Stress Center Peer Support

Hi there, I really want to stop reading the horror stories on Klonopin. I am on 2mgs a day which is divided in 3 doses, 1mg at night, .5 am and .5 at lunch. This has helped me TREMENDOUSLY and my anxiety is gone, YES>>>> I realize its masking it, and I need to learn to deal with it, but I guess what I'm asking is for success stories on getting off this stuff (been on it 3 wks), and doing well. My pdoc says it will happen eventually, and I also started Lexapro a week ago, so PLEASE good stories only. I'm and RN, I realize its a Benzo which is WHY it works so well with anxiety.....no speeches.

I was on Klonopin for a year and came off of it in February. It was extremely helpful for me and the only thing that did help. I had panic attacks and anxiety so bad that I lost 20lbs in 2 months (I'm a thin person already). I couldn't eat or sleep. I went to my PCP and he gave me Klonopin. I didn't want to take it because I was scared. He talked me into it and I'm so glad he did b/c that was the first time in months I could relax. It felt so good to sleep. I slowly tapered off until I was only taking .5 every night. That was all I needed. I kept it with me (and still do) just in case I needed it. When I came off of it, I was really nervous about how I would handle it. For about a week I did have problems getting to and staying asleep. I also woke up feeling really stiff and sore. But it wasn't that bad. It helped to have it with me so I always knew I could take it if I really needed it. Like I said, I still carry it with me, hopefully one day I will be confident enough to know I don't need it.

Hi,

Last September my anxiety/panic came back with a vengeance and I decided to take meds for the first time. I was prescribed Klonopin and Lexapro. I took 10 mg of Lexapro and 1 Klonopin at night since that was my worst time. They worked marvelously. They gave me the peace of mind I needed to work the program, which I did diligently. I didn't have to wean off the Klonopin, as I took only as needed. I weaned off the Lexapro, with no problem and am now drug free and dealing much better with my anxiety.

I used to think that I could be cured of my anxiety but now I see it more of a journey than a destination. I am comforted that there are meds out there that work well should I ever need them again.

Everyone is different. If the Klonopin and Lexapro are making possible a happier, more productive life, then you are on the right path. If you should decide to go off, that is possible too, despite the horror stories.