Klonopin (Clonazepam) is killing my workouts

[Snarling Force]

I've been taking this every night to go to bed for the past 3 years. Only recently did I actually bother to read what the side effects of this drug are. I simply (and ignorantly) trusted my doctor. Anyways, one of the side effects of this drug is muscle fatigue and weakness. It all makes sense now because for the past 3 years, I've been puzzled why my workouts are so difficult and I have no stamina. Since I work out in the early morning just after waking, the drug is still fresh in my system and now I realize just how much this stuff hinders me. I realized this fully when I ran out and 2 days into withdrawl, despite having not slept, I had the most energetic and powerful workout in years. I'm now determined more than ever to ween myself off of this slowly but surely.

My question is who else out there takes this medication and works out? How does it affect your workouts? Any tips?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bridger]

what dose have you been on? How long?

 

[guest username]

It amazes me the number of people who are into health and fitness who abuse prescription and non-prescription drugs.

There are a lot of people on here who use benzodiazepines.

 

[Snarling Force]

I'm in no way abusing this medication. I take the minimal .5 mg every night for sleep. I've been taking .5 mg every night for sleep for the past 3 years. I've read some people are stuck on taking 6-8mg per day so I can't imagine how bad they must have it. The main reason I have been on it this long is because I just didn't know any better and trusted the words of my doctor when he said this is mild, no worries, and kept giving me refills. I know I should have researched earlier but I just trusted my doctor. My new doctor was horrified when he learned I had been on it as long as I have and so that is when I started to research what it does.

Anyone else take this and if so, how much? How does it affect your workouts? For me I have 0 stamina and fatigue very quickly when doing a set. I push through it and get a workout in, but its far from what it could be. I've already started to snap the pill in half taking .250mg each night and will do what I can to get off of this bullshit.

 

[Bridger]

I'm in no way abusing this medication. I take the minimal .5 mg every night for sleep. I've been taking .5 mg every night for sleep for the past 3 years. I've read some people are stuck on taking 6-8mg per day so I can't imagine how bad they must have it. The main reason I have been on it this long is because I just didn't know any better and trusted the words of my doctor when he said this is mild, no worries, and kept giving me refills. I know I should have researched earlier but I just trusted my doctor. My new doctor was horrified when he learned I had been on it as long as I have and so that is when I started to research what it does.

Anyone else take this and if so, how much? How does it affect your workouts? For me I have 0 stamina and fatigue very quickly when doing a set. I push through it and get a workout in, but its far from what it could be. I've already started to snap the pill in half taking .250mg each night and will do what I can to get off of this bullshit.

I personally have never come off a benzo but been to rehab for other things and it is no joke coming off those seeing/hearing other peoples experiences. .5mg isn't that high of a dose, but 3 years of continuous use is a long time for a benzo. If you have been taking that for sleep you might need something else for sleep. Lack of sleep could exacerbate the withdrawl symptoms. I would definately keep in touch with your new dr and follow some kind of plan.

 

[KickNitRight]

I personally have never come off a benzo but been to rehab for other things and it is no joke coming off those seeing/hearing other peoples experiences. .5mg isn't that high of a dose, but 3 years of continuous use is a long time for a benzo. If you have been taking that for sleep you might need something else for sleep. Lack of sleep could exacerbate the withdrawl symptoms. I would definately keep in touch with your new dr and follow some kind of plan.

Exactly; all sleep medications and benzos have a tendency to be addictive. If used more than just as needed (ie every night for 3 years), you're probably addicted and need to work through it and get them out of your system. And, not to be a jerk, but, even if you're using a drug that's prescribed by a doc, it's possible to abuse it (though in this case, it seems like your doc is simply enabling you to do it).

 

[Snarling Force]

Thanks guys for all the info. Last 2 nights I've made it through on just .25 mg but today I'm feeling my head on fire is the best way I can describe these withdrawl symptoms. Slowly but surely I'm gonna get off this bullshit.

