Clonazepam?

[Gatsby]

Sssssoooo.....today for the very first time *drum roll* I have been prescribed something to deal with my anxiety! :) But, it was not what I was expecting. My therapist and I were under the impression that I was to get an SSRI for everyday use as I do not have panic attacks everyday. Instead, I got 0.5mg of Clonazepam (a benzodiazepine) twice a day.

Now, here comes the catch. I started reading up on this and the main things I've comprehended is that it makes you drowsy. I've also heard that after a little while of taking Clonazepam, a tolerance begins to develop regarding dizziness and drowsiness effects. I got EXTREMELY anxious about taking this pills when I read on another website that one user of this EXACT dosage of Clonazepam described the first time taking it as some sort of "high" and understood why this prescription is seen as having significantly higher rates of dependency. I'm scared now because I don't want to be in an altered state...I'm very self-aware over the tiniest things like the way I move, speak, act in public, etc. I just don't want to lose 100% control over my speech, actions, etc.

I went to three pharmacists (with my VERY protective dad) and they all made Clonazepam seem like the drug to take in the moment when panic strikes rather than taking the drug each day for relief of chronic anxiety due to some addictive potential, yet they did say that doctors will prescribe it for other anxiety reasons other than pure panic. Due to this fact of patients solely taking them during an attack, my father told me to put the pills on hold for now and wait to express my concerns in further depth with my therapist this upcoming Friday.

My doctor prescribed me a month of Clonazepam and I emailed my therapist about my fears and she told me that I shouldn't be worried about the dependent nature of the drugs and that since it's a low dosage to begin with, I should take it for one week to see how it goes and that I may even like it. My mother told me that since my therapist and GP are encouraging my trial of the drug, I shouldn't take what the pharmacists say too close to heart.

Now, what I'd like to know is if any of you guys had experience with Clonazepam or maybe benzos in general? Do they give you high or high-like feeling? Does the drowsiness get better? Do you notice any relief regarding your anxiety symptoms? Should I be scared and hold off?!?! :( HEEEEEEELP!

[TessaClaire]

I'm new to this website, but I'm definitely not new to anxiety. I have taken klonopin on and off for about seven years. I used to take it as needed (0.5mg) and it helped with my heart rate, and severe panic symptoms. The only time I ever felt "high" from it was when it was taken with alcohol. I now take 2mg a day because of my panic disorder. I am not tired during the day, but I do feel a lack of energy...which is normal for me. I have been on many different medications and klonopin really does help with panic symptoms. What I would suggest is cutting the 0.5mg tab in half and see how you feel so you will be less anxious. I hope this helps.

[acetone]

I take clonazepam as needed too. It is one of the most effective drug I've ever taken. I've never ran into a panic attack which clonazepam could not stop. Its effects are somewhat like alcohol - drowsiness and mild disinhibition. The disinhibition part is what I like the best. I am trying to get my hands on other benzos like ativan and Xanax as well. I love these drugs. Wish I could acquire Barbiturates and methamphetamine as well.

[Ahlstrom]

I was prescribed some early on in my anxiety and still occasionally take them when I'm for sure about to have a panic attack.

The first time it ever entered my body felt amazing, I don't know why but I sat in my bed laughing, it was like I smoked marijuana for the first time, but without any real mind alteration, all my panic was gone and I fell asleep quick. Never had that happen again. The first maybe week on it it would kind of make me sleepy, but not nearly as much as you'd think, after that I pretty much had no drowsiness and no panic.

I still take them when ABSOLUTELY needed, but there is no real harm in taking maybe half a pill 3 times a day. If you want to get off of them just taper off really slowly, I had no withdrawl effects and my cravings for them wasn't very high.

I still take maybe half a pill every 2 weeks when I'm gonna have an attack and let me tell you, these things will SEDATE you well if you are having a panic attack. If you are not having one they don't seem to make you tired and prevent panic. The sedation isn't going to make you fall asleep or anything, and goes away for me after maybe 3 or 4 hours, it feels much better than feeling like you're dying that's for sure!

Good luck! They're a great medicine, but remember: while you them don't forget to develop other ways to cope with panic attacks! Use them as a crutch, even if you're taking them when needed, or taking them everyday.

[alankay]

Best taken "as need only" but sometimes bad GAD is treated at first with a daily long acting benzo like klonopin for a few weeks just to break the cycle. Yes ssri's are often tried first but that's a judgement call on the docs part. Don't buy into the fear mongering with benzos. Most have no or few real side effects but I will say they should be reserved for severe/high anxiety and used with restraint as they can be habit forming as they work so well. Alankay