Getting off Klonopin (clonazepam)

Posted by rucyrious @rucyrious, Jul 30, 2019

Would like information of others who have taken this medication. How long prescribed, how you got off this. Did you have side effects following. Any & all information is greatly appreciated.
Tysm!

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Profile picture for bigtom72 @bigtom72

Thanks For your reply. My Dr has been giving me .5 mg twice a day for the last 8-10 years. Went to Dr Yesterday for refills on clonapin for next month. He said he won't refill this anymore. Just like that. So I asked for 1 months worth till I can figure something out. He told me to go to another type of Dr. I have 5 Left. I know the withdrawal on this type of medication. Been through it. So now I have to take 2.5 mg a day I guess and spread it out over 10 12 days. It can't be done, I'm 72. BIG TOM

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Was it the same physician who has had you on klonopin all these years? If so, interesting that he decided to stop all at once?? Something obviously influenced this decision but he should also realize you need to be weaned off rather than just stopped? He's either run into an issue with someone over this med. or something else is up for him to change his stance so abruptly with no explanation? And no weaning schedule? Wishing you the best.

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Profile picture for arthur57 @arthur57

Was it the same physician who has had you on klonopin all these years? If so, interesting that he decided to stop all at once?? Something obviously influenced this decision but he should also realize you need to be weaned off rather than just stopped? He's either run into an issue with someone over this med. or something else is up for him to change his stance so abruptly with no explanation? And no weaning schedule? Wishing you the best.

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At the last minute I called the pharmacy this morning and he filled one more month. Time to look for another Dr and try to use the months worth to ween off. I agree totally with you.

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Profile picture for bigtom72 @bigtom72

At the last minute I called the pharmacy this morning and he filled one more month. Time to look for another Dr and try to use the months worth to ween off. I agree totally with you.

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Glad to hear you received an additional month. Hopefully you can find a doctor who understands how this med works and weaning schedule etc. Unfortunately you will more than likely need more refills from new doc in order to wean over extended months I suspect. I can tell you I stopped cold turkey after only 7 months and I had 3 ongoing withdrawal symptoms, one of which still exists after 11 months. But I was having issues after only being on drug for month or so and should have stopped after that brief stint. Doctor told me my symptoms weren't related to klonopin so realized later he was an idiot who didn't understand the med at all. Unfortunately most older docs don't. Younger ones seem to get it, just fyi!

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Profile picture for annako @annako

Hi everybody
I just joined this forum and I am very grateful.
I was on Klonopin 0.5 mg for about 10 yrs. My family doctor prescribed it because I had experienced multiple losses one by one and had anxiety issues.
Long story short- my family doctor retired and new doctor on our first visit told me - no more Klonopin and to stop it in 2 weeks. She prescribed Wellbutrin,which I don’t want to take.
I took a month to tapper it down and stopped a week ago. Having hard time with withdrawal symptoms.
My question is about LTheanine Serene Supplement.
It was recommended to me by grief counselor some time ago.
I know I will need help with my anxiety.

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Reading all this…my nephew has anxiety and sleep issues. His sleep therapist is having him do genetic testing ti determine the best meds for him.

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Profile picture for bigtom72 @bigtom72

At the last minute I called the pharmacy this morning and he filled one more month. Time to look for another Dr and try to use the months worth to ween off. I agree totally with you.

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It's inexcusable for a prescriber to cut someone abruptly off Clonazepam, or any number of other medications. Withdrawal is horrible. I tapered off it last fall, but I started several months before. The tablets can be cut as small as you're able, and then you can reduce the dosage in small increments.

Another consideration is to start a different medication as you titrate. I think that helped me stop after the last .5mg. To avoid withdrawal, it's important to titrate slowly, as much as your body permits. That can mean a couple of weeks (or more) at each dosage. Everyone is different, so no one can tell you exactly how long it will take. But, stopping cold could even put you in the hospital. You might speak with the pharmacist about something you could take as a transition while you titrate off the benzo that would help with the withdrawal.

Jim

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Profile picture for bigtom72 @bigtom72

At the last minute I called the pharmacy this morning and he filled one more month. Time to look for another Dr and try to use the months worth to ween off. I agree totally with you.

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What is the standard protocol for tapering off klonopin. I have been on 0.5 three times a day for 4 months.
Thanks.

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Profile picture for kawanhee @kawanhee

Reading all this…my nephew has anxiety and sleep issues. His sleep therapist is having him do genetic testing ti determine the best meds for him.

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As long as they don't use any of the pam's so to speak. Diazapam, clonazapam. zanax, They all when taken for a while are a sob to go off. Been there years ago.

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Profile picture for maureenanne @maureenanne

I have taken L theanine 200mg for well over a year, also for anxiety. It really does help and I've had no negative side effects. It works gradually, not like a benzo...and you need to take it every day to keep it in your system. I take mine now at night with 2mg melatonin for sleep, but have taken it during the day as well and it won't make you groggy. Best of luck to you, dealing with anxiety is awful!

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I’m trying to slowly taper myself off Klonopin….its a struggle….question…can I take L-theanine while taking Klonopin to help with withdrawal?

Thanks

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Profile picture for jmonastero58 @jmonastero58

I’m trying to slowly taper myself off Klonopin….its a struggle….question…can I take L-theanine while taking Klonopin to help with withdrawal?

Thanks

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I think you need to ask your physician or a pharmacist that question?? Best to you!

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Profile picture for annako @annako

Hi everybody
I just joined this forum and I am very grateful.
I was on Klonopin 0.5 mg for about 10 yrs. My family doctor prescribed it because I had experienced multiple losses one by one and had anxiety issues.
Long story short- my family doctor retired and new doctor on our first visit told me - no more Klonopin and to stop it in 2 weeks. She prescribed Wellbutrin,which I don’t want to take.
I took a month to tapper it down and stopped a week ago. Having hard time with withdrawal symptoms.
My question is about LTheanine Serene Supplement.
It was recommended to me by grief counselor some time ago.
I know I will need help with my anxiety.

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My brother was on K for 8 years and had a very, very difficult time weaning off of it. It was a tough journey, but he eventually succeeded. Of course, he was under the care of his physician. I mention this to let you know it is possible. Good luck.

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