Klonopin taper - any suggestions?

Sleep 3 is an OTC that I use for sleep. It has melatonin and other herbals and works pretty well. Also use 25 mgs. of benadryl some nights to get to sleep, but there are side effects, but non-addicting

Are you looking for script medications as well?

oh my goodness. I don't sleep worth a darn and I'm in "treatment" for PTSD, a zoom therapy group. I tapered off Wellbutrin 300mg and also Topamax 200mg. I'd been taking the generics, Wellbutrin since about 2008 when 2nd husband died and Topamax for over 20 years. My body functions are better overall with a change to a close to vegan diet but my migraine MAIN issue is kicking my butt. Daily migraine as long as I can remember. The Topamax sort of blunted my nerve endings it felt like and now they are frayed as usual. Topamax never stopped the headaches nor does Botox for migraine which I still get every 3 months. I have no stress daily. My stress comes from POST traumatic events, death of 2 children, one of whom was missing for 12 years, (he died about 9 years after he came back home, death of my 2nd husband, home burned completely. 2007 first son died, 2008, husband died, 2009 father died, 2010 missing child after 12 years gone, returned and lived with his father, 2013 remarried and moved to NYC, vaginal prolapse surgeries in 2013, 2014 and 2015, home burned in 2016, then in 2018 the returned child died 2 days following the death of my children's father whom he was living with, 2 months later my mother died. I trust myself but I sure don't trust my LIFE. When I have no migraine, I also have no depression which I didn't realize until I was off the meds. I use 4 different triptan meds to manage the migraine pain. Someone suggested the Clonazipan (sp) but I wasn't about to try another medication to get dependent on. I weaned myself but my docs did know and were available if I needed to make any changes or have assistance.

No script....meds. I was in the hospital with in Nov. Covid really sick. I had lots of steroids, antibiotics and a plasma transfusion. Now I am a long hauler and my body is rejecting meds. The Klonipin is making me burn and tingly all over. every time I take it now. I was also on Cymbalta for 15 years and they took me off that in the hospital cold turkey. I went through horrific side effects and it’s been 6 months being off that. Now I’m needing to come off this.

Yes, I read through that last night. Thank you for the reply

Hi There @dawgbone,
I feel for you. The clonazepan taper is really rough. I was on 2 mg for 5 years for a neurological movement disorder. It was necessary for me to taper as the Clonazepam was causing my white blood cell count to drop.
It has been a year and I have been able to taper to 1.5 mg. For me, trying to do anymore than that was causing insomnia and the terrible anxiety and the feeling of dying you mentioned. I felt horrible, but going out and being with people helped me get my mind on something else. It is important to do thing you used to enjoy, be with family, friends or anything that gives you a sense of accomplishment. I know I had no desire to do that, but forcing myself made me feel better and took my mind off my anxiety. You may be going to quickly on your taper. I had two doctors tell me .25 every six month. And that is from their experiences with other patients. There is a sight called benzo buddies which is helpful for those of us tapering off the Benzos.
I found the best advice on that site. You are blessed to have grandchildren. Take care off yourself. I found that exercise and meditation classes help. Also being outside and soaking in the sun. I hope this helps. All my best to you and a big hug.

Wow - that’s so interesting. My doc suggested cutting 25% every 2 weeks. But I’m only at 1mg. But I feel like the taper was too fast as I just began having withdrawal symptoms. So I guess I’m gonna take a low dose for longer

Wow - that’s so interesting. My doc suggested cutting 25% every 2 weeks. But I’m only at 1mg. But I feel like the taper was too fast as I just began having withdrawal symptoms. So I guess I’m gonna take a low dose for longer

I have been there! Just do it slowly and if tapering and feel jittery or any bad affects, back up and try again in a week or two. I am 78 and going in to my last two weeks of a 9 month taper. You know better than anybody when to proceed to taper down. Drink lots of water and PEDIALYTE AND ENSURE MAX PROTEIN, French Vanilla is the best. Amazon is 1/2 price of Walgreens Drug. You will feel better when you hydrate and you need protein. This changes your life, but there is life after Benzodiazepines, Anti Socializing seems to be a side affect of withdrawal. I think sleep was just a dream, only 3 to 4 hrs a night if I was lucky. My psychiatrist recommended BENADRYL (PRESCRIPTION), NOT OVER THE COUNTER, ask your Doctor if you are having a problem sleeping to give you a script for this. You will come out beyond this for sure. Keep the faith!