Rivotril (Klonopin) addiction

I was prescribed Rivotril (Clonazepam, known also as Klonopin) maybe a year ago, by neurologist, for severe anxiety. But I think now I have a lot of problems due to this medication. I took much less than I was subscribed. I was supposed to take 1mg twice a day, like 2mg pill a day, and I was taking only a quorter of pill a day, so 1/2 mg, in the evening, because it makes me drowsy and I fall asleep.
After months of use I feel different, not good at all. I became antisocial, sad, often angry and sad, I feel depressed, and when I am not sleeping under the dose, I feel even more anxious than ever before.
I also have physical problems, don't know if this is related to the drug but I sneeze a lot, all the time, and I am not sick, I have stomach issues, muscle and bone pain, trouble exercising, and lately my muscles are twitching especially on face and feet.
I found some researches that show that Klonopin can cause dementia, brain shrinking, and even Alzheimer disease! It's scary! Why doctors prescribe that?
Once years ago, I was trying to quit benzos on my own and it was HELL! And I was on much smaller doses for shorter time. I can't even describe the hell I went through and I was much younger and stronger back then.
I don't know what to do. Doctors are totally useless. Please, don't get offended but those I met just are.

What else are you taking? I'm surprised the clonazepam is causing twitching.

And what's your diagnosis, if I might ask?

It’s more likely that the severe anxiety is causing the twitching. You aren’t taking much of the medication.

I was prescribed larger dose (1 mg), but I stayed at 0.5 mg because I remember how hard was to get off the Klonopin before, so I am scared. I am not sure if these symptoms are related to Klonopin but I found some scary stuff online about this drug. I am trying to decide if it's better to have high anxiety with panic attacks or to have side effects of Clonazepam.
I am pretty sure I am already addicted.
Diagnosis is anxiety, generalized and specific. And it affects my ability to sleep. Sometimes, I change it to Xanax because I got that one too, but I take it more rarely because I got only one month dose (because at the time I was at the peak of anxiety).

I agree with Nammu, the dose isn't likely to cause twitching.

I have high levels of anxiety and take mirtazepine (Remeron) 30mg to help with both depression and anxiety. I take it in the evening/night and it does help me sleep.

Maybe you could discuss this medication with your doctor?

Also, check our Dr. Claire Weekes' book/audiobook "Hope and Help for Your Nerves". If you can't find it at the library and want a secondhand copy, then visit abebooks.com. There are also YouTube clips available.

Hope you feel better soon... and do speak to your doctor about your concerns, asap...

quote: "I was taking only a quorter of pill a day, so 1/2 mg"

I had a prescription for .5mg bid. (2x a day). Instead, I took it as needed. I was so sensitive to this med I could feel .5mg entering my bloodstream and going to work on my anxiety. It was a life saver. I can probably credit .5mg klonopin
with enabling me to get my pension. I worked 7-3:30 and my depression was diurnal. Late in the morning I would begin to get nauseous with anxiety. I would fight it as long as I could, then take .5 if I had to. It allowed me to make it to quitting time. As long as I had it in my pocket, I had the confidence to finish my workday. In the afternoons, my anxiety and depression would ease. I did this for two separate depressive episodes and withdrew from the klonopin both times as soon as possible, with no negative consequences. I didn't feel guilty about taking it. I knew people who were taking 7mg per day of klonopin, or who had prescriptions for Xanax. I'm pretty sure I will have to find something else in the future because so many people are either abusing benzos or having difficulty quitting high doses. Alcohol and Benzos are two of the very few things that can kill you if you stop cold turkey.