Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril)

[RB2014]

My tinnitus got really bad in December 2014 to the point where it was incredibly loud beyond anything I could have imagined. 6 stressful months gave me hyperacusis and tinnitus which together was unbearable.

It was then that I took Clonazepam. 0.5 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg at night. Sometimes it reduced the volume, other times it didn't. What I did notice was the next day the volume was always greatly reduced. Anxiety/stress was fueling my tinnitus and hyperacusis and everytime time I had a panic attack my tinnitus would spike. The Clonazepam would keep me from getting the panic attacks, lower my tinnitus sometimes, but also change my reaction to tinnitus.

For me, I have discovered if I can get rid of all of the stress and anxiety in my life then the tinnitus goes back to what I consider normal levels which don't bother me as much. I have learned that I have to keep all negative thoughts which trigger anxiety out of my head to stop getting loud tinnitus. About 5 minutes of negative thoughts or panic can possibly trigger tinnitus shortly after, but it always triggers it for the entire next day. I'm not sure what it will do to me in the long term, but I just know that without it I could not have gotten over what was happening to me. I'm tapering down, and trying to control my thoughts so that I don't get loud tinnitus, but it isn't easy. Everyday is a struggle to get better.

My advice would be, if the tinnitus is getting out of hand, to take Clonazepam. I was in a vicious cycle where the tinnitus kept getting worse, fueling the anxiety, fueling the tinnitus, etc etc with no end in sight. I was reading through many posts and articles that I finally figured out what was going on. By then it was too late though and I just couldn't stop the panic attacks unless I took Clonazepam.

3 months later I'm tapering down, still struggling, but getting better each day.

I'm also taking 5-HTP to help with mood which I'm pretty sure is helping also with my mood, but not with the tinnitus.

 

[Mo_Mo]

Are you still taking Clonazepam? And is it still as effective as when you started taking it?

 

[Lisa123]

Are you still taking Clonazepam? And is it still as effective as when you started taking it?

I stopped taking it after 3 to 4 weeks. I didn't like the side-effects (I was really sleepy and my hands shook all the time, making it very difficult to write). My TRT specialist explained to me that clonazepam was affecting my limbic system. It was calming it down. Which in turn calmed down my T. It was something I could actually achieve on my own without the pills. Getting a taste of that sweet sweet silent T motivated me to stay calm when I stopped the meds. Now I can say I've been off them for about 3 weeks and I feel fine and my T stayed low.

 

[Mo_Mo]

and my T stayed low

So the clonazepam reduced your T and stayed low even after dropping it?
Is your T Hugh frequency or low frequency?

 

[Lisa123]

So the clonazepam reduced your T and stayed low even after dropping it?
Is your T Hugh frequency or low frequency?

my T stayed low due to my reduced reaction to it. Not because of the clonazepam
high

 

[NiNyu]

I wish my T was in the low freq. Seems like hardly anyone has it in the low, most have it high.

 

[RB2014]

I think you lose your high frequency hearing first and that's why people get it there.

I'm still slowly tapering off clonazepam and my T did spike but only because not being on clonazepam makes me more anxious which increases my T. Now that I have my anxiety under control with no clonazepam I'm having good T days where I can hardly notice it, but I have to keep all my emotions under control.

 

[linearb]

I stopped taking it after 3 to 4 weeks. I didn't like the side-effects (I was really sleepy and my hands shook all the time, making it very difficult to write).

You dodged a big bullet -- the side effects after years of use were much worse! It is no exaggeration to say that some people's lives are upended and made worse by prescription benzos. Dangerous, dangerous drugs.

Klonopin obliterated my tinnitus; for me it actually reduced the volume, dramatically. Every time I get a bit batty with T, I'll get to a point where I think "god, this is awful, I should just go back on Klonopin!"... Then I go and re-read my journals from when I was on it and when I was trying to get off it. So far, that's been enough to keep me the hell away from it!

