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Klonopin taper
I have been on some kind of benzo for almost 40 yrs. I am trying to taper from 1.5-2 mgs of klonopin daily . Began in mid may 2017 and my last cut was very small on 7-2-17 to get to 1mg. Honestly feels like i am dying. I also take trazodone 75 mgs and 4 drugs for high blood pressure. I have been researching gabapentin and seroquel to help with the withdrawal symptons. Please offer any suggestions or help. I am 69 yrs old and cant even leave my house to visit my kids and grands. Thank you for any help!
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Thanks for starting this discussion, @dawgbone. Sounds like it is very difficult tapering off the Klonopin, or clonazepam, and I’m sorry you are having such a challenging experience with it. I’m tagging fellow members @ujeeniack @jimhd @lauren123 @jimbourg8 and @cperaino to bring them into this discussion, as they have talked about taking clonazepam, or tapering from clonazepam, as well.
@dawgbone, you may also be interested in reading some information on Mayo Clinic Connect from a Mayo Clinic pharmacist related to clonazepam and tapering off. It’s under Burning Mouth Syndrome, but most of what is said here would be applicable to you, as well: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/60624/bookmark/?ajax_hook=action&_wpnonce=ff10bca678
When you mention you feel like you are dying, what symptoms are you currently experiencing as you taper off the clonazepam?
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1 ReactionHello. I've been on different tranquilizers, with klonopin for the past three years. Never been particularly effective to either quiet anxiety or bring tranquility, but it's what my prescriber likes. Any thoughts? Thank you.
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2 ReactionsHi There @dawgbone,
I feel for you. The clonazepan taper is really rough. I was on 2 mg for 5 years for a neurological movement disorder. It was necessary for me to taper as the Clonazepam was causing my white blood cell count to drop.
It has been a year and I have been able to taper to 1.5 mg. For me, trying to do anymore than that was causing insomnia and the terrible anxiety and the feeling of dying you mentioned. I felt horrible, but going out and being with people helped me get my mind on something else. It is important to do thing you used to enjoy, be with family, friends or anything that gives you a sense of accomplishment. I know I had no desire to do that, but forcing myself made me feel better and took my mind off my anxiety. You may be going to quickly on your taper. I had two doctors tell me .25 every six month. And that is from their experiences with other patients. There is a sight called benzo buddies which is helpful for those of us tapering off the Benzos.
I found the best advice on that site. You are blessed to have grandchildren. Take care off yourself. I found that exercise and meditation classes help. Also being outside and soaking in the sun. I hope this helps. All my best to you and a big hug.
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5 ReactionsThank you Lisa. I got a couple of replies thanks to you. My main symptom is extreme anxiety that i feel mostly in my stomach and chest. Also extreme sadness/depression that makes me cry a lot around my family. Loss of appetite. Shaking . Thats some of my symptoms. I will check out the post you suggested. Thanks again for your help!
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1 ReactionHi @ayankeeinnm. I think koonopin has help me some in the past but i developed a tolerance plus a bill in georgia has been passed that will not allow my doc to prescribe it for long term use after the end of this yr. That is why i am having to try to taper off the drug. Thank you for responding
@jmccutch Thank you for responding. I dont have the option of a long slow taper off klonopin. There has been a law passed in Georgia that will not allow doctors to prescribe any benzo drug for long term use, It goes into effect at the end of this year. It is very hard for me to leave my house but i do try to go to the gym for walking on a treadmill 3-4 times per week. I also am a member of benzo buddies . I also use tapes for breathing exercises .25 mg taper every 6 months sounds about right. I just dont have that option. Thanks for the hug. Im sending one back to you.
Dear Dawgbone,
I'm getting scared. Some of my best friends are benzos. Do you know what you're going to do? It seems like tapering off is your best strategy. I wish you well.
I hope i did not scary you. Yes i am trying to taper now as explained in my origional post. I think its possible but just takes such a long time to do it safely and i dont have that much time. Right now its just trying to survive one minute at a time. Do you use facebook? If you do and want to be friends there let me know.
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1 ReactionI am tapering off Ativan. Went from 1.25 to 1mg. Last week. Having a hard time. Anxiety up. Hard to sleep and perseveration on my son not having a job. Is this normal?
Thanks for posting mentor51. Yes it is normal to be having a hard time. How long have you been on ativan? you take any other drugs? Dont know what you mean by perseveration. Is somebody helping you with your taper. That is over a 20% taper. May be too fast. I did something similar with klonopin starting in may and have not been able to cut more since 7-2-17. My symptoms will not let up; maybe getting worse!