@katj77 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

It sounds like you are in-between a rock and a hard place. Members @sears @dinoman @stanof53 @lacy2 have recently discussed this topic and may be able to offer support.

It sounds like you are not satisfied with your doctor/provider. It's not advisable to attempt to ween off a medication without medical supervision. Have you considered transferring doctors? As a side note, a doctor may be able to offer other temporary treatments to lessen the withdraw symptoms.

Hello @katj77,

I would like to join Erika, @erikas, in welcoming you to Connect. I am sorry to hear that your physician isn't helping you with your withdrawal from Klonopin.

To offer you support in this undertaking, could you share with us what you have tried to do to taper off this medicine? Are there any other meds, such as antidepressants (that can calm anxiety or help with sleep), that your doctor has prescribed that might help you as you taper? Do you have an exercise program to help deal with anxiety?

As Erika mentioned, this might be a good time to get a second opinion or in other words find a new doctor. Perhaps a psychiatrist, who has medication withdrawal skills, would be a good option for you now.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

I'd suggest by first reading this "manual" written by a specialist in the field, Doctor Ashton.
https://www.benzoinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ashton-Manual.pdf
And then work out a plan, showing them the manual, with your doctor personalized to your
situation and other medications. Most doctors aren't experts in weaning off of additive drugs, unless they are specialists in that area. Working with them, from a plan from a respected doctor in the field, I think would help them out, especially in these days of 15 min drive by doctor visits in the USA. Doctors are really pinched for time, with insurance payments driving their schedules to see everyone in 15 minute segments.

@katj77
I had a withdrawal free taper from Klonopin but I tapered very slowly. Most people taper too quickly and the most likely reason they suffer withdrawal symptoms. I am lucky that I seem to be more tolerant with taking & discontinuing medications.
Naturally its best to work with a clinician but regrettably they are often more the problem instead of the cure. Just read this thread and see how many patients took their doctors advice and what the outcomes were. You won’t like what you read. Sure you can change doctors but how long does that process take. Who's to say the new doctor will be any better? Sad as it is sometimes your your own best alternative. Sometimes you have no choice.
Some of these doctors take patients off these medications cold turkey which goes to show the level of incompetence that exists in the medical field.
In my opinion your best option is to use a Compounding Pharmacy. But your going need a cooperating physician. I am a big believer in the “5-10% method” or “cut and hold method.” You will need a prescription from your doctor stating what percentage and how long before lowering the dose. Usually 5-10% of original dose & every 2-6 weeks to the next lowest dose, some take less some more but remember, SPEED DOESN'T WIN THIS RACE.
I’d like to mention where I first heard about the “5-10% or cut and hold method.”

The following story is true. I'm not sure but I think it happen in France. There was a Psychiatrist in Europe who was depressed and if I remember he also had a drinking problem. He started taking (I believe) the Antidepressant Effexor, (but both these drugs are difficult to taper off of) unfortunately when it came time to stop he took his own advice he had been giving his patients and stopped it in a very short time. I believe 10 days. Needless to say he suffered greatly. He learned something from the experience though. He was tapering his patients far to quickly. Now he is an advocate of the 5-10% / cut & hold method.

Tapering off this medication free from withdrawals is very doable as long as it's done slowly.
Wishing you well,
Jake It

Hi. Please know that I cannot take the place of a compassionate and kind Provider.
But having had experience with benzodiazepine tapering, I encourage you to look at the free download of The Ashton Manual. There is no gimmick to this, but a guide to a very slow either liquid or dry taper so one experiences fewer withdrawal symptoms. There is also some info on YouTube on the different types of tapers
Good luck