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Tapering off of Clonazepam???
Ive been on 1mg of Clonazepam for about 8 to 10 years. I moved from my home state 4 years ago and ive had i couple of different drs where i moved that would continue my treatment plan but both Dr's have left the practices and its just getting hard to keep changing and finding a Dr who will prescribe it. Ive been on the same dosage since i can remember but now i feel like i should just come off of it instead of worrying whether im going to find a Dr who will continue with the treatment. Im just afraid i wont taper right or ill have extreme withdrawal and the thought of seizures is terrifying - ive never abused it - i have only ever taken what a Dr told me to take for anxiety and panic which has never been over 1mg. How should i taper?
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My not-so-expert advice is taper VERY slowly. Use a psychiatrist. I was taken off it in one month and I have had many physical problems since. Try to start at .5. Stay in that for a long time. Have your psychiatrist monitor you closely.
@sboylenotthesinger -
I took 1 mg of Clonazepam in the morning and a second one later in the day as, and IF, needed. I have Afib, and my anxiety levels are high with the level of stress I'm under. This med really helped with the sudden panic attacks. I am currently OFF of it. I simply gradually backed out of it by taking 1 mg. every other day in the a.m. for a little while before reducing to .5 mg every other day. After a week of that, I just dropped it. I had also further started dropping the "as needed" afternoon dose! My anxiety is still bad primarily due to my LIFE and lotta turmoil. I expect to go on it again to help with anxiety affects on my heart.
It took me almost a year of a very slow taper of 1 -1/2 mg once a day. It was very hard and I had many bad withdrawal effects in the process. However, having been off the drug over a year, in hindsight, I’m better without it even though I have to work harder to manage my anxiety issues and sleep. I think this drug does some changes to the brain that may take years to fully heal.