in life to deal with it with no meds, different meds, therapy, they did not work, there is a med for it, that works, will take it.

[Steve P]

I can take 4 in a day, then the next go almost all day until bedtime without taking it, depending on my mood and activity level.

Not to be the antithetical, but am guessing the reason one can do this is because the Klonopin has reached a steady state in their system and has a half-life that will stick with one for the better part of a day. Can ask your doc; this is what I have been told by mine.

I went on 1 mg of Klonopin when I was in my early 20s. I had been taking Ativan for anxiety but the anxiety was unrelenting (generalized anxiety disorder) so the doc was looking for a better fix. Some 20+ years later am still taking 1 mg. I have been off of it once – terrible – and then tried again about a year ago (also not on any SSRI at the time). This was super terrible. Docs have different opinions / experience on Klonopin use / withdrawal. I just decided that hey, have anxiety, that is a fact, tried several times in life to deal with it with no meds, different meds, therapy, they did not work, there is a med for it, that works, will take it.

Yeah that's about what I have decided too. Thanks

[krispy30]

Hi,

I too suffer from horrible anxiety and take 1 mg Klonopin 4x/day. Now, to most this seems like a lot and it IS. The thing is, I have been taking it for so long that any other amount that is lower is like taking sugar pills. I will say this: if you take it as long as I have (about 5 years) it IS addictive. You DO NOT want to experience withdrawal from Benzos. I once had to go five days without a single pill and it was pure agony. I was seeing a new pdoc and he refused to refill my prescription and in a panic, called my former pdoc who was appalled that the other pdoc would let me go that long without anymore Klonopin. Bezo withdrawals can actually cause seizures and in some cases, death. I was very lucky. Those were the longest five days of my life. I was paralyzed and barricaded in my apartment. Don't let this happen to you! I was very afraid of becoming addicted and actually didnt take my med when I was supposed to; this just made things worse. I AM physically addicted because my tolerance has grown over the years. I would say that if you do build a tolerance or it doesn't work, there are other meds. you can try that are similar.

Good luck.

[btmseibs]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this forum. I just started taking Klonopin daily for the last two weeks. I've always suffered from social anxiety (although I hide it quite well, even my closest of friends have no idea the inner turmoil I sometimes feel.) I suffered for years but never did anything about it until recently when it started to affect my life. I didn't want to go out to places, I would get anxious and panicky at work. It seemed like stresses that affected me in the past hit so much harder and I couldn't handle it anymore. I finally sought help. I met with a psychiatrist who initially tried 20mg of zoloft which I did terrible with. Insomnia, stomach troubles, ugh.

I feel like Klonopin has turned my life around. It has given me confidence in my job and in everyday life. I feel in control and relaxed. Being in crowds doesn't bother me as much. It sort of slows things down and doesn't make things so hectic and crazy. Although things may be going on around you, you seem to not notice it as much. It's unbelievable how different I feel. My dosage is 1mg total a day (super low). I found .5mg to be too much so I take .25 mg four times a day. Like I said, I've only been on it for two weeks now at this dosage and will remain on it for the next 4 weeks until I visit the doctor again and we will re-evaluate then. I don't feel like I suffer from depression just social axiety. We may try a low dose of Paxil or Prozac. I'm open to anyhting so long as I feel like me again. I'll do whatever it takes.

I wish everyone the best with what they are going through. I've never gone through something like this before and it's a very scary time. I'm glad I found this group. We're all in it together :)

[dondi2538]

If I took Klonopin every day as precribed I would not be able to function due to the sleepiness. For me it tends to last from bedtime to the middle of the next day. It works for my anxiety, but I can't sleep all day. Does anyone else have this problem?

[jonine1975]

When I take it, which is .75 3xs a day I notice that with my afternoon dose of I don't sleep a little I get kind of depressed. Anyone else have this happen?