STAY AWAY FROM KLONOPIN

 are addictive....and it does not make them worthless.

 I am not a Dr. I just play one on tv.

 same dose of xanax for like 6 years.......i was on zoloft for a long while and didnt notice weight gain thats a major myth on ssris...like 17 percent have weight gain i believe on ssris...prozac and zoloft made me feel energized and with not much appetite.

 I am not a Dr. I just play one on tv.

I agree with tydyed 100%. That drug saved my life. I have been on it for 20yrs and was 34 when I started on it. Had 2 small children and could not leave the house,felt like I was having a heart attack All the symptoms you that have severe panic disorder know all too well. Just because a med does not work for one person (ANY MED) does not mean that it has not helped thousands of others.I have Xanaz PRN for panic attacks that come on quickly,but this girl could and would not be able to live a normal life without klonopin.Unless your a doctor, I, in my opinion do not think you should tell anyone to stay away from any medication.No disrespect intended, just my thoughts and experience.Nancie

I believe klonopin is a very good/effective drug. I take the medication daily and have so for 2 plus years and its still very effective. The only thing about long term useage of klonopin is tolerence issues ive had my dosage up'd two or three times but I have no complaints. Also you have to remember drugs react differently in every individual.

Tydye, do you realize that valuim is also a benzo????  Some one needs to do some reading!!!!

I was just wondering was there any reason your doctor wanted you off of benzos? He didn't need to "wean" you off klon. (By the way that takes months or years depending how long you were on the med.) He could have just switched you to another benzo like xanax or ativan for ex. I was switched from klon to ativan because it wasn't working. It saved my life. Klonopin isn't really approved for use as an anti-anxiety pill outside the US because it is not as effective as other benzos in treating anxiety. You should look into getting a different doctor. Also clexea or lexapro (same thing) is a great SSRI that has not caused any weight gain for me. Also a psych. Dr. is the only type of doctor that should be rx'ing those meds. Often PCP's do without knowing a darn thing about them or how to adminster them. Plus I assume you are seeing one if you have those diagnosis. Also Blu 42 I hope your not really a nurse because I've read quite a few of your posts and most of the time you don't give correct advice.

not a doctor

Clonopin is scheduled as an 8 hour medication for anxiety & seizures (the latter at a higher dosage). Unfortunately 8 hour medications can cause drowsiness as their half life is longer than other benzos (xanax, ativan, valium). No benzo classed med is non-addictive. However, to treat anxiety & panic you would need a quicker acting med with a short half life; ie: a 4 hour med. Xanax Ativan & Valium are all 4 hour medications. I myself take xanax and have since 1991 & have tried all of the available ones in this classification. Xanax works for me, Ativan for others, etc.

Every benzo has terrible withdrawl symptoms. Due to the longer acting Clonopin (Klonazopam), it takes longer to pass this medication (and its affect) though the urine...where all benzos are removed from one's body. If you are having anxiety, I would take a shorter & faster acting medication vs Clonopin. Also, I would only take them 'as needed' vs routinely. Due to chemical exposure, I have physiological anxiety which is much different from standard anxiety which originates in the brain.

So yes, one can take them for more than 4 months, I have for 17 years. However your case is clearly different from mine. If you must have a benzo, ask your doctor for a 4 hour medication & take them 'as needed' (as in only when necessary) & you will avoid a lot of the withdrawls you had from the Clonopin.

Clonopin is a good med, its just seems to be the wrong chemical compound for you. There will be some chemical dependancy on any med that is a benzodiazopine to some degree related to how frequently you take the medication. You should never 'quit' a benzo, always taper down over at least a month or longer, it makes it easier.

There are meds for depression related anxiety such as Tramadol which is not a benzo. Another medication that might work is Buspar. Paxil & Zyprexa are similar to the Tramadol only without the weight gain. (I went from 200 to 295lbs in less than 5 months on zyprexa) so I know what you are talking about regarding the weight gain.

