[xRavenx]

I am trying not to take my klonopin too much. It was prescribed to me as a PRN as needed. What are some signs that it is time to take it versus whether I should fight the anxiety and cope with it without using it?

I went from taking it 4x weekly to cutting down to 2-3x per week. Today I have a pit in my stomach and get a feeling in my chest here and there, so I decided to take it. Sometimes I wonder if I should just fight it and cope, but maybe I should just take it. I also use klonopin to try to take the edge off of some of the Bipolar symptoms, like agitation or problems sitting still due to feeling on the manicky side.

For those of you on klonopin, what are the early signs that you notice that makes you decide it is time to take it? Do you take it immediately when you start feeling the anxiety or wait a few hours to see if it starts to go away?

[CANDC]

@xRavenx hi there. I do not take PRN meds so I am not able to talk about my experience. I think it depends on your situation and your doc is probably more familiar with that than anyone here would be and they are professionally qualified.

The simple answer is to talk to your prescriber and or your therapist and ask them. If that is not possible, perhaps your pharmacist can answer some of your questions.

[FluffyDinosaur]

I don't take Klonopin specifically, but I take lorazepam as a PRN. I try to avoid it if I can, for obvious reasons. I use it only for sleep, 1-2 mg, and not during the day. I try to deal with my anxiety without it.

As far as sleep goes, my general guideline is I don't take lorazepam unless I've been sleeping very badly and either (1) I really need to be rested the next day, for example because I have work obligations, or (2) I feel like the lack of sleep might trigger a bipolar episode, so I have to make myself sleep to prevent that.

In addition, as you mentioned, I sometimes (rarely) use lorazepam when I'm getting (hypo)manic, in the hope that if I force myself to sleep, it will help the episode die down more quickly. In general, I try not to take the lorazepam more than a few days in a row, and after that I take at least a few days off, preferably a week or more if I can manage it.

[MickeyCheeky]

So Sorry you're struggling! Please do not give up! i don't have much advice to give as i don't take this med and don't have bipolar myself. Just wanted to let you know that i am here and that i Hope that things will Improve really soon for everyone. Definitely consult with your pdoc and/or therapist as well. Please do keep us updated if you can and want to. Many hugs and stay Safe. Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @xRavenx, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

[MuddyBoots]

When I was on Klonopin PRN, I would save it for times of extreme anxiety or agitation/when those things were so bad I was close to violence or suicide because those things were so bad. A doc told me benzos should only be taken when you're near hospital level of distress.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by Sapien

When I was on Klonopin PRN, I would save it for times of extreme anxiety or agitation/when those things were so bad I was close to violence or suicide because those things were so bad. A doc told me benzos should only be taken when you're near hospital level of distress.

This is something I need to consider. I have taken it when I am not quite at that level. I have strong GAD symptoms with Bipolar, so I'll usually take it either when agitated with racing thoughts or excessive worrying where there is a pit in my stomach, and my heart is beating rapidly to the point where it is very difficult to function. When I am in that state, it is very hard for me to return to baseline, which is why I'll take it. But I definitely don't want to become too dependent on it.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Sapien

When I was on Klonopin PRN, I would save it for times of extreme anxiety or agitation/when those things were so bad I was close to violence or suicide because those things were so bad. A doc told me benzos should only be taken when you're near hospital level of distress.

I agree.