Klonopin sucks!

[IcePrincess88]

It sucks! I really hate it. It's basically a sugar pill to me. Xanax was SO much more effective! I literally feel nothing from Klonopin, even when I take 4. I HAD to come off Xanax so I didn't have a choice. I'm really thinking about looking into Xanax XR as an alternative. Suggestions or thoughts?

[CeremonyNewOrder]

I don't know why but no benzos work on me. It sucks because I can't have a PRN. If Xanax works for you better then you should switch.

[melissaw72]

I thought that was happening with klonopin with me too ... until I started weaning off of it.  Once I was at a lower level I realized there was no way I could/would go off of this because even though I didn't see immediate results, it was still playing a longer-acting role with me for anxiety.  I take one dose AM, one dose PM. For me it does not work for immediate results.  YMMV.

It is a longer-acting benzo, and for me it is more for a steady state, rather than an immediate response med for anxiety.  For that I use (rarely) xanax.  I've grown to not like xanax as much because it makes me too groggy sometimes when I wake up (if I take it then fall asleep).  Otherwise I get a small amount of brain fog if I stay awake after taking it.

[notfred]

Idealy you should not feel anything when you take a benzo, if I were to take 1 mg Klonopin or 1 mg Ativan I would feel nothing. However my behavior does change, I am calmer and thoughts racing through my brain slow down. I  recently had an antibiotic resistant infection that was life threatening and I would of been a mess if it weren't for 1 mg Klonopin a day. I sailed through this very scary and painful event and was composed the whole time, the nurses and doctors marveled at how brave I was being. I never once felt like i was on a drug but the truth was Klonopin kept my shit together. After 4 months of being on 1 mg Klonopin I simply stopped it with no problems.   

[Sloane]

When did you make the switch? Even though both are considered "intermediate action" Benzodiazepines, Xanax and Klonopin are awkward to compare because they go through your system so differently. So when you make a switch, there is definitely some adjustment to go through.

((Although mileage varies)) Xanax often kicks in about 15-20 minutes when you first take it, effects peak around 1-2 hours, and lasts about 4 hours. Klonopin on the other hand can take up to anything from 45 minutes to an hour to kick in (possibly less if dissolved under tongue), doesn't peak until 1-3 hours after that, but lasts about 8 hours.

The biggest difference is that Klonopin's half-life is extremely long, 30-40 hours (compared to Xanax which is around 10-20 hours), so it's continually in your system. I honestly think it's also a bit more subtle in it's effects. When I first started Klonopin I saw a big reduction in my anxiety for sure, but it took a month or so for me to really see all the benefits and for it to even out my anxiety to be functional. It definitely wasn't a "take and feel no anxiety" kind of med, but it was a medication that helped me reduce my anxiety significantly throughout the day.

If you just started Klonopin after being on Xanax for so long, I would suggest you give your body and brain some time to adjust to the difference before changing again. I am honestly unfamiliar with Xanax XR. I did read that Xanax XR has a similar half-life to Xanax IR, and the only real difference is that instead of giving the full dose at once and then taking another dose when it wears off you take 1 dose and the effects spread over a period of time (thus extended release). If you had to come off Xanax because of a specific Xanax reason I am unsure if switching to XR would make a difference? 

Of course, please talk to your doctor about all your symptoms and discuss the alternatives that best suit you.

 

[IcePrincess88]

55 minutes ago, Sloane said:

When did you make the switch? Even though both are considered "intermediate action" Benzodiazepines, Xanax and Klonopin are awkward to compare because they go through your system so differently. So when you make a switch, there is definitely some adjustment to go through.

((Although mileage varies)) Xanax often kicks in about 15-20 minutes when you first take it, effects peak around 1-2 hours, and lasts about 4 hours. Klonopin on the other hand can take up to anything from 45 minutes to an hour to kick in (possibly less if dissolved under tongue), doesn't peak until 1-3 hours after that, but lasts about 8 hours.

The biggest difference is that Klonopin's half-life is extremely long, 30-40 hours (compared to Xanax which is around 10-20 hours), so it's continually in your system. I honestly think it's also a bit more subtle in it's effects. When I first started Klonopin I saw a big reduction in my anxiety for sure, but it took a month or so for me to really see all the benefits and for it to even out my anxiety to be functional. It definitely wasn't a "take and feel no anxiety" kind of med, but it was a medication that helped me reduce my anxiety significantly throughout the day.

