What is the best way to taper off Klonopin?

As I began tapering down my benzodiazapines, which I had been on for the better part of the past forty-plus years, the primary care physician I'd had advised me to switch from Xanax to Klonopin because due to the longer half-life, the withdrawal would be easier for me to handle. Over a one year period I went from taking 1 to 2mg/day Xanax (my pill doctor refused to change my med's) to about 0.5/day. I was certainly progressing. Then I relocated (couldn't afford living in CA) and wasn't able find a doctor who would prescribe benzodiazapines. I ran out at the beginning of the year and am not coping well. I feel anxious and agitated, and I have horrible insomnia. I'm a Vietnam veteran whose neurological problems have gotten debilitating. Playing sports and being quite active had kept me grounded, but now I simple get out and walk as much as possible using a cane or sometimes a walker. The VA says my condition is unrelated to either Agent Orange exposure or from toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune, so there's nothing they can do and don't have any useful resources especially with what's been happening to them recently. I'm no longer able to drive, live in a town without mass transport, and I'd probably veg out in front TV, but I've never owned one and don't wish to have one in my home. I used to love to read, but now I can't seem to concentrate or stay focused. I know I have much to be grateful for, but these past several months have been some of the toughest times I've ever had to face. And I was a person who lived most of his life on survival mode having left home at fourteen to escape regular physical and emotional beatings. I feel empty right now and wish I could just pop a little pill to lift the weight off my chest. I'm sure there's a light at the end of the tunnel. How long does withdrawal last.

Wow! I am so sorry to hear that you have to go through all of that needless pain and trauma. What I mean by needless is with medication you could be functioning. You need to find a neurologist. On my very first visit he ask me why I wanted off of them and I told him my previous family Dr did not want to prescribe them anymore. So it was my decision to either try another route,Gabapentin, or go back on klonopin after I had weaned myself down to 1/2 of a .05. So when I tried the klonopin with my other sleep aid I took before it kept me wake. So now I take klonopin with Gabapentin. It works well for me. I feel normal, finally! As far as withdrawals, everyone is different but expect it to last for 6months to a year. I will keep you in my prayers 🙏. I'm so very sorry that you are suffering 😢

To the question of tapering off Klonopin - in one word, "slowly". It can take a year, cutting back each month by 1/8mg.

Another question is "Why?" If Klonopin was doing its intended job, why stop taking it? That's a question every individual has to answer for themselves. There are good reasons for stopping, and there may be unwise decisions, as well. Just saying.

Jim
Ps. I've been taking 1mg bid for 20 years. I stopped for a short time because it was interfering with my ability to get needed pain medication. Because of RLS, my surgeon, working on my Achilles tendons, wanted me to resume taking it so RLS didn't cause complications.

As I began tapering down my benzodiazapines, which I had been on for the better part of the past forty-plus years, the primary care physician I'd had advised me to switch from Xanax to Klonopin because due to the longer half-life, the withdrawal would be easier for me to handle. Over a one year period I went from taking 1 to 2mg/day Xanax (my pill doctor refused to change my med's) to about 0.5/day. I was certainly progressing. Then I relocated (couldn't afford living in CA) and wasn't able find a doctor who would prescribe benzodiazapines. I ran out at the beginning of the year and am not coping well. I feel anxious and agitated, and I have horrible insomnia. I'm a Vietnam veteran whose neurological problems have gotten debilitating. Playing sports and being quite active had kept me grounded, but now I simple get out and walk as much as possible using a cane or sometimes a walker. The VA says my condition is unrelated to either Agent Orange exposure or from toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune, so there's nothing they can do and don't have any useful resources especially with what's been happening to them recently. I'm no longer able to drive, live in a town without mass transport, and I'd probably veg out in front TV, but I've never owned one and don't wish to have one in my home. I used to love to read, but now I can't seem to concentrate or stay focused. I know I have much to be grateful for, but these past several months have been some of the toughest times I've ever had to face. And I was a person who lived most of his life on survival mode having left home at fourteen to escape regular physical and emotional beatings. I feel empty right now and wish I could just pop a little pill to lift the weight off my chest. I'm sure there's a light at the end of the tunnel. How long does withdrawal last.

It’s getting more and more difficult to get a long term benzo prescription. Once someone’s long time provider dies or retires it can become almost impossible to get a script for more than a few weeks. No they don’t care that you’ve been on them forever, benzos are the only thing that works, you’re a Vet, you’re old etc. Benzos are going away long term just like opioids. The younger doctors are just not going to prescribe since the DEA got involved.

I have also been on Klonopin for 30 yrs. After being diagnosed with COPD a doctor said that it promotes shallow breathing and recommended that I get off of them. Since my physchiatrist wrote the script and monitored me on them it was her who is helping me get off of them. I began taking them for anxiety/panic disorder and wasnt sure how successful I would be getting off of them we both agreed that this was voluntary on my part and proceeded from there. U was taking .05 mg 3x day. Sometimes 4x day. So it should be said that about 2 yrs ago I began taking lyrica for pain. What I noticed was that sometimes I wouldn't even have a beed for taking the Klonopin. I know everyone is different but having been addicted to valium in my 20s and going thru horrible unsupported withdrawal ny shrink was aware and withdrew me slowly over 12 mos. I am down to 1 05mg a day. I think the key here is obviously the lyrica and my shrinks sensitivity to withdrawal. I have been told by the pain mgt. Doctors that it can take years to withdraw from Klonopin. With that in mind I am wondering if your doctor has good knowledge of withdrawal and is doing regular check-ins with you. I am just saying don't mini mize the process if withdrawal and make sure your doctor understands addiction and withdrawal. There is a right and wrong way to do it

You’re taking the Lyrica for pain I’m sorry to hear. Lyrica should never be used solely for benzo withdrawal as this drug also has to be tapered slowly and can have some really bad withdrawal symptoms.