Bottom line, take whatever knowledge you can google, take nodoby's advice as the rule, and always ask your physician and keep him honestly informed about how the meds affect you and you and your care provider will be able to find something that works for you... its not Clonopin or anxiety. Something will help you.

Again, always take online posts as suggestions, but you should only follow your pysicians orders over online suggestions as everyone's biochemistry is different. Medications don't 'cure' everything in these types of cases, they are meant to simply improve your quality of life. If is don't help you then speak with your physician and find something that does work, Never give up fighting fot what will help you.

 that many people can get by for years on the same dose...just saw my psych and we talked about the subject...he said my dose of xanax was close to his limit..i take 4 mg a day...for the last 5 years or so...and before that it was 3mg a day for many years....some days i take less...some days i need a extra one or 2...i have them...works great for me/////////and its kept me out of trouble.  

 I am not a Dr. I just play one on tv.

"Do you know that valium are the most addictive benzo out there.  Thats why they are not prescribed much anymore" 

You should really not comment if you are going to post misleading information.  That is you opinion on the situation with no evidence to support you claim.  By the way, valium is still being prescibed a lot these days.  For example, my father is prescibed valium for vertigo spells that he gets.

Yeah, Prozac, Ive been on it a long time and I have lost 128 lbs in the past year!!! I go to my pcp every 2 weeks and each time I lose 1 -4 lbs. but I dont eat to well either. What ever u do, dont take seroquel, omg !!! I gained so much weight!! 1 year ago I weighed 215 lbs and now Im 172. Im not even trying to lose weignt either. and dont get too much exercise cause of my back pain.

registered nurse

Goat explained flunitrazepam perfectly. It is pretty much known as the most addicting benzo thats why its illegal in the US. Valium for me is relatively weak and doctors sometimes switch you to valium to taper you offof xanax or klonopin.

With my personal experience with BZDS, pins are the worst. They seem to sedate a person more, and can kick a person on their rear end. That's the best way I can put it. 

If a person enjoys (and uses for recreational purposes) the BZD effect, they will like the pins. But beware! 

If a doctor is giving them to you, you might want to ask for something a little less sedating. I know they are given as an anticonvulsant, but diazepam was for awhile, too.

I was put on this drug in 2003 for Restless Leg Syndrome.I stopped taking it in Oct 05,on Nov.5 I suffered a stroke due to sudden withdrawal from klonopin.

I started taking 10mg valium and now I only take one at night.I was taking 3 1mg of klonopin every day.I have no side effects and no weight gain.

I don't know where you're getting that info. All I've been reading for the last ten years have been gripes about xanax.

Sometimes I wounder if it's not just the drug companies behind it because all the BZDS are pretty much off patent. 

Sure, they are all addictive, but look at the new stuff. After it's been out for awhile, there are all kinds of problems.

I have been on klon. 1 mg 3 times a day w/ Xanax 1mg PRN for sudden panic attacks and I never had to switch anything.The klon I have been on for 20 yrs and the only change I had to do is go up 1mg after about 15yrs.I take them for severe panic and GAD,as they stay in your system longer and keep a level in my system.I have to make a comment as to what you said "Just do what I recommend"????? I think you would have to be an MD to give this kind of advice and I also question 18mg of klon a day.Dr Lois would be able to answer this question but that sounds deadly to me.I know everyone's system is different but any advice or "recommendation" should always come from a physician in my opinion.Hope you are feeling better, Nancie

Im with you. Stop suddenly on either and worse can happen. Although stroke is bad enough...Sorry for this for you...I was close and knew no better at one point.

Withdrawal from benzos can be life threatening with seizures and worse. By comparison opiate withdrawal is mild and never life threatening. I regularly use morphine and I take myself off of it every 6 months because it starts to lose effectiveness. Withdrawal is about 5 days of mild flu like symptoms - really no big deal at all. You can't believe what you see in movies. Opiate withdrawal is very over dramatized. By the way, even though I use morphine for pain, it has turned out to be the best anti anxiety anti depression drug I have ever been on. I love it. And it causes no drowsiness at all at theraputic doses.

