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I am having a VERY difficult time with Klonipin withdrawal
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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@gunshy - That sounds like the clonazepam (Klonopin) is not helping with a calming and non-panic response in you. Sorry to hear that. It does seem that response to mental health medications can vary by person and that you sometimes have to try more than one to find the right fit.
If you've not gotten to read this before, you may be interested in some Mayo Clinic information on this medication:
- Clonazepam (oral route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/clonazepam-oral-route/description/drg-20072102
gunshy, has the doctor who prescribed the clonazepam given you any feedback on how you've responded (or not) to this medication so far? Has he or she given you a tapering schedule they feel would be safe and help you avoid challenging side effects?
Thanks Lisa for responding to my post. After several months he finally heard me. We are going to be working together on the taper. I decided to go with the liquid rather than switch to a longer acting benzo as I have not done well with changes of benzos before. Frankly, I am terrified of the process but I have to get off it. First step is do the liquid in the am and half a tab in the pm to see how I do with the liquid. Then he plans to decrease at .02 and hold it there until I feel stable, should there be any reaction. I am thinking I would like to start at a decrease of .01 as I am extremely sensitive to medication period. I want to keep the total decrease to 5 percent a month. Did you taper off clon. and if so, how did you do it? And was it difficult?
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1 Reaction@gunshy - I actually did not taper off that one. I tapered off citalopram (Celexa) years ago, as it left me too bland, with no high highs or low lows. My doctor directed my taper, but even so, I still had to call his office a time or two and report that I was feeling off, and then my taper was tweaked. One time during my taper I felt really off over the weekend, and I asked my husband to take me to urgent care. I was given an anti-anxiety you evidently can only be prescribed short-term.
So, even with the doctor's advising, I still had to communicate really well and be ready to act if I ever felt really off. After the taper off of the citalopram, I also then had to go on buproprion (Wellbutrin), which was also a wild ride. Thankfully, the pharmacist who filled it for me warned me it would be a bumpy ride for 3-4 months till my body got used to it. That was the case, but I didn't quit because of what the pharmacist had said. I've been taking it for a couple of decades now.
So, this taper will be in a different form - the liquid - than what you've done before? Do you have a way to get ahold of your doctor or anyone on call if you need help on any day or hour of your taper?
@lisalucier
@gunshy - Hi - I believe your message to me did not all come through in your post. Would you like to repost it?