Lorazepam withdrawal and sudden increase in arthritis

Posted by susanh824 @susanh824, Aug 21 7:06am

I've been withdrawing from Lorazepam with help from a doctor. Started at 2 mg per day, now down to 1.25 mg. I've been doing well, with only a bit of insomnia. Then, a few weeks ago, I started waking up with a lot of pain and stiffness in my fingers. It bothers me most in the morning, but does last all day. Could this be a weird side effect of benzo withdrawal?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

con123 | @con123 | Aug 22 7:00am

Did you happen to start any other drug during your taper? I was given statins 5 months before I started my klonopin taper and was already having some aches in my back and hips. It got steadily worse and then moved to my hands, elbow, knees over the next 18 months. The withdrawals I attributed to klonopin were terrible insomnia and anxiety, and an increase in my symptoms of laryngeal dystonia, but always thought the aches were statin related. My cardiologist is finally giving me a statin break. I am feeling better physically and I got Lunesta for sleep. Totally off klonopin since last October.

susanh824 | @susanh824 | Aug 22 11:46am

No, there weren't any other drug changes, so the mystery remains. Glad you are doing better.

kell504 | @kell504 | Oct 19 1:05pm

After reading your post, I wanted to ask if you were taking an extended release of any sort?
For almost 10 years I suffered from severe knee and lower back pain. Sought treatment from bone and joint doctor’s at the age of 45. They told me I had arthritis and bone spurs. Said I would need knee replacement but to try to hold off until age 55.

Four years ago (around age 50) I noticed my knees and back no longer hurt. Didn’t understand how until last year, during the nationwide shortage of Adderall. My doctor changed my RX to an “extended release” that was available. Immediately my knees and back started hurting again. I called the pharmacist to ask if they knew why. I was told that “any” extended release medication can cause these symptoms. I was shocked!
Looking back to the 10 years of pain…I realized during that time I was taking Ritalin LA, an extended release for ADD.
Thankfully I called the pharmacist as I am 54 now and know to avoid all extended release formulas…
I hope this info helps someone out there living with joint pain that may not be arthritis.

conniev22 | @conniev22 | Nov 3 2:04pm

I have these same issues with clonazepam. I hope things get better for you.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Nov 4 10:36am

In reply to @conniev22 "I have these same issues with clonazepam. I hope things get better for you." + (show)

Hi, @conniev22 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Are you having joint pain from the clonazepam? If so, have you found anything that improves it?

con123 | @con123 | Nov 4 1:29pm

In reply to @susanh824 "No, there weren't any other drug changes, so the mystery remains. Glad you are doing better." + (show)

Hey - I just wanted to check back in with you - a full year off klonopin and I survived!! Also 2 months on my statin break and I feel so good - all my aches and pains and muscle weakness subsided to just occasional twinge here and there and some low back tightness. Just had a lipid test today and praying it is not so high I need treatment again. Your question had me wondering if the klonopin taper may have made the muscle issues from statins much worse. Perfect storm? I don't know. I am pretty happy with Lunesta for insomnia, but sometimes I miss the benzo for sleep as it was a long, deep sleep. But, not going back there. Good luck - hope you are doing well as I found the very end of my taper was the worst part.