If you just started Klonopin after being on Xanax for so long, I would suggest you give your body and brain some time to adjust to the difference before changing again. I am honestly unfamiliar with Xanax XR. I did read that Xanax XR has a similar half-life to Xanax IR, and the only real difference is that instead of giving the full dose at once and then taking another dose when it wears off you take 1 dose and the effects spread over a period of time (thus extended release). If you had to come off Xanax because of a specific Xanax reason I am unsure if switching to XR would make a difference? 

Of course, please talk to your doctor about all your symptoms and discuss the alternatives that best suit you.

 

I've been on Klonopin for almost 3 months now. And my pain management doctor had me come off Xanax because it released too fast and that coupled with all my pain meds could literally cause me to just stop breathing. He said I had to switch to Klonopin or Xanax XR. Of course my Xanax nazi pdoc said my insurance didn't cover Xanax XR. I found out that was a damn lie. I just can't wait to see her again. I still feel relatively sedated from the 5 Klonopin I took last night, but it still just doesn't compare to Xanax.

[cosima]

are you on the brand name klonopin? or a generic equivalent?

[IcePrincess88]

25 minutes ago, cosima said:

are you on the brand name klonopin? or a generic equivalent?

Generic

[Sloane]

1 hour ago, IcePrincess88 said:

I've been on Klonopin for almost 3 months now. And my pain management doctor had me come off Xanax because it released too fast and that coupled with all my pain meds could literally cause me to just stop breathing. He said I had to switch to Klonopin or Xanax XR. Of course my Xanax nazi pdoc said my insurance didn't cover Xanax XR. I found out that was a damn lie. I just can't wait to see her again. I still feel relatively sedated from the 5 Klonopin I took last night, but it still just doesn't compare to Xanax.

3 months is a good amount of time to know if a medication is working for you. If it doesn't give any therapeutic property, and were taken off Xanax IR specifically because of the short release, then I would talk to your doctor again about Xanax XR. Just remember that even though it is released throughout the day, the half-life is pretty much the same (over Klonopin having a longer half-life). I am unsure how that would effect (if at all) your pain management medications. Xanax XR vs Clonazepam is definitely a discussion you should have with your doctor.

5 Klonopin? Like 5 milligrams of Klonopin, at once? Sometimes more is not better. At high dosages it's no longer a therapeutic dose for anxiety but instead a tranquilizer. No matter if you think it is working for your symptoms or not, please be weary of self prescribing.

42 minutes ago, IcePrincess88 said:

Generic

So in retrospect, you are not actually taking Klonopin but a generic form of Clonazepam. That actually does matter, and worth discussing with your Pdoc as well.

[IcePrincess88]

3 hours ago, Sloane said:

3 months is a good amount of time to know if a medication is working for you. If it doesn't give any therapeutic property, and were taken off Xanax IR specifically because of the short release, then I would talk to your doctor again about Xanax XR. Just remember that even though it is released throughout the day, the half-life is pretty much the same (over Klonopin having a longer half-life). I am unsure how that would effect (if at all) your pain management medications. Xanax XR vs Clonazepam is definitely a discussion you should have with your doctor.

5 Klonopin? Like 5 milligrams of Klonopin, at once? Sometimes more is not better. At high dosages it's no longer a therapeutic dose for anxiety but instead a tranquilizer. No matter if you think it is working for your symptoms or not, please be weary of self prescribing.

So in retrospect, you are not actually taking Klonopin but a generic form of Clonazepam. That actually does matter, and worth discussing with your Pdoc as well.

Yes 5 milligrams of generic Klonopin. It didn't sedate me, it didn't make me feel high, hell I didn't even really feel relaxed! So I took 2 promethezine to help along the effects......and absolutely nothing. I just want to not feel anything. 

[cosima]

i've read here and many other places that the generic version of klonopin that you get matters quite significantly (some even described as pretty much sugar pills). you could try switching generics or switching to the brand name and see if it helps.

[IcePrincess88]

Just now, cosima said:

i've read here and many other places that the generic version of klonopin that you get matters quite significantly (some even described as pretty much sugar pills). you could try switching generics or switching to the brand name and see if it helps.

