Klonopin taper

I feel like I am dying too. Literally. I have been on 2 mg daily of clonazepam for about 8-10 years. My dose hasn't been changed in over 3 months and I think that I am having withdrawal symptoms while on the drug. I have anxiety and nausea all the time except when I'm asleep. I'm irritable and impulsive most of the time. I just plain feel SICK all the time! I wish I could just die.

Hi - many of you have talked about tapering off of clonazepam (Klonopin), and I'd like to check in and see how you are doing. I think that many members in this discussion will benefit from your responses.

@lorraine59 - I know you mentioned you and your doctor decided to keep you on this medication. How is it going?

@falon - you talked about feeling like you are dying yesterday. How are you doing? Did you by chance get to connect with your doctor about the symptoms you felt you were having while on the clonazepam (Klonopin)?

@judith2 - how is your tapering process going? Are you still taking .5mg at bedtime?

Hi Lisa, my doctor's appointment is on Thursday. She's going to tell me I'm crazy. Maybe I am. Things are a tiny bit better today. Nausea not as bad. Thanks for caring!

@falon- Greetings! Just noticed your post and thought I would connect with you. I've been on klonopin and then the generic clonazepam for over 20 years. I started taking it for anxiety and panic attacks. It took me about a year to confront my issues. They began to have such a big impact on what I thought I would do each day and because each time I had an attack depending what Iwas doing those things I began to cross off my list of "no go's". It wasn't till I had several sessions with a physiatrist that he perscribed the 1mg. klonopin.
Slowly, but surely after taking it I began crossing things off my "no go" list and felt like I was getting back my life.
For me Falon I never felt the need to increase my dosage for some reason. I think because it made such a difference in my life I just got used to it and really didn't give it a lot of thought. I found it real helpful (and still do) that I keep a half a pill in my pocket when I know I'm gonna fly or do other things that were on my list.
In all the years I've had it with me I think I took it once. It just helps me mentally know I have it just in case.
Sorry to hear about what you are going through and please know we here on Mayo Connect care about you & each other!
Please try and erase those harmful thoughts about dying. I understand how you feel, but that is a terrible option to consider.
Keep talking with us and we will do our best based on our own experiences how we got through it and I know you will as well!
Most seem to take their clonazepam before bed, but I chose to take it in the morning. You might consider that if you take in the evening. Jim @thankful

@falon Hello. As I read your words I can empathize with how you are feeling. You sound frightened, confused and alone. If you are comfortable in doing so continue sharing here at connect. There are those of us here that have struggled with the benzodiazepines. I am sorry you are feeling like you are dying. A lonely and fearful place to be. How are you doing?

Hi Parus, thank you for your kind words. I am trying hard.

@falon Good for you!! A few steps at a time. Be gentle with yourself.

That scares me -- you coming off klonopin. I have been on the drug for about 30 years and my doctor (new psych.) wants me to get off off of it. He and a PA recently told me that long time use in elderly patients have a high propensity to develop dimenteshia - especially at older ages. My mother had alzheimers and two of her relatives had it - I'm afraid it will happen to me. Thanks for the information about trazadone and serequel -- good to help me get off of it. I've been weened off from 1.5 three times a day to two times per day. This is only my second week and I can't tell a difference. He will probably take me down lower on my next visit. I hope your psych. gets you off of it totally and gives you something else that will help you get off off of it. Maybe some other readers will read this and think twice about taking it or getting off of it. I read recently that the state of Georgia has banned pharmacies from dispensing it...I wish someone had told me years ago how potencially dangerous this drug can be to some people. Good luck on coming off of it. GOD Bless

What to go chrpeters23 @chrpeters23.

I too am tapering from 2 - 3 mg (varied history) of Klonopin. And I too have been using CBD to help with my taper. I initially tapered on my own without knowing the wonderful effects of CBD a little over one year ago and took myself from 3mg to 1.5mg. That was quite difficult.

I've been tapering since early December 2018 with CBD and have access to both recreational as well as medical grade CBD here in Canada. For me, CBD works wonderfully. I feel quite relaxed when I take CBD drops but in a much more natural way than the drowsy effects of clonazepam. I just recently tapered to 0.5mg (from 0.625mg) and will be holding this dose until I can restore my sleep issues. I'm taking melatonin to help with this which works on and off. I take it as needed to fall asleep (3mg - 10mg) depending.

CBD is pretty wonderful stuff from my perspective although I understand this doesn't work the same for everyone.

@1mountaingirl86
As I read your words I was reading your fears. There are times our fears can overtake and consume us. I understand and even feel your fears. All you can do is your best. Not everyone experiences difficulties in weaning off of benzodiazepines. Oft we only hear about the negative things. Try to do something you enjoy to help you get through this time. A hard thing to do with the not knowing what to expect.