Klonopin for short term anxiety?

Question

The last couple of weeks have been pretty rough so my doc just stuck me on Klonopin for short term relief. I'm just wondering how others did with this drug? I don't usually handle drugs well and I can't afford to be loopy all day. Nor do I want to be addicted. He only gave me a 30 day supply.
Does anyone have experience with this drug for short term?

Answer 1

I took Klonopin years ago along with other medications as treatment for bipolar disorder. I did not react well to it. It made me feel loopy and tired and unable to do basic daily tasks. I have found, though I do not take it now, that xanax is the best short term anti anxiety med for me. I have taken it short term when dealing with the death of a loved one and when I had to fly which I hate to do. I did some research recently for a friend who has been prescribed klonopin and I seem to remember that it is only truly effective once a steady level is present in the bloodstream. That makes it ineffective as an as needed medication. Talk to your doc if you have concerns.

Answer 2

Is it safe: yes Should you quit: no Many doctors prescribe klonopin for the short time it takes your antidep to kick in. It's not a good idea to quit Klonopin abruptly, but taper off slowly while the Celexa kicks in...but it's a little too soon for that if you just started Celexa a week ago. Stop worrying so much. The doc is doing right. You won't get addicted to Klonopin til after 8 weeks. The anxiety attack in bed would have happened anyway. Klonopin is taking those symptoms away for you, but you didn't take it that day/night. An anxiety attack is not the same as insomnia - you don't need Klonopin for sleep so much as for your anxiety attacks. Just try to relax.

Answer 3

Hi Milmom! I work for a psychiatrist who prescribes Klonopin pretty regularly - but very carefully. It absolutely is addictive. It can and often does cause drowsiness and gives some, but not all, a loopy feeling. When this occurs with our patients, the doc usually recommends that the patients take the drug at night about 30-40 minutes prior to bed time.

You should take the medication exactly as your doctor prescribed it. If you do, and you notice side effects of over-sedation or loopiness, call and see about changing either the dose, the time you take it, or an alternative prescription medication.

Answer 4

Klonopin is actually highly addictive and does make you loopy. I couldn't get out of bed after taking a single one. It made me feel so sick that I stopped taking it. But I've heard of many people taking it for over a few years or months and becoming addicted. And don't say, "I won't be addicted." It doesn't work that way....it's the chemicals in the pills that make you addicted; it's not a decision on your part. So my best advice to you is to see how you react to it, then take the minimal dosage possible if it helps you. And on a side note, 30 days is not short-term. Two weeks is usually considered short term. So just be wary. Good luck.

Answer 5

Klonopin is less addictive than valium, zanax or ativan and if taken only when really needed for a short term should be ok.
Try taking half the dose prescribed and if you feel too sleeply or "loopy", then take less or more,depending on how you feel. I have taken it when really anxious and it helped a lot.

Answer 6

Yes, and if you want to not feel so loopy take them as needed and you can lesson the dose. They make you very sleepy if you take them as directed....talk to your doctor and tell him you cannot take the dosage he/she prescribed and want to know if you can take less and if you can split them. My doctor said to take them as needed. They are not a narcotic, but they are habit forming..whereas people need them to feel normal or able to sleep.
No one knows you better than you.
Try to find other alternatives to relieve the anxiety...call a friend, pray, meditate, take a walk, take deep breaths and think of something pleasant...anything to take your mind off of what is causing the anxiety....sometimes just talking about the situation helps a lot. If you are having a problem at night, take a half dose or even a quarter to take the edge off just enough to relax your mind and body long enough to fall asleep. A better alternative is Benadryl...it makes you sleepy. And it is none habit forming.
I hope things get better for you soon...and find someone to talk to....even if it's a counselor...there's no shame in helping yourself.

Answer 7

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 8

Hi hon, i dont think we have that drug over here in Australia, but i just wanted to warn you about the dangers of trying to split a tablet in two, i did that for my husband once and he would up in hospital very ill...it turned out that it was a daily dose tablet that was slow release through the day, but spliting it caused him to get too much of the drug in his system at one time.
So please ask your doc before you play around with the tablets!
~*hope your days brighten soon*~
Ariel

Answer 9

seems to help with anxiety. A good source for information can also be your Pharmacist. They can give you details of your meds. good luck

Answer 10

i was never prescribed it so i cant really give a good answer, i have taken it, it does make you 'loopy'.