[Crazygrl882]

Hi, a while back my dr switched me from Xanax to klonopin and at first it worked really well at .5mg. However I seem to have grown a tolerance in like a year and am already on 3mg per day. I’m supposed to take 1mg at a time but usually have to take 2 to stop my panic and major anxiety. Sometimes I feel more wound up after taking it. Anyone have a similar experience. Should I go back to Xanax. After 10 years on Xanax I had only increased from .5mg to 1mg. I didn’t build a tolerance this fast. Now I’m afraid it’ll be hard to go off it.

[Keyplayer]

Hi Crazygrl882 ,

I am sorry for what you must endure , me too.

I have taken Xanax since 1986 , it feels like I have built up a tolerance , however I can tell if I miss a dose or go to long with out taking one.

I suffer from panic attacks & have need diagnosed as have phobic anxiety , panic attacks !

My dosage on the bottle is 1mg QID or 4 times by mouth. That does not mean I take that much , after being on the. drug for so long there are days I get by with as little as 1.5 mg`s for the whole day , other times I may need more but I have never taken more than that prescribed amount. I could , but whats the point if I don`t need to .

Getting back to your question , Xanax if a faster acting drug when compared to Klonopin and Xanax has a shorter acting half-life.

To put it simpler , Xanax is designed to work fast very fast , it is one of if not the fastest acting benzodiazepines , while Klonopin take a while longer , it tends to last longer as far as the effect of that drug.

Personally I would be more concerned with which drug makes you feel your best , and don`t worry about tolerance , they will all >> feel << like they are not working , when in fact they are.

If you are suffering from panic attacks I would ask your doctor to put you back on Xanax.

Try not to be concerned about how much you take , as long as you do not go over the prescribed dosage , rather how you feel.

My suggestion would be Xanax , with a set maximum dose set by you and your doctor , and on days that are a-ok , just break one in half and see how you feel taking a half after instead of a whole. You might find that .5mg > three times a day would work fine and on days with more stress , you would have the extra without exceeding your maximum dosage.

Like I said , I just take what I need , of course being on the same drug for over 30 years , you kind`a get to know it !! LOL

I know anxiety / depression / loneliness / and I have feelings that won`t be described until they come out with the DSM 7 .

Plus I am trying to get over grief and loss , if that were not enough you can throw in dysphoria while you are at it . I have such a fun time , not really.

You will be fine , I can assure you of that , Xanax & Klonopin are very close and equal as far as Mg to Mg , Xanax fast / last short --- Klonopin slower / last longer , that really the only difference .

I am not a doctor or any type of medical professional , just someone who has seen too much.

I hope I have helped , if you need me , just PM me

Take care ,

Keyplayer. 