Klonopin : I've posted about this before, I... - Anxiety Support

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Klonopin

Elizabeth04 profile image
33 Replies

I've posted about this before, I'm sorry

I'm on .5mg twice a day once in the morning and once at night I've been on it around 9 months

I'm supposed to take 3 a day but I think that's a bit much...

Anyways.

What's the point in takin this when your just going to have anxiety again tomorrow and the next day etc etc. it's not like it's curing my anxiety... it's only masking it until I have to take it again.

I don't know how to help myself anymore.

I want to stop taking it but idk what to do bc my doctor wants me to take more of it

I understand my anxiety will be worse with out it... but it's like a lose lose situation

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Elizabeth04
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33 Replies
Kobojunkie profile image
Kobojunkie

Oh, so you want to CURE your anxiety? If you know how to CURE it, go right ahead. The doctor might warn you but he won't stop you from wanting to CURE your anxiety on your own. :D

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to Kobojunkie

I don't know how to cure it

Kobojunkie profile image
Kobojunkie in reply to Elizabeth04

You don't know how to cure it but you want to stop using medication that at least prevents you from having to experience the brunt of it over 24 hour period?

I don't know what you are built of but I remember how terrible those attacks are, and how confused and exhausted it leaves me each time. I remember I used to have at least 10 attacks a day until I had pain in my chest area from so many of them. I remember so many times thinking if I didn't find a way to stop the anxiety attacks, I would probably not make it to age 40, cause the pain in my heart I could feel.

Why would you not care for a drug that helps keep it at bay, even if it doesn't really cure it? Is it that you don't mind that hell anxiety sets on you and your heart?

Kobojunkie profile image
Kobojunkie in reply to Kobojunkie

The mere thought of having an attack from nowhere terrifies me to the point that I always make sure my meds I take and I monitor my body for changes 24/7.

I never want to feel that pain again. I never ever want to feel my heart in such pain ever again

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to Kobojunkie

I totally understand what you mean. I just want to be strong so bad. I want to be strong enough to fight through the anxiety attacks and not let it scare me. I want to be able to not have to take medication. But I know I have to because right now I'm not strong at all. I hope to be one day. But I'm not as if now

It's just so hard, this is such a hard thing for all of us to go through.

It's like one day your world just falls apart out of no where

Kobojunkie profile image
Kobojunkie in reply to Elizabeth04

Oh, well, I remember dealing with these attacks when I was even 4 years old, so I guess I probably don't understand why you feel you can be strong enough on your own to fight it.

I have come to accept that taking medication does not mean I am weak. It simply means I am taking what I need to help me fight better. Before getting on meds, I fought all my fears and believe I overcame them. I pulled my ego down so it accepted that it didn't have to control all to be OK. Yet, anxiety kept coming, this time with no reason behind the attacks. Those were frustrating months but I eventually had to get meds cause I didn't want to keel over one day, and have it all end because of the same ghost I had spent much of my life fighting. I know of a young lady who died cause her heart gave up during an attack

suzanne1217 profile image
suzanne1217 in reply to Elizabeth04

I see you have had a number of responses but I thought to add my 2 cents. When I initially struggled with sudden anxiety and panic attacks I was prescribed everything but benzos: hydroxyzine, Buspar and citalopram. I hated all of them and the thought of antidepressants freaked me out. I convinced the dr to prescribe xanax for emergencies. I took 1/4 prescribed dose only when necessary. Reason being, like you, I didn't want to rely on them. It's a tough spot, go on with life and have panic attacks or taje the meds. I tried the citalopram again only 1/4 dose with intentions of reaching proper levels ONLY after months of suffering. After 6 months I was still too chicken to take the dose so just stopped all together...which you shouldn't do without dr, etc. Since Oct of 2016 all I've done is take klonopin 1/4 prescribed (like a .50 split in 8ths) when absolutely having a horrific day maybe 1 or 2 a month. I'm a proponent of doing what you have to do as far as meds are concerned particularly as a mom. I too have boys, twins. So I know it's difficult when you must function each day. However (and this may be an unpopular opinion ) I am glad that I chose to really tough it for as long as I did because I know I deal without the drugs. I personally believe that Ive mostly recovered because I don't fear returning to an anxious state once off meds. I still carry the klonopin in case of emergency in certain situations but I've even become less concerned with that as my confidence built over time. Sorry for the long post!

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to suzanne1217

That's great! Thank you I totally agree

Hello. I hear your frustration loud and clear.

But, please don't think you are in a lose-lose situation. You may actually be in a win-win situation.

Anxiety is very unpleasant, to say the least....the path I've worn in my carpet when mine was high is a testimony to that.

But here's the win - win situation you may be in.

One....... You apparently have a doctor who is concerned about the level of your anxiety and the amount of klonopin that you take.

