Any positive stories about Benzo tapering? I need hope

I have been on 3 mg a day of clonazepam for about 8+ years. I had to find a new Psychiatrist. It took so long to find one. I can get into a NP Psychiatry in May 2020. When I called her office, she told the receptionist that she wouldn't see me until I got off clonazepam. She gave me a tapering dose for 3 weeks. I feel that this tapering is for everyone. I tried the tapering and kept getting worse. I got so bad that my heart was going fast. I was unable to do anything. I could only go to bed. I feel like a Zombie. This is happening right now, so last night I started up clonazepam again (taking 1.5 mg daily) to get through the holidays. I believe that my tapering was incorrect. I have not met or talked to the NP Psychiatric. I am not sure that she knows how many years I have been on clonazepam. I get anxiety attacks, have anxiety, have PTSD, depression, and ADHD. I believe I should call her back, but because she said she can't see me in May until I am off clonazepam, I am afraid she will not give me a proper tapering schedule and not see me. I only have so many pills left, so I have to be careful. My primary care physician just gave me a prescription of clonazepam of 50, 1 mg pills. At this time, I am unable to function. I feel I am living a nightmare. I feel extremely irritated. I feel bad for my husband. I am trying to fake my way through these feelings. I read that clonazepam is worse to taper off than opioids. I believe that a pharmacist would know more about tapering. I really do not know what to do. I am worried that the NP Psychiatry will not understand me (which she should). I don't know if I should contact her office or my Internist first. The reason I am saying this is because I have never met or spoke with the NP. I cannot believe that some medical practitioners cannot properly taper clonazepam. I have been studying this on the internet and I believe it should take more than 3 weeks for me to discontinue. I have been wondering if practitioners have been fully trained in tapering clonazepam differently for each individual. There is no way I can do this in 3 weeks. I have never felt so awful. I wish they could experience this feeling for just a minute. I am having company for Thanksgiving and then a birthday party. I started out preparing; now I cannot do anything. I am very scared that this will not work out. I am actually very lost. I am also afraid of what my Internist and NP Psychiatry will tell me. I was thinking of asking a Pharmacist first to get an idea. Does anyone have suggestions? Thank you.

I believe that doctor's did not always know the full effects of a medicine many years ago. Side effects can be added as people experience them, thus adding to the knowledge of what the drug can do. Problems that show up with getting off of a drug can then lead to the dilema of either getting off with lots of problems or leaving things as they are. My mother took benzos and later on she developed a bad heart due to other reasons. The doctor thought going off benzos would be worse than staying on them.

My goodness, please be positive on the tapering of benzos . I recently got off ambien for sleep, tapered off an anti anxiety med and have previously gotten off klonopin from a rather high dose. I'm 75 and have taken these meds for 45 years. And gotten off successfully. Even had ECT and no side effects. Sure, everyone is different, but I've been around long enough to see some amazing things people can do. Sometimes it's a trial and error thing, but life itself is trial and error, don't you think?

Thank you so much for writing! You inspire me and give me hope.
I visited the doctor who prescribed Clonazapam. I too am your age and I took this DRUG for decades. I am dependent (rather than addicted) to it. Is there a difference?!!
(I now have mild cognitive impairment.) He is referring me to a psychiatrist who will manage the the ongoing decrease in taking this drug... a neurologist has already prescribed a med that lessens the loss of memory..Escitalopram.

I considered what the consequences should be for a well meaning doctor who prescribed a medication that affects memory and mood!!
I also asked myself! .. why did I not read the pharmaceutical info!!

My goodness, please be positive on the tapering of benzos . I recently got off ambien for sleep, tapered off an anti anxiety med and have previously gotten off klonopin from a rather high dose. I'm 75 and have taken these meds for 45 years. And gotten off successfully. Even had ECT and no side effects. Sure, everyone is different, but I've been around long enough to see some amazing things people can do. Sometimes it's a trial and error thing, but life itself is trial and error, don't you think?

I too have been on Benzos for over 35 years. Great to hear your story. Will start my taper soon.

