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caramelbunny

Updated 5mo ago

Looking for experiences with Clonazepam for anxiety

hi all, I just got put on .5mg of Clonazepam and was wondering if any of you have also been put on it and what your results have been. Was put on it for severe anxiety and coincidentally I'm nervous about taking it, any help is appreciated ❤️

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ArdenIris

2y

All I know about it is that it is for seizures and panic attacks, my doctor almost put me on it but he changed his mind.
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Pantalons

2y

I take it. I started to have serious anxiety when I just was diagnosed with vestibular disorder and I was spinning like crazy thinking I’m dying or something but like my heart was fine and every test I did was fine and still am fine. So I went into panic attack mode and they put me on it and it helps level me out. I was finally healing from the vertigo and vestibular stuff then some lady rear ended me and brought me back to where I was when I first got hurt. It’s supposedly addictive but idk about that also I only take half of your dose but sometimes when I first was put on it I’d take 2 cause I was freaking out cause a part of the vertigo was panic and anxiety and it would get out of control. But I also know people who been taking it for years, one being my mother. She was on Xanax for 3 years dropped that like nothing and then 5 years of .5 of clonazepam and she’s okay. She needs it tho, my father died 8 years ago and she was a mess and that is the only stuff that helps her take the edge off. I don’t blame her, it’s better then taking Xanax that stuff is strong. But yeah it helps as a “as needed” type thing but if you need it need it take it. That’s what my friend who take like 2mg per day says. Rather stay calm then be all worked up.
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Pantalons

2y

Also my results are good. It don’t make you sleepy or anything like that. Just get used to it before you go do stuff. Don’t drink on it cause it won’t work
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mizzcali19

10mo

you still taking it
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Rosay

2y

I’ve been on 1.5 mg twice a day for over a year and it’s helped a lot. Don’t be afraid to take it. You won’t know until you try. I promise the worst result is that you’ll be sleepy that’s it. But it does help a lot. For me mine is so severe it doesn’t take it all away but it certainly makes it more manageable
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mizzcali19

9mo

are you still taking?
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Alyssa_m

2y

I take it as needed and it has helped me so much, at first it made me feel a little sleepy and heavy but not overwhelmingly. I also deal with really bad social anxiety and I was able to go to disney world during very bad dissociation for 5 hours! I have found best results is to take it when I anticipate that something is going to make me anxious. But if I am already really anxious it doesn’t help me as much
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Fwd1982

1y

🙏when i was put on it i was also taking .5 mg that was about 12 yrs ago i was afraid of taking it the first time too until i just took it one day and it calm me down now i take 1mg at night time
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Zebrapotato37659

10mo

It shouldn’t sedate you too much. Best to take it before an event (something that might be anxiety inducing) so it has time to take the effect. You go this!
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EliteLexy

10mo

I have been on it for decades, since I was in fifth grade. Works great for me. At first I was an exhausted child, but you are an adult, so you will likely react to it differently. Such a relief some days, though! Good luck!
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Fwd1982

10mo

Im on 1mg twice day of clonazepam and it works really good i have been taking it for 10 yrs now
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mizzcali19

9mo

it's it ok to take it for years? I'm just wondering I been on for about over a year now.
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Cherrycola

10mo

I was on 1mg twice a day for a year or so, it helped at first but then it eventually stopped working. I recommend using it as an as needed medication
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mizzcali19

9mo

did you have to taper off? If so how did you it
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joeldr88

10mo

I struggle with it so bad that i was put on benzos for mine 3 milligrams a day cause mine so severe
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Catiedid

10mo

The thing about clonazepam it’s longer lasting where as Xanax works quicker in your system but will not last as long - I have been taking it for years.. it helps me a lot.. I was taking the amount you are now but I decided to just take 2 a day .5
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Meggy1616

9mo

I'm on it! PLEASE KEEP IN CONTACT WITH DR. AND TRY TO USE IT SHORT TERM! They didn't tell me what can happen if you're on long term and now I'm STUCK on it
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MeeB333

9mo

- Another side effect that I felt from my sporadic usage of this type of drug was actually increased anxiety & more frequent panic attacks, so dependence on it is a very real problem, & Benzos can actually potentially worsen the anxiety that they are prescribed to supposedly treat, unfortunately. :-/
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MeeB333