All that said, I suppose I do derive some amount of security from knowing that I could go back on it "if I really needed to". I hope to god I never do.

 

[Lisa123]

the side effects after years of use were much worse! It is no exaggeration to say that some people's lives are upended and made worse by prescription benzos. Dangerous, dangerous drugs.

I didn't take that much though, only 0,5 mg a day

 

[RB2014]

You dodged a big bullet -- the side effects after years of use were much worse! It is no exaggeration to say that some people's lives are upended and made worse by prescription benzos. Dangerous, dangerous drugs.

Klonopin obliterated my tinnitus; for me it actually reduced the volume, dramatically. Every time I get a bit batty with T, I'll get to a point where I think "god, this is awful, I should just go back on Klonopin!"... Then I go and re-read my journals from when I was on it and when I was trying to get off it. So far, that's been enough to keep me the hell away from it!

All that said, I suppose I do derive some amount of security from knowing that I could go back on it "if I really needed to". I hope to god I never do.

I'm with you on this one. I'd rather not be on them, but at the end of the day you have to ask yourself whats worst, a panic attack that is destroying your body and causing you pain and suffering by elevated T or a Klonopin. I think the Konopin is the lesser of two evils. Getting off them has been easier by tapering down, but even then getting completely off them is hard. I'm down to 1/4 of .5mg only on an as needed basis and I've come back to them a few times. At this point its probably more of a mental thing taking the 1/4, but it seems to help and my brain remembers the time that it helped and it does calm me down. If you haven't taken one for a while you will realize even .5mg is a pretty strong dose(even though as mentioned it really isn't)

All of these studies that badmouth these drugs I don't think take into account that you were in pretty bad shape before you decided to take it. Do people have side effects because they took the drug? or was it the symptoms leading up to taking the drug. In an ideal world we wouldn't have to take them. In an ideal world we would have T. I'm also grateful knowing that I have some in my kitchen cabinet in case I need them.

 

[linearb]

I'm down to 1/4 of .5mg only on an as needed basis and I've come back to them a few times. At this point its probably more of a mental thing taking the 1/4, but it seems to help and my brain remembers the time that it helped and it does calm me down. If you haven't taken one for a while you will realize even .5mg is a pretty strong dose(even though as mentioned it really isn't)

No, I'd say it really is a strong dose, and you're not just psyching yourself out -- it's physical, even at those low doses. There is well documented cases of strong diazepam dependence at doses of 2mg/day (and since 1mg K = 20mg diazepam, 2mg diazepam is only 1/10th of an MG of Klonopin). These are not "small doses" just because they are tiny, tiny quantities -- these drugs are incredibly potent, exerting very very strong affinity for the BDZ receptor.

All of these studies that badmouth these drugs I don't think take into account that you were in pretty bad shape before you decided to take it. Do people have side effects because they took the drug? or was it the symptoms leading up to taking the drug. In an ideal world we wouldn't have to take them. In an ideal world we would have T. I'm also grateful knowing that I have some in my kitchen cabinet in case I need them.

Yup, I'm right there with you. When I went on benzos I was an incredible mess, nothing else was working, and I was on the verge of feeling like I had to drop out of college. So, I wish I'd been able to make it through that without benzos, but if you rewound time and put 19-year-old me in the same situation, I'd probably do the same thing.

That said, benzo withdrawal, for me, was even worse than how I felt before I went on them, and, ironically, the withdrawal process was what forced me to develop sufficient coping skills to manage massive, traumatic, even psychotic episodes of anxiety, for the first time in my life. The reason I went on benzos was that it was the only option the doctors I saw, knew of. There's no reason that we couldn't have a different system that suggests different things. For instance, if it had been possible to put me in a safe, secluded, calm and comfortable place for a period of months, and have me attend daily workshops on various techniques for managing acute panic... that would have been great! But, those places don't exist unless you are very, very rich, or very lucky.

