What's your experience with using Xanax or Klonopin?

Question

Please tell me all you can because I'm doing research on the abuse & addiction of Benzos. Have you ever overdosed on them? What was the outcome? If not overdose, have you ever felt like it wasn't helpful by taking it?

Answer 1

My late wife recovered from heroin addiction in 1981, before I met her.

Her psychiatrist prescribed her Klonopin and Xanax in 2000. The Klonopin was no problem. The Xanax led to dependence, increased use, obtaining other prescription narcotics, and eventually, heroin use again.

She died on June 24, 2001, of acute intoxication with alprazolam (Xanaz) and heroin.

My stepdaughter (late wife's first daughter) started using her mother's Xanax, and then obtaining her own. She was found not breathing on the bathroom floor once, but recovered with CPR. She is clean now, but went through a long bout of narcotic abuse and several prison sentences. She can not find a good job now due to her record.

If you want copies of the death ceritificate or prison records, email me.

Answer 2

I used to take Klonopin until it no longer worked so I was prescribed Xanax and another benzo called Serax (oxazepam). I am taking them as prescribed and always have but I have just recently found out that the amount that has been prescribed to me and that I have been taking for years is way too much. I take 2Mg's. of Xanax and 30. Mg's of Serax 4 x a day which my Dr. says is the equivalent to about 11 Mg's. of Xanax and I had no idea. I do have horrible anxiety attacks sometimes and sometimes my anxiety is so bad that I cannot leave my house or drive very far. I do feel that it helps but I still have anxiety and most days are better than others but now I am looking into getting off of the benzos and I am finding that, that is only causing more anxiety and even some anger to be honest because I will have extreme withdrawal symptoms and since I have taken this amount for so long I will more than likely have to be inpatient at first as if I were an addict when I have never been even though my body I presume is addicted to the medication. I have tried weaning off of these some years back and things just got really bad again so now I feel stuck. I do believe they can be a great help if taken in low doses and for short periods of time, perhaps until therapy is started and things are improving but not for long periods of time nor in large doses. I wish I had been more informed in the beginning.

Answer 3

It's not really better,just different. Xanax works faster and is stronger but only lasts a couple of hours... Klonopin takes longer to work, is not quite as strong, but lasts for up to 2 days (half life is up to 48 hours). So Xanax is better for panic attacks and Klonopin is better for generalized anxiety.

Answer 4

My friend's daughter overdosed on Klonopin and her mother told me that she was just about on her deathbed. I can't speak for my friend's daughter, but in the 6 days I've been taking it, I've felt a lot more relaxed.

I just started taking Klonopin about 6 days ago. After I saw this question, I asked her about what effect it has had on me.
She has been living in my apartment for the past 3 days because 3 days ago, I had an epileptic seizure and fell out of my bed.

She told me that I seem to be much less agitated that I was before.

I think you did the right thing in asking. It's very difficult (if not impossible) to recognize your own state of mind or body.

Please forgive the discontinuity of this response! I've been back and forth between my friend and the computer the whole time.

Answer 5

The only experience I have had with it was through my late mother. She had Parkinson's Disease and would panic because of inability to move at times. She also had anxiety because of her illness. The doctor prescribed Klonopin for her. He prescribed a very low dose which helped her a little. I always thought he should have given her more. It would have solved the anxiety and would not have hurt her at all. There is a time and place for these medications. Not all people will become addicted and they should be used when necessary. An addiction is bad but being disabled by panic and anxiety is just as debilitating.

Answer 6

I overdosed on Xanax. I took 13 don't remember the mg. I was taken to the hospital because I lost consciencsness. I was still responsive though. I don't remember much of it, but they did not keep me they sent me home once they made sure I was stable. This was 4 yrs ago, it was very stupid. I was not looking to kill myselg but I was looking to sleep for about 1-2 days.
It was extremely helpful med at times, but very easy to get addicted and take more than you should. I definately think doctors need to take these meds very seriously. Hope I helped.

Answer 7

I am on xanax. I used to abuse them but never overdosed. If a person did take too many they would just go to sleep and never wake up. It takes away my anxiety and relaxes me.
It is a great drug for people who are not addicts. It is extremley helpful for people with anxiety, insomnia, panic disorder, etc.
People abuse them b/c when you take a lot ,instead of making you relax- it does the opposite- kind of like speed. People get very talkative, but slur there words and have a tendency to feel like they are floating.

So overall, helpful for people who dont abuse them, bad for people with addict behavior.

www.xanax.com

Answer 8

I was on Klonopin and at first it was great. Over time, I had to take more to get any relief. I needed a refill and my dr. wouldn't call it in until he saw me. I already had an appt. with him in three days. I went through withdrawal for three days for no reason because he gave me a new script. It was the worst thing I've ever gone through. I never went back to him.

Does this help?

Answer 9

I have taken Xanax for five years now, never needed to increase the dose, what I take works just fine to help me in managing my panic disorder. Have never taken Klonopin.

Answer 10

I hate Xanax...problems were weirdness without it...total dependancy.I hated how it made me feel.I was really weird on it.