Klonopin taper

Posted by dawgbone @dawgbone, Jul 31, 2017

I have been on some kind of benzo for almost 40 yrs. I am trying to taper from 1.5-2 mgs of klonopin daily . Began in mid may 2017 and my last cut was very small on 7-2-17 to get to 1mg. Honestly feels like i am dying. I also take trazodone 75 mgs and 4 drugs for high blood pressure. I have been researching gabapentin and seroquel to help with the withdrawal symptons. Please offer any suggestions or help. I am 69 yrs old and cant even leave my house to visit my kids and grands. Thank you for any help!

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@lindasmith1222

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.

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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

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@laurine7

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

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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!

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@mlmchem1

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!

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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

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@jakedduck1

@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?

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That's a good point, I agree. Then the Doctor's should be held accountable, they should know all the side effects and monitor whether the drug is doing what it should and if not, stop the prescription. Someone has to be accountable, we are not guinea pigs.

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@jakedduck1

@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?

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Perhaps Benzos should only be prescribed to seizure patients? Or doctors should follow the two week recommendation?

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@laurine7

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

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I never took oxycontin but after 2 surgeries on my spine I did take oxycodone for around 6 months. I have never had such extreme pain as with those back operations. Haven't taken it for a long time. Nor have I been on benzos for years. I don't want all benzos taken off the market as I do see that they can be useful to some people.

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@laurine7

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

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Both. I started on Oxycontin and then was prescribed Oxycodone. I don't know if it is off market. I had knee surgery last year and was given fentanyl. A drug is a drug is a drug

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@lindasmith1222

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.

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Thank you for sharing HOPE!

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@laurine7

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

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I’m sorry that anyone has had to experience this type of withdrawal.
I applaud anyone that has refused to let any drug or individual dictate what you are going to allow to rule your life.
NEVER give up on yourself!!!

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@laurine7

I don't know why she told you she could lose her license if she prescribed Oxycodone, they give it to you after surgeries today. OxyContin is off the market, I believe. I am in California and Marijuana is not illegal. I can't believe she yelled at you, very unprofessional. Look up what you were prescribed on line. Read what is out there about her losing her license, print a copy and send it to her. The pharmaceutical company that marketed it to Doctors just lost a multi billion dollar lawsuit to all the families who were lost taking Oxycontin. What state do you live in? Can you get CBD OIL to rub on you anywhere. That has a really good track record and it is even recommended for dogs who have separation problems when their owners leave them alone at home. Good luck and keep the faith. The worst you have gotten through, getting off Oxy. sure a winner.

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Marijuana is illegal. The FEDERAL government has NOT legalized it. Perhaps California has special privilege and does not have to follow federal laws. I told people exactly what happened to me and the doctor that did this does not have good standing in the community or with other doctors. She has since quit and moved to parts unknown. She is a nut case.

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