I don't know if people should or shouldn't take benzos, it's not for me to decide. I will say that if you're contemplating using them for more than a couple weeks, it's useful to educate yourself about the potential problems that can arise, and a good starting point is the "Ashton Manual", put together by a researcher who worked with hundreds of benzo-dependent people over a period of many years.
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/

One of my close relatives has used klonopin for many years; she has more severe health problems than I do. I don't have a problem with that, if it brings her comfort, great.

 

[Martin69]

I can say that lorazepam reduces my T volume. And if I get a Valium infusion, my T goes down near to silence. But I try really hard staying away from any benzos. Haven't take any this year yet, although I really need some relief with my catastrophic T. But I really fear addiction.

 

[RaZaH]

Its called the hell-pill on Benzo Buddies forum for a reason.

 

[RB2014]

Martin69,
I admire your courage, but after enduring days of very loud T, I can only last so long before I eventually break down and must use one. Luckily I have been getting slowly better, but when I had loud loud T, I did not think twice about using one. We can only endure so much and even a small break can bring some much needed relief. For a couple months I only looked forward to sleep as I knew that was the only time I found silence. You must keep yourself healthy and believe like the rest of us that one of the clinical trials is successful. Until then you need to do whatever you can to keep going. My withdrawal was no where near as bad as dealing with loud T. I did it slowly though and I believe it helped me get better faster.

 

[RB2014]

linearb,
We are both on the same page. I completely agree with what you are saying. I didnt realize that even 1/4 of .5mg is a good dosage though. I read about people that are on 3 1mg tablets per day or more. .5mg is more than enough to cause serious change in T level and the way I was thinking. half a tablet and I was on the edge. It was only after I got a bit better that 1/4 tablet was ok for me. I wish there was a better way too. When my T hit an incredibly loud level, I didnt know what to do or what was going to happen to me. If I hadnt had the clonezepam I probably would have been checked into a hospital not knowing what was happening to me.

 

[FlyFish]

All I can say is I am 4 months into tapering off Valium after switching from Xanax and Klonopin for treatment of tinnitus. Benzos have destroyed my life and it will be a year or two before I'm off the meds and recovered, or maybe even dead. Yes, they took away the T, which is now coming back...but the collateral damage is that I have 16 different neurologic deficits, can't do a dumbell curl with 5 pounds and can barely walk. My advice is to stay at VERY low doses and only reach for it on the one night out of every 10 you can't stand it. Don't do it daily.

Make sure you study the risks very carefully before going down this road. While you may not have any problems, there is a chance it could be devastating.

 

[Katkat]

I started clonazepam more than 10 years ago when I got sudden hearing loss and tinnitus. The hearing loss I could handle, but I had a lot of trouble with the idea of dealing with the tinnitus for the rest of my life to the point I felt my life was ruined. After about 4 months, I went to the emergency one night with uncontrollable crying (I just couldn't handle the tinnitus) and the doctor gave me sub-lingual lorazepman, related to clonazepam. As soon as it started to take effect, I noticed it was like putting a pillow over my tinnitus - it made it considerable more quiet and actually tolerable! I was amazed. The doctor gave it to me to calm me down, but it actually helped my tinnitus! My general practitioner later agreed to put me on clonazepam, 0.25 mg 3 X/day (so 0.75 mg/day total).

For me, I felt like it saved my life. However, I do feel there might have been side effects (though it's hard to tell for sure as I have a few other medical conditions that could contribute). I have some lethargy and brain fog. I feel my memory is not as good (though that might be age). I do feel a bit "dulled" by it (but that could also be anti-depressants). I've definitely increased my clonazepam tolerance, but resisted upping my dosage.

I'm now considering slowly tapering down to see how that goes and if I can handle it. However, I personally don't regret going on it as suicide had occurred to me before I started it. I am wondering if I shouldn't have tried tapering earlier, however...we'll see how it goes! Also, I've started meditation...it does seem to help a bit, so perhaps that is a better approach to try first. Good luck to everyone.

