Sorry fellas but I'm bumping this thread!
I too have been prescribed clonazepam 4mg/day since 2004 and have found that of all the benzos I've tried so far, and I've tried 90% of the pharmaceutical benzos short of flunitrazepam, flurazepam, triazolam & lormetazepam). I have found that after a certain period, a couple years (3-5yrs) even taking 2x the prescribed dose of Klonopin (8mg/day) isn't as effective as even 1/4-1/2 that dose in the beginning. When I started my treatment, 0.5mg 2x day (along a normal methadone dose) would make nod so bad that I'd leave burn holes in my clothes/pants/boxers from a cigarette I'd be enjoying and then awaken shortly from either a burn on my skin, the cigarette falling on my shirt or on the carpet & smelling fire - honestly though that was the only way to wake up! Sometimes I wonder if this wasn't as a teenager living with my parents, that would come check in on me every now & then, the cigarettes that left carpet burns and blisters between the fingers from holding the cigarette's tip too close while being completely numb. I digress....
Once tolerance sets in and I'm talking about the tolerance that comes with years not with months or weeks, you will find your prescribed benzodiazepine loosing its magic. Where once 1mg was enough to take all cares away and not make you think of anything else, take your nerves away so you don't bite a poor person's head off, relax you enough to be able to calm yourself....I think we all know very well the undisputed medicinal value of the benzodiazepines. As I mentioned taking a 2x or 3x dose will not bring the magic back. One aspect, the sedative/respiratory depression is the one quality that develops tolerance the least, essentially making clonidine or any sedating anti histamine provide me with the same effects as the Klonopin relief, which is 90% from the respiratory depression and maybe 10% of the original effects.
If possible try to switch to an equivalent dose of a benzodiazepine of your choice. For me the most medicinal benzodiazepines have been: alprazolam, midazolam (snorted and oral), etizolam - any of these 3 benzos will almost immediately cause the most effective relief from the most stressful situations.
I have a crazy anger problems that is going to destroy me and everyone I love. Even when my best friend was killed at 19yrs I wasn't as out of control. I am very, very scared! I cannot control my emotions!!
I cannot leave the house because I am afraid of snapping at EVERY single person and risk not being allowed on public busses, risk having the police intervene, risking getting a real nigger fucking me up as I will snap on everyone, for example snap on someone for drinking a beer through the paper bag how they are shit and alcoholics, or YELLING at the top of my lungs (to instigate a fight) NxxxER, YOUR A FUCKING NIxxER, MOTHERFUCKER, PIECE OF SHIT to an (innocent) black man walking by. Once my when my breakdowns are over, I notice my legs become noodle like. I can barely feel my legs, my heart rate is extremely high & agitated to the point where I am in shock. The noodle leg feeling extends to the body too, in the chest up & down, just want to scream as loud as you can to wear out yourself to the point you can no longer speak due to having lost your voice and you don't bother speaking, drained of energy!
I really do hope that 5mg-10mg zolpidem will provide anxiety relief as they are cross tolerant with the benzodiazepines, and a hypnotic meaning that if its strong enough to make you go to sleep almost instantly, then it must be strong enough to be used as an anxiolytic.
I don't have a choice otherwise I am risking everything including my freedom so I will go ahead one day and try this, then report back and let you guys & girls know.
p.s. I really hate Zopiclone, brande name Imovane, which to me feels exactly like Zolpidem aka Ambien but without the aftertaste and less visual disturbances though when your tolerance is really high (would go through 0.5g phenazepam every 4-5 months and 1g etizolam every 3-4 months.
