I have been in Clonazepam 0.5mg TID for 18 years

Thank you, it is so logical. I agree, don’t start people on benzodiazepines today. They have other meds that help anxiety plus all the new modalities. But for someone who has been on them long term, taking them as prescribed, and not asking for increases in dosage, it is cruel to try to decease the dosage or stop prescribing them. When my psychiatrist retired is when I began to deteriorate physically, mentally and emotionally. I no longer want to live. The “system “has ruined the quality of my life, what little there was left with major depression and anxiety.

OMG sweetheart I feel so bad for you I wish I could help you. My prayers and thoughts are with you. You really should find a different Dr. What she's doing to you is just cruel and unfair. I'm so sorry, if you ever just want to chat you may private message me if you like.

My provider consulted with the psychiatrist and they decided to increase my Clonazepam to three times a day. It has taken me over a year+ to overcome their resistance, started by the first provider I saw. So today I decided to get off the Ambien and take Clonazepam TID. My Paxil dosage was also increased. It seems to be the only antidepressant that helps my drug resistant depression. Yay 😀

@jeanne51
I have written to you before. I understand your plight. I am going through protracted withdrawal from going off Venlafaxine too rapidly without proper counseling from my primary care doctor. Not entirely her fault. I am at fault, too, for not doing research. I am suffering beyond words. Each day I wake up is a miracle. I was recently prescribed Valium which I have never taken before. It makes me feel worse after it wears off in about an hour. I can’t take it anymore. My husband is starting to give up on me. I am so weak that I can’t walk around the block anymore and my back hurts from lying in bed for hours praying for peace. I look like a skeleton as I can’t eat. I pray for you.
Dorothy1914 aka Claudia

Metabolic encephalopathy toxic is possible with Klonopin.35 years of Xanax, doctor retired new doctor told me I could just quit taking the Xanax .I ended up in a coma .......my brain has never been the same .the disruption of my 35 year everyday med caused unspeakable life problems.

Your doctor was wrong in saying you could just quit taking benzodiazepines. Sadly, a slow taper might have prevented your metabolic encephalopathy. I had to read up on it because I’d never heard of it. Going into a coma is the worst outcome other than death, and now your long term effects. I have not been on a dose that was not therapeutic nor did I abuse it or ask for an increased dose. I am not too concerned about because for one, I’m already 73 years old, and I have been on Clonazepam for 18 years. I don’t know what dose of Xanax you were on but quitting cold turkey after 35 years zapped your brain into shock. All I want is quality of life for what few years I have left to live. I am so sorry to hear about your experience.

@michaehall
Just read your message. I guess I am going through something similar with the Venlafaxine. Every day and night are nightmares. My heart goes out to you.
@dorothy1914

Why don’t you go on another antidepressant? My good doctor who retired always tapered me off a drug while I starting me slowly on another one. I know we can’t prescribe, but I am on Paxil and it has been a wonderful antidepressant for me. The side effect that might help you is
weight gain. Are you seeing a psychiatrist or medication manager with expertise in managing psych drugs? I, too, have become so sedentary that I have back pain from sitting in a chair most of the day. I also have poor balance and feel tired all the time. Have you had a good physical with lab work recently? It sounds to me like you need a good psychiatrist to get you back on track, although you don’t mention depression. My provider finally agreed to allow me Clonazepam AM, Afternoon, and at bedtime for sleep…dosage 0.5mg. My Paxil was just increased to 50 mg a day and I am also on Wellbutrin 200mg twice a day. Are you off of the Effexor? Perhaps if you are still on it they could dart you up on another medication while tapering the Effexor?
My problem is mainly situational, living in a retirement community where I am very unhappy. However I have struggled with depression and anxiety most of my life.
I pray for you too.
Jeanne

@jeanne51, I definitely feel the pain you’re going through, I had the same problem with Valium given to me by my previous doctor, it seemed to wear off quickly even though I heard it has a longer effect than Ativan which I use now. I have lowered my dose by half for two months now, I use a low dose of amitriptyline and also gummy at night, so far it’s helping me, I’m trying to taper down in preparation for my doctors retirement, a good piece of advice from a friend I connected with here, she has managed to free herself from this medication, I hope to be able to do the same but who knows, I’ve battled cancer twice in the past five years and it’s very stressful. I hope you’re feeling better soon.

I didn’t think they prescribed Valium any more. It is longer acting and more difficult to taper off from. It is often used for seizures.
It sounds like you are managing your tapering well. Good luck to you.