Currently taking klonopin 1mg a day

[[bv...]]

Hi,

 

Currently taking Klonopin 1mg a day to mitigate anxiety. The initial anxiety was caused by a medication that I was taken with a very long half life. So I started taking klonopin. The issue now is that first medication should be out of my system now yet I am having the worst constant anxiety every single day. I wake up with an inner trembling and have to start moving for the tremble to go away. Then I have anxiety all day until night. When I take the second Klonopin dosage of .5 as this is a divided dosage I notice it doesn't really calm me. IT makes me sleepy yet agitated with an elevated heart rate. Anyone else have something similar going on with this medication?

[[Tr...]]

Welcome!

 

I recently switched over to Klonopin from a short life benzo, so I could start my taper.  I have the same issue.  As soon as I wake up it hits me and stays with me during the day.  It's a crummy kind of feeling.  It gets a little worse after I eat.  The evenings I'm decent.

 

How long have you been taking your meds and at what dosage?

 

TRY

[[me...]]

Hi bvn3738, and welcome to our forum.  We'll need a little more information, such as what your "first medication" is in order to help you.  Also, please note that the purpose of this forum is to assist people in getting off benzos.  Anyway, here are a few links you'll find useful:

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in benzodiazepine withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

 

 

[[bv...]]

Have been on .5 mg of Klonopin for 14 years. Then dropped off Klonopin by reducing .25 increments. The last .25 was tough. Lots of vertigo. I did that last .25 with the help of Benedryl. I stayed off of Klonopin for a few years and then unfortunately anxiety had reared its ugly head so I went back on the Klonopin which helped but not much at the same dosage of .5mg. This past June 2014 was when I increased the dosage of Klonopin to .5mg 3x a day to get rid of the anxiety that I spoke about in my first post. It did seem to help however now that drug is out of my system and I still have worse anxiety that lasts all day long and I am currently at .5 2x a day. I Find klonopin activating at more then .5mg and I am wondering if klonopin is now causing my symptoms. Awful anxiety feelings, like an adrenal rush all day long that lasts until about 6pm. not sure why its better at night. I am guessing the body's natural cycle is to wind down at night. I swear though after taking that second dosage of klonopin the anxiety is worse. My doctor wants me to increase dosage to 3mg a day and is comfortable me going up to 6mg a day. Which of course this doctor is insane and my intention is to get off the drug as I think its making matters worse for me. I am going slow as my anxiety is off the charts now. I also think Klonopin drops my blood pressure and increases my heart rate which makes me difficult to take a beta blocker to help with the Heart Rate increase. I am starting to half the 2nd dose to .25 this week and stay at that for a couple of weeks before eliminating that second dosage all together. Then work from there doing the same as I did before to the .25 dose and then go with the benedryl.

[[Tr...]]

It could be that you've become intolerant where the dose that used to make your symptoms subside is no longer effective.  Or it could be Paradoxical effect.  You are smart to taper off instead of increasing your dose.  But, I would recommend a slow taper reducing your dosage by .25mg is 50% of that dosage.  That can really increase your withdrawal symptoms.

 

The Cortisol is highest in the morning, and benzo users have much higher than normal cortisol levels which is where your morning symptoms start.  Cortisol diminishes during the day and the evening is when it's at the lowest level.  That's why you feel better. 

 

You can also go to Support Groups under Klonopin Klub and meet others who can offer support and answer your questions about your medication.

 

Best Wishes,

 

TRY