klonopin long term

[charlie1234567890]

My GP finally gave me klonopin but was very reluctant, and scared me with dementia saying the longer you are on it the more your chances are of getting dementia. The klonopin worked for me for 8 years (age 53-60 with no issues) then the opioid crisis hit and my GP would no longer prescribe it. I have tried every other drug with no luck…dopamine agonist, gabapentin, pregablin, CBD, THC, magnesium oil. I take magnesium and iron on a regular basis. Now that I’m 70 years old, my GP is scaring me with dementia. I gave him another copy of the Mayo Clinic algorithm which I know he hasn’t read because whenever I mention I don’t get RLS when I take hydrocodone for migraines, he is totally amazed. Are there any positive studies that talk about klonopin as long term daily therapy. I can only find negative studies, same with opioids.

[SueJohnson]

If hydrocodone worked that is the safer one alzres.biomedcentral.com/ar...

[charlie1234567890 in reply to SueJohnson]

I don’t think he will give me hydrocodone for RLS since he prescribes them for migraines. I only get a specific amount for the migraines and that amount will not cover the RLS too. I’ll work on him!

[Joolsg]

Opioids are safe and effective long term for RLS.massgeneral.org/rls-registry

Dr Winkelman, a top RLS expert, set up the Massachusetts opioid register to prove opioids long term do not cause addiction ( unless there's a history of abuse) or tolerance ( the need to keep increasing the dose to achieve the previous cover).

This recent article discounts the link between benzodiazapenes and dementia.

academic.oup.com/biomedgero...

[charlie1234567890 in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you for the link. I will forward to my doctor.

[Cowbsky]

good news, I have been use it for some 30 years (now 72); maximum dose 0.6 mg (very rarely up 1.0 mg on needs).

no significante side effects. Love this med.

Me and at least one thousand more here: reviews.webmd.com/drugs/dru...

all the best

[tom137]

I took minimal does for RLS when I could not sleep for years. My new Doc a few years ago immediately took me off of it. I had a rough few weeks but gabapentin helped me through it as I stopped all triggers such as coffee, salt, sugar, wine and went total whole food plant based and walked an hour a day. Now no RLS and no meds whatsoever. Feel best in my life at age 97+. Research says Klonopin not good for your brain.

[Chiefskiwi]

I've taken klonopin for about 30 years for RLS. My GP tried to wean me off about 3 years ago. I had serious side effects from gabapentin, and 4 other drugs. Insomnia and RLS really bad. GP put me back on klonopin and I keep to a RLS diet. I'm an 84year old female with no sign of dementia.

[charlie1234567890 in reply to Chiefskiwi]

Thank you so much for your reply!

[grandma_of_7]

wow! Your story is my story! I also was enjoying great results for about 6 years until the panic hit! I’m also 70. Now I’ve cycled through 2 low dose opioids, worked great, developed opioid itch. So now I’m in search of what’s next for me.