That's exactly how I feel. Damn sugar pill.

[cosima]

@IcePrincess88 there's been a post recently about this exact thing (how the generics are not equal in terms of effectiveness and strength despite having all the same amount of clonazepam). you can also google best klonopin generic versions (i did this just yesterday and there's a lot of info). i was recently put on clonazepam and this generic is obviously useless (i've never been on a benzo before this so i have no tolerance and i'm not comparing it to something more potent) so i went and got another type today to try.

[IcePrincess88]

Just now, cosima said:

@IcePrincess88 there's been a post recently about this exact thing (how the generics are not equal in terms of effectiveness and strength despite having all the same amount of clonazepam). you can also google best klonopin generic versions (i did this just yesterday and there's a lot of info). i was recently put on clonazepam and this generic is obviously useless (i've never been on a benzo before this so i have no tolerance and i'm not comparing it to something more potent) so i went and got another type today to try.

When I see my pdoc again, I'm telling her to put me on the real thing or switch me to Xanax XR. I mean Jesus!, even the generic Xanax worked.

[HAL9000]

Did your GDoc try changing doses?   When I was taking Valium I started with 1/2 mg and nothing really worked for me until I reached 10 mg.   Wait.. Make that 5.  I got the green light for 10 mg.   Anyhow I don't take Valium anymore but the longer lasting effect is better then the brick over the head Xanax thing.

[IcePrincess88]

14 hours ago, HAL9000 said:

Did your GDoc try changing doses?   When I was taking Valium I started with 1/2 mg and nothing really worked for me until I reached 10 mg.   Wait.. Make that 5.  I got the green light for 10 mg.   Anyhow I don't take Valium anymore but the longer lasting effect is better then the brick over the head Xanax thing.

I think I'm already at, if not extremely close, to the max of Klonopin. But I mean if 5 of them do absolutely nothing, then I don't think a dose change will help. I really want to try the real Klonopin, not the generic sugar pill I'm on now.

[IcePrincess88]

I finally broke and dug in to my emergency stash of Xanax. Can't wait to actually feel no stress.

[AnxietyGirl74]

I did not have such a great experience with either of the generics I tried. I am now on brand name Klonopin and there is such a difference. I was also on Xanax XR for a while and it would kind of knock me out. Everybody is different but brand name Klonopin is definitely better for me.

[IcePrincess88]

I'm curious to which exact generics of Klonopin you guys are on or tried. And which ones are best or worst.

[IcePrincess88]

Btw- mine are Accord Healthcare. And boy do they suck

[cosima]

i don't know what the policy is on linking but when i was looking into it there were a couple other forums who had done polls with consistent results. try googling "most potent clonazepam poll" or something similar to see what i mean.  there are some generics which seem to be universally regarded as pretty much placebo grade alternatives to the brand name.

[Sloane]

@IcePrincess88 Have you been able to talk to your doctor about switching? I'm worried about you taking old medication, as well as the fact that it's a short term fix to a more long-term problem.

[IcePrincess88]

4 hours ago, Sloane said:

@IcePrincess88 Have you been able to talk to your doctor about switching? I'm worried about you taking old medication, as well as the fact that it's a short term fix to a more long-term problem.

No. I don't see her again till the 2nd. I tried to get in earlier but she was booked.

[Sloane]

That sucks  I'm glad it's a week away instead of a few months. But still, I know with chronic anxiety that can feel like an eternity.

[AnxietyGirl74]

I tried Teva and Mylan. Mylan didn't really do anything for me either way and Teva 1 mg knocked me out as soon as I took it.

[IcePrincess88]

The generic Mylan Xanax was wonderful. I guess they slacked off with the Klonopin. I wonder why the difference? 

[cosima]

2 hours ago, IcePrincess88 said:

The generic Mylan Xanax was wonderful. I guess they slacked off with the Klonopin. I wonder why the difference? 

i've seen lots of people complain about mylan. and people seem to consistently like teva and find it comparable. most people prefer the brand name with clonazepam, though.

i personally tried a local generic and it was definitely like a sugar pill, and i thought at first i must have an unusually high tolerance for benzos or something, but switching to the brand name had made a difference. it personally wasn't that much more of a copay for me. there might be a patient assistance program if it is that you could look into.

