Has anyone ever taken Klonopin? Before having Lyme I was prescribed Klonopin for anxiety - I barely ever took it - only on an *** needed basis.
However now that I have terrible Lyme symptoms (fibromyalgia pain, headache, neck ache, fatigue, general "ill" feeling.. etc. - I've noticed that the Klonopin is reducing my symptoms
If I take 1 mg at night I am 80% better than normal the next day. It's truly been an amazement to me.
I researched it on the internet and found something saying that people with Lyme have central nervous systems that are over exited. They over exaggerate pain, light, sound, etc.
Supposedly, the Klonopin takes the CNS down a notch so the body doesn't freak out as much and this leads to a reduction in symptoms.
I was just wondering if anyone has ever been on this med and have it help their symptoms - or if anyone has ever read about this happening.
Thanks for your help!
Posted by lymestop (Member # 18787) on :
Hello
yes I have the same reduction in some pains after taking it at night.
I first was given it for foot cramps and only took it for a few days a month but then noticed what you did.
I will say I do not like how it affects my sleep ongoing to it is something I end up pulsing.
But I do agree there are benefits from it that I think it not talked about or explored near enough that could help many others too.
Posted by swachsler (Member # 18155) on :
I've used it for years, primarily for sleep, migraine-prevention, and to help w/CFIDS cognitive impairment symptoms. Occasionally for anxiety.
It's been helpful for me, but people habituate to it very fast, so it can be hard to stay at the same dose and continue to have it be effective.
Also, I've heard a lot of horror stories about how incredibly difficult it is to go off of it -- because the body habituates to it so strongly.
But for me it's been very helpful.
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
Yes I take it... I also tak 10mg Valium 2x a day...
I don't really notice any change during the day, but then again, come nighttime i don't have trouble sleeping anyway....
The night time is always the best time symptom wise...
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
I take klonopin and I have been posting here for awhile as to it's effectiveness in symptom relief.
Nothing touches my migraines and head pressure including Vicodon, darvocet, NSAID's, or migraine meds. Klonopin is the only thing that I have found to take the edge off.
It also has a neuro positive affect on my lightheadedness and balance issues, not to mention anxiety.
It was developed as an anti-epileptic seziure medication, so I would venture to say you are on the right road in your thinking. It quiets the CNS.
If I did not have this medication to help me through I honestly think that I could not bare my life.
I do not worry about additcion or dependancy issues at this time. I will cross that bridge when I get there. Right now, those potential issues mean nothing in light of the hellish, life robbing symptoms.
Best to you, Feelfit
Posted by LymieLaura (Member # 19367) on :
Thank you all for your responses. This drug has truly been a miracle to me, and even if it is hard to get off of I think I will continue taking it, because I can no longer live with my horrible symptoms.
If you all don't mind, could I ask what dosage you take and when? I read online that it's good to take 1 mg before bed and then .25 to .5 mg in the morning and afternoon.
They said you need to test your body. If it is making you fatigued you are taking too much, however if you reach the right dose you will actually feel an INCREASE in energy.
I have found this to be true and am very excited about it! I haven't felt like myself in a really long time and it feels good. Funny that NONE of my doctors recommended this medication.
Anyways if you'd be willing to share your time and dosages, that'd be helpful. Again... thanks!
Posted by emh2l (Member # 18886) on :
I take a different anti-seizure/epilepsy medicine. It is a low pediatric dose (10mg)for me, taken at night .
It is the only thing that has reduced the buzzing and tingling in my limbs. I also feel more alert during the day, so I am guessing it also helps me reach a deeper sleep. I feel more energetic but I don't know if that's the meds directly or the indirect effect of better sleep. I honestly don't care! Posted by swachsler (Member # 18155) on :
I take 1 mg at night before bed and 1 mg in the AM, especially if I'm trying to fall back asleep.
Most people would take a smaller dose, esp. in the AM, but because I habituated so fast, I need to take a larger one.
These doses do help with migraine prevention and other things people mentioned, such as cognitive "with-it-ness," etc.
If I need it for actual anxiety or if I'm not sleeping and nothing else works, I have to take additional, maybe .5 or 1 mg on top of the usual I would take.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
.50 in the AM for me helps with lightheadedness and pressure. Sometimes I take another .50 at bedtime if I am feeling agitated.
Most of the time I take benadryl at bedtime if I need something to sleep....oh and sometimes I need an additional .50mg in the day time if I am going to the doctor or another environment that is too stimulating.
hope this helps, feelfit
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
Klonopin [clonazapam] and the other often used 1 for relief of neuro Lyme symptoms- Ativan [lorazepam], my favorite, are both nervous system "calmers" of the benzodiazapine family.
As they Are technically narcotics, they have a high risk of addiction, but if you're on a proper Lyme abx treatment & you regulate your use, they can be a God-send.
Klonopin lasts somewhat longer and is best used during the day. Ativan is better before bed OR if you can't get back to sleep in the Early morn. But don't overdo them as they can make you groggy.
Posted by LymieLaura (Member # 19367) on :
Just to correct something -
Klonopin and Ativan are not narcotics. They are, like you said, benzodiazapines. These are very different drugs and Klonopin has MUCH less of an addictive possibility than say Percocet or Vicodin.
They are actually in different classes of addiction with narcotics being in class 1 and benzodiazapines being in, I believe, class 3.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
You're correct Laura not a true narcotic, though I've had 2 pharmacists refer to it as such. However it is considered to have a high level of addictive potential & is calssified all over the place depending on which country you're in. (see "Wiki")
I found that when I first was given it (ER), all my chest symptoms melted away. 2nd time was odd... I was at a friend's house... my body fought it (hi anxiety!) for ~10 minutes, then broke down" & gave in..... after which I felt I was "cured" Only lasted 4 hours though.
Was Dxed the following week. {sigh}
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I take Ativan at night to sleep and it works great.
Early in my treatment when I was very very ill every day I used Xanax during the day and found it reduced my sypmtoms by almost half.
Posted by JaimieB (Member # 19076) on :
Laura,
I have taken that and ativan. When I was dxd with having aniexty attacks (it was the lyme) they rxd me ativan first. Ativan was supposed to be temp well, I was going through like 120 every three weeks. They cut me off that and put me on klonopin. The low dosage wasnt enough. I was taken 4 mg and got very hooked on it.
I ended up going to rehab to detox off of it. Withdrawls can include deadly seizures. Klonopin wasnt the whole readon I went to Sober Camp. I also had a drinking problem. That and benzos are a BAD combo!!
I now take paxil and trazadone. Traza helped me sleep. I had to get myself off the ambien too.
I wish you the best!
Posted by nomoremuscles (Member # 9560) on :
I have noticed the same symptom relief with klonopin and ativan. Sometimes as little as 1/4 of a .5mg klonopin will be enough to get over a rough patch. Back when I was mobile, when at the mall or anyplace with lots of neuro stimulation, I would often have to take anything from a 1/4 - a whole tab in order to keep my CNS in line.
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