Clonazopam. Any experiences with this drug?

MONIQUE - posted on 11/28/2010

My son is 15 months and has been taking clonazopam for about 7 months now it's hard to tell if any side effects. I'm wondering if anyones child has infantile spasms? My son has infantile spasms, absence seizures, tonic clonic seizures, & partial seizures. I just wanna know others experience and what's helped. My son has tried ACTH, topomax, vigabritin, and is currently taking zonegram, lamictal, clonazopam, B6, Ketogenic diet, and prevacid for his stomach and vitamins. And still getting alot of seizures.

Melissa - posted on 11/28/2010

With Lamectol, our son had break-through seizures continually. A little over 1 week ago, Keppra was added and the adderal he takes for aggression is lowering. He is more hyper, sleeps less, happy and laughing all the time and now awakens at 2am instead of 3am. No grand-mal seizures yet, so who knows? Too early to tell.

Beth - posted on 11/26/2010

OK! Good Luck! I will be praying for you and your child!

Trudy - posted on 11/26/2010

Beth - They have turned it up a few times and have increased the interval. However, there is still a lot of room to increase the current at this point. We will be going back to the doctor in December and hope to have it increased again at that point. They do it very slowly over time because they don't want to cause any harm to the Vagus nerve which is why they tell you that it can take up to 2 years to see the full benefit from the VNS device. We have seen some of his seizures decrease in intensity, but they are still very frequent and will still occasionally have a prolonged seizures (upwards of 40 minutes). So, we are hoping to eventually see some success as they make adjustments over time.

Beth - posted on 11/26/2010

Trudy, Have they tried turning it up! Sometimes this is what needs to be done. Also making it send the signal more often. They usually have it set for every 5 min., but they can set it for 1-3 min. Ask them about that!

Trudy - posted on 11/26/2010

I am glad that Lamictal has worked so well for you. My son is non-verbal and autistic so he really isn't able to communicate if he has an aura. We are still at the early stages with the VNS (it was just implanted in May). We are really hoping that it will provide some relief from his seizures, but he still has them quite frequently. Thanks.

Beth - posted on 11/26/2010

I had the VNS placed in me also! It is now removed though! The reason being is I have also had two brain surgeries. I went fo over a year with no signs of seizures. Then my mother became ill. I had to travel back and forth to care for her and care for my family. My seizures came back. Lamictal was the last medication I took while on the VNS. When my seizures returned I started taking it again and have them under control again! LOL! Not all medications work the same for one as they do another, but after all that I have been on, which has been about 12 different ones, Lamictal is the only one I trust!. Does your son or you know his Auras (warnings)? They normally do not place the VNS in someone who has not recognized their warnings. This is why I ask! I am going to college right now working on my degree in Bachelors of Health Science. I decided to get my degree after my second surgery. My interests are neurology, psychology, and Child Health and fitness.

Thanks, ): o ) Beth

Trudy - posted on 11/26/2010

I wish it was as simple as giving everyone Lamictal, but its not that simple at all. My son has been on Lamictal for years, with no effect to his benefit. That is why we have continued to add on other medications and have now surgically implanted the VNS device. I would just be carefull in giving advice to someone simply based off of your own experiences. Everyone's body reacts differently to different medications. As an example, my older son also has seizures and is very well-controlled on Lamictal, but it just doesn't have the same effect on my younger son. Needless to say if your child is experiences any negative side effects, I would definitely discuss with your doctor. And if you don't agree with your doctor, don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

Beth - posted on 11/24/2010

Trudy the problem with the medications not working might be the Keppra! I wish this medication never existed. It did not help me at all. When taking Keppra, I also had to take three other prescriptions; Depakote, carbamezipine, Lorazepam, and prosac. Once I was taken off of those and prescribed Lamictal, the only other prescription I had to have to take is Lorazepam. The Lorazepam is for my depression and the lamictal is for my seizures. I have been doing good eversince. Of course your child should not be taking lorazepam, but prozac and zoloft are safe.
Thanks, ): o ) Beth

Janet - posted on 11/24/2010

That is definatly not a desirable effect from a medication. Talk to your doctor and try something else. Children trust that we mothers will take care of them and we must trust our instincs when it comes to what is best for our children. Janet

Beth - posted on 11/24/2010

Whoops! Yes, She does have seizures I passed that up! email me anyway!

