clonazepam
 

I friend of mine offered me a clonazepam when I was complaining about sleep. Every few days I have taken a half before bed. I have noticed a substantial change in how I feel physically and mentally... I feel much better. and even got some sleep. The dyskenesias that are just starting for me have subsided quite a bit.

clonazepam is said to make the body produce dopamine, interesting, teach a man to fish. It is contraindicated for sinemet, but only because it "may" enhance PD medications. Enhance sounds good to me.

Anyway, thought I would share. Any of you ever try clonazepam?

Robert

hey Robert - I took clonazepam for anxiety, but it made me TOO sleepy - it definitely would work as a sleep aid, but I can get to sleep without it, and I decided to deal with the anxiety in other ways so I could stay awake!

I don't know if it's the extra sleep, but I actually feel physically more relaxed.

Maybe I should try it again and use it once just before bed - and not with another dose during the day.

I understand that it has muscle relaxent properties. I take it for sleep too, and sometime for anxiety. I'read that it can be addictive at high doeses, but, give, the other meds I'm "addicted" to (Sinemet, primarily)I'm not concerned about that possibility. Sleep is so important.

Tread lightly
 

Robert,

The reason you feel so good is because it is powerful enought to help prevent seizures; it is not too far off taking Valium. It works on our GABA receptors, that I know of. It, then may potentially exacerbate certain PD symptoms, that researchers suggest are linked to GABA like gait. If you don't have that symptom, then it might be okay, I would ask a doctor to be sure.

If you have a lot of anxiety, taking a Klonopin will melt it away. Just be careful, it is very highly addictive even just at a few weeks. Tapering down off it is even hell, let alone going cold turkey.The reason you seem to sleep so soundly is because clonazapam suppresses REM sleep, so you will begin to notice that you don't recall any dreams. From what I have read, it stimulates dopamine only in the reward or pleauser center of our brains. This is why you get that rush of well-being.

Here is a really great site on your brain on drugs at McGill University.

Hate to rain on anyone's parade, but when you see a site dedicated to benzodiazepine dependency and withdrawal on the Internet, well, it makes you wonder. Just sayin'...

Dopamine is actually reduced?
 

I have been finding that it may reduce dopamine...

Benzodiazepines, barbiturates and alcohol all act on GABA, and chronic use down-regulates and modify the GABA receptors, which in turn causes dependence. With continued use of Benzodiazepines, the calming effect of GABA is diminished while the excitatory neurotransmitter Glutamate, is increased. Glutamate is always an excitatory neurotransmitter, and GABA is what counters this action. As GABA is initially enhanced by Benzodiazepines, the brain’s output of excitatory neurotransmitters, including Norepinephrine (noradrenalin), Serotonin, Acetyl Choline and Dopamine are reduced. These neurotransmitters are necessary for alertness, muscle tone, coordination, memory, emotional responses, endocrine gland hormones, heart rate, blood pressure control and other functions. As a result, all these may be impaired by Benzodiazepines.

Point of No Return website (for info above)

I took clonazepam for about a while for sleep..All it did for me was help me sleep..Did nothing for depression/anxiety

Valium on the other hand does nothing for sleep, but does address depression/anxiety, as well as taking the edge off of my off period at night

I take generic Ambien for sleep now

The problem I had with using clonazepam for sleep was, that after a period of time it didnt work unless I took more of it..something I was not willing to do, because Benzo addictions cause a big time problem when you have to wean off..Getting off of Benzos cold turkey can be fatal..I was sick for two days when I stopped taking it, because I figured I could just stop taking them, because I was on such a small dose..I had to taper off slowly

I have taken clonazapam for quite some time. I have no problems going to sleep, but I was having wild dreams, and I was acting out those dreams (kicking, throwing punches, yelling, etc.) After clonazapam I was able to sleep with my spouse without worrying about causing bodily harm to her. It has had a calming effect on my dreams.

I take clonazepam .10mg before I go to bed. Sleep like a rock all night. I don't think I would ever take it in the a.m. or any other time of the day due to serious sleepiness effect. Also helps with my RLS, which is why I was RXd it to begin with.