Klonopin Use

I agree. Thank you!

No. I was in tolerance withdrawal for years. I knew something was wrong, I just couldn’t get my psychiatrist to acknowledge it. Only when I became agoraphobic did he acknowledge what was going on and then promptly abandoned me.

No. I was in all likelihood dependent after my first dose. I was severely addicted and couldn’t live without my Xanax.

I have taken the same dose for 35 years and never had to increase my dosage. I guess I am one of the lucky ones.
It is just part of meds to keep my depression and anxiety in check.
Taking it to get high would never cross my mind.
I did all sorts of activities like skiing and hiking with my 42 year old son when I was younger. Even some fourteeners but these days I just walk outside or use an elyptical machine at my gym.
At 73 I don’t have any balance or memory issues.
Good luck to all.

I never increased my dose in 25 years. Never took it to get “high”, only to manage my anxiety.

Nice to know I am not the only one out there.
I think physicians should not have a one size fits all mentality when it comes to their patients. If someone is abusing Klonopin that is one thing but taking the same dosage for 35 years should not cause them to not fill a prescription.
I think the Opioid epidemic has caused physicians to overreact and some people who truly need opioids for a short period of time should not suffer because others use them to get high.
Just my opinion.
Thanks for the post.

Many people do need to increase the dose. This is not to get high. It is to have any effect on whatever they were taking it for. (Klonopin is used for many neurological issues and as a muscle relaxant as well as for anxiety).

If anyone has trouble getting off a med, or reducing a med, they are physically dependent.

Dependence is a scary situation in a climate where physicians are so reluctant to prescribe.

I use 30 of the 0.5mg pills in 9-12 months and at that level, my neuro continues to prescribe. I use it very sparingly because if I needed more, I don't think I could get it- and I would have to deal with withdrawal.

Thank you for this post. I too was on Xanax (around 4-5 mg a day) and almost 17 years . I finally started tapering last year and got to 1.5 mg at 6 months then switched to Valium 15 mg a day.currently on 1.5 mg Valium after about 5 months..I had to stop tapering now as I think I went too fast and started having anxiety and insomnia..I’m hoping if I taper extremely slow this last 1.5 mg dose I’ll be ok and not have many symptoms..maybe take another 6 months or so to do it..like a small decrease every 2-4 weeks… any advice ?

You’ve done a great job reducing your dose. Yes, I’d go very slowly at this last phase.

Sounds to me like you’re on track here for someone that took Xanax at a high dose for 17 years. I did the same thing as you’re doing and paused my taper at times. I was in the thick of my taper all during the pandemic UGH! My sister passed away, my dog died, my son’s house burnt down, just to mention a few. The worst things happened while I was tapering! I have an extremely understanding doctor who was all on board and very patiently allowed me to taper completely down to a minute .1 mg of liquid Valium over about a five year period. The dropper lets you draw up tiny amounts of the liquid. It may sound ridiculous but this was absolutely the way I had to taper. I could not have gone any faster. My only advice, as you seem to be doing well, is to taper at your own pace, never go up in dose, and do whatever you need to do to stay as calm as possible. This worked for me, took a long time, but when all was said and done I’ve gotten this monkey off my back for which I’m eternally grateful. BTW I’m 72 years old. One more thing. I found taking Propanolol, a beta blocker, in a really low dose extremely helpful in the last few years of my taper. It was a Godsend. Please let me know how you’re doing. You can message me or let me know here. God Bless, you’re going to be okay, I promise.