Klonopin Tolerance?

I have been on some type of benzo for the last 8 years.
I started with Xanax. After awhile I switched to Ativan because my pdoc had put me on Serzone and you shouldn't take Xanax with Serzone. The Serzone didn't work and I didn't really like the Ativan so it was back to Xanax for a long time. About a year ago I switched to Klonopin because it lasts longer. I should note that the frequency at which I take benzos varies with my anxiety. I go through cycles where I will not take any for a couple days straight, then sometimes I will go through a period where I am taking them everyday. I have been taking Klonopin almost everyday for the last couple of weeks, mostly before bedtime but sometimes during the day as well. I take the 0.5 and was originally breaking them in half. Now I take one and a half of the 0.5 pills (so I'm taking .75mg) and it really doesn't affect me that much. I mean it definitely helps me fall asleep and all if I lay down and relax, but I can take that much during the day and still function. I have never experienced any type of withdrawal symptoms either. My sister takes Xanax and she tells me how just taking the .25 can knock her out during the day. Anyone have similar experiences/thoughts?

Hi Pink,
First let me say how cool I think you are!!

I could write a book about benzos, which I may do someday when I have more time.

Benzos are very addictive and the wd from them is awful! It's good to hear you can NOT take them for a while inbetween the times that you do. That's a good sign.

Some people develop a tolerance and an addiction right away, and others can take their small dose tid for years without developing either. Unfortunately, I carry a heavy genetic load for addiction. Do you?

If I could recommend a drug for anxiety to you, it would be Neurontin. No side effects, no risk of tolerance or addiction. It's an off-label use, but I don't think it will be for long. The psychiatric community is using it all the time to treat anxiety and mood.

I'd be interested to hear what you decide. I wish you all the best!
Okie

pink, I've heard that one can build up tolerance to the benzos, so your experience is probably not unheard of. I'm not sure I understood, but you aren't trying to equate the same mg of klonopin to your sister's xanax, are you? They are different meds of different strengths. Do you feel you need more klonopin each day or are you happy with how the 0.75 mg is working for you? By the way, I have Xanax, 0.25 mg, and can't take it during the day because it puts me to sleep immediately. Sometimes I take it at night to help with sleep, and I cut it in half and take only 0.125 mg. That is great you do not have withdrawal symptoms ever with the benzos, as I've heard that can be very hard.

Ativan was my favorite, but my new doc wouldn't give it to me. So, he tried Neurontin, which barely touched my anxiety. Now I am Klonopin 2mg 3x a day which seems to work well.


Dee

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sunrise said:
pink, I've heard that one can build up tolerance to the benzos, so your experience is probably not unheard of. I'm not sure I understood, but you aren't trying to equate the same mg of klonopin to your sister's xanax, are you?

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No, I was just saying... becuase I have been on Xanax as well... and neither of them made me feel that way when I take them during the day... I just thought it was interesting that she felt like that... Just shows the tolerance that I've built up.

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Do you feel you need more klonopin each day or are you happy with how the 0.75 mg is working for you?

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Maybe sometimes I just wish it would knock me out when I feel really, really bad (at home of course) and I'm just concerned as to why it doesn't.

They should make one really long acting benzo to be prescribed only when one's T is on vacation. It is active for the entire duration of the T's absence. Then you wake up and T is back. Ugh. I'm having a hard time here.