Help Getting Off of Klonopin

Thank you...this gives me another option to talk about with my GP. Did both of those help?

I swore I would never post again but as I continue to read about people suffering from withdrawal from Klonopin I must ask how many people have overdosed while taking it.
It is labeled a controlled substance along with OxyContin and yet it helps millions of people with anxiety and along with SSRI’s can be effective at helping treat depression.
I know withdrawal is difficult but at 74 I would prefer not going through the terrible withdrawal process.
I hope there are other people that agree with me.
I have no balance issues and exercise 6-7 days a week. My PCP has a practice that caters to seniors and if they refuse to give up drinking she takes them off it.
Since I don’t drink or smoke and I have never increased my dosage for over thirty years she says to ignore these posts and look at each individuals situation. That what makes her the excellent PCP that she is and I am so happy I have seen her now for almost twenty years.
I welcome feedback.

You certainly don’t have to discontinue your benzo as long as you have a doctor that will continue to prescribe for you the rest of your life and your benzo doesn’t stop working as they do for everyone sooner or later. There’s a reason people go through withdrawal. It’s not because they want to. You seriously think people just decide one day that they want to go through the misery of benzo withdrawal? I don’t think so, Dave. It’s because we have no choice.

I have not had any problems with it like balance issues but, when I was in the hospital for a surgery that went horribly wrong...my doctor and staff had to figure out how to give me medication as to not cause me to go into respiratory distress and after that experience it got me thinking that I need to get my life back. It is a personal decision as I feel that it has placed a veil over my eyes and I want to be in control of myself as I am tired of being dependent on this medication. When my doctor retires here which will be in the next couple of years I will be hard pressed to find someone that will take me on as a patient. A lot of doctors in my town are running scared and not prescribing any type of benzo. So, for me it's personal and I want to get ahead of the situation before this happens. I don't want to know what a seizure feels like or a painful withdrawal.

You don’t mention how old you are and I am sorry the surgery went horribly wrong.
I don’t feel the medication has put a veil over my eyes and I have had conversations with my PCP. Unlike so many PCP’s that are running away from prescribing it she actually encouraged me to stay on it. After 30 years and at my age I don’t want to go through a painful withdrawal. One post said it took him or her six years to get off it. That would make me 80 years old.
Do you know of any way to get off it without suffering terrible withdrawals? If so I am all ears.
Do you think the opioid epidemic has all the doctors running scared? I have never heard of anyone overdosing on Klonopin. Have you? Also why does everyone on this site focus on Klonopin when there are so many other benzo’s out there?
Like I said my PCP for the last 20 years has a practice comprised of only senior citizens and she is careful not to prescribe it to anyone with a drinking problem.
Just looking for answers.

I will gather my thoughts and give you all the responses tomorrow the best that I can to explain my situation without hopefully not overwhelming you. Give me 24 hours and I will explain everything.

I look forward to hearing from you. My PCP told me to stop reading Dr Google and stop reading these posts. She said everyone is different and to do what is best for me and what has worked best for me in keeping my depression and anxiety in check.
Zoloft, Buspar, Wellbutrin and Klonopin enabled me to have a very successful career in commission sales and raise two children and be blessed with five beautiful grandchildren. My wife passed away because she didn’t take care of herself but I have found a wonderful new partner.
The country is turning upside down and the head of Health and Human Services is trying to blame the shooting In Minneapolis on the use of SSRI’s.
My question is whether at 74 I want to upend my life and go through what could be a very long and protracted withdrawal from something that has worked for over 30 years.
I look forward to your response knowing there is not a drug on the market that does not have terrible side effects if you read the packaging. Some advertised on TV even mention death as a possible side effect.
I think SSRI’s have been a godsend to millions of people and just read the side effects on their packaging.
In closing many people continue to drink and smoke and yet how many lives have they ruined. Some have said nicotine is more addictive than heroin.
My wife died from diabetes and her sisters died from smoking and drinking. She told my daughter as she was dying that she ate herself to death.
I just want to put things in prospective.

But, you have made a huge accomplishment and it is soo much better for you using the slow tapering method that you need not be scared. You have us to vent to and your doctor is doing it the safe way. If it is scaring you maybe ask your doctor to drop down only .25 mg every two weeks. That might be a better approach according to the Ashton Method.

Be proud of yourself. YOU ARE STRONG!!!

If your PCP is not asking you to get off these meds and they are working for you then why would you change anything? Again, I am wanting to get off on Klonopin for personal reasons. I've gone from 1 mg to 2 mg over the last 20+ years and don't want to continue with them.

If it is working for you then don't mess with it and quit googling things and reading about side effects. As long as you are under a PCP's care why would you want to upend anything. I wouldn't.

I started this thread as I wanted advice and words of wisdom from other people who are either deciding to get off benzos or have gotten off of benzos.

Don't be scared and stay with what you PCP and you want to do. Hugs to you!!!

I'm 54 years old