 

[flajice]

Thanks guys for all the info. Last 2 nights I've made it through on just .25 mg but today I'm feeling my head on fire is the best way I can describe these withdrawl symptoms. Slowly but surely I'm gonna get off this bullshit.

Yeah man theyre a bitch to come off

 

[KickNitRight]

Thanks guys for all the info. Last 2 nights I've made it through on just .25 mg but today I'm feeling my head on fire is the best way I can describe these withdrawl symptoms. Slowly but surely I'm gonna get off this bullshit.

best of luck to you; keep us posted on how it goes

 

[dutchman063]

Ive been taking this drug at .25mg during the day and .5mg at night for 3 weeks now ...how long before i become addicted?

 

[artificialaspirations]

it is completely individualized. I screwed w/ them in college and before I new it my life had fallen apart. I cleaned up and feel great but can't take pills anymore.

Benzos and opiates are no joke.

 

[Snarling Force]

Ive been taking this drug at .25mg during the day and .5mg at night for 3 weeks now ...how long before i become addicted?

Dutchman just be careful is all I can say. Its still way early for you so if you must take it, try and get by with just .25mg if you can. This shit really is no joke. Just when I thought I was doing ok, the past 2 nights have had me up feeling psychotic and being forced to take the other half of my pill in order to fall asleep. I feel like shit I hate this stuff.

 

[KickNitRight]

Dutchman just be careful is all I can say. Its still way early for you so if you must take it, try and get by with just .25mg if you can. This shit really is no joke. Just when I thought I was doing ok, the past 2 nights have had me up feeling psychotic and being forced to take the other half of my pill in order to fall asleep. I feel like shit I hate this stuff.

Being careful with any drug - even prescribed - is essential. Keep in mind, there wouldn't be an underground market for it if it wouldn't mess with you.

 

[Jacob Creutzfeldt]

There must be a medical protocol for weaning patients off of benzodiazapines. It seems like they are handed out like tic-tacs.

 

[KickNitRight]

There must be a medical protocol for weaning patients off of benzodiazapines. It seems like they are handed out like tic-tacs.

I agree with that; sad thing is it's amazing how many docs don't seem to have a problem with handing them out to people who they know have been addicted to alcohol or other substances.

 

[biteme]

I've been taking this every night to go to bed for the past 3 years. Only recently did I actually bother to read what the side effects of this drug are. I simply (and ignorantly) trusted my doctor. Anyways, one of the side effects of this drug is muscle fatigue and weakness. It all makes sense now because for the past 3 years, I've been puzzled why my workouts are so difficult and I have no stamina. Since I work out in the early morning just after waking, the drug is still fresh in my system and now I realize just how much this stuff hinders me. I realized this fully when I ran out and 2 days into withdrawl, despite having not slept, I had the most energetic and powerful workout in years. I'm now determined more than ever to ween myself off of this slowly but surely.

My question is who else out there takes this medication and works out? How does it affect your workouts? Any tips?

Thanks in advance!

I;ve been taking it 10 years. Doesn't affect my workouts. I do go in tired sometimes, but I manage to summon the energy necessary to workout hard.

 

[dutchman063]

I;ve been taking it 10 years. Doesn't affect my workouts. I do go in tired sometimes, but I manage to summon the energy necessary to workout hard.

what kind of dosage do you take?

 

[biteme]

what kind of dosage do you take?

1 milligram for the past 10 years. I've been taking 1.5 lately on most days for the past month or so... Guess I've finally needed to increase the dosage a little.

 

[Snarling Force]

1 milligram for the past 10 years. I've been taking 1.5 lately on most days for the past month or so... Guess I've finally needed to increase the dosage a little.

Wow bro 10 years? Are you not worried about long term effects? Do you plan on staying on it permanently? Have you ever tried to get off during the past 10 years and if so, was it just too hard and you went back on?

 

[airsmith2k]

i take xanax everyday it helps with anxiety from juice hasnt effected my workouts at all prolly addicted tho i take about 2 xanax bars a day

 

[bluejay]

What is the half life of this stuff? If it has a relatively short one, why not try dosing it earlier in the evening than usual? Possibly this way, by the time you are at the gym it has worn off??

