Clonazepam : I’ve started taking clonazepam... - Tinnitus UK

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Clonazepam

WoodyT profile image
13 Replies

I’ve started taking clonazepam, prescribed by my ENT specialist. Haven’t taken the 1mg that he’s recommending but I’ve been cutting the meds in half .... I’m so concerned about the dependence of this drug and only want to use it when the T is screaming. However, ive found that this drug is increasing the T , to levels I never thought possible! ....

Does anyone else have experience with this drug ? Is it normal for it to spike , when you first take it ?

Thanks Z x

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WoodyT profile image
WoodyT
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Lioned profile image
Lioned

I was prescribed clonazepam as i was told it helps some people and wasn’t addictive.

It seemed to help a little for a while but then got worse again and it is very addictive,i had a torrid time coming off it,i was also taking mirtazepine.

We’re all different so anythings worth a try.

Purity76 profile image
Purity76

I have had a terrible time with Clonazepam, and am still suffering from it after 18 months of stopping, so I would be very careful with it and if you need to take it, only take it on occasions. It is the drug which actually caused my Tinnitus in the first place! It is very hard to withdraw from even after short usage. I used it for 4 weeks and had withdrawal symptoms I have never experienced in my life before!

WoodyT profile image
WoodyT in reply to Purity76

That’s what I’m afraid of ! Poor you , are you any better now ? X

Purity76 profile image
Purity76 in reply to WoodyT

I am much better than I was but I would say I am still not 100% even after all this time. I have read it can take 2 years to recover from Clonazapem usage, even for short term users, so I hope when I get to that point I will be the person I was before. I had to stop taking it as I started getting really bad interdose withdrawals. I only took no more than 1/4 tablet each time to help me with another condition but it made things 100x worse. Some people seem to be ok with it and some people don't. If you are desperate and it helps then it's upto you whether you take it. Tinnitus did resolve for me after 1 year, but this is now worse than ever due to microsuction which i have had recently. I hope this may calm down with time, and I've just got to be patient

WoodyT profile image
WoodyT in reply to Purity76

I’m so pleased you’re feeling better . Benzodiazepines seem to be the devil drug . I have been taking 2mg of diazepam for the past eight months on the odd occasion when I feel in total distress. Now I’ve started taking this clonazepam and have only taken 1.5mg in total . Like you , I’ve been cutting them into quarters and today I’ve taken .25mg .... It’s calming the hyperacusis and facial pain but the tinnitus is screaming! I’m at a loss what to do . My quality of life is zero . I’m not currently working and have been off sick for 3 months . This is just awful for us all to deal with . My family are push push push to take something that will help , but after reading messages from you both , it scares the hell out of me ... thank you for taking time to reply . Hope you make a full recovery soon x

Lioned profile image
Lioned in reply to WoodyT

I have been fine on diazepam.I take 4mg in the morning to help me cope.Trouble is i been on it for a long time so it becomes less effective but i can miss days without a problem.

dsh2358 profile image
dsh2358

Hi

Yes I took it and it made the T worse too!

I now take small dosage of Aprazolam (gerneric) of Xanax and it helps my T

Don’t cure it for there is no cure .

But it helps with my anxiety and with that helps me have a life and it keeps the T

At a minimum of loudness. I still get bouts

Like when I awake from a nap that’s when the T is the loudest but it does not last long. Aprazolam I take is .05 mg twice a day if needed

All the best and let’s hope they somehow find some breakthrough for our silence

DSH🇺🇸

WoodyT profile image
WoodyT in reply to dsh2358

I’ve taken clonazepam for a total of 5 days and the T is now out of control.... The screaming is so high pitched . I have decided that this drug isn’t going to work . My husband and family are pushing me to continue, and say that I need to get used to it ! I’ve tried explaining that this drug should start relaxing you within an hour of taking it . They don’t understand....

I feel defeated, I don’t know what else to do with trying to control the screaming?

Xanax may be another drug that might help , like it does for you . However, Xanax isn’t used or prescribed here in the UK ... only on a private prescription. Luckily , I have private health insurance, so il ask my consultant at the next appointment .

Thanks for your advice

Z x

dsh2358 profile image
dsh2358 in reply to WoodyT

Hope you find something to give you peace and quiet. Clolazapam is a anti

Seizure drug usually given when your getting off of Xanax . It did the same to me no help didn’t even calm me down

Hope your Dr will give you the Aprazolam. Please let me know with a

Reply how things are

All the best

DSH🇺🇸

WoodyT profile image
WoodyT in reply to dsh2358

Thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it . Il definitely let you know .

Regards

Zoë

WoodyT profile image
WoodyT in reply to dsh2358

Hi dsh 2358 , I just thought I’d let you know .

I went back to the ENT that prescribed clonazepam and told him that it didn’t help .

I asked for Xanax , but he flatly refused and said he wasn’t going to prescribe anything!

He said , it was ME that was causing the screaming tinnitus and that I needed to see a psychologist! He said , Tinnitus shouldn’t be distressing and that millions of people live with it every day . He spoke to me like I was a nutter . I cried and felt devastated that they wouldn’t help .

So , I’m now trying the clonazepam again but Again it’s screaming!

I just can’t understand, if there’s a drug to help us , why are they so reluctant to give it .

Anyway, I hope you are having quieter days

Please take care

All the best

dsh2358 profile image
dsh2358

🙏🏻😊

dsh2358 profile image
dsh2358 in reply to dsh2358

Sorry to hear this , I also had this done to me I went to 7 Drs and they all either said

It’s me and they cannot treat it with Xanax

I Been treated like a nut job it’s very tiresome with Drs that are not educated about Tinnitus I finally had to go to a Psychiatrist and after a hour talking about

It and how my anxiety is affected by my Tinnitus and how my life is at such a low

Because of it he prescribe it to me.

Don’t give up , and don’t take you have to

Live with it that’s pure B.S !!!

Hope you find relief soon

🙏🏻😊DSH🇺🇸

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