Klonopin (Clonazepam) issues?

Question

I'm 17 years old and for about a year now I've been prescribed klonopin for general anxiety. I started at 0.5 mg which worked ok until recently when I requested my dose be increased to 1mg pills. The script is written out to take 1 two times a day.. but I usually take 2 or 3 every night, and that's it. It lasts about 8 hours I think. So anyway, I've been developing a sort of addiction now where during the day I have this really noticeable rage, and i'm very irritable. It doesn't go away until I take my nightly double dose of klonopin. What should I do? Try to cut back to 1mg twice a day? The problem is for me it seems to be most useful as a 'chill pill' before bed. I don't like being all sedated and apathetic during the day, but I don't like having male PMS either. Please don't give me answers like "Oh you're 17, don't take it at all." I do need it.

I could ask the doctor about other anti-anxiety meds. He seems to think this one is the most potent and among longer lasting. I originally tried Xanax XR and boy, I felt like I was on another planet.

Answer 1

If you find yourself being addicted to the medication, but you still need a little bit, try weening yourself off little by little.. I had to do that with Paxil many years ago. The doctors I've seen seem to think you shouldn't ween yourself off, but stop completely.. I find that doesn't work.

I take only 1mg of Klonopin at night, and yes it is an addicting drug, but if you can ween yourself off and not take as much during the day, you will find it to be more affective at night when you need it most.

Answer 2

Clonazepam doesn't stay in your system for a long time like many anti-depressants would. What you're doing to your body is putting it on a huge up - down cycle.

Break 'em in half to take during the day if 1mg makes you feel sedated. And why are you taking so much before you go to bed? Don't take them as a "chill pill," take them if you need them!

If you take 1mg before bed it should help your mind and body relax enough that you can get some good rest. Then when you wake up take .5mg to help you stabilize your anxiety during the day. If you start feeling anxious in the evening/late after noon take another .5mg.

Then you'll be taking a total of 2mg a day but it will be spaced out throughout the day and you won't feel these swings. You're losing out on any benefit from the night by not taking any during the day!

I pretty much follow the schedule that I stated above. (2) .5mg at night (and my sleep is much less restless than it used to be) and then (1) .5mg in the morning - and then if I need it another in the afternoon or evening but usually I can get by without.

This is an addictive drug so definitely be careful and make sure that you only take it for the right reasons - for your anxiety - not as a "chill pill!" (isn't that what weed is for?)

;-)

But seriously, be careful. It's been a lifesaver for me (read my profile if you want to know the details), but can definitely be bad for you if not used properly.

Take care & good luck!

Answer 3

I am another Buspar fan. I used to work as a R.N. on psych units for many years and then became physically disabled. That resulted in Major Depression with anxiety. I take antidepressants for the depression and I take Buspar for the anxiety.It's not addicting, is not sedating, and is very effective.

I would be very careful with any benzodiazapine, which includes, Klonopin, Xanax, Valium, and some others. They are all addicting and you also develop a "tolerance", so that over time you need larger doses.

I'm not surprized that you have become rageful until you take your bedtime Klonopin. It could be for many reasons. 1 reason could be that you have depression and that that is causing your anxiety.

In most depressions there is a lot of rage buried in the unconscious. I would suggest seeing a counselor that can help you look at what's going on inside you.

Answer 4

First of all I don't understand why the doctor upped your klonopin just cause you asked him too, but then you don't take it as prescribed. Not only do you not take 1mg twice a day. you are taking 3mg at bedtime. I have seizures. I depend on my klonopin along with other seizure meds never would I dream of upping my meds with out my doctors advice or cut them. You need to call your doctor and tell him when you have been taking them and how many mg you have been taking. so he can slowly take you off of them or get you on a therapeutic dose.
Taking to much can make you have seizures if you don't have them, klonopin is very addictive and can lead to more trouble than help if you do not get this under control now.
I wish you the best and I pray you do what is right.

Answer 5

Clonazepam is very addicting. I was taking it for a short period, but my doctor did not want me to be addicted to this drug, so he took me off of it. The doctor changed me to Buspar, which is not addicting, and is working very well at controlling my anxiety. You might want to give this one a try.

Answer 6

I have anxiety and it is a very difficult illness to conquer, but the results can be good.

I started out on .05 and now I am on 1.0, but recently I stopped taking them because I don't want any addictions and dealing with anxiety is like keeping yourself busy and trying to take control of your mind and not let your mind take control of you and it appears that my way of thinking is working out okay.
If it stays this way, I will be alright.

Answer 7

look for ways to release your anxiety.
look
for replacement of negative thoughts.
more pro active thing to do when the.isues arise. read your favorite book untill you fall asleep. life is your new educational instute.