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...

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gardenchic 09/27/2015

My doctor recently prescribed Clonazepam (aka Klonopin) for anxiety and panic attacks.

The anxiety has always been tied to depression and with my previous health issues (which flared up this winter A LOT), they went through the roof. I'm doing a lot better with my therapists help and some CBT. But my family wanted me to have a "back up plan" in case of emergency.

When I filled the prescription, my pharmacist wanted me to try it once when I was feeling fine to make sure I can handle the drug (I'm on a lot of meds, so we wanted to be sure). Well I took it yesterday when I visited my parents (they told me not to be alone the first time) and holy crap! It knocked me on my ass. I took 0.5mg and I could barely tell you who I was or where I was for 4-5hours. I was really tired and my mom wouldn't let me out of her sight because she didn't want me wandering off, or something like that.
Is this normal? I mean, I know its for when I'm really wound up, which I wasn't. So hopefully my reaction wouldn't be like that always. But wow. I wasn't expecting that, it actually scared me a bit to be that out of it.
Any helpful info would be nice. Thanks in advance.

kaylee79 09/27/2015

If this helps at all, that is similar to the reaction I had to Ativan; so exhausted I couldn't even keep my eyes open, also some weird other stuff, and I won't go NEAR an Ativan again. It was so bad I just decided I was sensitive to it. Clonazepam on the other hand doesn't knock me out that bad, just relaxes me (I usually take .25mg if I need it but have taken .5 on occasion). So maybe if that happens again you might just need a different benzo.

littlemart 09/28/2015

I've been using Clonazepam for a few years. No problems at all. I cut the pill in half and take it at night. Helps me sleep, which is really my reason for taking it. Also helps with some of my MS pain. Guess it's like any med.. you need to take it slow and see if you build up a tolerance to it.

gardenchic 09/30/2015

Thanks for the replies. I guess for now i'll try a smaller dose and see what it does. I hated the feeling of being that loopy. I really hope it doesn't happen again.

kristawolford 10/01/2015

I would definitely try cutting it in half first. When you take a pill when your calm as opposed to when you are in a panic attack, I feel you have a different reaction to it. If your body is already in a heightened panic state that .5 won't make you feel that way because of all the adrenaline. I have take up to 1.5 milligrams in a bad panic and it able to help me function. but .25 is the smallest dose so you should be fine on that :)

hplotrgot 10/02/2015

The first time I was on this drug my doctor had me on an incredibly high dose. Luckily I was living at home with my parents at time, as I cannot remember more than a few minutes of a 3 week period. I was a zombie that entire time, and barely functional. It took me years to allow my main doctor to persuading me into taking it again, and I'm so glad I did. I started taking 1/4 of the pill before bed, to help avoid the adverse side effects. Once I woke up not being very groggy, I upped it to 1/2 a tablet, etc...Some of us (especially those on other meds) can be very sensitive to the side effects of this drug, so taking it slowly is imperative. Your body will take a bit of time to get used to it, but the drug lasts much longer in my body than the Xanax, so it was definitely worth it.

mekepeke 10/03/2015

I think that your body had a natural reaction to this medication. It's never experienced it before. Over time, you will come accustomed to the medication.
Also, keep in mind clonazepam actually takes about 4 hours to work properly in the body.
So I would suggest deep breathing as well. I'll take clonazepam when I feel really off and I want to prevent a panic attack. It works as "littlemart" mentioned to help with sleep as well.

ann54 10/04/2015

i am on klonopin and have been for a long time, it is the only thing that keeps my anxiety in check. that said i still remember like it was yesterday when i took m first pill, i was out cold, went right to sleep. i was really tired as my body adjusted to the med and it did stop that so tired feeling. lke all meds they all take time for your body to get used to and talk to your doctor about splitting it in half.

gardenchic 10/05/2015

Thanks everyone. I haven't had to take it again yet, but i'll cut the dose in half the next time I do. :)

rikki123 10/06/2015

I would welcome anyones opinion how klonopin rates against Xanax as a sleep aid. I take .5 Xanax as needed at bedtime, usually about 3 times a week with no problems but my primary for some reason wants me to try klonopin.

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