1. < Depression & Anxiety
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What is the best way to taper off Klonopin?

Posted by kittymama @kittymama, Apr 7, 2019

Can anyone tell me the best way to taper off Klonopin? I feel it does nothing for my anxiety

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Ellen | @helenfrances | May 26, 2020
In reply to @fluffykitty "@kittymama Hi, I also am tapering off Klondpin after 20 years. I started around October 2018...." + (show)
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@kittymama Hi, I also am tapering off Klondpin after 20 years. I started around October 2018. I took 1.5mg at night. I just no longer need it but was scared to go off. But decided to taper and to my surprise I am still not having any withdrawals that are hard to deal with. I am going down 10% of the pill every 2 to 3 weeks. That is very slow, but with good results. Just a little sleeplessness once in a while. But I am also taking melatonin 5mgs at night. I am currently at .125mg. I am very happy with my taper. The slower, the better my doctor said. And when I get to the last dose, he said take it every other night. It’s tedious to cut that last 1/2 pill but so worth going slow. Best wishes to you.

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I am in the same ? Dilemma!
Taking Clonazapam many years at (too high a dose!)
I have stomach cramps while tapering.
Have a call in to prescriber.
My Gastroenterologist said the pain, cramping is not from IBS ... it is from withdrawal from Clonazapam.
Strange, the prescribing doctor never said that was a possibility.

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2 replies
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sears | @sears | May 28, 2020
In reply to @helenfrances "I am in the same ? Dilemma! Taking Clonazapam many years at (too high a dose!)..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ellen @helenfrances

I am in the same ? Dilemma!
Taking Clonazapam many years at (too high a dose!)
I have stomach cramps while tapering.
Have a call in to prescriber.
My Gastroenterologist said the pain, cramping is not from IBS ... it is from withdrawal from Clonazapam.
Strange, the prescribing doctor never said that was a possibility.

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The prescriber always want to blame withdrawal symptoms on something else. Most , not all, want to prescribe these meds and then wash their hands when it comes to tapering.

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lilypaws | @lilypaws | May 28, 2020
In reply to @helenfrances "I am in the same ? Dilemma! Taking Clonazapam many years at (too high a dose!)..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ellen @helenfrances

I am in the same ? Dilemma!
Taking Clonazapam many years at (too high a dose!)
I have stomach cramps while tapering.
Have a call in to prescriber.
My Gastroenterologist said the pain, cramping is not from IBS ... it is from withdrawal from Clonazapam.
Strange, the prescribing doctor never said that was a possibility.

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@helenfrances My psychiatrist is real good about letting me know how to withdraw from a drug. Just don't stop it all of a sudden. My daughter had a doctor in San Diego just to stop her anti-anxiety med and she had a seizure. Maybe you are getting off of Klonopin too fast. I don't know I'm not a doctor. Thinking of you and hoping you are feeling better.

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macizbac | @macizbac | Jun 3, 2020
In reply to @falon "@kittymama I was on 2mg Klonopin for many, many years. Just recently I got my doctor..." + (show)
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@kittymama I was on 2mg Klonopin for many, many years. Just recently I got my doctor to help me make a plan to get off because it no longer worked for my anxiety. She helped me make a plan to taper by 0.125mg every two weeks. My tablets come in 0.5mg so I take away 1/4 of a tablet every 2 weeks. It is easy because my tablets are scored so they're easy to break into quarter tablets. I take my Klonopin divided into three doses a day. So far it is working but with some increased anxiety and "brain zaps" both of which are hard to cope with but I am determined to get through this. Good luck to you. If I could give any advice it would be to get your doctor involved and keep them involved for the duration of your taper. I see my doctor every 2 weeks. We talk about how I am feeling, do I need to slow the taper, or am I coping with the withdrawal symptoms fairly well. Hope this helps. Blessings.

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Thank you! I was wondering about this also. I'm on a small dose at bedtime to help me sleep. I've really been wanting to get off of it.

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sears | @sears | Jun 4, 2020
In reply to @macizbac "Thank you! I was wondering about this also. I'm on a small dose at bedtime to..." + (show)
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Thank you! I was wondering about this also. I'm on a small dose at bedtime to help me sleep. I've really been wanting to get off of it.

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Why do you no longer want to take this?

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kah4206 | @kah4206 | Jul 11, 2021

Is anyone still in this group for weaning off Klonipin? Looks like last post was a year ago. Taken benzodiazepines for 14 years and klonipin for 3 years for insomnia. Don’t know what to add to it to wean or else I will be awake for 8 hours.

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Jake | @jakedduck1 | Jul 11, 2021
In reply to @kah4206 "Is anyone still in this group for weaning off Klonipin? Looks like last post was a..." + (show)
Profile picture for kah4206 @kah4206

Is anyone still in this group for weaning off Klonipin? Looks like last post was a year ago. Taken benzodiazepines for 14 years and klonipin for 3 years for insomnia. Don’t know what to add to it to wean or else I will be awake for 8 hours.

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@kah4206
If I were you I wouldn't start taking something else. I'd cut back very slowly. I was on a massive dose of Klonopin for seizures and I never had a problem getting off of it. Take it EXTREMELY SLOWLY and you won't even know your Klonopin is being decreased.
Take care,
Jake

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Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Jul 12, 2021
In reply to @kah4206 "Is anyone still in this group for weaning off Klonipin? Looks like last post was a..." + (show)
Profile picture for kah4206 @kah4206

Is anyone still in this group for weaning off Klonipin? Looks like last post was a year ago. Taken benzodiazepines for 14 years and klonipin for 3 years for insomnia. Don’t know what to add to it to wean or else I will be awake for 8 hours.

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Hello @kah4206 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see @jakedduck1 has replied to you already so will let the pair of you connect!

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balderdash | @balderdash | Jul 12, 2021
In reply to @kah4206 "Is anyone still in this group for weaning off Klonipin? Looks like last post was a..." + (show)
Profile picture for kah4206 @kah4206

Is anyone still in this group for weaning off Klonipin? Looks like last post was a year ago. Taken benzodiazepines for 14 years and klonipin for 3 years for insomnia. Don’t know what to add to it to wean or else I will be awake for 8 hours.

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How much Klonopin have you been taking? Do you take any other drugs?

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meka | @meka | Jul 14, 2021
In reply to @balderdash "How much Klonopin have you been taking? Do you take any other drugs?" + (show)
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How much Klonopin have you been taking? Do you take any other drugs?

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Was on Clonazepam for 15+ years, advice, don't add or substitute, go very, very slow, hopefully with a knowledgeable, caring prescriber, Doctor, or counselor. Look up The Ashton Manual, by Dr Ashton for taper info. I'm so glad I did get off, hell going through it, so worth it on this side!!

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