9mo

I was prescribed Alprazolam (generic Xanax) & then Clonazepam (generic Klonopin) when I was in my 20’s. Among other issues, I have GAD(Generalized Anxiety Disorder), as well as Social Anxiety Disorder/Agoraphobia, & Panic Attacks. I didn’t like the way that any Benzodiazepine medications made me feel, so I would only take them on an as needed basis for acute symptoms & in anticipation of stressful situations, but found that they did little to help my condition. I felt dulled on them, & there is a great deal of evidence, medical studies & literature about the many possible negative side effects of long-term use of this class of drugs, like dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, addiction, & a variety of harmful potential cognitive & neurological changes in the brain. “In current long-term users, benzodiazepines have been shown to cause impairment in the domains of motor coordination, psychomotor speed, verbal reasoning & learning, executive function, sensory processing, episodic memory, & concentration. They have also been shown to cause decreased IQ, processing speed, & visuospatial and visuomotor abilities. They can also result in delayed response time & an altered perception of self, environment, & relationships in addition to causing deficits in expressive language, working memory, visuoconstruction, and divided attention.” ( Source: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/cognitive-consequences-of-benzodiazepine-use-is-it-worth-losing-our-mind-over-# ) Personally, once I began to learn about possible brain damage being caused by this particular type of drug, I did not feel comfortable with continuing to take them, & took myself off of them. But, since I was only taking them sporadically, my withdrawal symptoms were minimal, thankfully, although I did experience some headaches, increased brain fog, & difficulty with attention & concentration. This is just my personal experience, & I realize that the benefits may outweigh the side effects for some people. However, Benzos are highly over-prescribed, & are not intended to be taken for long-term use. These drugs work by dulling our nervous system’s response, and, as an abuse & trauma survivor with Chronic Complex-PTSD, I can confidently say that there are circumstances in which that can definitely be detrimental to one’s survival & wellbeing. Not all fear is bad, as it’s supposed to be our brain’s way of trying to warn us when we may be in danger. The real problem arises when the brain begins to alert to inappropriate stimuli, making us feel the fight/flight/freeze response is necessary in normal everyday scenarios, which are not actually life-threatening or dangerous. (I am also hyper-vigilant, a feature of my Chronic C-PTSD, so I’m hyper-aware of everything going on at all times, & constantly fearful of potential hazards.) Our bodies & minds can be injured by traumatic experiences, & start to malfunction in ways that make our lives more difficult. And, for some, prescriptions may temporarily aid us in dealing with the difficulties that arise. But, ultimately, most drugs are not cure-alls, & they are merely treating symptoms. They do not get to the root of the issue, so it’s like putting a small bandage on a gaping bleeding wound. It will help to some small degree, but it will not fix the problem. Also, taking any type of “head meds” not in conjunction with some form of therapy is not advised. If you are currently seeing a therapist or counselor, it may be safe & helpful to work with them to try to ascertain the roots of your anxious thoughts & feelings, while medicated for short-term usage. But, personally, I benefited way more from talking to professionals & educating myself than any minor perceived short-term benefit I ever felt from taking any drugs. To paraphrase author Eckhart Tolle, “Worrying (/Anxiety) only pretends to be necessary, but actually serves no real useful purpose.” We can’t control everything; only plan & be prepared. Learn to trust yourself again. &, good luck! :)
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Jcrocks

9mo

I've been on it for years and it has saved my life.
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aazi

9mo

Did u get your vitamin D levels checked? I have noticed depression and anxiety goes down when u take vit D3 , B12 and baked potatoes. If you believe in natural healing.
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Ann98

9mo

If you increase your vit b and ds and add lots protein it helps with the anxiety and depression. I have iron anemia, anxiety and depression. I can tell when I am low in my vit b and d. Stay away from too many potatoes as they create sugar and affect the body's system I also am diabetic.
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caramelbunny

5mo

i know im a year late to update but it ended up giving me awful side effects making me barely functioning. i ended up being sent to the psych ward over it! crazy haha
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mizzcali19

5mo

what side effects did it give you? How long were you on it?
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mizzcali19

5mo

and how are you doing today?

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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