Klonopin taper

Posted by dawgbone @dawgbone, Jul 31, 2017

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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@1mountaingirl86

I really feel for you - I've been on klonopin for about 25 years, maybe more and my Psychiatrist is taking me off of it. I first started out with 2 mg. then he lowered it to 1.5. Last week he took me down from three pills a day to two a day. Thank the good LORD I haven't experienced any withdrawal symptoms yet - but worry about what is to come. I'm 72 years old - I could strangle my psychiatrists for putting me on it to begin with - it's a good drug for short term, but I don't think it's good for long term, especially at our age. Thanks for the tip on drugs to help to get off of it -- I might need them in the near future. I believe I read somewhere that the state of Georgia is banning pharmacies from dispensing it -- don't quote me on that, I know I read someplace where some state has a ban on it. Good for them! I wish I could recall the name of the state but I'm certain it's Georgia. Good luck to you - if your psychiatrist isn't helping you much - find another one that will.

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Hello I am 22 years younger than you but have the same track record 25 years and I am on 1mg 4Xs a day I can only imagine I will surely be in hell should I get up the nerve to taper off this poison my doctor basically turned me into an addict. Never delving into a root cause just take another pill.... Makes me think of the Rolling Stones "Mother's Little Helper" which is Valium but in same family damn benzos.

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@stephanieann

He took clonazepam for chronic anxiety, irritability . He has told me he feels calmer when he takes the CBD. 20:1 ratio. I recommend finding a reliable dispensary and.or MD or nurse who is familiar with CBD in reducing anxiety and irritability. The tapering went very slow He changed brands several times because of availability issues of the CBD. tincture

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Wow... My doctor when I mentioned medical marijuana or even CBD he immediately dismissed it saying no proof no studies not going to happen.. Been seeing same doctor take no insurance $300 a visit so naturally he does not want to hear what possibly could be something many doctors are against or simply afraid it will end in losing a $300 a pop patient.... So sad and he is over 60 you would think possibly he would be more open but maybe need to find a new doctor but makes me nervous as I am in a state where MMJ is legal but anxiety being added is still not on the list of conditions and recreational use is in the works but I live in a state they call the Soprano State so nothing gets done unless some backroom deals are made. Like living in a mob state.

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@stephanieann

I weaned my son off of Clonazapam and it took about 4 months but did this in conjunction with giving him 20:1 CBD oil. He actually was less anxious and irritable with the CBD than on just Clonazapam. He was initially taking 1 mg Clonazapam in am and .5 mg in pm. I reduced it very gradually by cutting the pills with a pill cutter when needed. Example took .75mg in am and .5 mg in pm. Then .75mg in am and .25mg in pm, then .5mg in am and .25mg in pm. He took CBD tincture 2-3 times/day . He had been on Clonazapam for years prior to weaning him off slowly and introducing CBD. .

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Glad to hear a success story using CBD as my doctor immediately dismissed it and medical marijuana was basically a Never going to happen. No studies no proof no way.... Doctors don't want alternative medicine to take away their lucrative $300 a visit patients to OMG CBD you would think I was saying ever consider crystal meth as an alternative.. Big Pharma and my doctor slowly killing me... 50 years old and still a mess

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Some psychiatrists will immediately dismiss anything that mentions CBD. They are possibly worried about their license and will state the party line that there are no studies yet on it. They may be worried that prescribing it could impact their license. Other doctors/psychiatrists are more open to it and will say that although they can't prescribe it they are open to it. There are a few MD's and nurse practitioners who do have familiarity with using CBC in their practice. Suggest that you google and try to find one of those and/or ask marijuana dispensary if they know of medical marijuana doctors None of the health insurances will pay for it however. There have been a very few studies however more studies are being done now. I also wonder how many long term studies have been on the use of clonazepam and chronic anxiety and the long term effects of that psychatric drug on the body.

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I have heard many people who use the CBD oil (or hemp oil) to be very useful. This is perfectly legal as they remove the "high" ingredient in it. I can't tell you how many people sell it or you can even order it online. I have never used CBD drops (much less real CBD), but know quite a few people on the FB benzo support groups found some help from it during withdrawals. Best of luck to all of you struggling with anxiety issues. You are all in my prayers.

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I have been wondering about those in the medical profession being hesitant to use the CBD. Since little was known about the benzodiazepines and their potential for issues down the road their May up being issues with the CBD as well. Just something I have been wondering about. A psychological dependence could become a problem as well. Quality is also something to consider. Marketing is tricky.
Again... just wondering as many things that have been considered safe have turned out to be questionable.
Yes, I have used CBD. It did help although the price was too much. The dosing can be difficult and personal to each person. I found the dosage recommended was okay at first. After a month it was causing irritability and some undesirable side effect. It was not worth it for me.

