1. < Depression & Anxiety
Profile picture for lisalynn

I am having a VERY difficult time with Klonipin withdrawal

Posted by lisalynn @lisalynn, Jun 29, 2023

I have been on Klonipin for a BIG Panic disorder for over 15 years. I recently had to wean down off of 3 to none fast. The withdrawal was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I have my normal prescription now. However, at a lower level. But, I am still having a withdrawal symptom that is plaguing me. I am still taking it, but half of what I had been. I hear my Heart thumping in my ears, very loud and fast, 120 beats per minute. Did anyone else have that symptom? Or describe their withdrawal? Oh, and I NEVER want to speak to that new and cold Psychiatrist I have.
Struggling. Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Profile picture for kittyjohnson1964
kittyjohnson1964 | @kittyjohnson1964 | 3 days ago
In reply to @fbw57 "@kittyjohnson1964 32 years! Why worry? Wonder if there’s a years long record. You may be champion!..." + (show)
Profile picture for fbw57 @fbw57

@kittyjohnson1964 32 years!
Why worry? Wonder if there’s a years long record. You may be champion!

Good luck!

Jump to this post

@fbw57
I may be.😄

REPLY
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 2 days ago
In reply to @laughlin1947 "@fbw57 I believe Gabapentin is good for, among other things, reduction in nighttime leg cramps. It..." + (show)
Profile picture for laughlin1947 @laughlin1947

@fbw57 I believe Gabapentin is good for, among other things, reduction in nighttime leg cramps. It helps me with that, but not with nerve pain from back injuries. The Klonopin - I cut from 2 mg to 1 mg overnight with no after effect. It helps with sleep, and mild anxiety, but I take the 1 mg in the morning first and it helps keep the jitters away. I know they publish a super long wean-off rate, but it seems overdone. If people need months and months to get off of it, maybe it's an addiction, not a physical need.

Jump to this post

@laughlin1947 - one Mayo Clinic Connect discussion you and others might be interested in is:

- Addiction vs. Dependence https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/addiction-vs-dependence/

REPLY
Profile picture for laughlin1947
laughlin1947 | @laughlin1947 | 1 day ago

For a fast heartbeat like that, you need to see a cardiologist. I had a fast heartbeat at certain times of the day, mostly after mild exertion, and the doctor saw what I saw (reading the web), and prescribed metoprolol for it, replacing the losartan I was on. So, you're just not done with the right blend of meds for your ailments. Get after it.

REPLY
Profile picture for daveshaw
daveshaw | @daveshaw | 17 hours ago

Why did you have to wean off it at all? Were you increasing your dosage? If not find a new psychiatrist or better talk to your PCP.
Mine always laughs and tells me to stop reading posts regarding Klonopin/Clonazepam on this site. If you have kept your dose at the same level for years just keep it there and enjoy your life. There is no black and white but there is a grey area. You fall in to that grey area that some new doctors and psychiatrists don’t understand. Find one that understands you and realize they are out there.
My PCP has a practice that only treats seniors. If you don’t drink and abuse it she would tell you to keep taking it. Life is too short to live like you are being forced to live.
Good luck to you.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for bajjerfan
bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | 16 hours ago
In reply to @daveshaw "Why did you have to wean off it at all? Were you increasing your dosage? If..." + (show)
Profile picture for daveshaw @daveshaw

Why did you have to wean off it at all? Were you increasing your dosage? If not find a new psychiatrist or better talk to your PCP.
Mine always laughs and tells me to stop reading posts regarding Klonopin/Clonazepam on this site. If you have kept your dose at the same level for years just keep it there and enjoy your life. There is no black and white but there is a grey area. You fall in to that grey area that some new doctors and psychiatrists don’t understand. Find one that understands you and realize they are out there.
My PCP has a practice that only treats seniors. If you don’t drink and abuse it she would tell you to keep taking it. Life is too short to live like you are being forced to live.
Good luck to you.

Jump to this post

@daveshaw

Amen to THAT!!

REPLY
Profile picture for jrvmvp
jrvmvp | @jrvmvp | 11 hours ago

I have been taking .5 mg of Clonazepam for years. How do I safely get off to avoid withdrawal?

REPLY
Profile picture for laughlin1947
laughlin1947 | @laughlin1947 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @kittyjohnson1964 "@fbw57 I don't like the term addiction when the medication comes from a doctor and you..." + (show)
Profile picture for kittyjohnson1964 @kittyjohnson1964

@fbw57
I don't like the term addiction when the medication comes from a doctor and you are not taking it to get high. Any medication that you've taken for a long time is actually but some people would say as an addiction because your body is used to it that does not mean you are an addict I do not like that terminology. I am on Klonopin and have tried other things to get off of it and then recently saw a neurologist and he said there was no reason basically for me to try and get off of it since it works for me and I have been on it for 32 years. I did try the Gabapentin with very bad side effects mental for me. So I'm happy to stay on my Klonopin for the rest of my life which is only 1.5 mg. Best of luck to you.

Jump to this post

@kittyjohnson1964 Your interpretation about being addicted to clonazepam is short sighted. I person who can't get off a tiny, tiny dose after more than a year of trying is mentally addicted, and will never get off the drug unless put in rehab. It has nothing to do with getting high or the dose would have been increased over time and be much larger. This is a mental problem.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.