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Originally Posted by Amy Today
I have a few questions about Klonopin if anyone can help out. I have been taking Klonopin on and off for about six months. I haven't really figured out the magic formula to get the most benefit out of it. I notice that it helps my anxiety sometimes, but sometimes it doesn't.
My pdoc has told me to take anywhere from .5 to 1mg up to twice a day. I probably actually take .5 mg twice a week at most. Which might be why I'm not getting a lot of relief with my anxiety most days. I'm afraid of getting dependent on it.
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Is your Klonopin PRN (take as needed) or does your pdoc want you to take it daily? If he wants you to take it daily to manage your anxiety it's best to follow his instructions. If it's PRN and you are having anxiety but white knuckling it to keep your use to twice a week, you're not going to effectively manage your anxiety.
Since you've been on it for several months, it sounds like your pdoc will likely continue to prescribe it to treat your anxiety ongoing. You're taking very little but you may be dependent on it. Discuss your concerns with your pdoc. It is expected that you will become dependent on a benzo with regular, long term use. It's normal. If you are abusing it by taking more than you should that is
addiction and that is when it is a problem.
I have four anxiety disorders and I've been prescribed benzos by my pdoc for ten years. I take one mg of Klonopin every six hours, not PRN. He said I need benzos to manage my anxiety due to severity and having four types (GAD, Social, OCD, Panic Disorder). Obviously I'm dependent on them, but they are very effective for me and necessary to adequately treat my nxiety disorders. I take them as prescribed, I've never run out early, etc. I don't crave them or feel high and we've not needed to increase my dosage for six years.
I've taken Xanax which is much shorter acting so I asked to switch to Klonopin as it stays in your system much longer. Xanax is better for Panic attacks whereas Klonopin is more of a smooth, ongoing benzo for GAD and Social.
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The worst anxiety I've been experiencing recently is going anywhere by car, especially when another person is driving. I'm going on a trip that will be about three hours long in a couple of weeks and I want to give myself the best chance of not being in a panic for the whole ride. My husband is driving. He doesn't deserve to have me holding on for dear life and hyperventilating the whole time. He's not that bad of a driver. Hahaha.
I'm going to take it about an hour before we leave. Is that long enough for it to begin working? Also, would it be more effective for me to take it regularly for a few days to let it build up in my system before we go? Will that make a difference? Or should I maybe ask my pdoc for something for more acute anxiety?
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It should start working within 20-30 minutes from when you take it. I imagine it would be more effective to take it regularly for a few days before your trip. Ask your pdoc but I think having it in your system prior to leaving would be helpful. But ask your pdoc. I'm prescribed to take mine regularly every day for that reason.
Also, if you take it a few days prior to your trip you will be less anxious about your departure. If you are anxious about the drive, you'll likely be thinking about it before you leave, as well. Personally I'd stick with Klonopin and not switch to a different benzo for your trip. You'd likely be prescribed Xanax for acute anxiety and it may be too intense and sedating. I don't think it's a good time to switch meds. Just my opinion. I think the Klonopin will be fine if you don't force yourself to twice a week. You may need anxiety coverage daily during your trip. He's authorized daily use so don't suffer unnecessarily.
Have a great trip! xoxo, Rainy