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I have been in Clonazepam 0.5mg TID for 18 years
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (233)Comment receiving replies
I’m so sorry for your pain. I’m coming out the other end of a very long taper off 1mg Clonazepam after over a decade. The taper was forced by a young psychiatrist when it was working very well for me, or so it seemed. It was one of the most hellish things I ever went through. I’ve not had this drug for 15 months and I am just beginning to feel somewhat normal. The taper was 10 months. Last year I had to retire prematurely because I could no longer do my job. Anxiety and insomnia were horrible. I was anti-social and lost friends. I was a shell of myself in so many ways. On the upside, I am clearer headed. I no longer have stupid falls, bumps and bruises. I sleep using Lunesta and manage anxiety with yoga and exercise. I miss it sometimes, but I would not take it again. It has a sinister side. A taper needs to be very slow and the recovery period for your nervous system can take years. But it’s possible.
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I got on 1 mg/day 15-20 years ago. Moved to a new state. Primary care doc said no more prescription unless from a shrink. Went through about 3 days of withdrawal, which was a nightmare, but got back on them and completely recovered. Fast forward 5+ years, and was told to get a urine test. It was negative, so they make the assumption you’re selling it. I said no way. Took the test again, and still showed negative. So they cut me off. Cold turkey. Had the shakes to varying degrees for 2-3 months. Quit my job rather than look into medical leave. Wasn’t thinking straight.
I found a paper from UCLA medical center that described a similar result for a long term user. I’m a chemist (or was) so I looked into the test. I was shocked to see that I wasn’t taking enough clonazepam to even register on this bogus test they’re having thousands of people do. Confronted the shrink with the result, and the research paper. They got me back on, but it’s been about 10 months, and I still have ringing in my ears, pressure in my had, and have more trouble putting sentences together.
Now I just read that my likelihood of Alzheimer’s is increased 50% if I continue with the med. I’m only 61, so it creates a dilemma for me. Have a slightly lousy twitchy life, or risk Alzheimer’s. I’m willing to bet that increasing the dosage will fix the symptoms, but is it worth it? Who knows? I’ll have to do some more research.
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The thing is I need to stay on the Clonazepam because as I taper I’m having symptoms that are not conducive to quality of life[.