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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rainbowlight on January 15, 2004, at 1:25:42
I have only taken Klonopin on an as needed basis. It tends to make me tired. However I am reading form others that this goes away. I am wondering what Klonopin "feels" like after you are on it for awhile. I am looking to replace my small dose (50 mgs.) of Zoloft with something else for my anxiety. Other SSRI's are not an option for me (tried them all) and Buspar and Wellbutrin are out too. The weight gain is getting to me! I am wondering if the Klonopin long term might help.
Posted by Viridis on January 15, 2004, at 2:32:32
In reply to What does Klonopin feel like for long term use?, posted by rainbowlight on January 15, 2004, at 1:25:42
Klonopin really doesn't "feel" like anything -- just eliminates anxiety. Although the effects are strong, in my experience, side effects are nil (after the first couple of weeks, during which you may feel a bit drowsy etc.).
This is about the cleanest med I've come across, although of course if you take it long-term and decide to stop, you'll have to taper off gradually. It's very safe, based on decades of use by millions of patients.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 15, 2004, at 7:21:19
In reply to Re: What does Klonopin feel like for long term use » rainbowlight, posted by Viridis on January 15, 2004, at 2:32:32
Just wanted to echo what Viridis has said. Klonopin doesn't have a "feel" to it, though to those of us who are not used to feeling normal, normalcy can be a "feel" all its own. :-)
Posted by Maxime on January 15, 2004, at 10:13:11
In reply to What does Klonopin feel like for long term use?, posted by rainbowlight on January 15, 2004, at 1:25:42
I have been on klonopin since 1996 on a daily dosage. I'm bipolar and it acts as a mood stabiliser for me. So it makes me feel "even". It doesn't make me drowsy anymore.
At one point I tried to come off it because I thought it wasn't good to be on a benzo for so long and the withdrawal was hard.
But now I know that I need it. I think it's the only benzo indicated for bipolar.
Also, I have never had to increase the dosage. That is a good sign I think.
So if it helps you, go for it.
Maxime
> I have only taken Klonopin on an as needed basis. It tends to make me tired. However I am reading form others that this goes away. I am wondering what Klonopin "feels" like after you are on it for awhile. I am looking to replace my small dose (50 mgs.) of Zoloft with something else for my anxiety. Other SSRI's are not an option for me (tried them all) and Buspar and Wellbutrin are out too. The weight gain is getting to me! I am wondering if the Klonopin long term might help.
Posted by nmk on January 15, 2004, at 15:00:49
In reply to Re: What does Klonopin feel like for long term use, posted by Maxime on January 15, 2004, at 10:13:11
> I have been on klonopin since 1996 on a daily dosage. I'm bipolar and it acts as a mood stabiliser for me. So it makes me feel "even". It doesn't make me drowsy anymore.
>
> At one point I tried to come off it because I thought it wasn't good to be on a benzo for so long and the withdrawal was hard.
>
> But now I know that I need it. I think it's the only benzo indicated for bipolar.
>
> Also, I have never had to increase the dosage. That is a good sign I think.
>
> So if it helps you, go for it.
>
> Maxime
>
>
>Hi Maxime,Can you tell me what dosage of Klonopin you are taking and at what time of day? I recently discontinued Lamictal and have added 2 mg of Klonopin at night for sleep. Sometimes this does not put me out and I feel I may need to increase at night. I also take 1 mg during the day as needed. Is my dosage too high?? What is an "average" dose for anxiety/BP? It has done wonders for my anxiety but I am afraid of taking too much or developing a tolerance. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
THanks,
Nicole
Posted by AnneL on January 15, 2004, at 22:21:54
In reply to What does Klonopin feel like for long term use?, posted by rainbowlight on January 15, 2004, at 1:25:42
I have taken 1 mg. of Klonopin every night for 3 years without ever increasing the dose. Taking Klonopin at night for me is a good thing, because (a) it makes me sleep and (b) because of the long-half life, I get good mileage out of it during the day without sedation. I have to take it by 9:00 PM or else I will have a very difficult time waking up in the morning. As it stands, it takes me about an hour plus a strong cup of coffee to shake the cobwebs out of my head. It amazes me that many people on this board take it during the day without sedation. Just goes to show you how different everyone's reaction will be. I am very pleased with Klonopin.
