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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.
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?
I tried Googling and couldn't find much, and I know I can ask my pdoc, but I was just looking for opinions from people who also take it.
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Klonopin can take a little while to kick in compared to benzos like Ativan or Xanax (I've been on all three). Sometimes Klonopin just mildly reduces my anxiety, but by making me just feel kind of zonked and "blank." It can be really effective at times, but more so for me with generalized anxiety.
For severe anxiety, on occasion, Xanax seems to be my go-to, since I find it really effective when it comes to "bringing you back down" when experiencing panic or severe symptoms. It works fast, unlike Klonopin. However, I definitely find benefits to Klonopin staying in the system longer....since I often have to pop more Xanax to continue feeling the relief during the day, which my pdoc has strongly advised me against. Maybe your pdoc will prescribe something shorter-acting in duration, like Xanax or Ativan PRN to help with the acute onset of anxiety. Good luck