Klonopin taper

@imabamagal

I understand, just a little, where you are coming from. I have an elderly relative who like you has had a generalized anxiety disorder all of her adult life. Well, at age 90, two years ago, her PCP decided to take her off the benzo that she had been taking for many, many years. It resulted in a real meltdown for her and I had her hospitalized in order to get her meds in order. She was prescribed a small dose of Remeron and Risperdal, just at bedtime. The psychiatrist also allowed her just a smidgen of a benzo that she could take at night if the other two were not helping her sleep.

Have you considered consulting with a psychiatrist regarding the change in meds from the benzos to a different type of med? A good psychiatrist (who is well-versed in meds for anxiety disorders) might be able to help you more than a PCP.

If you are comfortable doing so, please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.

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Sounds like you definitely have a lot on your plate...and it's unfortunate that you can't trust your daughter around certain types of medications...when one sees that, whether as an adult or kid, it can certainly make you want to stay away or at least be leery.

It took me awhile to get used to taking an antidepressant....but after 20 years...my therapist thinks that I'm not getting (and may not need) their support any longer. I tend to agree with her...especially since I'm down to 37.5mg of Effexor from 150mg in early August, largely without any issues.

Today was probably my worst day - terrible headache, nausea, dizziness-- and I've been on my current dose for 10 days or so. I don't know if it is allergies, that I couldn't sleep at ALL last night (slept about 90 mins before I had to take the train to a meeting at 1:30)...or if it was the heat in NYC today....but I finally had a day where I wanted to just hit myself with a hammer and sleep it off. A/C helped cool me down and I was fine having a detailed financial discussion with a CFO...so I'm happy I wasn't a cognitive mess....I just hope today was an aberration and not the start of the hard part of the taper. But I see the psychiatrist for a follow-up tomorrow and my therapist on Friday....so I'll certainly have a lot of feedback and insight - particularly from my therapist who has been away for a month so it will be our first in person session since I started on the taper.

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My doctor's regiment was this. I am starting with 1/3 tablet of Buspar twice a day, staying on .50 mg right now of Klonpin and 50 mg of trazadone at night. I slept pretty good last night, but he is going to taper down the doses of Klonpin as he raises the dosage of Buspar. He told me it would take about 3 weeks for the buspar to get in my system, so this is what I have for the next 3 weeks and then we will see where it goes from there.

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YoungSally, I have tried so hard all these years to stay away from anti-depressants. I have seen my daughter on many. Unfortunately, I did not mention, I have to dispense all her meds to her and keep them locked up as she will not take them correctly. That is another thing in my plate that I would rather not have to do. I am not sure if I want to take them, I'm not a fan and I am aware that Trazadone is a type of antidepressant, so I am on the fence on that.

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I will, I have the determination to get off the benzos. I have seen this doctor for over 30 years. He knows all about my struggles, so he will help me.

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Hello @imabamagal

Since you were "on the fence" about taking antidepressants I thought you might find this post interesting. It was written by a pharmacist at Mayo Clinic:

"The goal to be “addiction-free” is admirable! I commend your motivation to improve.
Taking antidepressants for MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) shouldn’t be considered “addictions.” Antidepressants aren’t addictive, but missing doses or stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal-like symptoms including sudden worsening of depression. MDD and GAD are often chronic diseases that can require lifelong treatment. Sometimes people feel so much better with treatment they think they don’t need treatment any more. Your clinician can help you try to taper off safely. Communication with your healthcare provider is important in providing a personalized taper and options for resuming therapy, if needed.
Extra care should be taken regarding tapering from clonazepam. It will be important for you to get tapering instructions from your psychiatrist. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines like clonazepam can be serious and may include tremors, anxiety, sweating, psychosis and seizures. The onset and severity of withdrawal depends on the which drug was used, for how long and other patient specific factors. If needed, you could ask about less addictive anti-anxiety medications."

@imabamagal, Will you let me know if this information is helpful to you?

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Hi @amberpep. I can hear the concern in your voice. I’m sorry you are worried about Klonopin (clonazepam) and what might happen if you start tapering off of it. We understand some of these medications can be challenging to stop taking.

It’s important to know you are not alone. I’m tagging @jimhd, @janetdh , @hazelblumberg, and @lauren123 , who have experience with clonazepam, as well as some other members who have participated in our Mental Health Group here on Connect, @johnjames, @predictable, @blindeyepug, @gailb, and @contentandwell, in hopes they may be able to provide some support. We are here for you and want to discuss anything that is worrying you.

You mentioned sometimes you think it would just be better if you were dead. Please know we are very glad you are here and for your participation in this community. If at any point you start to feel like you may consider hurting yourself, please call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org for immediate help. Your safety is the most important thing to us.

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