1. < Depression & Anxiety
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I am having a VERY difficult time with Klonipin withdrawal

Posted by lisalynn @lisalynn, Jun 29, 2023

I have been on Klonipin for a BIG Panic disorder for over 15 years. I recently had to wean down off of 3 to none fast. The withdrawal was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I have my normal prescription now. However, at a lower level. But, I am still having a withdrawal symptom that is plaguing me. I am still taking it, but half of what I had been. I hear my Heart thumping in my ears, very loud and fast, 120 beats per minute. Did anyone else have that symptom? Or describe their withdrawal? Oh, and I NEVER want to speak to that new and cold Psychiatrist I have.
Struggling. Thanks.

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mcoleman1971 | @mcoleman1971 | Sep 8, 2025
In reply to @mcoleman1971 "I have been on Klonopin for 25 years at 2mg per day and want to get..." + (show)
Profile picture for mcoleman1971 @mcoleman1971

I have been on Klonopin for 25 years at 2mg per day and want to get off of this horrible medication. My GP here doesn't know how to help me and since I live in a small town we don't have any therapists that would be able to help me as well. I do not wish to go to a rehab center and need support through what I am going to be going through over the next year.

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I am working with a fabulous group of people on a different forum as my doctor has no idea how to help. So, I am micro tapering and it's not the best as I would not like to have any withdrawals but, they are manageable.

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mcoleman1971 | @mcoleman1971 | Sep 8, 2025
In reply to @bmac1 "I would google powersbenzocoaching. He has a lot of information on YouTube as well. Another YouTube..." + (show)
Profile picture for bmac1 @bmac1

I would google powersbenzocoaching.

He has a lot of information on YouTube as well.

Another YouTube Chanel I follow is taperclinic with Dr. Joseph.

You can also find the Ashton Manual online for free.

I tried to post the links for you, but it blocked my post.

I’m not an expert on these things, but I am currently tapering off of lorazepam. I will tell you from experience DO NOT go to a detox center. I was fortunate to find a psychiatrist that is helping me with a patient led taper. Everyone is different, but what I have encountered is that a slow patient led taper based on your symptoms is the way to go. Hope this helps. God bless. ❤️

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Thank you I will have to check that site out and no...the detox centers do rapid withdrawals which is very dangerous.

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mmsm | @mmsm | Sep 9, 2025
In reply to @amysf18 "I understand a slow taper can require a scale. Could someone provide me with what type..." + (show)
Profile picture for amysf18 @amysf18

I understand a slow taper can require a scale. Could someone provide me with what type of scale I need to purchase? Thank you

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A jewelers scale from Amazon is around $20. I'm using one for my effexor taper.

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sears | @sears | Sep 9, 2025
In reply to @beracha "I was on klonopin for sleep disorder. Anxiety and PTSD. My dr didn't explain but I..." + (show)
Profile picture for beracha @beracha

I was on klonopin for sleep disorder. Anxiety and PTSD. My dr didn't explain but I guess it is medical conditions like seizures that r too dangerous. I did have my first panic attack after years of klonopin when I was in my 2 weeks after last klonopin dose. Dr added hydroxyzine, antihistamine used for alcohol withdrawals. I have increased anxiety and needed to start my mindfulness, meditation, and crocheting to keep brain busy. It has helped. Yes, it is scary!! I did work thru it but it was horrible. I am trying to work thru without medication. Its easier to take pill, but i am determined to stop klonopin. My memory issues are more serious to me and my family, and I am taking it one day at a time. I will be giving myself grace, and try to keep off klonopin. My journey is hard, but it is the direction I chose. Keep trying.

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FYI. Hydroxyzine is extremely weak. It’s basically prescription Benadryl. It’s not going to do much, if anything, for major anxiety issues. Valium or Librium is used for alcohol withdrawal.

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tevadog | @tevadog | Sep 10, 2025
In reply to @arthur57 "Good luck with your withdrawal, definitely do the slow withdrawal and hopefully all will go well...." + (show)
Profile picture for arthur57 @arthur57

Good luck with your withdrawal, definitely do the slow withdrawal and hopefully all will go well. Clonazepam was a nightmare for me after only 7 months. Messed me up big time and had withdrawal symptoms for 18 or more months. Frankly I think I still feel subtle side effects after 30 months, go figure. With respect to you panic attacks (disorder) I found Propranolol to be a God send for panic attacks and preventing them in the first place. I developed panic attacks while giving presentations to groups of people, often hundreds, and thought my career was over. But discovered if I took this miracle beta blocker an hour before my presentation, I could sing like a canary. Tried Xanax as doctor advised, helped, but nowhere close to the calm with propranolol. I found out others used it as well for the same stage fright I developed. We all thought it was a life saver. Now that I'm retired I no longer need the med and only took it for presentations or higher work stress events. Best of luck!!