Beth - posted on 11/24/2010

Angela, Does your daughter have seizures? All three of the medications you have named are related to seizures. If so, Lamictal is the best. I am taking Lamictal and Knock on wood, I have not had a seizure in the last 2 months. Yes, I have had experience with clonazepam. It is a safe medication, but does not always do it job. Another thing I want to say is these three medications are also related to depression. If your daughter has seizures, she is most likely going through depression. This may mean that she needs to be on two medications. Of course, the lowest dosage. Email me at bethbarthell@yahoo.com and I can maybe help. I have also done a lot of study on Medication, but without truly knowing the condition your daughter is suffering I can not give real advice.
Thanks, ): o ) Beth

Trudy - posted on 11/24/2010

My son is on Klonopin as well as Lamictal, Topomax and Keppra. He has been on Klonopin for several years now and has hadn't that kind of side effect although it does make him very drowsy. He is almost 7 and still has to take a nap almost every day. He also has autism and is non-verbal. I would definitely call and discuss with your doctor. Moms know their children the best, and if this is a new behavior, it very well could be due to the medicine (or combination of). Good luck!

Beth - posted on 11/07/2010

The only medication I will take and have tried many of them, for seizures is Lamictal. The others effect us in so many ways. Ask the Neurologist to put her on Lamictal. Seizure medication is also used for depression, so the answer is YES! it can be the medicine. LOL ): o ) Beth

Melissa - posted on 11/07/2010

Hi, how painful this must be for you. I would sob too. Clonazipam has done great things for my son who takes it along with lamectrol, adderal and risperadol but ONLY on an as-needed basis, such as when his seizures last longer or he is up way into the night. The dark thoughts have to have come from somewhere else (in my opinion). My daughter did a lot of that during her childhood and teens and doesn't have a dx of epilepsy. My opinion is that she is picking up on what people are saying and seeing the attention it gets, as my daughter did. It isn't her fault, but intervene! Face her head-on with these things that she is saying and be on the "same page" with her doctor and her teacher and any other adult influences (such as grandparents). She sounds as if she is terrified of the seizures. Intervene with helpful, strong, positive things. Make sure that she sees that any positive attention she gets is for the good things she says and does and try not to re-enforce any of the negative to her face, just discuss them with doctors and the others I mentioned. Well, consider it. Much luck to you. Melissa

Tajunanne - posted on 07/24/2010

maybe my son is taking the wrong clonazepam(klonopin) because it has never made him sleep and i wish it would so the rest of my family could rest. he's only been on it 10 years and no side affect like some of the other meds

Jo - posted on 07/10/2010

Our son has been on clonazepam and it did make him quite drowsy, it was like you could sit him down and he would sit and stare off into space. I dont know about dark thoughts and depression as he has severe developemental delay as well.
But since him not having it anymore he understands us, starting to move more, looks for us etc.
We only use this now when he starts having clusters of seizures as it tends to stop them.

Jennifer - posted on 07/08/2010

my daughter was on it, she was unable to talk though. it may be that she is seeing, hearing, things i would definetly talk with her dr.!

Michelle - posted on 06/30/2010

I would definitely call my doc right away about this. You can't be too careful. My daughter was on this drug. She used it over a year ago for a sleep aid. When she started having seizures, after weaning off of it, the doctors said it that there were much better medicines for children to take and non would put her back on it for her seizures, even though she never had one on it.
Then about a month or two ago she got put on it for periodic limb movement. She had one seizure the night she started it and she seemed to appear drunk acting after taking it. The doctor took her off and her seizures were worse during the wean. Her neuro won't ever put her back on it because of the risk of dependency and her hard time weaning off of the drug.
But, everyone is different. This might just be the right drug for your child. I have just heard that is is very addicting and hard to come off of and apparently that is true in my daughters case. It doesn't mean it will be for you though. Good luck.
Michelle

Anne - posted on 06/27/2010

My son has been on clonazopam for years now and has never had any issues with it. He only gets it at night though because of its drowsy effect. He was just diagnosed epileptic this past week and will be starting trileptal, I will keep my eyes open for any intereaction. Thanks for sharing.

Jennifer - posted on 06/25/2010

Call your child's doctor!! Tell them about this symptom. I don't know that its the Clonazepam causing it, but it might be, or it might be the combination of drugs. But I'm not a doctor. If your child ever has bad side affects, you should call the doctor right away.

My daughter has used Clonazepam for years, worst side affect being that it makes her drowsy. It is a drug in the same family with Valium. She's on a pretty low dose, and can't communicate verbally, but her disposition is always pretty happy and easy going.

Nicole - posted on 06/25/2010

My stepchild is on liquid keppra, dilantin and clonazpam. We don't give him the cloazpam in large doses cause it causes drowziness and he seems pretty out of it. Are you able to play with the dosage on her meds! My doc has allowed us to play with dosage but my steson doesn't talk and he has daily seizure activity! Ever heard of the vagal nerve simulator?