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*Personal opinion/experience disclaimer* -- Results may very

I always view "studies" as not giving up until they find something negative about the subject matter, which in most cases will always happen. CBD falls perfectly into that category. There are a few CBD shops where I live and the employees are always very knowledgable. I have been upfront with them about my anxiety and panic disorder, as well as my klonopin taper. The first CBD oil/vape pen I tried, I didn't think was beneficial and made me feel a little off. So that's when I discovered not all CBD oil is created equal. I decided not to swear it off from one type I tried, that didn't work for me. So I recently went to a different (more reputable) place and found some that has been working extremely well. From my discussion with the employee, there is still a stigma amongst a lot of the general public and those in the medical community, however the tide is shifting and it is becoming a more legitimate/accepted source of "medicine".

Of course, it may not work for everyone or may cause different effects, however the general consensus has been that it has drastically helped in relieving anxiety for many people. If you do further reading on it (there is plenty) the its benefits of stopping seizures, inflammation, physical aches and pains, etc. is amazing. My personal opinion is of course many medical professionals will be skeptical or advise against it because it will directly interfere with their prescription writing..aka money. However, my doctor had the attitude of "why not" - give it a try and if you notice it helping then great. If not, stop. She said she has noticed it being a more growing, popular aid in many going through the same situation as me.

As I am approaching the end of my taper, the "jump off" point is something kind of scary to me. Having CBD as an aid to transition is rather comforting. No that does not mean its a dependency. Trust me, benzos are obviously a dependency. CBD is more of a tool for me in my "coping kit." I do not always take it, I have absolutely no cravings or itching for it. It is not like nicotine. Personally, it is a natural, beautiful alternative to the last thing I want to be on...pills. Of course, depending on your situation and medications, this varies for everyone. Again, for me, it works wonderfully for my anxiety, panic, mood stabilization, and sleep.

I have a tincture of oil that I take orally (under the tongue) and a vape pen I can carry around in times of sudden panic/anxiety. I hate to compare it, but you can say it's like a xanax (fast acting/not long lasting...typically an hour) -- but without the hellish qualities of a benzo. I went into CBD with an open mind after hearing all the success stories. I was excited for a natural alternative, that didn't require a doctor's slip. I'm very, very glad I did.

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@chrpeters23

*Personal opinion/experience disclaimer* -- Results may very

I always view "studies" as not giving up until they find something negative about the subject matter, which in most cases will always happen. CBD falls perfectly into that category. There are a few CBD shops where I live and the employees are always very knowledgable. I have been upfront with them about my anxiety and panic disorder, as well as my klonopin taper. The first CBD oil/vape pen I tried, I didn't think was beneficial and made me feel a little off. So that's when I discovered not all CBD oil is created equal. I decided not to swear it off from one type I tried, that didn't work for me. So I recently went to a different (more reputable) place and found some that has been working extremely well. From my discussion with the employee, there is still a stigma amongst a lot of the general public and those in the medical community, however the tide is shifting and it is becoming a more legitimate/accepted source of "medicine".

Of course, it may not work for everyone or may cause different effects, however the general consensus has been that it has drastically helped in relieving anxiety for many people. If you do further reading on it (there is plenty) the its benefits of stopping seizures, inflammation, physical aches and pains, etc. is amazing. My personal opinion is of course many medical professionals will be skeptical or advise against it because it will directly interfere with their prescription writing..aka money. However, my doctor had the attitude of "why not" - give it a try and if you notice it helping then great. If not, stop. She said she has noticed it being a more growing, popular aid in many going through the same situation as me.

As I am approaching the end of my taper, the "jump off" point is something kind of scary to me. Having CBD as an aid to transition is rather comforting. No that does not mean its a dependency. Trust me, benzos are obviously a dependency. CBD is more of a tool for me in my "coping kit." I do not always take it, I have absolutely no cravings or itching for it. It is not like nicotine. Personally, it is a natural, beautiful alternative to the last thing I want to be on...pills. Of course, depending on your situation and medications, this varies for everyone. Again, for me, it works wonderfully for my anxiety, panic, mood stabilization, and sleep.

I have a tincture of oil that I take orally (under the tongue) and a vape pen I can carry around in times of sudden panic/anxiety. I hate to compare it, but you can say it's like a xanax (fast acting/not long lasting...typically an hour) -- but without the hellish qualities of a benzo. I went into CBD with an open mind after hearing all the success stories. I was excited for a natural alternative, that didn't require a doctor's slip. I'm very, very glad I did.

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I also want to add - CBD oil is not new. There is a lot of history for it being used for medicinal purposes. So there is no guinea pig phenomenon happening with those trying it in last several years. I think there is plenty of "too good to be true" type perceptions of it, thus causing the skepticism.

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@parus

I have been wondering about those in the medical profession being hesitant to use the CBD. Since little was known about the benzodiazepines and their potential for issues down the road their May up being issues with the CBD as well. Just something I have been wondering about. A psychological dependence could become a problem as well. Quality is also something to consider. Marketing is tricky.
Again... just wondering as many things that have been considered safe have turned out to be questionable.
Yes, I have used CBD. It did help although the price was too much. The dosing can be difficult and personal to each person. I found the dosage recommended was okay at first. After a month it was causing irritability and some undesirable side effect. It was not worth it for me.

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@parus Its not from a pharmaceutical

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@lioness

@parus Its not from a pharmaceutical

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@lioness I was purposely avoiding that issue. Did not want to stir the pot too much. 😉

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