Opiates deffinitely have an anti anxiety effect. This reminds me of something i saw someone say on tv once "No matter what is wrong with you if you take enough morphine you will feel better" He was taking about all the patent medicines back in the day before drugs were banned that were almost all like 50% morphine. The anti anxiety effects is how i became addicted when i started self medicating my anxiety with opiates and then started to realize I like the feeling and it just went downhill from there. Also you never said what mg or dose you take of morphine per day. Most people who abuse it do not take normal doses and withdrawal depends on how much you are actually using. Someone who is taking MScontin 60mg three times a day wont go nearyl the same withdrawal as someone who use to take an 80mg oxycontin plus 4 or 5 roxicodone 30mg plus sniffing heroin occaisionally. I know this from experience. I have withdrawn from everything from 30-40mg of percocet or hydrocodone all the way up to 150+mg of oxycodone and sniffing heroin. There is a very big difference in severity of symptoms

The same thing applies to benzodiazepines. I have stopped taking xanax or klonopin from 2-3mg per day and never had a problem....When i stoped from about 8mg then I was in lot of  pain and could barely move all my muscles ached and i was sick as a dog.So withdrawals depend on how much you were taking.

 for someone to reply to the post...he surely must be joking or never experienced opiate withdrawl.....

 I am not a Dr. I just play one on tv.

I strongly disagree about opiate withdrawal being over dramatized on TV.  I have went through wdrawals from just 150mg of methadone once a day for 6 years.  It was one of the worst times of my life.  I didn't ween off.  Just cold turkey.  I had halucinations and vomiting and couldn't stop going to the toilet.  Extreme delerium tremors(DT's),  extreme insomnia, I had extreme physical pain.  If you haven'tbeen through bad withdrawals then it will be hard to comprehend just how terrible they are.   

Well being that flunitrazepam is banned here I have never personally had it but from what I read it produces more intoxication and anterograde amnesia than others and lasts very long. Xanax might be more physically addicting slightly because of its relatively short haf life but flunitrazepam was more widely abused world wide. It is notorious as being used as a date rape drug as well. Also any benzo would help with benzo withdrawal due to cross tolerance of the GABA receptor. There is no reason I know of that xanax specifically would only work for its own withdrawals yet none of the others do. Especially when I believe halcion is a triazolo-benzodiazepine which is the same sub class of benzos that alprazolam is in (xanax)

I have been taking my klonopin for 2 yrs and have been fine on it, everyone is different, maybe you have a condition called agoraphobia, it sounds like agoraphobia, that is when you can't leave your home or room. I have a good friend that has that and maybe you should discuss it with your dr. I am not a dr but am aware of those type of symthoms.

You don't stop these pils cold turkey or by going to a very low dose. You need to be under a Dr's supervision. I check in with my Dr. every 3 months. Read, alot of meds are like this. They help alot of people, but some seldom listen, and go through horrific withdrawal. I know people that say "oh I just stopped taking paxil" You can have seizures, always have a dr. monitor you. You had a rebound effect from being on Klonopin, any benzos, but this could have been less severe if it was done slowly and by a dr. that monitored you.Unfortunetly it is time we take our health in our hands, the Drs. need to be told what we need and inform us!!

EVERYONE reacts different, always seek advice from dr. and please don't scare people that these drugs can help! I was told Klonopin was not for long term and only when needed. I was told about the rebound effect. I did not take every day because the Paxil was wonderful!!

Paxil is a great drug, so is Celexa, for ME. Gaining some weight is by far the the better alternative than to be like I was before.I lost it and have been slim for a long time, it is temporary or try another drug. Everyone is different.

It is a hassle but you need to find what suits you.

I am on Celexa because the Paxil seemed to not work anymore, maybe because I was on so long or maybe perimenopause.

