Can anyone tell me what they know about klonipin? How does it make you feel, what dose do you take, do you think ativan works better? how long acting is it? is the drowsiness temporary? do you get dizziness when first starting ativan? what dose of that do you take? and how long acting is it?

I can answer all of those questions.

I normally take Xanax which works best for me. However, I got it in my head that it was causing some side effects, so I decided to try Ativan yesterday, it gave me a headache. Today I tried Klonopin and I took .25 1/2 and I felt really crappy. However, my sister takes Klonopin and it works for her.

They all work differently for everyone. Xanax is my benzo of choice in a crunch.

Take care,
mich

Hello! I have been on klonipin for 3 1/2 years as needed. When I first began to take it I was just being introduced to horrible high anxiety with a racing mind and obsessive thoughts. This drug stopped all of that. I don't mean that it cured everything, just relieved it. However, I have to be careful how I take it. I try to only take it maybe 3 times a week. I take .5 mg when needed. It does make me drowsy, but I will take that anyday over the unbearable anxiety. It also helps me sleep. Since my son was married this past June, which has caused me a lot of empty nest anxiety and depression, I have taken it everyday. When I take it everyday, it makes me a little draggy. It don't like taking it everyday because I am one of those people that is afraid of addiction, but have been assured that .5 mg is a very low dose and when I am ready I can wean myself back to taking it as needed. I have also been on ativan. The klonipin takes longer to work but once it kicks in (about 45 min) it works longer, for quite a few hours and I can usually get a restful nights sleep, even if I take it in the morning. I get better results if I take it on an empty stomach. Ativan works quicker but wears off quicker and I had to take it three times a day and it made my heart race. So all in all for me the klonipin has been a life saver. Hope this helps!

Hi - Just wanted to say that I went to Urgent Care yesterday( and I think I will post my detailed story in the Heart section in just a few minutes), but I asked for some Klonopin or Xanax for my severe anxiety...and the doctor (who I absolutely loved) who was there, didn't really like any Benzos ( I think he said they are too addictive). I mentioned Klonopin, that a lot of my friends use it, and he really didn't care for it - said it may people feel like zombies for hours, and that Xanax is highly addictive too because it works for about 4-6 hours, and then people want to take another one. I really don't think I am going to abuse it (especially since he only gave me 15 - ha), but I do think when I go to my regular doctor, I will ask for some more. I just took 1/2 one and I do feel more relaxed, although I really shouldn't drive on this stuff until I get used to it. I do believe everyone's bodies react differently, and we probably just have to experiment and find the right one for ourselves. I HATE these anxious nervous feelings though with all this adrenaline flowing through my body. And my blood pressure was way high!!! I don't think my own mind can calm myself down at this time in my life without a little help, so I am going to use this Xanax as needed!

Hi,

I am new to this, but really needed to talk to REAL people, not doctors...b/c I need advice from people who have actually TAKEN these medications. SO, here is my issue:

I am on a lot of medications...I have VERY bad insomnia, ADHD Combind Type, Depression,and worst of all, Panic disorder/anxiety disorder. The meds I am currently on are: Cymbalta, Seroquel, Ambien CR, Ativan, Neurontin, Addarall, and Suboxone for Opiate withdrawal (I use it for my cravings, I was addicted to OxyContin two years ago and I needed it to get off of the opiate, and get my cravings under control). SOOOO....I recently switched Psychiatrists because my old Psyc and I were not getting along...he would never listen to me and how I was feeling and simply wrote out the medication prescriptions and sent me on my way. He never asked how the meds were working or what was goin on....so I switched to an AMAZING Psychiatrist who actually seems like he cares about how the meds are affecting me. I have been on 4.5 Miligrams of Klonopin a day, for the past 3 years, and I told my NEW Psychiatrist today that I wanted to try something different, like a different Benzodiazepine. So, I suggested Ativan, and he actually agreed and gave me the same dose (4.5 milis a day), and gave me 2 refils.

Does anyone have experience switching from Klonopin to Ativan? I find that it makes me more sleepy, but thats a GOOD thing in my mind,cuz my insomnia is so bad, and the addarall doesn't help my sleeping obviously...BUT the thing is, I have terrible ADD, it has disrupted my social life, my school work, EVERYTHING, so I need to be on the Addarall. I have tried other ADD meds but nothing worked. So I think the Ativan will take the jitters I get from the Addarall, but it wont put me to sleep cuz the addarall will keep me going thru the day.

SO anyways, anyone have any thoughts? I would really appreciate it.

From,
PinUpGirl87

I have been on 4.5 Miligrams of Klonopin for 3 years. I can def. tell you how it makes you feel. At first (like the first couple months), a lower dose, like, 2 MG/day, makes u feel happy, relaxed, and stress free. But as the dose goes up, your tolerance also goes up, making your dose go up in order for you to feel it...thats how I got to 4.5/day. As you take a higher and higher dose, the less 'happy' it makes you feel, and more tired it will make you feel. AND, about ativan, I just started it today, i actually posted about it like an hour ago, and I really like it.I know I just started it this morning, but I have taken my full dose, and I feel great. But on the high dose I'm on, if you're not used to benzos, I guaruntee it would knock you OUT. But I enjoy the dose I am on.

AND...my psyc said it takes 45 mins for klonopin to hit you, but ativan is FASTER ACTING, and therefore, leaves your body faster.

Hopes this helps???