Anyone with experience with Klonopin?

My pdoc has asked me to consider Klonopin. She says it's in the Xanax group, can be addicting, that I am low risk for addictive behavior, that it can be a falls risk and cause fuzzy thinking. I don't like the sound of it. What has anyone's experience been with this medication? I am NOT stable, having mixed episodes and very depressed/antsy/frantic more than 1/3 of the days each month.

I've never taken it long term, but I have taken it on occasion to help with the anxiety i feel about getting manic. I do get antsy and seriously worried about my health then, so my dr gives me a few days of it to help with sleep and to calm me down. Seems to help. I take a low dose so it doesn't impair me so much. Good luck.

I've never taken it, but I've read a lot of people on this website have taken it and it does good stuff for them.. If I'm not mistaken (which I could very easily be mistaken), you take it when you need it. Unlike, say, my Geodon and Lexpro, you don't have to take Klonopin on a regular basis. I take my Lexapro and Geodon every day, at the exact same time. Klonopin, as far as I know, is a "Oh, I'm kind of weird feeling, I better take one..."

I don't recall ever seeing anything really, really negative about the medication. I don't recall ever seeing anything bad about it at all, in all honesty, but again, I've never taken it, just hear-say.

Im not a fan of klonopin. A few years ago my pdoc gave me it as a PRN for rage and agitation. It did not help me quick enough in those really tough moments and I ended up dumping the whole bottle. I find an antipsychotic PRN works better in those situations (either zyprexa, seroquel, or clozaril). During panic attacks Ativan helps more, I think it kicks in quicker.

-- Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:39 am --

Im not a fan of klonopin. A few years ago my pdoc gave me it as a PRN for rage and agitation. It did not help me quick enough in those really tough moments and I ended up dumping the whole bottle. I find an antipsychotic PRN works better in those situations (either zyprexa, seroquel, or clozaril). During panic attacks Ativan helps more, I think it kicks in quicker.

Thanks to everyone who has written so far about Klonopin. I sent summations of your comments, and cc'd Voracious Lemon's post to my pdoc in a secure email. I'm glad to know about the PRN aspect of these medications. That is what I've been trying to get for years.

I have been taking Klonopin for 3 years now, and it is a life saver. I only take it when I need it. Like lemon said, it does not kick in fast, but it does last a pretty long time. Ativan kicks in quicker, but doesn't last as long. I have also taken Valium, but those don't work for me.

Thanks, Jellybeanery, that's very helpful, too.

I take it every night for insomnia. It is a great medicine and quiets racing thoughts very well when you're trying to sleep. I used to be a light sleeper but now I sleep through the night although I'd say the quality of sleep might not be as good since it's kind of artificial. I take it when manic but I am somewhat dependent on it now for sleep and it's hard to taper off. I think it is worth it though especially if you have underlying anxiety issues. My doctor said that it is much healthier than drinking alcohol to relax and won't interfere with your other meds like alcohol.

Thank you, z7z, this is helpful, too.

I took klonopin many years ago and it didn't do a thing for me, so I switched to valium. That one worked. You can try it and see how you do and if it doesn't work for whatever reason, then ask your doctor to switch you. There are several drugs under the Benzos category that you can opt to try. Try them all if that is what you would like. Good luck!