However, that being said, dependence does develop and I cannot skip a dose. I forgot to take it one time only and woke up at 4AM feeling the effects of withdrawal, i.e., creepy skin sensations, panicky, sweaty, etc. Within about 30 minutes of taking it, all symptoms went away.
It is well known that longterm users must use a tapering schedule and go slowly in order to get off of it. It's a great medication for many people. :) Anne
Posted by Viridis on January 16, 2004, at 1:43:54
In reply to Re: What does Klonopin feel like for long term use » Maxime, posted by nmk on January 15, 2004, at 15:00:49
Typical dosages are around 1-2 mg/day. I take 1 mg in the AM, but it did make me a bit sleepy for the first week or two, then that went away. I've tried taking it at night, but the effects wear off after about 12 hrs. for me (even though the half-life is longer). You might try dividing the dose through the day at first if drowsiness etc. is a problem, or you might be OK with taking it before bed.
The side effects generally don't last very long, but the anti-anxiety properties remain for most patients.
Posted by Simcha on January 17, 2004, at 20:18:51
In reply to Re: What does Klonopin feel like for long term use » nmk, posted by Viridis on January 16, 2004, at 1:43:54
I would like to say that for me Klonopin was a good answer to my Bruxism. I can see that my driving record really suffered while on Klonopin. I did not feel drowsy but I think that my reaction time was slower. I rear ended two old ladies (who stopped suddenly in the middle of the road) while being treated with Klonopin for a year.
I'm on Neurontin 600mg at night instead. I am not getting into accidents like I used to. For everyone these meds are different. I also have to say that I have not been the best driver in the whole wide world ever. That year when I was on Klonopin was especially bad for me.
A drunk driver eventually hit me head-on August 2002. I went without a car until July 2003 because driving was just too traumatizing for me.
I got the car when I was well on Neurontin. I seem to be a better driver these days. I can focus better on the road.
Blessings,
Simcha
Posted by micro on January 19, 2004, at 1:35:41
In reply to What does Klonopin feel like for long term use?, posted by rainbowlight on January 15, 2004, at 1:25:42
> I have only taken Klonopin on an as needed basis. It tends to make me tired. However I am reading form others that this goes away. I am wondering what Klonopin "feels" like after you are on it for awhile. I am looking to replace my small dose (50 mgs.) of Zoloft with something else for my anxiety. Other SSRI's are not an option for me (tried them all) and Buspar and Wellbutrin are out too. The weight gain is getting to me! I am wondering if the Klonopin long term might help.
Hello, please consider many of the other ad's which you have not taken they can also reduce anxiety before your journey into klonopin. Withdrawl is difficult any many other less habit forming meds can be considered unless you have totally intolerable symtoms. Hope this helps. MicroP.S. Adding a low dose of a beta blocker may help augment your ssri. There is alot of data out there on this combo.
Posted by shannonpc2 on February 11, 2004, at 18:37:42
In reply to Re: What does Klonopin feel like for long term use? » rainbowlight, posted by micro on January 19, 2004, at 1:35:41
I was taking klonopin for about a year at 1 mg a day, with NO sedation effect, only a mild calming effect. I also was taking zoloft 200mg, and wellbutrin 400 mg a day. Unfortunatley, I got pregnant, and had major complications due to the klonopin resulting in a miscarriage. I then started on prozac, but didn't help with anxiety. I now am back on klonopin, and feel major effects working. Also, when I stopped klonopin suddenly, when I found out I was pregnant, I had NO withdraw at all! Funny how everyone has such different effects!
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