When Ever I Take My Klonopin My Chest Gets Tight and Get Out of Breath Easy
What is Clonazepam?
Clonazepam, commonly known by its brand name Klonopin, is a prescription medication commonly used for its anti-anxiety and anti-convulsant benefits.
How Worried Should We Be About Benzos?
This medication is part of a larger group of substances called benzodiazepines. This group includes substances like:
- Alprazolam (Xanax).
- Lorazepam (Ativan).
- Diazepam (Valium).
- Temazepam (Restoril).
These substances all share similar chemical properties and effects with the major difference being the speed of action and total time that the positive effects last. Some of these can affect the user for up to 24 hours.
All benzodiazepines have depressant effects that result in a net slowing of various physical and mental processes. In some situations, benzodiazepines are prescribed for their sedative-hypnotic effects, for their muscle relaxing benefits, and to manage the precarious withdrawal from substances like alcohol.
Because of its desirable anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety effects, this drug is prescribed as a pharmaceutical treatment for anxiety disorders—including panic attacks, agoraphobia and others. Despite its benefits, caution must be taken when using clonazepam. Even if the medication is taken as prescribed, both dependency and addiction may easily develop.
Clonazepam abuse becomes an issue in those taking this drug for a long period of time, in higher than recommended doses, or those that use the medication for reasons other than those prescribed.
Short Term Effects of Clonazepam
"Even those taking clonazepam with a legitimate prescription can experience tolerance, dependency and, eventually, find themselves struggling with an addiction."
In the short term, clonazepam can have several positive therapeutic effects. The drug works by interacting with GABA receptors in the brain. This inhibitory neurotransmitter serves to slows brain activity. This is helpful since many theorize that anxiety may be caused by an overabundance of brain activity. The common short-term effects of this clonazepam:
- Relaxation of the mind and reduction of anxiety. People with sped-up or racing thoughts will report slowed thinking and increased feelings of calm. Worries that were previously problematic will have less of a detrimental impact.
- Relaxation of the body. With the mind being slowed, the physical symptoms of anxiety will be reduced as well. People with anxiety commonly feel tense, restless, or agitated. Clonazepam has the effect of calming the body and relieving these physical symptoms when used appropriately. Some report feeling very relaxed and heavy while using the substance.
- Mild euphoria. Many users initially feel a mild sense of euphoria when taking clonazepam. Although users may not intend to get high on this medication, the sensation can be extremely pleasurable and rewarding—leading to continued use of the drug and eventually addiction.
- Drowsiness. Since clonazepam acts to relax you, it can cause drowsiness. Many users are unable to drive safely while on clonazepam, especially at the beginning of prescribed treatment.
It's important to understand that even those taking clonazepam with a legitimate prescription may develop tolerance to the drug effects. This can result in individuals taking more and more of the drug, leading soon to chemical dependency. Compulsive drug-seeking and using behavior maybe next and may signal the presence of a substance use disorder. Use should be closely monitored by a doctor to help prevent this dangerous sequence of events from occurring.
Side Effects of Clonazepam
Clonazepam can cause dangerous central nervous system depression, leading to markedly impaired alertness and slowed bodily functions, especially when taken recreationally or in doses higher than recommended.
There are a number of side effects of clonazepam, especially if you take it for a long period of time or at high doses. You may experience:
- Vertigo or dizziness.
- Syncope or fainting.
- Heaviness or numbness of the extremities.
- Impaired cognition.
- Failure to form new memories.
- Confusion.
- Reduced judgment and slowed reaction time.*
- Reduced sex drive.
In addition, clonazepam is reported to increase suicidal ideation, or suicidal thoughts in some people taking the drug. If you feel depressed, restless or suicidal soon after starting clonazepam, you should immediately alert your doctor.
*It is important not to drive or operate machinery due to these effects, as you could significantly endanger yourself and others.
Effects of Clonazepam Overdose
Taking a higher dosage than prescribed, more frequently than prescribed, or taking a substance that is prescribed to someone else is an ill-advised, dangerous course of action that can lead to overdose. Because of the substance's depressant effects, many of the symptoms involve slowed bodily functions.