 

[Bullheart]

I have Essential Tremor and the doctor has given me Clonazepam to control them. I have to admit it has been great.. but now I am concerned after reading all these comments. I have noticed a slight decrease in my strength in the gym and my ambition to go to the gym which is very odd for me...has anyone else taken it for Essential Tremor?

 

[RachelEFC]

I was prescribed that 2 years ago when I started having bad panic attacks, but my doc wouldn't only call in 20 at a time of the .5mg. She was conerned about my dependence to it and always pushed me to go to counseling. I never went to counseling and started having bad bad anxiety again so I went to go see her and she gave me an RX again and told me to go to counseling. My first counseling appt is tomorrow... She is definately different than other doctors, as like some of you have said, you've been on for years, and my mom is also prescribed it to help her sleep but I can't get this damn doctor just to give me a refillable prescription. I'm so nervous to go to counseling tomorrow

 

[artificialaspirations]

i take xanax everyday it helps with anxiety from juice hasnt effected my workouts at all prolly addicted tho i take about 2 xanax bars a day

If you're taking it to get off is when it really becomes problematic. If its a valid health issue than you have to do what you have to do, but you need to know the risks.

I could walk into any doctors office and read off the symptoms I'm having and get any medication I wanted. I mean symptoms read off the internet. Don't do this anymore, though.

 

[galaxy]

I take .25mgs of xanax for anxiety. Dr. Gives me like 45 at a time with 3 refills. I dont take it much tho. I couldnt see myself becoming dependent on it.

 

[artis_lebedevs]

I take 2 mg of clonazepam before sleep for 1 month. My trainings take place at 18.00 and I realy can feel the differecne - they're not so good as they could be, and the bodyweight is growing very slowly in inspite of I'm taking test 400, deca 300 + HGH, benzos are relaxing muscles so testo is not working properly, for example one of my friends takes some 6mg of clonazepam almost every day + using test 400 and deca 300 for 1 month - I can see minimal changes in his growth, I mean mass and result in gym!
By the whay I've spent a few days without clonazepam - and I could really feel it at my training - It was really intensiv/hard/outstanding till the beging!!!!
So I'm looking forward some pills wich only calms down brain activity at night, not muscle like benzos do.

P.S. Anyway I'ts good to have some extra clonazepam pill in my pocket at worktime, sometimes there are situations when the brain is near to explode (because of all the stuff in the bloog of course) - so this is the situation clona could realy save u an yor career

 

[artis_lebedevs]

I take 2 mg of clonazepam before sleep for 1 month. My trainings take place at 18.00 and I realy can feel the differecne - they're not so good as they could be, and the bodyweight is growing very slowly in inspite of I'm taking test 400, deca 300 + HGH, benzos are relaxing muscles so testo is not working properly, for example one of my friends takes some 6mg of clonazepam almost every day + using test 400 and deca 300 for 1 month - I can see minimal changes in his growth, I mean mass and result in gym!
By the whay I've spent a few days without clonazepam - and I could really feel it at my training - It was really intensiv/hard/outstanding till the beging!!!!
So I'm looking forward some pills wich only calms down brain activity at night, not muscle like benzos do.

P.S. Anyway I'ts good to have some extra clonazepam pill in my pocket at worktime, sometimes there are situations when the brain is near to explode (because of all the stuff in the bloog of course) - so this is the situation clona could realy save u an yor career

 

[gatemoney]

Just to let you know...
There are only 2 drugs classified as physically addictive, benzo diazapan and alcohol.
Physically addictive by definition means that you can actually die from the withdrawal. Believe it or not drugs like cocaine and heroin are not physically addictive. People do not typically die in withdrawal from these drugs ,they just wish they would.

