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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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jul 29, 2020

In reply to @lizaa "Jake, how long were you on Klonopin and how much did you take?" + (show)

@lizaa
I was on it too long although I don’t really remember. I got up to 18mg. 20 mg is the maximum dose. These dosages are for patients with very severe seizure activity which I unfortunately I qualified for. It didn’t have any effect on my seizures so it was discontinued. I’d guess it took 2 years maybe more.
Jake

Ellen | @helenfrances | Jul 30, 2020

In reply to @lizaa "How much are you taking total with 4 tablets?" + (show)

I am taking one pill per day(2 halves)

Ellen | @helenfrances | Jul 30, 2020

In reply to @lizaa "How much are you taking total with 4 tablets?" + (show)

I am not taking 4 pills per day.
—-taking 2 halves per day
—next week I 👩‍🎓 graduate to 1/2 per day!

All graduation applause is welcome👩‍🎓

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jul 30, 2020

In reply to @lioness "@fiesty76 How did you like your new name moxie76" + (show)

@lioness, Wasn't sure it was me you had in mind but have to admit I'll take it over what I sometimes dub myself as "flaky". smiles

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jul 30, 2020

In reply to @helenfrances "I am not taking 4 pills per day. —-taking 2 halves per day —next week I..." + (show)

@helenfrances
Good morning Ellen,
What strength is pill your taking 2 halves of? Are you having any withdrawal effects? Are you cutting your pills in half, quarters or what?
How long are you taking each dose before you cut again?
Jake

thankful | @thankful | Jul 30, 2020

In reply to @helenfrances "I am not taking 4 pills per day. —-taking 2 halves per day —next week I..." + (show)

@helenfrances- I am on the sidelines applausing you, but it seems with all the info we've had from so many your titration from 1 pill a day to half still seems larger than is recommended? Jim @thankful

1sherri1 | @1sherri1 | Jul 30, 2020

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@1sherri1 Hello, My taper from Klonopin happened quite a few years ago and I had no..." + (show)

Thank you Jake!

dablues | @dablues | Sep 24, 2020

In reply to @ayankeeinnm "Hello. I've been on different tranquilizers, with klonopin for the past three years. Never been particularly..." + (show)

I take two pills a day and I live in Georgia. My primary doctor gives me this not a psychiatrist. What do I do now? I have no in network doctors in Athens, GA

bustrbrwn22 | @bustrbrwn22 | Sep 24, 2020

@dablues I’m having a hard time piecing this together when you said “what do I do now” what are you referring too? Thanks and sorry if I’m making you repeat yourself

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 24, 2020

@dablues
Like @bustrbrwn22 I'm not sure exactly what you mean either. I am assuming you’re trying to taper off off this medication & that your currently taking two pills a day.
Are you indeed trying to taper off this medication?
What strength of Klonopin are you currently taking?
How long have you been on this drug?
Since people respond differently to discontinuing drugs the strategies are different as well. Personally I discontinue most medications extremely slowly, E
especially seizure medications to decrease the possibility of withdrawal symptoms and the potentially deadly effects of Convulsive Status Epilepticus since I am blessed with Epilepsy.
I often use the 5 to 10% method which of course can be individualized to your own tolerability. Using a compounding pharmacy is the most effective way when cutting down by a certain percentage. Although you may be able to tolerate a larger percentage cut in the beginning most people are not able to tolerate it the closer to zero that they get. When I was almost totally off of this drug is when some very mild symptoms occurred so I chipped tiny pieces off of the pill and then every two or three or four weeks I would decrease the chip a little although since I wasn’t using a compounding pharmacy it was hard to tell if in fact my next chip what is indeed less, but it must’ve been because it worked for me and I continued my taper completely withdrawal symptom-free. When you’re tapering drugs like this slow is the only way to go and I’m talking SLOOOOOOOW. Many people unfortunately believe that a 50% cut is slow but they usually always come back with withdrawal effects.
I would recommend you go to your doctor and at least get his advice for a taper schedule but personally I would be skeptical if the cuts are large. I would ask you’re a doctor if he’s familiar with the
5 to 10% taper. This was the most difficult drug I ever discontinued but again people are different and react differently.
If you are tapering off of this medication I wish you the best of luck,
Jake