 

[Danny Boy]

I started clonazepam more than 10 years ago when I got sudden hearing loss and tinnitus. The hearing loss I could handle, but I had a lot of trouble with the idea of dealing with the tinnitus for the rest of my life to the point I felt my life was ruined. After about 4 months, I went to the emergency one night with uncontrollable crying (I just couldn't handle the tinnitus) and the doctor gave me sub-lingual lorazepman, related to clonazepam. As soon as it started to take effect, I noticed it was like putting a pillow over my tinnitus - it made it considerable more quiet and actually tolerable! I was amazed. The doctor gave it to me to calm me down, but it actually helped my tinnitus! My general practitioner later agreed to put me on clonazepam, 0.25 mg 3 X/day (so 0.75 mg/day total).

For me, I felt like it saved my life. However, I do feel there might have been side effects (though it's hard to tell for sure as I have a few other medical conditions that could contribute). I have some lethargy and brain fog. I feel my memory is not as good (though that might be age). I do feel a bit "dulled" by it (but that could also be anti-depressants). I've definitely increased my clonazepam tolerance, but resisted upping my dosage.

I'm now considering slowly tapering down to see how that goes and if I can handle it. However, I personally don't regret going on it as suicide had occurred to me before I started it. I am wondering if I shouldn't have tried tapering earlier, however...we'll see how it goes! Also, I've started meditation...it does seem to help a bit, so perhaps that is a better approach to try first. Good luck to everyone.

Yeah, it really does help calm you down and lower tinnitus and I perfectly understand why you did it. I went on trobalt for the same reason and didn't regret it, although the withdrawal wasn't hard went cold turkey on trobalt and only issues I had was didn't eat for a week but I went back to normal after that week.

Now clonazepam from what I heard is very, very difficult to withdrawal from so I recommend you go to rehab as this stuff is really difficult to get off of....

Anyway, here's a story about it.

http://www.benzo.org.uk/nicks.htm

 

[linearb]

Now clonazepam from what I heard is very, very difficult to withdrawal from so I recommend you go to rehab as this stuff is really difficult to get off of....

Rehabs are generally very bad places for people dependent on benzos. The rehab model is to get drug addicts off of all their drugs over a 14 or 28 day stay. This is completely inappropriate for benzo users, who for the most part are not typical "drug addicts", and who generally need to slowly taper their medication over a period of months.

The best person to see for help with this, is a prescribing medical doctor who has direct experience helping people taper off of benzos after long-term use.

 

[Danny Boy]

Rehabs are generally very bad places for people dependent on benzos. The rehab model is to get drug addicts off of all their drugs over a 14 or 28 day stay. This is completely inappropriate for benzo users, who for the most part are not typical "drug addicts", and who generally need to slowly taper their medication over a period of months.

The best person to see for help with this, is a prescribing medical doctor who has direct experience helping people taper off of benzos after long-term use.

I agree with a slow taper off....But addiction can be strong and the temptation is strong to just take one more pill...I was like with trobalt and it's not even as addictive. But hey, it's easier to get off as withdrawal is two weeks opposed to months with benzos.

 

[Street Spirit]

clonazepam...AVOID.

 

[Danny Boy]

clonazepam...AVOID.

Will do!

 

[linearb]

addiction can be strong and the temptation is strong to just take one more pill...I was like with trobalt and it's not even as addictive.

Funny you should say that; I've had a 1/2mg Klonopin sitting in a mug on my desk since I stopped taking benzos in April of 2013. Whenever my T is really pissing me off I think about taking it, then I go re-read my journals from when I was in severe benzo w/d and seriously wondered if my tinnitus and other problems were the result of some vast mind-control conspiracy (to the point of hanging up sheets of aluminum at one point). Once I do that I quickly decide that tinnitus, on the whole, is a smaller problem than actual psychotic delusions.

