Klonopin taper

Thanks Colleen,here in Nova Scotia we have such a shortage of Drs. that trying to find one is difficult. But I have connected with N.S.dept.of Mental Health. Hopefully they can help me find what kind of help I need to deal with underling issues that cause so much anxiety, and panic attacks that leave me unable to function.

@lorraine59

Since I'm not familiar with the Canadian Medical system, I recommend that you follow Colleen Young's advice about getting a second opinion about your situation. I'm happy you have an appointment with the Mental Health section for the 30th. Please let me know how that goes. My first grandson is getting married on December 1, so I probably won't be able to respond to you until the next day. Good luck. I hope the next appointment is a fruitful one.

Thank you for your support, it means a great deal to me! Lorraine

Is it legal in the state of Georgia for a doctor to completely take you off Klonopin that I been on for 4 years?

Hi, @hiswifehisqueen, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I've merged your post with this discussion, "Klonopin Taper" so that you could meet others discussing this topic. Please meet @jakedduck1 @lorraine59 @gailb @stressedmesseddepressed @dawna and others. I'm confident they will have some insights for you.

It sounds as though your doctor is wanting to taper off clonazepam (Klonopin). Will you share a bit about what you were talking it for? Is an alternate medication to be prescribed?

I've been taking 1mg for over 10yrs now. I was able to taper down to .125 but withdrawal symptoms were bad and I was starting a new job so I ended back at 1mg. I'm looking for something to help me get through the last few weeks.... does anybody here have experience with CBD? I feel like it would be my best bet as I want no pills in my life

@hiswifehisqueen
Hi there,
I don’t know anything about Georgia, I’m from California and it is amazing what the medical profession is allowed to get away with. A nurse came to my Mentally Handicaped cousin’s apartment and confiscated all his medication knowing he was coming to my house for Heart surgery.
If your doctor does stop your Klonopin make sure he stops it slowly. That was the most difficult drug I ever came off of. I hope you have better luck getting off of it than I did. If it comes to that.
May I ask why your taking it and what dose?
Is the medication helping you? Why does the doctor want you to stop it?
I’m with you in spirit, wishing you hope, health & happiness.
Jake

Hi, @freemefrombenzo - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is really rough that the withdrawal symptoms from the clonazepam (Klonopin) were bad, especially with starting a new job.

We do have a large discussion on CBD and anxiety and depression you might check out and post any questions to https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd-oil-and-depression-anxiety/?pg=1#chv4-comment-stream-header

I weaned off of Klonopin 15 years ago when I got sober. I know it stays in your fatty tissue for about a year. I was weaned off slowly, but still experienced muscle twitches and some difficulty sleeping. But they lessened each week. I have a sponsee who’s being tapered off by her medical Dr., with the goal of eventually stopping altogether. He has her take one milligram one night, half a milligram the next night, then one milligram, then half, etc. The days that she takes half, she’s having withdrawal symptoms. That seems like an odd way to detox. Any input?

Unfortunately, most Dr.’s don’t receive enough education about addictive medications. Hopefully that’s changing, but I so believe that the more knowledge the patient can get about their medications, the better.