Clonopin support.

[Dolphin80]

Hi all, I feel like I’m becoming psychologically addicted to clonopin. I get severe anxiety and then I don’t feel safe until I take clonopin.

Anyone ever experience dependence on clonopin? Or feel like how I feel?

[Hidden]

While not Klonopin, yes, to another medication. Xanax. I believe I read a study where they linked a feeling of helplessness in rats with long term benzo use. Having felt this before when on that medication, I don't doubt it. I had felt severe anxiety merely not having it on me, running low on it, and like an abuser when I had to make calls because I had fallen short as it took more to get relief. I know what you mean when you say you feel safer with it on you because for so long...we've been throwing a bottle of water on a massive wildfire.

This is where we need to learn to really cope. This was what my psychiatrist told me, despite leaving my dose alone. You'll need to begin to trust yourself without it and use it when you're feeling like you DEFINITELY need it. I'm not suggesting you do this by yourself nor am I advising you to not take it all...that would be a grave mistake. The first thing you need to do is get your anxiety under control and then finally begin to address the tolerance. Why take out what works for anxiety while you still have anxiety? Once you have your anxiety more on balance, can trust you have strong coping tools, your doctor will help you with a dosing schedule to slowly take less and less in a manner that doesn't cause you to feel a lot or much withdrawal. They may even use another common method which is to substitute Valium in as it has a much greater half life than even Klonopin.

The dependence is just as bad as anxiety/panic I think....some of my attacks have come merely because of the medication. If and when you're ready, I think it would be wise to have this same exact chat with your doctor. Every doctor has their "limit" and you'll eventually reach it and the unfortunate part is your body will say I need more while your dose won't allow more. So, having this conversation earlier than later could help you. Eventually, you can handle all that you're dealing with without benzos....or at least use them only if that wildfire of anxiety really breaks out. Long-term use of benzos is not good and it's associated with some pretty crappy things. That said, it's hard to get off of what works. My best advice is use it for now, work with your doctor on finding a solution for anxiety/panic, and then work on the tolerance. Make sure your doctor is aware...a doctor cannot cut you off because you will withdrawal. No worries on that. It's a rough path back getting off of them, but it beats feeling the way you are. We shouldn't have to be glued to that bottle of pills. I hope this helped a little in that...I absolutely know where you're coming from, had to sort of do my own scaling back, and that this is the path I was given. It sucked but we can't live on short-term solutions forever. I absolutely sympathize with you and I know how close to hell things seem without it. It works so much better than other meds. Hopefully some others can offer dialogue, but you aren't alone in this feeling. Most days I carried it on me religiously. I'll end with this...try using the least amount to get the most benefit. Even cutting down .25 mg every 2 weeks can help (confide in your doctor on that, but I was told that by two MDs). Best of luck, much love, you are definitely not alone.

[Needtovent]

I only use lorazepam on rare occasions. If you are concerned, please talk with your doctor. I'm not sure if it's physically or emotionally addicting or both. Either way, addiction is not something you want. Get help please !

[Believeinyourself123]

Yes that is addicting. Talk to your Dr about your concerns. Maybe ask about natural remedies for anxiety. Calm that I buy at gnc is a magnesium supplement that helps me. Just a note my depression is worse than my anxiety. When my anxiety hits it's bad though. I hope this helps you. Take care💗💗💗

[Marimac]

Hi, I signed up after reading your post. I was prescribed klonopin for the first time almost 20 years ago for anxiety and panic. It started out with 1/2 mg as needed and eventually became daily. The most I've had prescribed daily was 2mg that I can remember (of course I took more than prescribed at times). I've been off of it for 3-4 months at the most, usually taking xanax or valium instead. I knew it was addictive but for a long time I thought that if I kept it at a low dose 1/2 to 1mg/day), that I'd be ok. The long term use has caused me to become psychologically and physically dependent on it. It's difficult to explain but I don't think or speak clearly without it, I have a constant unsettled feeling to the point I get nauseated. I'm restless but can't sleep. It's as if I have no peace (the best way I can describe it). Xanax and Valium calm me but they aren't the same. If I had it to do over I'd space taking it as much as possible and never take it daily for months, even though that's how it was prescribed. And never, ever take more than prescribed. Anxiety is a terrible thing to experience and there are other, non-drug remedies that help. It was so much easier to pop a pill and feel better, but I've learned first-hand how your brain and body can adapt to any substances they're being fed, if you don't overdo it and overdose. So be extra careful and taper down as soon as you can. Take care of you.❤❤❤