 

[Danny Boy]

Funny you should say that; I've had a 1/2mg Klonopin sitting in a mug on my desk since I stopped taking benzos in April of 2013. Whenever my T is really pissing me off I think about taking it, then I go re-read my journals from when I was in severe benzo w/d and seriously wondered if my tinnitus and other problems were the result of some vast mind-control conspiracy (to the point of hanging up sheets of aluminum at one point). Once I do that I quickly decide that tinnitus, on the whole, is a smaller problem than actual psychotic delusions.

Differs person to person.

 

[Zwraven]

Klonopin saved my life but I have T, H and Trigeminal Neuralgia. Have been on it for over 2 years, have went back to school online. I would have probably killed myself if not for this medicine. Most of the sites that bash benzodiazapines are full of people who either cold turkeyed, tapered too quickly or needed to still be on it to begin with. YMMV and we are all different, for me I didn't have a choice due to the neuropathy and it was all I could tolerate med wise and I tried them all. I neither support or defend them. They were just right for me.

 

[Bryce Jones]

I am not a doctor. at least that kind. Personal experience. I took benzos for a bunch of years.
Even with clonanzepam, after a while you need more. And eventually need more for the same effect.
It had a nasty effect on my memory. Some studies say that it may increase dementia (google it).
It has sexual side effects. My T started while I was taking clonanzepam. Getting off of it increased my T. But I think that is because you become more stressed when you get off of it. I won't take it again. It is fine for short term use.
My memory has improved since I am off it. I am still mad that my p-doc had me on it for so long.

 

[ChrisJ]

Following a conversation about clonazepam over on the GABA thread I thought I would give a live commentary on what it's like. I just took 1mg in two 0.5mg doeses 60 minutes apart.

First 60mins I hardly felt any change but after that I started to notice the hyperacusis go down, then I took another 0.5mg and the Tinnitus is also down. I do not remember this from previous times but clearly I am not remembering it well.

I have a friend over and we are chatting. Normally I would not be able to speak at these volumes without hurting my head. Not only is my high pitch T down to about T=3 but the hyperacusis is also v v low I'd say H=1 so as to be barely noticeable.

The Spoon Test
Next I have what I call the spoon test. My H goes mad at the sound of clattering cutlery. For the sake of science I have with me two spoons...

Normally if I hear the sound of cutlery I get this popping sound in my ears, I think it's called the acoustic startle reflex. My muscles are reacting to the loud sound to protect the ear from danger. The kitchen is the worse room in the house for me to be in because of all the clanging.

Well on 1mg of clonazepam I do not get this effect. I am able to talk normally and the sound of the clattering cutlery, while loud, does not cause me any pain.

There you go, science in action. Am happy to do more live tests if needs be.

 

[nills]

Ok so I keep informing myself on all the topics of medication.. and i`m clearly seeing the Benzos are kind of the worst drugs on earth!! ... to say it mildly.

The opinion that some people really need their meds is not really correct in the situation.. yes people need meds ... no people don`t need THESE meds!! ... the longer you take it the longer you need to take to come off it and it isn`t pleasant. some people take years to come off it. On those years are hell and worse than before.

If you have ever heard people in favor of these drugs they are either 1. A doctor with no brain or moral 2. someone under the influence of these drugs (taking them as they speak) ... in heinsight everyone is trying to prevent people from starting this drug.

Don`t be afraid of a little anxiety ... the withdrawl you get from this will exponentially increase your anxiety ... and there is nothing to help you ... so you are better a bit strong with your initial anxiety instead of having to endure something far worse!

some advice from users on the internet:

Get of that shit ASAP!!! I used clonozepam 5 mg a day for 7 years. That is the equivalent of 100 mg Valium a day and it was prescribed to me by my doctor! He eventually lost his license. In order to start taper I had to switch to Valium over a four week period. I then started to taper. I am now down to 11.25 mg Valium a day and that has taken me 2 years. The last 11.25 mg will probably take one more year. That means 3 years of HELL to get rid of that shit. Heroin or crack is babyfood in komparison. You can not go cold turkey on high doses of benzo. If you try you will most likely die. SO PLEASE GET OF THAT STUFF ASAP: IT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUG IN THE WORLD!!!

