Afraid again....
So for the past few years I have been driving myself crazy thinking I was losing my mind. I fear everything. I have seen my family Dr, shrinks, and done just about everything I know to try and help myself. About 3 weeks ago I seen a different Dr and he put me on Klonopin. Almost immediately the anxiety levels dropped and I wasn't feeling panic every second of the day. The Dr gave me a prescription for 30 days and I go back Monday to talk to him again. Originally I felt excited because I have read so many times where people like myself have gone to the Dr for years before finally getting on the right medication or finding the right "cure" for them (yes, I know medication isn't a cure). I was ready to go in and tell him this drug is a miracle and it has really changed my life, which it has. Upon further research though I'm now afraid to take this stuff. I can hardly find a person that doesn't call it poison and have watched some YouTube videos of people going thru some serious problems coming off of it. I know that it is a controlled substance and upon speaking with somebody else in these forums realized I can live with that. It doesn't make me a drug addict taking a medication that my Dr prescribed to help me with this problem. I am though now deeply concerned about staying on it but can't imagine going back to the state I was in just a couple weeks ago where I felt there was no hope and I would always feel this way. I'm still going thru this program so I don't know yet if it is going to help me to the point I don't need to take medication. It is definately refreshing listening to the group discussions because I can see there are people that have gone through something I thought only I was feeling. I guess I will just bring this up to my Dr and see what he says but I'm just not sure if I'd rather stay on a medication that could "physically" harm me down the road or just stop taking it and return to the "mental" anguish that I have been going through for years.
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GoColts -
As long as you know the risks and you work with your doctor in a responsible way, I really don't think that you have too much to worry about. I've been using Clonazepam now for about three or four years. I take it as I need it and have no problems upping or lowering the dosage as the situation dictates. I tend to take more during the week (during work) and can actually stop taking it on the weekend with no side effects or withdrawl symptoms. This is just like anything else; moderation is the key. Obviously everyone is unique and will have different reactions to medications, but I wouldn't assume that this drug is "a poison" because it did not work for some people.
Do what you think is right and be smart about your decisions. You'll be okay.
As long as you know the risks and you work with your doctor in a responsible way, I really don't think that you have too much to worry about. I've been using Clonazepam now for about three or four years. I take it as I need it and have no problems upping or lowering the dosage as the situation dictates. I tend to take more during the week (during work) and can actually stop taking it on the weekend with no side effects or withdrawl symptoms. This is just like anything else; moderation is the key. Obviously everyone is unique and will have different reactions to medications, but I wouldn't assume that this drug is "a poison" because it did not work for some people.
Do what you think is right and be smart about your decisions. You'll be okay.
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I agree that it has different reactions for everyone but most of the people calling it poison were trying to get off of it. If it continues to work I have no problems not coming off of it although since I have quite a few more years on the Earth (hopefully) it is unrealistic to say I will be on it that long. Most people say that after a while the dosage they are on doesn't feel like it is doing anything so they have to get it raised. Have you had this problem? I notice too from your comment that people who aren't taking it every day but more as needed don't have as much problems with it. I'll ask my Dr about this. I'm supposed to take one twice a day but it really makes me sleepy so there have been quite a few days I cant take it before going to work. There have been days this month also that I felt great so just didn't take it then just take one when I start getting the anxiety back. I'm sure the Dr will just say take as it was prescribed but I'd spend more time asleep than awake if I did that.
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Guest
I can't tell you what dosage to take, that's between you and your doctor, but my prescription has always been on an "as needed" basis.
As for tolerance (getting less effect from the same dosage), that is something that has affected me. I now use a pill that has twice the potency than when I first started using Clonazepam. However, after using the Program for the last six months and really working on facing my fears, I tend to use it less often. The more confident I become, the less I rely on this medication as a "safety net" and am able to handle my anxiety without relying on medication. Also, I have not had to change my dosage since the one time I mentioned above.
I should also add that I generally do not have an addictive personality and have always treated this medication with respect. I'm not trying to put down others who have had problems, but just give you a framework to understand my perspective. I am just one of many people and each of our stories is unique.
As for tolerance (getting less effect from the same dosage), that is something that has affected me. I now use a pill that has twice the potency than when I first started using Clonazepam. However, after using the Program for the last six months and really working on facing my fears, I tend to use it less often. The more confident I become, the less I rely on this medication as a "safety net" and am able to handle my anxiety without relying on medication. Also, I have not had to change my dosage since the one time I mentioned above.
I should also add that I generally do not have an addictive personality and have always treated this medication with respect. I'm not trying to put down others who have had problems, but just give you a framework to understand my perspective. I am just one of many people and each of our stories is unique.
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Guest
Hey. Thanks for the info. I don't have an addictive personality either and don't want to get the dosage raised. It seems to be doing fine at the current dose, 1mg 2x per day although I only take it once per day. It would be nice to sleep all day but I enjoy my job and don't like feeling like a zombie while at work. It sounds like this drug may work best when taken during anxiety moments rather than daily. I'll mention that to the Dr tomorrow and see what he thinks.
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Guest
It usually works best for me when I take it BEFORE I do something or get into a situation that is likely to cause anxiety. That's because it takes a little while for the medication to get into your system. So I usually take one about 30 minutes before I drive to work and another one about 30 minutes before I drive home (driving is a big problem for me). I'm also on the 1mg tablet (I started with 0.5 mg tablets). Obviously if it affects your ability to drive, you'll need to take precautions. For me, it doesn't make me too tired, just calmer.
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Guest
Just got back from seeing the Dr. He did cut me back on the klonopin to an as needed basis which I was glad to hear. He also this entire time has had me taking 10mg of Buspirone which he thinks may be what is actually making me feel less anxious. I'm glad he gave me another prescription for the klonopin just in case. His hope is that the Buspirone will do the trick but if not only taking the klonopin during anxious moments will make it not as addicting. I'm hopeful that after completing the program I won't need anything as I never have needed any medication in the past. I never had panic attacks in the past though either so having something as a backup is great.