Do NOT try to do this in 3 weeks. Can you find another doctor? My doctor will be using the Ashton Method of tapering. Please google this and show it to your doctor. It can take months or years to safely taper a benzo. I’m still very nervous and anxious about tapering even though my new doctor says he’ll work with me as long as it takes.

Thanks for telling me about the Ashton Method of tapering. I haven't looked it up yet, as I just read your blog. I am almost thinking about cancelling my appointment with the NP Psychiatry. I haven't even seen her yet. No one asked me how long I have been on Clonazepam. My Internist doesn't understand either and is going along with the NP Psychiatrist (since she has to bridge my medications until May). Actually, the NP Psychiatrist was supposed to call me back 2 days ago and she never did. I feel that I must really need this medication, due to my psychological/physical problems. I am also on disability due to my problems. I think my body is used to it but also must need it. I don't think to myself, "I can't wait to take it". I do not like this new Benzo rule from the FDA. Physicians seem scared about this and are now telling patients to get off their Benzo medication. They are afraid you are going to sell it on the streets. One time, I had to do a urine test to make sure I was taking my Adderall and not selling it. I asked a Pharmacist what I can take to help me get off Clonazepam. He told me to take a super B complex. He was perplexed though, because I have ADHD and anxiety. People ask me how I can take Adderall and Clonazepam together; they think each drug will cancel the other out. It is something my Psychiatrist did about 10 years ago. There must have been a reason for doing this. I am wondering (or I know) if some Physicians & Psychiatrists need more information on tapering or take a class about tapering. I am losing trust in Physicians. They cannot treat every patient the same with tapering. I think I know my body better and I can tell exactly what this is doing to me. It is actually a cruel thing to do to a patient. They don't seem to care, call you to see how you are doing, or have you come in for regular appointments. It is nice that your doctor says he'll work with you as long as it takes. I wish I could find someone like that. I am sorry, but I cannot say anything positive about tapering Benzos. I also think that if you do not obey the Physician's way of tapering, they will get mad at you or dump you.

Thanks for telling me about the Ashton Method of tapering. I haven't looked it up yet, as I just read your blog. I am almost thinking about cancelling my appointment with the NP Psychiatry. I haven't even seen her yet. No one asked me how long I have been on Clonazepam. My Internist doesn't understand either and is going along with the NP Psychiatrist (since she has to bridge my medications until May). Actually, the NP Psychiatrist was supposed to call me back 2 days ago and she never did. I feel that I must really need this medication, due to my psychological/physical problems. I am also on disability due to my problems. I think my body is used to it but also must need it. I don't think to myself, "I can't wait to take it". I do not like this new Benzo rule from the FDA. Physicians seem scared about this and are now telling patients to get off their Benzo medication. They are afraid you are going to sell it on the streets. One time, I had to do a urine test to make sure I was taking my Adderall and not selling it. I asked a Pharmacist what I can take to help me get off Clonazepam. He told me to take a super B complex. He was perplexed though, because I have ADHD and anxiety. People ask me how I can take Adderall and Clonazepam together; they think each drug will cancel the other out. It is something my Psychiatrist did about 10 years ago. There must have been a reason for doing this. I am wondering (or I know) if some Physicians & Psychiatrists need more information on tapering or take a class about tapering. I am losing trust in Physicians. They cannot treat every patient the same with tapering. I think I know my body better and I can tell exactly what this is doing to me. It is actually a cruel thing to do to a patient. They don't seem to care, call you to see how you are doing, or have you come in for regular appointments. It is nice that your doctor says he'll work with you as long as it takes. I wish I could find someone like that. I am sorry, but I cannot say anything positive about tapering Benzos. I also think that if you do not obey the Physician's way of tapering, they will get mad at you or dump you.

So true about the doctors dumping you. I don’t know if you live in a small town or big city. I live in a large city, and it took forever to find a doctor to taper correctly. Keep looking. Or beg your doctor to please take a look at the Ashton Method. We’ll all be fine in the end. Let us know what happens.