Klonopin (Clonazepam)

[SNOOPY]

Lynn, I am sorry you are having such a difficult time finding a medication that will help.

Take care

[Lynn1962]

Zanaflex side effects made me discontinue it

Well I finally tried 2 mg Zanaflex at bedtime the other night. I am not going to continue taking it because I don't like the side effects and it didn't help my leg stiffness. It made me have a dry mouth, sleepy, weaker legs, blurry vision and I was as stiff as usual when I woke up.

Snoopy, thanks for checking on me and the link to side effects. I couldn't believe how depressed klonopin made me and how much better I felt stopping it. I was suicidal and didn't care about anything. Scary.

To those of you who have success with klonopin, I am happy for you! My hubby loves it for his anxiety and has no trouble with it.

Next, doc said I could try Nuvigil for energy but I looked at Askapatient and many people say it gives them mouth sores. I haven't tried it yet, but definitely don't want mouth sores! Medications can sure cause weird side effects.

Lynn

[SNOOPY]

Hi Lynn1962,

Sorry to hear Klonopin didn't help and caused depression.

Seems I can't tolerate drugs very well

I understand I can't tell you how many medications I have not been able to stay on due to medication induced suicidal thoughts, with and without depression.

I will keep my fingers crossed that Zanaflex helps your stiffness and doesn't cause depression. Depression is a listed side effect

Information on Zanaflex:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...s/a601121.html

[Lynn1962]

Update on klonopin

Well I tried the klonopin for a month and had to titrate off and stop taking it because it wasn't helping my leg stiffness.

Also, it made me sleepy and weak and very depressed. Once I got off of it, the severe depression lifted. I still have occasional mild depression (ever since SPMS set in, mild depression set in) related to MS symptoms, but so glad the severe depression is gone.

Next my doc wants me to try Zanaflex but I haven't started yet because I am afraid it too, will give me severe depression. I had trouble with baclofen side effects and depression and stopped it before trying klonopin.

Seems I can't tolerate drugs very well.

[MrsChip]

Has worked great for my night time extensor spasms

Clonazepam was prescribed to me 5 years ago and its still working brilliantly.

Prior to taking it I used to wake several times a night (plus waking my DH) as my leg kicked out involuntarily.

Its been a consistently helpful and easily tolerable drug for me. I still work full time (from home), and it doesn't space me out like Baclofen

[SNOOPY]

I see you are in Colorado. Do you use medical marijuana for any of your symptoms?

No.

I tried marijuana before it was legal I was hoping it would help with pain I was experiencing and the medications that had been prescribed either didn't help or the side effects were more than I could handle.

Marijuana didn't help with my pain and it caused an increase of my vibration/buzzing sensations from the waist down. So, marijuana isn't for me

Glad to hear your first experience with Klonopin has been a positive one

[karenwb2]

Klonopin

Hello everyone, yes I take it every night. But like someone else said I take .5mg and that has helped a lot. For the most part my restless leg is gone, so I get a much better sleep. But I am going back to read the suggestions that others have talked about.

I hope that this helps you.
karenwb2

[Lynn1962]

took first dose last night

Snoopy,

I took my first 0.5mg dose last night. The only thing I noticed for sure is that I slept one hour longer than usual this morning!

I suppose it will take a while to notice any more effects.

Going downstairs today my ankles were as tight as always, and going upstairs I had to use the railing to drag myself up as always.

I thought I moved around a bit better this morning, not needing a full hour to get my legs going and my body walking upright, not so bent over. We'll see how that goes!

I see you are in Colorado. Do you use medical marijuana for any of your symptoms?


Thanks for checking on me,
Lynn

[SNOOPY]

Hi Lynn,

I didn't start the klonopin yet, I'm nervous about what I have read so far.

Have you tried the Klonopin yet?

Give it a try and see what you think, and how you feel. No way to know for sure unless you give it a try.

I didn't mean to make you nervous I just wanted you to be aware of the type of medication your Dr. prescribed

[Lynn1962]

Thank you, Seasha and Snoopy.

I will check out your links.

I didn't start the klonopin yet, I'm nervous about what I have read so far.

Lynn

[SNOOPY]

Hi Lynn1962

Klonopin is a class of medications called Benzodiazepines and are a Schedule IV controlled substance.

I do have experience with Klonopin as I used this medication for 10 years. Although Klonopin was not prescribed for MS my prescribing Dr. felt Klonopin was the best choice as it was known to help with spasticity and tremors.

I did use Klonopin for both spasticity and tremors. At a higher dose of 4mg my legs felt like jello.

Please make sure you are fully informed about this medication, its uses, and side effects. This medication can be addictive, however, not everyone becomes addicted...I did not

You are taking a small dose but if you decide to discontinue taking Klonopin then please speak with your Neurologist if he would recommend tapering off it.

Information about Klonopin:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...s/a682279.html

[Seasha]

Lynn - I don't take this so can't help in that way, but I did an advanced search here and found other threads about it. Here's what I found - http://www.msworld.org/forum/search....archid=1543955

The last two threads are archived so you can't reply to them, but they'll be helpful to read.

Hope the Klonopin works wonders for you!

[Lynn1962]

Does anyone take klonopin or generic clonazepam for spasticity?

My MS specialist prescribed me 0.5 mg klonopin at bedtime for help with my stiff legs because I can't tolerate baclofen.

Thanks for any info!

Lynn