@lorraine59

I've been reading your posts about trying to withdraw from klonazapam and the terrible time you've been having. My doctor prescribed 1 mg. Lorazapam for me over 20 years ago when I was having panic attacks every time I had to fly. He only prescribed 10 at a time which I only took when I had to fly in a plane. A few years ago my new doctor prescribed 30 at a time, which surprised me. I told him that I never needed that many before, but he said not to worry about it and only take what I needed. My panic attacks increased over the years, and at one point I was taking 1/2 mg (.5) to go to work some days. My job was compromising my integrity but since I was an executive, I couldn't just quit, or so I thought.

Two things happened:
1. I had tachycardia one day and ended up in the ER to get it stopped.
2. I decided to quit my job.

Then, we moved back to our home in rural Missouri. I understand now that I was talking so much that if my husband wouldn't engage, I just talked to myself. He was really getting upset with me and I knew something was wrong. I was having multiple panic attacks, but fortunately I didn't turn to the benzos all the time. When I was in a really bad attack, I would take a half pill.

Finally, I saw a former co-worker at the grocery and she seemed so relaxed and happy I asked her what was going on. She told me she had started taking Celexa and it had really made a difference. I told my PCP that I wanted to try the anti-depressant. He interviewed me for quite a while and then agreed to prescribe Citalopram, 40 mg. I found out that I reacted violently to the first 40 mg dose, so I cut the pill in half and told my doctor what I was doing. Next prescription was for 20 mg. I began to feel the difference after a week, and after a month I began feeling like I had some joy.

I also learned that taking Ibuprofen nearly daily over a long period of time had added heart palpitations to my issues, so I stopped taking it. I tried Tylenol, but I didn't think it worked. I discovered that I was having migraines, so taking the proper med for that (Imitrix) when I felt one coming made my daily headaches go away. I cut back on caffeine intake as well.

After 6 months of taking the Citalopram I realized that my headaches were gone and I hadn't had one panic attack! I've been taking Citalopram for 7 years now, and I am stable on it. I have flown in airplanes multiple times for 8 hour flights and at 68 years old I zip-lined 7 lines in Costa Rica and loved it! Being rid of panic attacks and fear has given me freedom and joy in life. I think my brain chemistry just hasn't been right for most of my life and the antidepressant filled the void. I'll be taking it for the rest of my life.

I had stopped using the Lorazapam, but didn't even notice at the time. I still have about 30 pills but haven't needed them. I don't think I had withdrawal symptoms when I stopped. I wasn't taking them all the time as I knew they could be addictive so perhaps I just wasn't using enough to reach that point thankfully.

@lorraine59, I recommend that you research all medications when they are prescribed. You can't rely on your doctors to know how the med will affect you. Also, ask for a DNA test to determine which antidepressants will work best for you. Also I used CBD to help my anxiety when I was withdrawing from pain meds after back surgery. It absolutely worked to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal. CBD is not addictive and since your doctor recommended it to you, please try it. You should buy one that has no more than .25 mg THC in it. Too much THC can add to panic attacks, CBD with 0 - 25% THC are your best bet. I have no fears about using CBD, no side effects, and I only use it or THC for occasional back pain along now with 2 Tylenol. It works for my pain.

You have decisions to make about your addiction to the Klonazapam. Talk to your pharmacy about how you can slowly, slowly, slowly cut back on the amount you are taking. Any reduction in mgs. will be helpful for your body. You may find that you must continue at some level for life, which (In my opinion and I'm NOT a medical professional.) is OK as long as you aren't having organ damage from long-term use. Pressuring yourself and worrying about what might happen, won't help you. Learning to take life 1 day at a time will help. Go to talk therapy if you can.

Would you please share how old you are? It's helpful for us to know as much as you are willing to share so we can relate better to your situation. I hope you can have a warm and safe Thanksgiving with your family. With love, Gailb

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