Effects of benzodiazepine overdose can include:
- Slurred speech.
- Loss of muscular coordination.
- Delirium or profound confusion.
- Respiratory depression.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Coma.
As mentioned, using other drugs and/or alcohol in combination with a benzodiazepine like clonazepam can greatly increase the intensity of symptoms and compound the risk of overdose.
Long-Term Effects of Clonazepam
Clonazepam is not generally recommended for long-term use because it is known to be a habit-forming substance. Over time, the patient's body tends to build a tolerance to clonazepam. This means that the body adapts to the presence of clonazepam in its system, and the patient's usual dose of clonazepam ceases to be as effective.
Users who have developed a tolerance may need to take higher or more frequent doses of clonazepam to get the relaxation and anti-anxiety effects they were getting when they originally began taking it.
Once someone builds a tolerance to clonazepam, it is likely that a physiologic dependency has also arisen. If doses aren't increased, or if an individual stops taking the drug suddenly, they will at heightened risk of experiencing a resurgence of the symptoms they were treating with the medication—symptoms like anxiety, panic, insomnia and other effects may rebound.
Clonazepam Dependency
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As mentioned, in parallel with the phenomenon of tolerance, patients often experience physical dependence to clonazepam. The body begins to essentially require the drug for normal function. Patients who do not continue to take clonazepam may grow violently ill as they experience the onset of a debilitating benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Shakiness, shortness of breath, nausea and other physical effects may occur along with psychological effects such as mood swings, increased anxiety, agitation, and depression if a person abruptly stops taking clonazepam. Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepines is never recommended, as seizure and convulsion may be the result—placing one's life in peril.
Rebound Symptoms
When someone stops taking clonazepam they will experience a rebound effect. This means that the problems that the medication is designed to treat will present with great intensity and duration. If someone is using the medication to manage anxiety, anxious symptoms will reappear with increased worry, agitation, and nervousness.
Clonazepam Withdrawal Treatment
Supervised Detox
Sudden withdrawal from clonazepam can be potentially life threatening due to the unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Medically supervised detox takes this into account. Sudden cessation of long-term clonazepam use can lead to marked agitation, neural excitation, and withdrawal seizure activity, so medical supervision is essential for someone looking to cease use of this drug.
Usually, patients go to a detox center for a period of time to gradually withdraw from the drug in a safe environment. Doctors at the detox center may give patients other medications or treatments to help with the uncomfortable physical effects of withdrawal from this drug. Medical supervision may also help manage psychological symptoms such as mood swings, hallucinations, and depression.
Addiction Treatment
After detox is complete, patients may transition to a residential program or inpatient rehab center for further treatment. Rehab is usually focused on the psychological reasons for addiction and planning ways to live a happier life without use of the substance. Patients may receive individual and group therapy sessions as well become active participants in support group sessions, benefiting from the camaraderie and encouragement of others working through similar recovery issues. Patients live at the rehab facility with other people who are learning how to live without addictive substances. Rehab may last anywhere from 30 days to one year, depending on a number of factors including severity of the addiction, progress in treatment, and outside supports.
Recovering addicts who have attended an inpatient rehab program often benefit from an outpatient program after inpatient program completion. Outpatient programs allow the patient to return home and resume his or her normal activities while continuing to get treatment that could be daily, weekly, or less frequently (based on their stage in recovery). Outpatient programs are also options for those who are unable to attend an inpatient facility due to cost or other obligations.
Rather than moving to an outpatient setting after rehab, some patients may choose to live in a sober living facility or halfway house upon completing treatment. These homes give patients some freedom. Patients usually have to work during the day and be home by a certain hour at night. They also have to follow house rules and submit to random drug testing to prove they are clean.
If you or someone you love is addicted to clonazepam, seek out the needed help. It is possible to get off clonazepam and live a productive and happy life without the drug.
Source: https://drugabuse.com/benzodiazepines/klonopin/effects-of-clonazepam-use/
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