Klonopin taper

First, I am truly sorry to hear of the clonazepam "benzo" difficulties you're having. I'm in the same boat. I'm on 4 mg a day and feel I HAVE to get off it asap, if you miss a dose or run short, it's a living hell. I'm going to speak to my new Psychiatrist about tapering off. I read on the web, reliable sites, (but I'm NOT a doctor - went to law school) that you can taper .5 mg. every two weeks, then when you get down to 1 mg., you have to taper more slowly, by .25 mg. every 2 weeks. So, 2 weeks on 1 mg, then 2 weeks on ,75, then 2 weeks on .5, then .25 for 2 weeks, then off but this MUST be done slowly and under a Doctor's supervision. Wishing you the best with this and myself!

Please hang in there. You CAN get off this under a good!!! Psychiatrist's supervision and enjoy life again. Best of luck to you (and me) and know that millions have managed depression / anxiety and you certainly can, too! : ) Be well!

I ran short of clonazepam and had to have my GP doctor call in a few days' worth of pills - 4 mg a day, and the pharmacy treated me like a drug addict! Missing a dose(s) of clonazepam is a living hell and I felt like I wanted to die. Insomnia, jitters, etc. So, I've decided to talk to my new Psychiatrist about tapering off clonazepam as I don't want to be addicted to anything, especially something that can cause seizures (and even death) if you go off it too quickly. Tapering MUST be done under a Doctor's supervision and SLOWLY. I've read tapering is done .5 mg every two weeks, then, when you get down to 1 mg. to taper more slowly - 1 mg for 2 weeks, .75 for 2 weeks, .5 for 2 weeks, .25 for 2 weeks, then off if the Doctor sways it's okay. (I am NOT a Doctor). I don't want to be on ANY benzo and will ask about alternative medications that don't make you severely addicted.

I just wanted to say I agree and that clonazepam may be a good medication for you (promotes GABA in the brain, a Doctor told me) just maybe adjust the dosage as needed with you Doctor. For me, I want to at least cut my dosage sharply (currently 4 mg- 2mg am, 2 mg pm) and look at non-habituating and addictive substances but, at the same time, my Doctor said clonazepam may be a good medication for me. I think all we can do is pray on it, get the best medical doctors we can, and trust our guts! : ) Be well!

@stressedmesseddepressed

My feeling is that if you need a medication that effectively treats a medical condition (mental conditions are included), it makes sense to take only as much as is necessary.

Addiction is a word that's thrown around too freely today. Needing a medication long term doesn't necessarily equate to addiction. Klonopin at 1mg has worked for me for 12 years. I don't feel any psychological addiction to any of the meds I take, though many people might.

Unfortunately, not only is there a stigma attached to certain illnesses, there's a stigma attached to many medications that serve a legitimate need. Being shamed (not here, thankfully) for taking any particular medication, or for needing a medication, is counterproductive. Antidepressants are a real Godsend, and there should be no guilt or shame associated with taking them. If one antidepressant treats your clinical depression, I say, thank God for it, and who cares what anyone else thinks about it. That's their problem.

Climbing off my soapbox.

Jim

Jim, I'm so glad the 1 mg is helpful to you and that's my goal, too, to go from 4 mg daily to 1 mg. Thanks for the good point!

@stressedmesseddepressed

I'm not sure if I really need the Klonopin for anxiety, but I continue taking it for my wife's sake. Without it, I act out my dreams, which could be painful for her. I don't just dream about kicking a ball. I actually kick. That doesn't promote marital harmony.

I can't imagine taking 4mg. I think I'd be a zombie!

Jim

You are spot on! I have been told that I can not get a new klonopin script because I also take opiates for my chronic pancreatitis and they are both Central Nervous System depressants and I may stop breathing. My body has been used to both for at least 8 years and I only stop breathing with my sleep apnea and wear a BiPAP for that issue.

Unfortunately, one builds up a tolerance to clonazepam pretty quickly so that, at this point, 4 mg does nothing to relax me! BUT if I miss a dose or something, I get the jitters, insomnia, hellish! That's why, for me, I want to taper off benzos.

I have been on 1mg klonopin for 20 years. I'm in my 60s and no longer work outside the home. I have decided to taper off as I no longer have the stresses and asthma that I once had. My asthma was caused by smoggy city and food allergies. Those have all been resolved. No longer running a business and working additionally as a nurse while being a single parent was super anxiety causing.
I reduced from 1mg to.75 mg and then.50 mg which wasn't too difficult. I did have withdrawal S/S but they leveled out. Luckily I have been able to sleep. I have found that reducing to .25mg is much more difficult. So I am just cutting off about 1/4th of half of a 1mg tab. My psychiatrist got angry with me when I tried to taper off in the past so I haven't asked him for a .5mg tablet. I have read that the last and smaller doses are the most difficult as far as withdrawal symptoms go. I'll try to stay on approximately.365mg for another 2 weeks and then down to .25mg. I really an hoping to hang in there until I am off Klonopin for good.
Has anyone stayed at.25 mg and then jumped off or should I plan to go down to.125 mg and then off? Thanks so much