[Hbomb0903]

I have a prescription for Klonopin because I get very anxious and have trouble sleeping sometimes. I've found myself in this state I'm in taking it more frequently. Not even to the full dose I'm prescribed, which is .5 once a day, but more PRN because I've not often taken it every day for a while.

Could this be making me worse? I have a bipolar friend who thinks the sedative effect might now be such a good idea. I know I was so agitated yesterday but after I took a half of one I felt much more able to just cope with being in my own skin.

Was wondering about other's experiences with benzos.

[MagicsMom]

Personally I think benzos work best for severe anxiety. If it's making you feel better I wouldn't worry about it. I've found Klonopin to be the least addicting and have been on them for over 5 years. I don't think they make me more depressed but that's just me

[live2ski66]

I have been taking klonopin for over 10 years. This is the one drug I respect. I've always been prescribed 0.5mg. More often than not, when I just have an edge and want to numb it, I take a half a pill. Sometimes I'll take a half in the morning and a half in the evening.

When I first started taking Klonopin, I would notice my reaction times were slower. I don't notice it as much any more, probably because I'm used to the feeling, but I am still very careful. I avoid unnecessary driving, and I don't use my power tools.

I believe Klonopin affects the CNS, central nervous system. It would make sense that it could affect your depression. Klonopin is usually the first drug they give you. I suggest you share your experiences with your prescribing doctor and your pharmacists. Pharmacists train specifically to identify interactions and side effects. This is what they were trained to do and work diligently to stay on top of it. Your doctor was trained on the symptoms and how the ingredients in the medicines affect your symptoms. They may not have the latest information on side effects.

This is the one drug I err on the side of caution. I don't have children, so when I drive it is just me in my car. But I don't know who will be in the next car over.

So yes, Klonopin has a sedating effect, the extent/potency will vary from individual to individual. Because of the nature of the drug, and the ability to sedate, I would guess it can affect your depression.

Check with your doctor and pharmacist. Good Luck!

[Hbomb0903]

Thank you for your replies. Im finding it slows down my thoughts and that is helping so I'm going to do what helps. Doc appt tomorrow and this is one of the things I will talk to her about.

[Alone & confused]

I was on it a few yrs ago. Was supposed to take it 3 times a day, but if I would have, I wouldn't have even known I was in the world. I would forget what I did while I was on them. The details of "what happened that day "were vague. Other than that they helped me cope with my stressful life. But everyone is different. Like, When my Dr gives me hydrocodone for my back it gives me energy, but it makes some people sleepy. The Dr I have now tends to want to give me anticonvulsants for anxiety and I don't like that. I would rather be back on klonopin.

In my experience, k-pin can definitely cause sedation and depression - which makes sens, since k-pin is a sedative.

[Hbomb0903]

Yeah I hear you. It's a fine line. I just can't use it to escape, which feeds the depression.

[hikeandbike]

Originally Posted by Hbomb0903

I have a prescription for Klonopin because I get very anxious and have trouble sleeping sometimes. I've found myself in this state I'm in taking it more frequently. Not even to the full dose I'm prescribed, which is .5 once a day, but more PRN because I've not often taken it every day for a while.

Could this be making me worse? I have a bipolar friend who thinks the sedative effect might now be such a good idea. I know I was so agitated yesterday but after I took a half of one I felt much more able to just cope with being in my own skin.

Was wondering about other's experiences with benzos.

I will share my experience with Klonopin. Of course everyone is different
so take it for what it's worth. I started using Klonopin for sleep many years ago. Eventually I ended up taking more to sleep and then also for anxiety. It is sedating and I believe it can maybe contribute to a more depressed mood. In the end I became very addicted to it. My body got very dependent on it. I ended up going off of it and had the most horrible withdrawal symptoms. I swore I would never take another benzo again. Now I use Vistaril for anxiety....and I have bad anxiety. It's not as strong as klonopin but at least it's not addictive. I have also used Propranolol. I hope you find what works best for you.

[r010159]

Originally Posted by hikeandbike

I will share my experience with Klonopin. Of course everyone is different
so take it for what it's worth. I started using Klonopin for sleep many years ago. Eventually I ended up taking more to sleep and then also for anxiety. It is sedating and I believe it can maybe contribute to a more depressed mood. In the end I became very addicted to it. My body got very dependent on it. I ended up going off of it and had the most horrible withdrawal symptoms. I swore I would never take another benzo again. Now I use Vistaril for anxiety....and I have bad anxiety. It's not as strong as klonopin but at least it's not addictive. I have also used Propranolol. I hope you find what works best for you.

My experience parallels this.

tucson

I hate taking benzos daily but my doc has me on 1mg in the morning at the moment. (I talked him down from 2mg twice daily). I want to start refusing it because I do not want to get addicted. I feel no difference between days I take it and days I dont, so I dont think there is much point. Yesterday I had 3mg and definitely had a sedative effect. Very slowed down and very depressed to the point of suicidal, Im currently impatient so they took all the sharps, plastic bags and cords out of my room and checked half hourly. Its very easy to get addicted to benzos. So be careful, sounds like you're halfway there.

[Unrigged64072835]

I took Klonopin, Xanax, and Ativan to deal with severe anxiety. It actually made things worse. My husband said I acted like I was stoned, but the anxiety didn't stop and I had to take more to do anything. I ended up switching to a Pdoc who wouldn't prescribe them because the last one kept pushing them on me, even after I told him it didn't help. My current Pdoc finally put me on Lamictal and Neurotin. It made a world of difference. Unless it's a single dose in the ER I won't take them at all.

[SillyKitty]

Everyone's experience is different, but, for me, Klonopin has been wonderful for helping with my anxiety. I take .5mg twice a day. It is possible that your dosage is too high. I could see it bringing you down. I know it does for me, but that's what I need. I'd suggest talking to your pdoc about it soon.