Benzos are ONLY for short term use; no more than 2 weeks at a stretch, then with a long time between uses. If there's an urgent need for better sleep, maybe for a night or two. Using for a month can destroy sleep for a long time. Most sleeping pills are a real danger. Try to avoid benzos now & forever. Sleep is the foundation of life & health. And Klonopin might be the worst benzo. When you stop, you must taper

I took klonopin (,4mg a day) for eight years, I've now been five months off, cold turkey. I , unfortunately, suffer from severe anxiety, the withdrawal from this drug is hideous, everything is worse now. Hoping I get better, but I don't know.....any suggestions?

I quit cold turkey after only two months of using xanax, and I have to say the first 5 days were the worst! I thought I was going to die! I went back to my doctor on the 6th day and she gave me kolonipin .5 mills to help me. I don't know what to do to not have that nightmare of the withdraws! Wtf do I do? (dumb docotor!!)

 

[ChrisJ]

Ok so I keep informing myself on all the topics of medication.. and i`m clearly seeing the Benzos are kind of the worst drugs on earth!! ... to say it mildly.

The opinion that some people really need their meds is not really correct in the situation.. yes people need meds ... no people don`t need THESE meds!! ... the longer you take it the longer you need to take to come off it and it isn`t pleasant. some people take years to come off it. On those years are hell and worse than before.

If you have ever heard people in favor of these drugs they are either 1. A doctor with no brain or moral 2. someone under the influence of these drugs (taking them as they speak) ... in heinsight everyone is trying to prevent people from starting this drug.

Don`t be afraid of a little anxiety ... the withdrawl you get from this will exponentially increase your anxiety ... and there is nothing to help you ... so you are better a bit strong with your initial anxiety instead of having to endure something far worse!

some advice from users on the internet:

Get of that shit ASAP!!! I used clonozepam 5 mg a day for 7 years. That is the equivalent of 100 mg Valium a day and it was prescribed to me by my doctor! He eventually lost his license. In order to start taper I had to switch to Valium over a four week period. I then started to taper. I am now down to 11.25 mg Valium a day and that has taken me 2 years. The last 11.25 mg will probably take one more year. That means 3 years of HELL to get rid of that shit. Heroin or crack is babyfood in komparison. You can not go cold turkey on high doses of benzo. If you try you will most likely die. SO PLEASE GET OF THAT STUFF ASAP: IT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUG IN THE WORLD!!!

Benzos are ONLY for short term use; no more than 2 weeks at a stretch, then with a long time between uses. If there's an urgent need for better sleep, maybe for a night or two. Using for a month can destroy sleep for a long time. Most sleeping pills are a real danger. Try to avoid benzos now & forever. Sleep is the foundation of life & health. And Klonopin might be the worst benzo. When you stop, you must taper

I took klonopin (,4mg a day) for eight years, I've now been five months off, cold turkey. I , unfortunately, suffer from severe anxiety, the withdrawal from this drug is hideous, everything is worse now. Hoping I get better, but I don't know.....any suggestions?

I quit cold turkey after only two months of using xanax, and I have to say the first 5 days were the worst! I thought I was going to die! I went back to my doctor on the 6th day and she gave me kolonipin .5 mills to help me. I don't know what to do to not have that nightmare of the withdraws! Wtf do I do? (dumb docotor!!)

That's an important warning for those of us who have just started and is much appreciated. I will limit my use as much as possible. I also have Zopiclone to help with sleep and I am running as well. I will shift my emphasis to natural remedies as much as possible.

Thanks again.

 

[markoana]

Well daily dose for clomazepam can be up 4-8 mg. There is also written that biggest dose can not be more than 20mg per day. So 0.5mg daily is (depends from person to person of course) is not so much.