Speaking from personal experience I would strongly advise that you seek professional help to do this. Do not take this lightly it is far more serious than you know .
Good luck my friend
I do not envy your situation

 

[PEDRO-G]

i take xanax everyday it helps with anxiety from juice hasnt effected my workouts at all prolly addicted tho i take about 2 xanax bars a day

I was prescribed 4, 1mg Klonopins aday for 2 years, but usually only took 2 after my workout to calm me the fuck down. I felt I wasn't getting the same effect from them after 2 years, So my Dr prescribed me 2, 2mg bars aday as needed, these are so much better and good for sleep as well, so I cut my ambien down from 10mg A night to 5 mg. No problems with workouts, I have tons of energy all day. Good luck Bro.

 

[Soulthief]

If meds are taken like they are prescribed than they can be very good at giving people a better quality of life. With that said, I think there is a huge epidemic with many benzos and opiates.

Educating yourself and being honest with your doctor is key. I've battled more than a few addictions.

If anyone ever wants to talk feel free to PM me. I'm NOT a doctor but I might could help someone avoid some mistakes I made.

 

[northernknight]

If meds are taken like they are prescribed than they can be very good at giving people a better quality of life. With that said, I think there is a huge epidemic with many benzos and opiates.

Educating yourself and being honest with your doctor is key. I've battled more than a few addictions.

If anyone ever wants to talk feel free to PM me. I'm NOT a doctor but I might could help someone avoid some mistakes I made.

+1 about everything he said.

I'v done huge amount of mistakes with benzos, opiates, amphetamines and so on. I don't even remember much from half of my whole life, mostly thanks to very professionally abused RX. drugs from A to Z. It might not be so shocking information that I definetely think many RX drugs outweight nearly all illegal ones in all risk factors, from addiction to overdosing... That being said from a lot of personal experience with both. Like mentioned, I was aprox. 15 years strung out on mostly opiates and different benzodiazepines. I have now been clean for 3 years, but still in methadone program with other medication as well including clonazepam at 4 mg day, wich is just enough to keep my panic attacks under control, if I wouldn't need it I would stop taking it this second though, these days I try to live a healthy lifestyle ( I'm certainly not perfect with it, and propably never be, but I'm alive and decided to stay that way )
Enough being said about my life story...
There are huge differences between benzos like the two mentieoned; clonazepan and alprazolan (Xanax). Xanax is without any doubt the most potent benzo available, very very deceivingly addictive and pure hell with withdrawal. Clozepam is very different from it in many ways, though it's also very potent it i.e. doesn't give you any euphoria or drunk like effect, and withdrawal compared to alprazolam is really nothing, wich propably are reasons some consider it "mild". Choice between these two should be really obious, I would never ever encourage the use of alprazolam, it should be used only as a treatment to severe mental illnes, and then only as a last resort... I really don't understand why some docs still hand these out like candy, 10 years ago I get it, but now there is so much more information & studies done. Play with Xanax and you will get burned. You have been warned.

Btw. Drugs are not classified physically addictive by criteria that you can die from their withdrawal symptoms. The criteria for physical addiction is simply anykind of physical withdrawal symptom, life thretreaning or not, with possibility of overdosing on substance taken in consideration too...
And you can die from opiates (and many other) withdrawal symptoms, i.e. heart failure... I'v had my heart restarted few times in withdrawal and in rehab too. I have lost many friends, who have all died different drug caused deaths in past years, and I find your statement in post above very moranic, insulting and most importantly disinformative & dangerous.

If anyone needs information on these things or anything related somehow to drugs, feel free to PM me.
Just like Soultief said above, I am either not a doctor, but have learned a lot among the years. From my own mistakes, mistakes done by my friends who didn't make it longer then just their 20's, mistakes done by many doctors, and mistakes I persuaded others to do. So that's a lot of mistakes to learn from.



Sent from my GT-I9300 using EliteFitness

 

[Average Citizen]

Clonazepam and other benzos get a bad rap from people who abuse them. They do NOT make your muscles weaker. In fact they act as a muscle relaxer and can prevent cramps. This fear of addiction is also foolish IF you are taking them under a decent doctor's orders. You can easily get off them but you have to do it SLOWLY under a doctor's supervision. Quiting "cold turkey" (mostly people who were buying them off the street or doctor shopping to abuse them) can be dangerous. Benzos are the BEST anti-stress/anxiety drug available and help many, many people live productive normal lives. It will not mess up your work out as long as you aren't abusing it.

