Clonazepam and troubling results/advice please. (Long)

[truenamebrand]

Ok, for those who don't know, I've bee prescribed benzos on and off for about 14 years. This most recent stint has been about 3; most of which was on diazepam (10mg 2x a day). However, a few months back I asked to be switched to clonazepam as diazepam simply wasn't working anymore the way it used to.

So my doc started me on .5s -- the equivalent of 10mg Valium. After a month she upped me to 60 1mg tablets. I stuck with the 1s for about 3 months and due to my benzo tolerance I asked to go up to 2mg. She had no issue with this. Since going up to 2mg I have had problems I never experienced with diazepam. My memory loss is much, MUCH worse, and I was in two accidents, both while using clonazepam. A month ago, I gave some to my close friend and he also totaled his car. Another friend of mine also got into a minor accident after I had given him a few. Obviously this is no coincidence.

Granted, amnesia was always an issue with diazepam, but never on this level. I find clonazepam to inhibit my motor function in a way diazepam and really any other benzo has even come close to. I loved diazepam because it was always a more "euphoric" benzo, though clonazepam'a duration of action is top-notch.

I know mg for mg clonazepam is stronger than diazepam, but this fog/blackout/amnesia has been profoundly more substantial. All the whole, the former does not produce in any way the "recreational" effects that the latter does. It's to the point where I'm very disturbed by it all.

Here's the problem. I started on diazepam and briefly asked to switch to xanax; quickly switched right back, and soon after made the move to clonazepam. So I'm worried, if I ask to switch back to diazepam once again, will this once and for all raise the red flags and have her try and get me off benzos... I cannot go without them right now.

Has anyone else noticed such a profound difference in the negative side effects associated with clonazepam vs diazepam. I know it's stronger, but what has taken place way more than accounts for this discrepancy. I'm losing days and weeks of my life on it, which never happened with diazepam.

Aside from trying to reduce my intake drastically, is there any other option to remedy this? Should I be somewhat honest and try and switch back? Or should I ONCE AGAIN try and bring up the notion of switching to something new...? It really has been worrisome, and I'm also aware clonazepam has an effect on serotonin that other benzos do not, which in itself worries me. Could this be a factor?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

-True

 

[I-amoff4life]

Ok I'm sorry that you're dealing with this. I was on xanax for 5 years and klonopin for 2 years. Diazepam was always one of my favorite benzos though. With both xanax and klonopin it seems that my memory would be effected severely a lot of the time, but this is usually when I upped my dose to maybe double. After about a year or so the Xanax didn't really work anymore unless I took a lot of it, but my memory would still be effected by me taking it all the time. I don't believe serotonin should have a lot to do it. But don't quote me on that. It just seems that simply valium just works better for what you need out of the medication.

As for being honest, this is a tricky one. My Klonopin prescriber cut me off cold turkey after I asked for an early refill. I was with him for 2 years prescribed the same 4mg/day dose. After a day or so I started to have seizures and all of that shit. He didn't even care. It was crazy. But, I don't believe that's something that happens all of the time because it's just so dangerous. So, not trying to scare you. Just make sure you feel out the situation and make sure nothing happens to get your script cut off. Although it only took a couple days for me to find another doc to put me back on the klonopin so. Hope this issue is resolved for you. Peace,

 

[AntiAnxiety]

Nice Guys! I've been prescribed benzos for over 30 years now for everything from generalized anxiety disorder to alcohol withdrawal. Now due to our wonderful governments interest in them, they're stating I must come off them in 6 months time. At one point, due to agoraphobia it took 40 mg of diazepam, 4mg xanax and 2 mg Ativan before I could even leave my house - this coming from a lady with her doctorate in Business Administration Management, use to be able to stand up in front of 200 people and lecture! I ask you who is responsible for my dependence when it all came from the same prescribing physician? Now they're saying it's an addiction. Diazepam lasts the longest and has the longest half-life of the "pams'. Ativan the shortest but also the quickest relief. Clonazepam the absolute worst for blackouts and withdrawal. Temazepam 30mg or Nitrazepam best for sleep. No need to worry if you want to switch back to diazepam from clonazepam - most doctors consider it much safer and withdrawal from diazepam doesn't start immediately like with clonazepam. I am having a very difficult time coming off benzodiazepines after being on them for so long. I wish I was never prescribed them. Unfortunately physicians only get 40 hours in 7 years of education to deal with substances, side effects withdrawal and addiction. You'd think it would be of greater consequence due to the number of deaths that go unreported from drug withdrawal. Doctors still claim the only withdrawal you can die from is alcohol. Not so due to the influence of the major pharmaceutical companies. My problem now though is lack of sleep!?!! 22 days without stimulants and no rest whatsoever! Does anyone have any suggestions? Most Grateful..

 

[truenamebrand]

Well a bit of an update. I've had my new script for three days and so far I've paced myself very well compared to normal. I've been leaving my full script at home and only taking a couple with me to work.

I suppose the only real way of combating the extreme side effects clonazepam has brought me, is to be very conservative with me use and hope for the best. So far so good.

My concern is, and always has been, the longer I stretch them out, the more likely I am to fall back into full-blown physical addiction, which I do NOT want to do. If I can keep it to 4-6 mg per day for a decent amount of time, I think my next step will be to take a few days off in between. I did just place orders for phenibut (yes I'm trying again) and tianeptine. If I can successfully cycle the three -- along with kratom -- that should be the ultimate way to both avoid the hellish memory loss & other negative consequences, while also avoiding going back down the road of physical dependence.

Nevertheless, I'm still convinced clonazepam comes with much worse side effects than diazepam does.