Klonopin taper - any suggestions?

I went through h**** to be honest. The doctor who was prescribing completely cut me off. After years of use, I wanted to try medical marijuana. When I went to my appointment with the doc, I told her that I had tried it. She freaked out because using marijuana is a FEDERAL crime. She said I violated my signed agreement, which was true. She actually started screaming about she could lose her license if she prescribed oxy to me. I was not expecting this reaction at all. I'm dumb, I should never have told her about my marijuana experiment, which didn't work by the way. She refuse to refill my prescription. Luckily for me, I had started to take less than prescribed because I wanted to see if marijuana would work. I had about 90 pills. I tapered myself off. I am so glad I did. After the oxy got out of my system, my pain was unbearable, but I started what I finished. I am still in chronic pain every day, but I would never take oxy again.

I went through h**** to be honest. The doctor who was prescribing completely cut me off. After years of use, I wanted to try medical marijuana. When I went to my appointment with the doc, I told her that I had tried it. She freaked out because using marijuana is a FEDERAL crime. She said I violated my signed agreement, which was true. She actually started screaming about she could lose her license if she prescribed oxy to me. I was not expecting this reaction at all. I'm dumb, I should never have told her about my marijuana experiment, which didn't work by the way. She refuse to refill my prescription. Luckily for me, I had started to take less than prescribed because I wanted to see if marijuana would work. I had about 90 pills. I tapered myself off. I am so glad I did. After the oxy got out of my system, my pain was unbearable, but I started what I finished. I am still in chronic pain every day, but I would never take oxy again.

I am so sorry to hear of your absolutely terrifying experience while withdrawing from Klonopin. Many times I told my Dr. I was a happy, healthy, social person before stopping Lorazepam after taking at least 10 years. I was put on Klonopin to withdraw from Lorazepam 6MG. I am 9 months into the tapering from .5 to now 1/2 of .125. I cannot believe your Dr. had you withdraw so quickly. I still have tremors in my mouth and jaw but am so happy I have gotten this far. I have to say tho every morning I worry about what my body is going to do to me. Definitely my body turned against me. I lost my hair, went down to 106 pounds, my skin still hangs off my bones. One week ago all of a sudden my upper and lower gums were all swollen (not bleeding) and were receding. I won't belabor the side effects. I'm now a JUNKIE reading and researching Benzodiazepines and wish there was something I could do to get them off the market. I had never heard the word Benzodiazepine 10 months ago, I knew the word Lorazepam that's all. Many websites say you can have side effects for many, many years. Also, all have said you need a Psychiatrist not a GP to help with the withdrawal, although not all are really familiar with withdrawing from Benzodiazepines. I just do not know what to say, you are still suffering and it's a sin what has happened to you. Sounds like you are still having withdrawals, those are many of the symptoms. I cannot believe there is nothing out there that can help you. I will get back to you if I hear any successes with new trials. Keep up with connect.mayo, it is my new best friend. By the way you were not on a slow taper which research says is a must. Go on Line to Ashton Manual on Benzos.org. This will give you knowledge and hope. Laurine

Well my psychiatrist worked out the schedule for the withdrawal of klonopin. I had just had back surgery and my doctor said he could not give me pain meds until I stopped taking the klonopin. He gave me only 10 weeks to get off it so I had no choice. My psychiatrist worked a schedule with that time in mind. But I was not prepared for all of the things that happened. I'm happy that you have had better advice and it sounds like you will be off benzos soon. That really is an achievement!

@laurine7
“wish there was something I could do to get them off the market.”
I don’t understand why people are insistent on taking drugs off the market because they had bad experiences with them which is more often than not the person's own fault.
Not everyone has withdrawal problems. I withdrew off Klonopin with no problems. Although the medication wasn't helpful in controlling my seizures it is very helpful for many. Is it fair to want to deprive those patients who have fewer or no seizures?

@laurine7
“wish there was something I could do to get them off the market.”
I don’t understand why people are insistent on taking drugs off the market because they had bad experiences with them which is more often than not the person's own fault.
Not everyone has withdrawal problems. I withdrew off Klonopin with no problems. Although the medication wasn't helpful in controlling my seizures it is very helpful for many. Is it fair to want to deprive those patients who have fewer or no seizures?

So you took Oxycontin? I wish I could write something that would make you feel better. You sound so desperate and there has to be a better life for you. Please go on line and research Ashton"s knowledge about Benzodiazepines. Hopefully there will be something that will give you hope. Laurine

I thought they took it off the market. Oxycontin is usually reserved for longer-lasting pain from the late stages of a longterm disease usually cancer. Doctors may add immediate release oxycodone to treatment when the pain becomes severe. Which one were you taking? Laurine

I was one of the unfortunates who was once addicted to oxycontin/oxycodone. A victim of the greedy pharma companies. Dope pushers. I have been 3 years clean as of January 1st. My doctor truly believed she was doing the right thing when she gave me my first prescription in 1992. For fibromyalgia. I forgive her but oxy took years of my life away from me that I can never get back.