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I was given propanolol for tremors. I never knew about your experience. Ill google. I went up in mg but cant remember now. Did you get it from a nuerologist?

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arthur57 | @arthur57 | Sep 10, 2025
In reply to @tevadog "I was given propanolol for tremors. I never knew about your experience. Ill google. I went..." + (show)
Profile picture for tevadog @tevadog

I was given propanolol for tremors. I never knew about your experience. Ill google. I went up in mg but cant remember now. Did you get it from a nuerologist?

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Interesting that you brought up Tremors. I developed tremors and body buzzing after only 6 weeks on clonzapem (klonopin). The sleep doc (who evidently knows nothing about this drug) told me "no, it can't be causing your sudden tremors" so I continued to take it for 7 months before stopping cold turkey as it was destroying my otherwise healthy life. BTW, when my primary doc found out this idiot put me on klonopin, he went off and told me to get off of it. He's a young guy and said - I assume this sleep doc is an old guy. I laughed and said yes, why? He said no younger physician in his right mind will prescribe this crap. After talking to a retired pharmacist, he told me klonopin was a crap drug also, from the 70's. Funny, I did see a nuerologist as well to rule out something more serious coming on like Parkinsons. Put me through the battery of tests and said, no sign of anything. When I told him my tremors all started after taking klonopin, he said, well there you go, why would you ever take that? When I told him a sleep doc. prescribed he shook his head, and told me to stay away from doctors! True story! But to answer your question, no, the propanolol was prescribed by my primary doc for the stage fright (situational) panic attacks. I knew two other people in my profession who took it for the very same issue. Google it - you'll find information on it's use for anxiety but definitely for situational panic/anxiety. A wonder drug in my opinion for that issue. Best of luck!

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beracha | @beracha | Sep 10, 2025
In reply to @mcoleman1971 "I have been on Klonopin for 25 years at 2mg per day and want to get..." + (show)
Profile picture for mcoleman1971 @mcoleman1971

I have been on Klonopin for 25 years at 2mg per day and want to get off of this horrible medication. My GP here doesn't know how to help me and since I live in a small town we don't have any therapists that would be able to help me as well. I do not wish to go to a rehab center and need support through what I am going to be going through over the next year.

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Thank you for clarifying. Yes, hydroxyzine is an antihistamine used for some off label uses. I found that 20mg hydroxyzine is helpful with my morning tremors. I feel alert and able to drive while on other meds I may not. At 26 days with no klonopin, I am noticing other senses improving. My vision is good at eye dr, but i seem to have always been blurry. Now, I feel my vision is better. First really great improvement to give me hope this withdrawal will end soon. I am blessed .

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sears | @sears | Sep 11, 2025
In reply to @arthur57 "You are correct about the BP, so if yours is normally low, may not be a..." + (show)
Profile picture for arthur57 @arthur57

You are correct about the BP, so if yours is normally low, may not be a good choice. For me it was a wonder drug. Keeps your heart from beating out of your chest and finding it difficult to talk because your gasping for breath lol. It is good for situational panic disorder!

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I love propranolol. It’s been a lifesaver for me.

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michele1968 | @michele1968 | Sep 20, 2025

Hi, I’m tapering off of 5 psych meds with mirtazapine and tomazapam to go. I’ve had Loads of withdrawal symptoms the last 6 months, and now insomnia is the hardest. I’m working with a naturopathic doctor who has helped tremendously. But the insomnia is soooo hard. Any suggestions? And if you have tapered off of these how long did it take you? Thanks so much!

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Randy Shields | @randallshields56 | Sep 21, 2025
In reply to @michele1968 "Hi, I’m tapering off of 5 psych meds with mirtazapine and tomazapam to go. I’ve had..." + (show)
Profile picture for michele1968 @michele1968

Hi, I’m tapering off of 5 psych meds with mirtazapine and tomazapam to go. I’ve had Loads of withdrawal symptoms the last 6 months, and now insomnia is the hardest. I’m working with a naturopathic doctor who has helped tremendously. But the insomnia is soooo hard. Any suggestions? And if you have tapered off of these how long did it take you? Thanks so much!

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Welcome to the group and although I should be taking something for
depression and anxiety I don't yet. Know that they are trying to get me
off some of the meds I have to take, one of them they actually increased
because of coming off it to fast and it led to complications. Just know
your not alone and there's always someone who is going through the same
things. I wish you all the support you need and feel free to chat with me
or try a couple other programs they have here. Hope you're day gets
better.

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