I started with Xanax (which helped a lot to remain sane) and then doctors switched to Klonopin. They always tell me to take it in the night. I found it makes me terrible next day if I take it in the night. All are benzos BTW.

So I took very small dosage (.125 mg) in morning and doesn't make me that sleepy and even gave me energy. I took it for my dizziness and heavy head. Got switched to Klonopin since it is longer lasting which affected my sleep, gave a metallic taste in my throat and woke up with sleep apnea every day in the morning.

Tried to quit, dizziness came with a vengeance. Then switched to Xanax and able to wean off and quit. Few months ago ended up in ER bcuz of dizziness, heart palpitation, pain etc., and gave me morphin which sure temporarily relieved all the symptoms. First time in my life came to realize how opium can give such a high instantaneously

I tried Elavil, CYMBALTA (worst medicine for me), Neurontin etc., and nothing worked for my main symptoms. For me quitting Elavil (10 mg) became a big challenge. Has many sleepless nights, nausea etc.,

Now when I feel out of it with dizziness, pain, fatigue, anxiety and symptoms can't really explain I take a little bit of Xanax. If I have symptoms and have to drive for a distance then also I take it which sure helps mainly with dizziness and anxiety. I am already on Verapamil and Trileptal which helps but some times nothing helps.

I can take a small dose and don't have to take for a week or 2 weeks. Going to ER or take Xanax - I chosen to take Xanax. I have 2 docs in family (one is a psychiatrist) and when I mention immediately the utter "Substance abuse". Then I explain why I take and now they all ok. What else they can say? Yes it can be highly addictive and you need more and more dosage (it works like alcohol on GABA in brain).

My experience and as we all know each one is different.