danzarooni Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I am Rx'ed 3 klonopins a day when I am struggling. .5mg each. I think I should be taking more because they don't seem to be enough to help a lot, just barely. But they do make me super sleepy. Like a 3 hour nap. I'd rather be sleepy than feel so crappy though! Just a question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfred Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 This side effect can go away with time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamelessCandle Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I've been on clonazepam (generic for Klonopin) for a while now, and this side effect does normally go away with time. You've been started on a pretty typical dose, IMHO. Depending on what your doctor (and you) think, there is some room to increase if you don't feel the .5 3x day dose is helping ... but right now, until the sedation side effect lessens, you'd probably be sleepier on a higher dose. There are also other benzodiazapines you could try if Klonopin is overly sedating or simply doesn't work for you. In my experience it seems like each benzo affects people differently. These are all things to discuss with your pdoc. May be worth a phone call to let him/her know that (a) you don't feel the medication is working effectively and (b) you are feeling more sleepy than you would like to be feeling. Also, when I first was taking it, I took the major part of my dose in the evening... it has a longer half-life than some other benzos (i.e. xanax) , so it was still effective for me for most of the next day and I was not as sleepy as when I took it in the morning. The "sleepy" side effect wore off for me in about two weeks. The med DID help me right away, though. I was on a dose not too different from yours (a little higher) and waiting for an anti-depressant to kick in, and SUPER anxious. Anyway I hope this helps a little. By the way.... Be careful driving on this medication until you've been on a it a little while and know how it affects you. I had a dosage increase once and was driving home from work (about 45 minutes) and jumped up on the median of a road, screwed up the front of my car badly... thank god nothing ELSE happened but it could have been bad. After the new dose "settled in" I didn't have any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danzarooni Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Thanks so much! Xanax wasn't a great help. This is much better. I have been on it at least 3 months. The ECT messed my memory so I forget how long... It does help definitely - just not as much as I would like. PS I dont drive. I had seizures in the past and have been seizure-free for 4 months but have to be for another 2 before I can drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpmaster Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 You will (as a general rule) find that you will build up tolerance to the drowsiness side effect of the benzo but still get anti-anxiety effects. Give it time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Netsirksmada Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I just started my klon last night and it knocked me out. I took another this morning and I feel like I've been on a cloud all day....I think I might have to get some coffee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 It definitely does go away with time. I used to be knocked right off my butt with Xanax, now it doesn't sedate me, but it still has the anti-anxiety effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAL9000 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Outside of it making you sleepy I wanted to suggest that if this dose is not helping don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it. I don't know exactly how this works but some people need more of a drug then others. I really wasn't getting any relief at the first dose I was on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Navel Cord Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 klons made me sleepy at first too but the more I took them the less sleepy it made me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 When I was on too high of a dose of clonazepam, with excessive sleepiness, it had built up in my system too high and pdoc weaned me down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Klon doesn't make me sleepy anymore, but it does help keep my anxiety down some. I've been on it for about 6 years (i think). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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