Two........ Once your anxiety is under conrol with help from the klonopin, you are being given the opportunity to learn from your doctor (and maybe your therapist?) ways to deal with your anxiety and to explore other medications that may be more effective for you than klonopin.

Three......with time, hopefully you'll be in a much better mental health condition. Your anxiety probably didn't develop suddenly, and unraveling its cause and finding the best ways to deal with it is going to take time too.

I think this is a win - win situation if you can look at it in this light.

Anxiety is frustrating and it takes time to figure out how to deal with it. Please don't give up. Please express your frustration with your doctor and ask for techniques to treat yours in addition to the klonopin.

I've been there. Sometimes felt like I was taking steps backward, but stuck with the rx my doctor gave me, and I asked him plenty of questions about how to deal with specific problems with my anxiety from my PTSD.

You're going to be ok. My best wishes to you in your treatment and recovery from anxiety.

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to

Thank you so much

Im sorry. I'm just going through a rough time with all of this. I thought I had it beat at one time and now it's seem to come back pretty bad

I'm only 25, I have two little boys and a great husband. I look into my future with this anxiety disorder and thats when it makes me sad. Having to think about taking medication everyday. I understand that it was given to me for a reason and It does help somewhat I just get tired of going through this everyday.. I'm so mentally exhausted

in reply to Elizabeth04

Never apologize for needing to vent.

"Listening" and trying to be your cheerleader is the best we can do as our arms can't reach through the computer screen to hug you.

(Just wait till it's my turn to blow off steam. lol )

You are young, dealing with medication and learning how to live with a chronic health issue. It is not fair. It is not right. But it is what it is.

AND TWO BOYS! No matter how wonderful your husband is, it just makes me tired thinking about two boys to care for. lol

But, what an asset those little two dudes can be when you ask them to join your tai chi class. (Are you asking what tai chi class?....well the one you're going to take.)

They'll remember the order of motions so you won't have to memorize them. (Well it's a thought.)

That physical form of meditation to control anxiety can be practiced at home between classes, too. The quicker the pace the leader goes, the more physical exercise you'll get, so use loose clothing and keep your face cloth near by. And it is so graceful, and no football style equipment required. Might help with your mental fatigue...what energy you use, the less energy anxiety has to feed on.

There, you just had your first anxiety control lesson.

You really are going to be ok. People live with other chronic health issues and have to learn how to deal with them. You're tired now, but you'll have better days. Takes trial and error to find the correct medication that helps.

Please keep in touch and ventilate as often as you want. Seems as though there is always someone somewhere in this world at any time of day or night reading the posts and answering them. Ok? ok. :)

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to

Aw thank you. And thanks for making me laugh lol.. little boys are tough.

This life a ride huh? I'm gonna try to make the best of my situation and also listen to my nice doctor.

Thanks again x 🙂

in reply to Elizabeth04

Elizabeth,

I just read some of the replies you had that scared you a bit. Sure, not doing everything feasible to take care of anxiety can effect our bodies.

For what it's worth, my anxiety also "hurts" my chest. But it feels like a icey cold hand reaching in and squeezing my insides with frozen fingers. I never thought of that feeling as pain, but I guess it is.

Recently it has subsided substantially, but I do take several medications, and know I may have to indefinitely....but what a difference it has made in my life.

Learned also that I can only attend to life's "duties" for so many hours a day, no matter how good I feel, and then I have to stop, instead of worrying about how much more has to be done. It's never ever going to be all done. (Screw you Betty Crocker and Martha Stewart..... I guess I just mispelled her name, oh well)

Guess that's a way of helping my body and my mind. Doing that has helped with the anxiety too. Hope that helps you a little bit.

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to

Lol! I think I try to take on too much sometimes as well. Cleaning and cooking etc on top of taking care of my kids, one is 2 ..one is 5.. school stuff..church stuff etc. seems like it's always a endless list of thing that need to be done.

It's no wonder I have anxiety 🤔

But yes there is always another day.. it's never ever gonna be done lol yep screw you Martha 😉

in reply to Elizabeth04

You go girl!!! You just had your second lesson in how to manage anxiety.

Just as on the airline when you are told to put your oxygen mask on before helping your kids.....You need to take care of you first, and drop some of the "extras" like volunteering at the school event, etc....they're not coping with anxiety and it's none of their business why you decline. (maybe they have cleaning help, baby sitters, etc. are hyper as hell, and they can volunteer....you would never ask how they manage find time to volunteer).

When I first started to practice law, the senior partner was handling a divorce and showing the struggling couple how to cut expenses. The couple was adamant not to lessen large weekly contributions to their church as it was a charity.

His flat response was "Charity begins at home" and he drew a line through that expense.

Hello :-)

The way I see meds is it usually helps us while we are working on dealing with our anxiety but saying that if we don't take the recommended dose we won't get the full effect of how they may help which is what is possibly happening , maybe it would be worth trying to take full dose ?