Edited May 28, 2016 by cosima

[IcePrincess88]

9 hours ago, cosima said:

i've seen lots of people complain about mylan. and people seem to consistently like teva and find it comparable. most people prefer the brand name with clonazepam, though.

i personally tried a local generic and it was definitely like a sugar pill, and i thought at first i must have an unusually high tolerance for benzos or something, but switching to the brand name had made a difference. it personally wasn't that much more of a copay for me. there might be a patient assistance program if it is that you could look into.

I should be good on my copay. Since I've gotten Medicare, Medicaid will no longer cover my prescriptions. But I do have a Part D plan. I can't wait to try real Klonopin because right now, I swear I'm on sugar pills.

[melissaw72]

11 hours ago, IcePrincess88 said:

I should be good on my copay. Since I've gotten Medicare, Medicaid will no longer cover my prescriptions. But I do have a Part D plan. I can't wait to try real Klonopin because right now, I swear I'm on sugar pills.

FWIW ...

Have you tried other prescription plans than Medicare Part D?  I have Humana right now.  For me Medicare AND Medicaid, and Humana pay for my prescriptions.  I don't know how it all works between the 3 places and paying for the prescriptions, but my co-pays are nothing after the first couple months of being $1.20 each. 

Instead of Medicare Part D you can pick another pharmacy plan, at least where I live in MA.  Something to look into if you are interested.

[dancesintherain]

I actually had the same thought as Melissa.  Not personal experience, but a friend has both and has to meet up to $100 incrementally (nothing larger than $10) and once she hits it doesn't owe more than $3, even for brands where there isn't a generic yet.

[IcePrincess88]

1 hour ago, melissaw72 said:

FWIW ...

Have you tried other prescription plans than Medicare Part D?  I have Humana right now.  For me Medicare AND Medicaid, and Humana pay for my prescriptions.  I don't know how it all works between the 3 places and paying for the prescriptions, but my co-pays are nothing after the first couple months of being $1.20 each. 

Instead of Medicare Part D you can pick another pharmacy plan, at least where I live in MA.  Something to look into if you are interested.

I don't think I can afford more health insurance. They're already taking $120 out of my disability payments for Medicare Part A and B, and god knows how much for the Part D. When I looked on my Part D plan's website, it said copays were $1.20. I guess we'll see how much they really are after June 1st when my Medicaid stops paying.

[melissaw72]

44 minutes ago, IcePrincess88 said:

I don't think I can afford more health insurance. They're already taking $120 out of my disability payments for Medicare Part A and B, and god knows how much for the Part D. When I looked on my Part D plan's website, it said copays were $1.20. I guess we'll see how much they really are after June 1st when my Medicaid stops paying.

I see what you mean.  I would not want all that money taken out either.

I hope the co-pays stay low for you.

[aquarian]

Sometimes if you qualify for medicaid before you go on medicare, you also qualify to have your Part B premiums paid for by medicaid once you go on medicare. And you usually get "extra help" paying for drug costs. You might have to contact your state medicaid office to find out if you qualify.

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html

[melissaw72]

10 hours ago, aquarian said:

Sometimes if you qualify for medicaid before you go on medicare, you also qualify to have your Part B premiums paid for by medicaid once you go on medicare. And you usually get "extra help" paying for drug costs. You might have to contact your state medicaid office to find out if you qualify.

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html

Yes, that is right!  I forgot about the extra help paying for drug costs.  Here is the link you can go to to answer questions about it and to see if you qualify for it:

https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/

Here is some basic info on getting extra help:

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/save-on-drug-costs/save-on-drug-costs.html

[IcePrincess88]

Thanks everyone!!!

[KarateKid]

Rivotril (Clonazepam) is awesome for inducing a steady-state calming effect that also allows you to be functional. That's what's awesome about Rivotril. If you have panic attacks, then Xanax is obviously the better med., because it acts faster, whereas Rivotril likes to be with you for 1-2 days and keep you chilled.

This generic vs brand thing, I haven't really tried generic mainly because I don't do generics. So, I can only speak to the brand name offered here in Canada (Rivotril), and I can definitely say it is more than just sweet-tasting ^^)