Klonopin vs. Ambien

[kkamann]

I have been taking Ambien/Ambien CR for about 2 1/2 years now, so I am quite clear on how this particular med works for me, although the beneficial effects are starting to wear off. I also have severe PLMD, and next week my Neuro will most likely prescribe Klonopin to replace the Neurotin (she already told me to stop the Neurotin) for the PLMD. So the reason for prescribing the Klonopin is for controlling the leg jerks, rather than as a sleep aid or anti-depressant. Although my body is becoming tolerant to the beneficial effects of Ambien (im maxed out), it still provides a notable level of sleep for me. I realize Klonopin is a benzo and one can become tolerant or dependent.

Soooooooo, the question is twofold....I am assuming one cannot take Ambien and Klonopin at the same time, even though one is a benzo, and one isn't? And also, I am concerned that I will be "downgrading" in the sleep aid department if I start taking Klonopin and have to stop Ambien. Is this true?

I guess a numerical value sounds as good as any, so for the sake of argument, lets use Xyrem as the benchmark for sleep aids, say 10 out of 10. Most people think Xyrem is the king of sleep meds. So would Klonopin be like a 6, and Ambien be like a 7? or vice versa? I am worried that Klonopin would be like a 3 or something. I get the impression Klonopin is kind of wimpy.

[omegaparade]

Hey, there. I took Klonopin many years ago, before I was diagnosed with N and they thought my C attacks were anxiety attacks (and they were definitely related to anxiety). I don't remember it making me particularly sleepy, but it did help my anxiety AT FIRST. The thing is, they left me on it for years, and when I had to change to another med during an inpatient psych stay, I had terrible withdrawal symptoms--tremors, nervousness, terrible anxiety. So I would use caution with Klonopin. It's powerful and addictive stuff. As for Ambien, I've never taken it.

Hope this helps a little.

Best to you.

[txgal4605]

KKKMANN,
Hi, I havent been on this site since last year of 2005, I'm afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis dx'd in 1983, then 3 yrs or less ago, dx'd with the (N.) Ive been on the benzos, Ativan for 12 yrs, then after second child born, in 95 switched to 2 mgs xanax, now for over 10 yrs. Anxiety, panic attacks, and to lesson the severity of the M.S. plus lots more meds, but doin real good, for the fact is in (MY) case I have to take benzos, for the whole foreseable future. But Believe me I have been in withdrawl, 2 times. Only because the first time 20 yrs ago on the Ativan I had no Idea that I was experiencing them. My neuro and family phys. gave me warning, but on account of it being a friday I didn't pick up my refill, and by monday I was not my self, quite frankly it was like I was on a drug, I felt as if I were in a tunnel. My hands on the steering wheel seemed not to belong to me, wierd uh? When I was informed by the nurse the W.D. get to pharm. A.S.P! I was shocked. It was not like I even wanted the Ativan, it was my body, brain, etc... overrunning my mind.
I took just one two mg. and within twenty min. I felt like my old self again. Xanax same thing, ran out and holiday + weekend, same symptoms. NEVER, will I run out again.... But sry so long, female here, woman's proagitive, lol.... If you plan on getting on the clon. (benzo) beware, like if your dr. thinks the rest of your life you will need them you won't regret it, so much better than Ambien. But if it is short term, try to just take them like every three or four days, just a few months. You shouldn't become addicted like that.
again sry so long of story, but remember we are all struggling
with something or other, and the treatment should be discussed
at length w/Dr.
Robin, txgal4605
good luck to you, and God bless you, may he
Bless you with wise advice from the Professionals.

[Mr Mango]

omegaparade thank you so much for this

[quotebefore I was diagnosed with N and they thought my C attacks were anxiety attacks [/quote]

So long had this been a problem and now I have found someone else with the same circumstance.

They were really bad until I recognise they were related to C.

[crashandburn]

Me too with the anxiety attacks. Also I figured out that I was having HH not panic/anxiety attacks as well.

I haven't tried Ambien. I was on something else for a week. It worked for a couple of days and then did nothing. 3am and I'm still awake..lol. Guess mania overides sleeping aids.

I've been on Klonopin off and on for several years and it's really great. I had to take half of what I was supposed to as half worked just as well. I only took it on days I really couldn't sleep or the anxiety was really bad. I had no idea it was addictive. That's why I had gotten off Xanax. I was only on it for a week or so and went through 3 days of withdrawal. Creepy.

I've never had withdrawal problems with Klonopin, but I never took it for months at a time or days at a time. Just when it was 3am and I hadn't fallen asleep yet.

[Rip Van Winkle]

Hi To All!

I have tried various benzos over the years. The original thought regarding sleep disorders was to use klonopin, as it is a longer acting benzo. It had seemed to help people get into deeper stages of sleep. Yet, various people report a feeling of "hangover" with higher doses. (One person's ceiling is another person's floor, so to speak!)

Nothing has worked better for me yet, except for a major tranquilizer. I hate the side effects, but they do get me to sleep when I am having sleeping difficulties! If I must use them, I use them with the klonopin. Ihave been using klonopin nightly for 20 years! What a withdrawal that would/will be! Ouch! I currently use both lorazepam and klonopin. I start taking lorazepam at dinner time. Then add another After 2, I take my clonezepam. later, another lorazepam. The first two lorazepam, slowly "unwind" me. THe klonopin takes awhile to work. I take that and follow it with another lorazepam, which gets my body all ready for the klonopin to kick in. If I am lucky, I"ll go to sleep and stay asleep!
So...something like...loazepam 1mg. at 6 PM. Lorazepam 1mg. at 7:30 PM. Klonopin at 8 PM. Lorazepam with klonopin at 8PM or by itself at 9 PM.

However, if there is any "stimulation, like lights on, etc. , I will not unwind and go to sleep for at least two hours. If we are out and do not get home until 9 or 10 PM, I will not sleep until 1 AM! My evenngs, my pre-sleep time must be carefully controlled in order to get a good night's sleep. Lights must be off or very, very low for about two hours, etc. Everyone else I know can go home, get into bed and just go directly to sleep! Hmmmm... It does not work that way for me, at all. (Except in daylight! Then, I can experience all types of C and N!

Have a great day!

[sleepnscream]

Please read everything you can about Klonopin!!

The addictive powers of this drug were never explained to me prior to taking. I would have never taken it!!

Please search for my posts and others on Klonopin.

Good luck..

[Rip Van Winkle]

Hi Sleepnscream,

Thanks for the information! I will look it up!
Have a great day!

[kyethra]

i was put on klonopin first to help me hold still at night. I toss and turn and kick and throw and talk and roll my head side to side and hit and so forth. I am quite active while in REM sleep. I thought it was ok. It helped but it didn't solve the problem of the activity by any means. And I built up tolerance to it rather quickly. Same thing with other benzos. But then I don't experince withdrawl either.

After that I was put on topamax- at first it was wonderful! But I built up a tolerance to that too over time- and you aren't "supposed to" build up a tolerance to that.

So tolerance seems to be a big issue with me. I guess I might end up needing two or three drugs to rotate eventually.

I also take flexeril at night- no tolerance to that and I do like that for deeper sleep- I take it primaraily for fibro though.