Also have you spoken to your Doctor about any therapy maybe ? there are all different routes we can take to help us with our anxiety , we all suffer or have suffered but we all have to find what works best for us as what works for one is not always the answer for someone else , but before you feel you want to give up on this medication I would seriously think about trying that extra one that you are missing just to see how I felt then , you have nothing to loose by giving it ago but you never know you could have something to gain and feel a lot better :-)

Let us know how you get on :-)

Take care x

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to

I'm so scared of taking it and not being able to come off of it. I think that's my issue with taking my other dose. Another part is pride, I want to be strong and fight it without medication. But I've come to find out that I guess I'm not that strong.

Chest pains are what get me. If It were anything else id be fine.. but I have 24/7 chest pain. That does it for me

JoMarie5 profile image
JoMarie5 in reply to Elizabeth04

Please don't pay any mind to this person that's commenting on your status as he probably is making me more anxious you've been to the doctors and you know what's wrong you know what you need to do don't listen to him .

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to JoMarie5

Thank you. Seriously have to calm myself down now after that

Kobojunkie profile image
Kobojunkie in reply to Elizabeth04

I don't know why the truth should scare anyone, but here goes

Well, calm down but still don't ignore the truth that is right in front of you. Every attack makes an impact on your health and playing around with anxiety is a dangerous thing to do.

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to Kobojunkie

Thank you. I'll keep that in mind

JoMarie5 profile image
JoMarie5 in reply to Kobojunkie

Just stop dude frfr !!!! 🤐

JoMarie5 profile image
JoMarie5 in reply to Elizabeth04

NP ! Message me if you need to . I got you girl! Idk wtf that persons problem is but I wish they would stop!

in reply to Elizabeth04

OK , but you take 2 a day and you have been fine so just one more won't harm you or the Doctor would not have prescribed them :-)

You know the saying " Pride comes before a fall " you don't want to fall , swallow your pride , it is not a sign of weakness taking medication thousands take it , very strong people but we sometimes need a little help , if you had some other physical illness and you were told you needed to take medication or you would be ill , you would not see that as weakness and this is no different :-)

You won't become addicted , when you start to feel better your Doctor will help you taper back of them , it i your anxiety telling you all these What If's

These pains , I believe you have been checked out , anxiety can cause us to be so tense that it can create chest pains , if the Doctors have given you the all clear then you have to learn to trust them :-) x

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to

Thanks so much for the advice lulu 🙂

Mumof347 profile image
Mumof347 in reply to Elizabeth04

I was just like you, I have taken my meds for 3 years and i didn't want to, but they were prescribed for me as a bit of relief for my anxiety and depression symptoms. Trial and error may be needed if they don't suit you...dint be scared give them a try.

There is always a reason as to why you are Anxious, mine is due to when my parents and grandparents passed and I felt unsafe and scared, to then lose my best friend did I find myself alone and scared, i felt I didn't have that safety net and didn't know how to cope.

But reality kicked in and i had to be in charge of myself and my children. I became responsible and realised they needed me to give them what I lost. Being a parent had tought me to be strong and I wouldn't change it for the world, it is hard but now I have turned a corner. I accepted my anxiety as I had a saceptability of getting it through my mother anyway.

If your life changes ie..a loss, or relationship ending, financial difficulties etc usually will bring out anxiety with us.

Medication does not cure, it only relieves the symptoms so you are the only one that can get yourself well with support.

Learning to live with anxiety is key and needs time and to work out why you are anxious in the first place then to use any coping mechanisms you have learnt to get through tough times.

I hope this makes sense and you get well soon.

Sorry this is long lol.

Pauline xx

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to Mumof347

Thank you for the great advice. Hope you have a great day today 🙂

Mumof347 profile image
Mumof347 in reply to Elizabeth04

Your welcome, thank you, you too x

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04

😢 I've had ekgs and chest X-rays... 48 hour monitor

Oh man....that's what scares me the most is my heart

laverdasf1000 profile image
laverdasf1000

Hello, I suffer from bad anxiety and realised many years ago this condition has no cure. However there are other ways to to ease the condition. I am awaiting another session of CBT this together with medication may help you. I would speak with your doctor and see if he can refer you. There is a long waiting list for CBT but believe me it is well worth the wait. Other things that help me are talking to friends and family, getting outside either gardening or walking my dogs. Please do not despair it is a horrible condition that feels sometimes it is consuming you but help is out there. Stay strong we all must believe that this thing can be beaten, with care and support. Best of luck. laverdasf1000

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to laverdasf1000

Thank you!!

I take up to 3 or 4, .5 klonopin when I'm having really bad anxiety. I'm just so grateful there is something that helps me. As time passes and you feel better (you'll know because you'll just not feel like you "need" the next dose) when they make me feel tired instead of "normal" that's when I talk to my Dr about decreasing the dose.

You'll be okay! One day at a time, girl. We're all here for you 😊

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to

Thank you!! 🙌🏻

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