How speedy does a klonopin tolerance come on?

[shpongle1987]

Ive been getting the .5 yellow minty TEVA brand klonopin for the past 2 months and im thinking about asking my doc to up the dose to 1mg. I was wondering if this would set off any alarms in his head in terms of thinking whether im abusing them or not. Im not really abusing them...but i cant say that I use them as prescribed, but I definitely dont abusethem. So would 2 months of taking about 1mg of klonopin a day (.5mg twice daily) make my tolerance go up to the point where the effects would be becoming diminished which would in tern lead me to legitimately ask my doc to up the milligram or should i wait another month or so? (For the record I do have a fuck load of anxiety, but i guess who doesn't now adays?)

 

[SPC123]

We can't tell you how to scam your doctor. Why do you want more? Have you developed a tolerance to 0.5mg twice a day? If so your question answers itself. If not I refer you to my opening sentence.

 

[shpongle1987]

im not trying to "scam" my doc and i want more because i have anxiety and function way better when im on a bit of benzos. but thank you for taking time out of your day to respond with that shyyyyyyyyte

 

[Tommyboy]

Well given that you used to take 10mg of xanax daily, your tolerance is going to increase a lot faster than a person that just started taking klonopin a few months ago as their first benzo.

I think that I was on .5mg of xanax 3x daily for close to a year before increasing it to 4x daily. I regret ever taking them long term though, and I suggest you stop before it is too late.

 

[Pjkt2501]

When I got my first Rx for clonazepam from a psychologist, I had my initial dose upped twice within the first fill / refill period - like 2 weeks?

Granted I also called both the pharmacy and my doc in an absolute rage one day because of something or another. My Rx is "2mg/day for anxiety or anger as needed" - the "or anger" is what I guess worked "in my favor" for getting the bigger Rx. 1mg/day wasn't enough for my peaks and troughs (I don't take the exact 2mg every day - I often have spares left to play with; sometimes I definitely don't though).

If you go to your doctor w/ a legitimate reason and concerns, you'll receive what you need. Don't worry about it unless you're trying to hoodwink your doc. (Which as noted we can't help ya do - but it doesn't seem you're trying to do that).

This DOES walk that fine line about how to talk to a doc, but given your approach this is ok. Future posters pay mind to what ya say though. Thanks!

Also, OP: Please don't flame other members even if their "help" is bologna. If they're out of line one of the staff will sort it. Hit the "report post" button at the top right of the berating / inflammatory post to bring it to our collective attention. Thanks mate. Good luck.

 

[SPC123]

Benzos are great for managing symptoms as they arise, however the medical literature is pretty clear on daily use. They are no longer considered front line medications due to the potential for tolerance, dependence and abuse. The are generally used adjunct to an SSRI/SNRI or as a treatment option should the newer antidepressants fail or have intolerable side effects.

I have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. My psychiatrist was initially against any benzos, and suggested Effexor. I had her send her diagnosis and recommendations to my GP whom I trust to manage my healthcare. He script'd me 150mg Effexor (titrated up to this in 37.5mg steps) and 0.5mg clonazepam twice a day to manage breakthrough anxiety. This works very well for me. If I were to complain that I didn't have enough benzos, he would definitely increase my Effexor dose rather than up the clonazepam.

Obviously what works for me won't necessarily work for you, however if your symptoms are genuine and you are looking for relief from anxiety, I would suggest you at least TRY the newer SSRI/SNRIs before you commit to benzodiazepine dependence.

 

[laCster]

usually 2-3 weeks of daily usage. using benzos recreationally is not a good idea, they hardly provide any "high" and if you actually do need them for anxiety, sleep, seizures i definitely dont recommend using them recreationally

 

[DroneLore]

My k-pin tolerance seems to have doubled with occasional "recreational doses" (I actually have anxiety but I also like the feeling of being benzo'd out). 3.0 mg now does what 1.5 mg did a month ago.

 

[Mr. Tambourine Man]

I was prescribed 2mg clonazepam daily, and while my tolerance rose eventually, I always got an anxiolytic effect from them. However, at this point I would be more concerned about your likely physical dependency. If you plan to take benzos for the rest of your life then I suppose there's no problem, but if you do plan to stop you should do so sooner (and at a lower dose) than later.

 

[shpongle1987]

yeah, i have had a bad history with xanax but that was years ago. I can truley say that im very very aware of the risks of benzo dependence and withdrawals but im just simply trying to get more rx'ed to me because like I said, I really do have anxiety.....I just didnt want to scare my psychologist into thinking that im manipulating him into giving me more for non-legitimate purposes. But thanks for the responses, and sorry for being a prick SPC123!!! I was feeling like a dirt sandwich yesterday, forgive me for lashing out.

 

[SPC123]

Hah, back at ya bro. When it comes to being a prick I'm a bit of an expert myself.

 

[Tommyboy]

I was prescribed 2mg clonazepam daily, and while my tolerance rose eventually, I always got an anxiolytic effect from them. However, at this point I would be more concerned about your likely physical dependency. If you plan to take benzos for the rest of your life then I suppose there's no problem, but if you do plan to stop you should do so sooner (and at a lower dose) than later.

Yea I think that a lot of people talking about a fast increase in tolerance are referring more to recreational use rather than therapeutic use. I tapered down 3mg of xanax daily to 2mg of diazepam, and was still able to get anxiety relief from that small dose of diazepam. Nothing euphoric though, but there is no point in chasing a high like that when you need them legitimately. In fact, I think the only reason that taper worked well was because I was taking them as directed.

 

[shpongle1987]

damn, 3mg xanax down to 2mg valium? I salute you sir. And yes, I agree about the anxiolytic effect still being there, your just not going to get the euphoric buzz benzos tend to give off sometimes. That is what im facing with the klonopin because the anxiolytic effect last for quite a long time but sometimes I feel like I need to take another one like 4 hours after my initial dose, which I know subconsciously I don't need it, seeing as when i wake up the next day after taking klonopin I deff still feel it. I need speed or coffee just to get the fuck outta bed if i take klonopin any later then 7pm the night before. And the fact that they taste like mints doesn't help me when it comes to spacing my shit out, its like....why not just take another mint? Meh im rambling.

 

[Hate to Feel]

I have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. My psychiatrist was initially against any benzos, and suggested Effexor. I had her send her diagnosis and recommendations to my GP whom I trust to manage my healthcare. He script'd me 150mg Effexor (titrated up to this in 37.5mg steps) and 0.5mg clonazepam twice a day to manage breakthrough anxiety. This works very well for me. If I were to complain that I didn't have enough benzos, he would definitely increase my Effexor dose rather than up the clonazepam.

Same here. I was talking with my psych the other day and while I didn't ask for my cloazepam dose to be upped, she did state that she would sooner try to up my SSRI before upping my benzo dose. She mentioned that she has so many patients coming in these days who have received unnecessary doses from previous docs that she now has to taper down that she is always weary of upping benzo doses unless it appears absolutely necessary.

I've been taking .5 twice a day for the past 4 months or so and it seems to be working fine for me. My family doc had me on Effexor and that worked horribly for me. Gave me the jitters and sweats. I kind of felt like I was on some cheap coke.

 

[RodRamsey]

Ya thats weak. 5mg. Ask for 2 mg tabs then you can break desired amount. You get used to them easily so every couple month detox a bit lower dose feel like crap and recharge your system.

 

[pasha]

I'm closing this since it's an old thread. Please feel free to start one of your own if there is a particular topic you would like addressed. The contributors in old threads may or may not be active. PM me if you need assistance.