No offense to the guy who started this post but I think it is all in his head. I work out regularly, without issues (in fact I feel better during my work outs because I worry much less about cramping up) while taking 1mg three times a day (that is a very low dose by the way). The guy claiming that .50 mg at night was impacting his workouts is basically just dealing with psychosomatic issues.

Good luck to you all.

 

[Jorge Clooney]

I have found that my workouts have dramatically improved while taking Xanax. I can't seem to find a reason for this, as I initially expected to feel somewhat lethargic in the gym. My only guess is the constant anxiety and lack of sleep I used to live with is greatly diminished since using Xanax, which may have done a lot to wreak havoc on my body's immune system and recuperative abilities.

 

[ledhead]

+1 about everything he said.

I'v done huge amount of mistakes with benzos, opiates, amphetamines and so on. I don't even remember much from half of my whole life, mostly thanks to very professionally abused RX. drugs from A to Z. It might not be so shocking information that I definetely think many RX drugs outweight nearly all illegal ones in all risk factors, from addiction to overdosing... That being said from a lot of personal experience with both. Like mentioned, I was aprox. 15 years strung out on mostly opiates and different benzodiazepines. I have now been clean for 3 years, but still in methadone program with other medication as well including clonazepam at 4 mg day, wich is just enough to keep my panic attacks under control, if I wouldn't need it I would stop taking it this second though, these days I try to live a healthy lifestyle ( I'm certainly not perfect with it, and propably never be, but I'm alive and decided to stay that way )
Enough being said about my life story...
There are huge differences between benzos like the two mentieoned; clonazepan and alprazolan (Xanax). Xanax is without any doubt the most potent benzo available, very very deceivingly addictive and pure hell with withdrawal. Clozepam is very different from it in many ways, though it's also very potent it i.e. doesn't give you any euphoria or drunk like effect, and withdrawal compared to alprazolam is really nothing, wich propably are reasons some consider it "mild". Choice between these two should be really obious, I would never ever encourage the use of alprazolam, it should be used only as a treatment to severe mental illnes, and then only as a last resort... I really don't understand why some docs still hand these out like candy, 10 years ago I get it, but now there is so much more information & studies done. Play with Xanax and you will get burned. You have been warned.

Btw. Drugs are not classified physically addictive by criteria that you can die from their withdrawal symptoms. The criteria for physical addiction is simply anykind of physical withdrawal symptom, life thretreaning or not, with possibility of overdosing on substance taken in consideration too...
And you can die from opiates (and many other) withdrawal symptoms, i.e. heart failure... I'v had my heart restarted few times in withdrawal and in rehab too. I have lost many friends, who have all died different drug caused deaths in past years, and I find your statement in post above very moranic, insulting and most importantly disinformative & dangerous.

If anyone needs information on these things or anything related somehow to drugs, feel free to PM me.
Just like Soultief said above, I am either not a doctor, but have learned a lot among the years. From my own mistakes, mistakes done by my friends who didn't make it longer then just their 20's, mistakes done by many doctors, and mistakes I persuaded others to do. So that's a lot of mistakes to learn from.



Sent from my GT-I9300 using EliteFitness

Agreed. And I can't live without them...

 

[dremmanuelasare]

My advice is to speak with a physician who specializes in addiction so they can help you safely and more easily taper off (to ease the physical symptoms of long term use) and who can also deal with the potential psychological addiction that sometimes comes with use of these drugs. Some people are so convinced that they need the meds to fall asleep that, when they stop the meds, they experience even more trouble falling asleep than before they started taking the drug. Let us know how this works out for you. A doctor who specializes in addiction medicine could really help you out.

All the Best,

Dr. Asare
Gynecomastia New York | NYC - Long Island | Male Breast Liposuction, Surgery Cost