off Xanax for 4 months, doc prescribed klonopin. take it??

[[pa...]]

Hi community,

 

I am almost 4 months benzo free (see signature). I went through hell for the first 3 months, but now I am doing OK. I still have occasionally extreme anxieties, but my extreme sadness and helplessness have faded.

 

I saw my doctor recently to treat my anxieties. He prescribed to me 0.5mg klonopin. I explained to him that I don't want to get back on Benzos and that quitting Xanax was the single most difficult thing I had to go through in my life. He said that klonopin is milder than Xanax and that I should not be afraid.

 

I am VERY skeptical. On the one hand, my current state sucks (confusion, fog, anxieties, bad sleep). On the other hand, based on my research, klonopin is pretty much the same beast as Xanax, contrary to what my doctor said.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

[Guest [Fa...]]

No. Your symptoms are benign. Taking Klonopin will just mess you up even more.

[[al...]]

You are 100% correct in being skeptical. Hop back on the benzo train and the next time you want to get off, the hell you experience will be exponentially worse. I made this mistake after coming off of Xanax (different doctor put me on Ativan briefly) and it's one of my biggest regrets. You are doing the right thing by staying off for good.

[[dj...]]

I’m not an anti-med person whatsoever but that doc is an idiot.  Klonopin isn’t any more benign than Xanax.  I think some docs prefer to prescribe it over Xanax because it has a longer half-life and perhaps slightly less potential for abuse but it will end up doing the same thing to you if you take it consistently over a period of time. 

[[pa...]]

Thanks guys for the input. I will stay away from it. Stay strong!

[[CA...]]

No way do I agree with your doctor.  That's just plain crazy!  They're all the same beast.

 

[[re...]]

Your Doctor is whack job. Is this going to be the same guy in 3-4 years or more who then is going to help you taper from them? God help you then. I wish I had never taken these pills. Ur very lucky you're doing ok after 4 months. I'm in hell for the past 14 with no let up. Take them again and you can't say you weren't warned. These pills are good one time 2-3 weeks period. Like an above post said, if you take them next time is way way worse.

[[...]]

In some ways clonazepam is worse to come off. What you are suffering is likely benzo still in my opinion. Don’t do it, the second time will likely be worse.

[[Ri...]]

do not take klonipin

[[Pe...]]

I’m actually scared for anyone who is a patient of your doctor. I was on clonazepam(klonopin) for years after being switched from Xanax because I was told I was less likely to become tolerant to it. It’s all bs. All of it. Do not take that drug. Klonopin is actually known to be the worst of the benzos. It makes me sick to hear such false information coming from a dr. He needs to watch the CNN special from last night.