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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jms600 on May 9, 2011, at 12:23:29
I saw my p/doc today and apart from raising my Effexor dose to 225mg for poor motivation, he prescribed Klonopin for the first time for severe anxiety and panic disorder. He has told me to take 1mg twice daily.
Is taking Klonopin daily really safe? Am I likely to grow tolerant to it's anti-anxiety effects over time?? Dependency doesn't concern me so much but growing tolerant to the drug's beneficial effects certainly does.
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2011, at 12:31:17
In reply to Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term??, posted by jms600 on May 9, 2011, at 12:23:29
Hi well a bit off topic but up to 20mg is used for seizures. So I'd think it wouldn't stop working for a long time. Benzos over 30years worked well for me with no tolerance it was after that time that they kind of stopped working but still sleep fine like anxiety all day long. So I do feel you are fine for quite a few years. Good luck to you. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on May 9, 2011, at 13:25:48
In reply to Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term??, posted by jms600 on May 9, 2011, at 12:23:29
OK, I'd love to give you a simple "yes" or "no," but its kind of complicated.
Some people take benzos daily for years and nothing bad happens and they still work at more or less the same dose they started with. Other people get drug-induced depression, cognitive problems, and eventually grow resistant to the anti-anxiety effects.
I've personally found that it takes me about 6 months to grow resistant to a 2mgs/day dose of Klonopin. Other people I know have also found that even if they develop resistance, it takes several months. So, my personal advice would be to take the Klonopin, relax, and work on a long-term plan, which might be what your shrink is already thinking, anyway.
Good luck.
Posted by ron1953 on May 9, 2011, at 14:23:55
In reply to Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term??, posted by jms600 on May 9, 2011, at 12:23:29
Best info on the web: http://benzo.org.uk/
Posted by Laney on May 12, 2011, at 21:43:48
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term??, posted by ron1953 on May 9, 2011, at 14:23:55
I've been on Klonopin for 17 years and have never raised the dose - one .5 mg. per day.
I'm thinking of switching over to diazepam to be able to be off of them for good.
No problems except what if the half milligram is causing any of my depressive symptoms?
I'll never know unless I go off. Also, what about my cognitive problems. Probably mild but will I ever know if Klonopin was to blame if I don't go off?
Why not go on to diazepam which is what a few online benzo withdrawl groups suggest tapering to to get off of Klonopin? That way if it became a problem you could hopefully taper off more successfully.
Good luck,
Laney
Posted by Phillipa on May 12, 2011, at 22:08:44
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term??, posted by Laney on May 12, 2011, at 21:43:48
Laney in all seriousness klonopin and was namebrand depressed me first dose felt suicidal but wasn't had been on xanax called doc said go back on xanax and first dose was fine. Take valium and it's mild and a muscle relaxant. Keep lowering the dose no problems klonopin is stronger much stronger per miligram. And I think took paxil l0mg when worked with xanax low dose .5mg. Phillipa
Posted by Abby Cunningham on May 12, 2011, at 23:34:35
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term?? » Laney, posted by Phillipa on May 12, 2011, at 22:08:44
I have to say that when I tapered my xanax by switching over slowly to diazepam, it was very depressing .... so bad that my doctor had to switch me back to xanax after I had been off it for a few months. I was down to equivalent of .5mg xanax from 3mg. but the valium was killing me.
Once before I came off xanax very slowly and it worked very well. Klonopin has a longer half life than xanax and valium has all those metabolites - I would think you'd want to taper off the K. Just my thoughts.
I know many people think the Ashton method is gospel but I don't think it's for everyone.
Abby
Posted by Laney on May 13, 2011, at 10:40:07
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term?? » Phillipa, posted by Abby Cunningham on May 12, 2011, at 23:34:35
Yes, I was referring to the Ashton Method. I'm not sure what I would do in my case. Just shave a little bit of the pill every day?
Thanks!
Laney
Posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2011, at 19:58:34
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term??, posted by Laney on May 13, 2011, at 10:40:07
As Abby said that is a great option also for you. Benzos effect everyone differently. I'm down to .25 xanax not with l0mg of valium probably forever. Phillipa
Posted by Abby Cunningham on May 14, 2011, at 12:40:26
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term??, posted by Laney on May 13, 2011, at 10:40:07
> Yes, I was referring to the Ashton Method. I'm not sure what I would do in my case. Just shave a little bit of the pill every day?
Well every day can be too quick IMO. Don't be in a hurry, above all! These drugs can be tough to taper, so go at your own pace. If you feel symptoms that are bad, hold off. I am not sure if they make liquid K, but I believe they do. You might want to get a prescription for that.
And stay at a dose for a week or so, if you need to!
Ashton method works fine for some, but some people just cannot tolerate valium. Remember, it's not a race. Your goal will be met if you listen to your body and don't rush.Just my opinion; I am not a doctor or medical professional. I only have experience in tapering benzodiazepines! Best of luck.
Posted by torridcalm on May 20, 2011, at 18:17:15
In reply to Is Klonopin safe to take daily long term??, posted by jms600 on May 9, 2011, at 12:23:29
danger of rebound anxiety if you forget to take it. no one ever explanned that to me and years back I didn't take it for a couple days and went off my nut. If I had know about rebound maybe I would have been more responcible about taking it
This is the end of the thread.
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