Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Hello warriors,
So I joined on here after a fairly severe, fairly new-to-me feeling panic attack at work a couple of weeks ago, and since had another even rougher one at work last week, and have been off work every since. My GP is useless when it comes to anxiety disorders and pain, and my psychiatrist is on vacation until December 16th. They did however set me up with a different psychiatrist filling in for him.
I liked her and she explained some things to me I didn't know and seemed caring and helpful. She wanted me to increase my daily anxiety medication slightly, but also suggested I take 0.25mg of Clonazepam 1-2 times daily. I had always thought that Clonazepam was a super heavy duty sedating drug used for severe panic attacks, etc, but she told me that at small doses, it can be used daily (preferably short term), as more of a preventative. She told me that many of her clients take it regularily (and even at higher doses) 1-3 times a day and that they can do their busy jobs, drive, be high-functioning on the medication.
As someone who is sensitive to medication and very cogniscent of how much I take of things, I wonder what your experienes are with this drug? Have you taken it? How often and at what dose? Are you able to function and go out and work and do day to day things while under its influence? Does it help you?
I am taking it during the day today (while I am off work) to see how it affects me, but I am curious about others experiences. I wonder if I can work while taking this drug? Maybe that would be a solution for getting back to work without fearing having a panic attack again there (which I do now).
Thanks in advance for any thoughts, advice, sharing.
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I'm horrified! I knew my insurance would go up due to getting a new car but I didn't expect it to go up over $2,000. I did have an accident with the snow/ice in the winter. I was just telling my brother that I have had my car since March 2, 2026 and have only spent $75 on an oil change. Now this! I called another insurance company and their quote was over $4,000. I guess I have to pay...
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I forgot, did you say they gave you Ativan/Lorazepam at the ER? Clonazepam is about the same thing, maybe makes you a little more sleepy. Clonazepam I thought was more used just at night time, due to it making you sleepy.
Everyone is different, so do what your doctor/psychiatrist suggests. If you are concerned about any medication, ask if you can start on a very low dose (break the pills, if necessary.... I break pills all the time.... but only if the doctor says it is okay)
JR26, how often were you taking it and at what dose? Were you able to function on it (work, drive,etc)? And how long were you on it?
Thanks everyone!
From what I know, the Ativan is better for daytime. I have heard of people taking Clonazepam during the day, but just be careful of drowsiness.
My advice is to do what your psychiatrist says. Did you express your concerns to him/her? And if it were me, I would ask him to start on a very low dose, such as .25 mg, once or twice a day, or .50 mgs just once a day.
Let us know and good luck! :) Sometimes you just have to try how much the doctor says to take and see how you feel on it.... everyone is different, and what works for some might work differently for you. Try it on a day where you are not doing much (not driving, or "operating heavy machinery"! LoL) and just see how you feel on it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
But anyway.... Yes, just take a little bit of it. Sometimes the effects of the one taken at night can still be felt the next morning. That is why it is hard for you to get out of bed. You might not even need any during the day, if you still have the night one in your system. You may have to play with it a little. I am not a doctor, this is just my experience with these types of drugs. They are addicting, so try NOT to take it when possible. Let us know how it's going :)