Good luck to you, hang in there, ask questions, demand answers from these Doctors. Some just want to write a script!!

I am with tydyed65. It helps me tremendously.

I agree with most of what everyone has posted on this topic.  About five years ago, I was diagnosed with clinical depression, GAD, (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and insomnia.  I would like to address the Krissy and her advice, (although ill-advised, in my opinion), regarding Klonopin.  Over the years, I have tried a number of prescription medications for or my mental illnesses.  Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Lexapro and Effexor XR for the depression.  Ambien for the insomnia.  Klonopin, Xanax, Serax and Ativan for the anxiety/panic attacks.  Of the four benzodiazepines that I have used, I would recommend Klonopin 100% to anyone that is suffering from panic attacks, anxiety disorder and/or depression with accompanying insomnia!  Klonopin is as potent and effective as Xanax, but Klonopin comes on a bit slower and lasts much longer in the system.  This is good.  In my experience with Xanax, it is great for a sudden panic attack, as the Xanax acts quickly and it even provides a bit of a calm "feeling"However, the Xanax does not last all that long.  This means that it will have to be taken several times throughout the day, if one is taking it regularly.  Serax, for me, was/is pointless.  It isn't a well-known benzo and it is often prescribed to help recovering alcoholics.  For me, Serax only made me feel lethargic and more depressed.  Ativan is "ok" but it is very mild and it does NOT last long either.  Which brings me back to Klonopin.  Over two years ago, I started out at .05mg Klonopin 1-2 times per day.  I found that it worked very well and my body became comfortably adjusted to this medication within the first week.  I no longer needed the Ambien for my insomnia and my anxiety was more controlled.  Of course, as time passed, my dosage had to be adjusted and increased.  It is true that tolerance develops over time.  Currently, I take between 2mg-4mg per day of Klonopin.  I do not abuse Klonopin and I take it as directed.  I have not experienced ANY adverse reactions.  If I miss my dosage for a couple of days, I am alright.  After a few days, I will feel the uncomfortable effects of withdrawal.  I understand that Klonopin may not be the best medication for everyone that suffers with panic attacks/anxiety disorder.  However, from my experience, research and the opinions of others that take Klonopin, it is the most effective and favorable medication in the benzo "family" of meds.  To Krissy:  You had an unfavorable experience with Klonopin and I understand your desire to share your opinions and experience with this med.  However, to warn everyone AGAINST the use of Klonopin, as if it is the most horrific medication is not only misleading, but irresponsible.  For me, Klonopin has been a life saver- combined with 150mg of Effexor XR, 4mg of Klonpin is the "perfect fit" for me.  If anyone is interested in finding one medication that works well for both depression and anxiety/panic disorder, I would recommend Effexor XR-hands down!  Pros:  Effexor does not seem to produce the EXTREME weight gain that comes with most other anti-depressants and it is the ONLY anti-depressant that has worked to help both my depression AND my GAD.  Cons:  Effexor is NOT a medication to be taken lightly.  One CANNOT abruptly discontinue use of Effexor!!!  Even "tapering" down is difficult.  Recently, I went three days without Effexor.  I have been taking Effexor for about six months.  By day three, I was experiencing the most miserable withdrawal symptoms that I have EVER experienced from any medication in my life!  I felt like I was covered, head to toe, in static electricity.  I could hardly move, my joints/muscles/bones felt so stiff and achy.  Every breath was a concentrated effort and I was so on edge that I could of snapped at anyone about anything.  I will just say that it was the most uncomfortable and uneasy sensation/feeling that I have EVER felt in my life.  Funny, the P-docs like to call this "Discontinuation Syndrome" rather than "Withdrawal."  Friends, I am here to tell you- IT IS VERY REAL AND IT IS WITHDRAWAL- plain and simple.  I hope that my experience helps to educate anyone that reads this. 

Blessings to all! 

edit mx