Klonopin small dose/short term use okay?

[nonymo]

I've had a lot of life changes and am dealing with acute anxiety & panic attacks.  I went to my doc and told him that I needed something for the panic attacks that I'm having but didn't want to end up with something that I took daily. (Long story about why)

Anyway, so my doc gave me .5 klonopin for the anxiety/panic attacks and the bottle says take one daily... although my doc said only to take AS NEEDED and that this was my ONE and ONLY prescription for this and after reading about how addictive it can be, I'm very thankful!

So anyhow, my question is.... I've been taking .5 once per day for the last 5 days (not that it helps much) and today was REALLY tempted to take a second one in the evening because I'm having a LOT of anxiety.  If I take an extra occasionally (like today) and then try not to take one other days... or even take one every day for 2 weeks... am I going to experience withdrawals?

I know everyone is different, but I'm wondering how bad the withdrawals might be with a low dose (.5 to 1mg) per day for only a few weeks?

[Jeffmjams]

I think your anxiety may go up more than it was . 5 weeks and 0.5 a day you may feel a little depression too. I tried tapering off 3 mg a day ,it was so bad physically and mentally I couldn't do it .  if he retires soon I will be in big trouble.  

[Paxiled]

Again, you're on a conversation that is 7 years old.  If you make a new post you'll get more input, if that's what you're looking for.  This drug is very hard to stop taking, and needs a slow taper to do it.  You might have tried to do it too quickly, at too great a reduction in dosage.  If it's working well for you and nothing else has, you wouldn't need to stop at this point, the damage if there is any has been done, but as you report sleeping all day and not at night you might want to talk to your psychiatrist about when you take it and how often you take it.  

[cnote]

I've been on it for about 20 days. Taking anywhere from .5mg in one day to 1mg in one day. But just mostly right before bed to help sleep.

My Dr. wants me to wean off now. I hope I sleep good... and don't have too many side effects. I have a feeling I will have some restless nights.

[lynn57]

As Justin said clonazepam does have a long half life.  It also takes longer to kick in unless it has time to build up in your system and provide long-term relief. Klonopin works best at keeping your anxiety away, not treating anxiety at the time of the attack.  Clonazepam is extremely cheap.  You should be able to afford it even with private pay.  It usually costs less than an insurance co-pay anyway.  It's actually cheaper than most natural remedies.  You still need a doctor who is comfortable prescribing these types of meds.  If you can get a three month script it's even cheaper.  Check out your options.

[justin61]

I've been taking .5 clonazepam for over a year now and I take the odd extra when I need it works great clonazepam has a long half life so I take it every night and it keeps my anxiety at bay everyday plus gives me a great sleep

[nonymo]

Well, if they aren't meant for short term use, he sure did give me the wrong thing.  He told me to take one.... about once a month when I have a panic attack (not my normal everyday anxiety). I told him that I wanted something only for the worst times because I'm losing my insurance at the end of this month so I won't be able to afford to take anything daily long term.

Oh well.  I guess he gave me the wrong thing and I'll just stop taking it because when I start to panic and it doesn't work, it makes it worse!

There's got to be a natural way to deal w/ anxiety and panic attacks for the un-insured.... I guess I'm on a mission to find it!

[lynn57]

Klonopin is not really a good "as needed" drug.  It has a slower onset than Xanax or Ativan.  It is usually prescribed at least twice a day to prevent panic attacks and anxiety.  Other benzos act more quickly and last a shorter time.  All of them are addicting if taken regularly.  It depends on how you are handling your anxiety and if you have thought about any alternatives.  Don't ever prescribe for yourself or take more than needed.  If this is your one and only script your doc will give you,  what happens if it really helps and then you have to give it up?  Have you discussed any other options with your doctor?  You might want to see a psychiatrist who is more comfortable with these types of meds.  Good luck and hang in there.

[rogelio63]

I wouldn't get in the habit of taking more than prescribed.  If it isn't working, tell your doctor.  If you start taking extra on your own, you've broken that little "in your head" fence that keeps you from prescribing for yourself.  It's a bad road to start down.  You don't have to worry about it if you don't take that first step. I'm not judging you, believe me, I wrestle with the same thought too, but I've just made up my mind not to go there.
What has seemed to help has been to put my meds in one of those boxes that you load up for everyday.  If you don't have the bottle in your hand when you take them, and feel the weight of the meds and see them all rattling around in there,,,it seems like I'm less likely to go further than my prescription.
Rogelio