Klonopin taper - any suggestions?

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

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.

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

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.

I had a similar experience after taking klonopin for 18 years. My doctor had me very slowly reduce the dose (0.5 mg every 3 weeks) but I had awful tremors, shaking and twitching movements anyway. At times the shaking was so violent that it made me fall out of bed. My husband would hold me down during the times when the shaking was at its worst. These shaking and jerky movements involved my entire body. Then I had my first, and only, panic attack. We were not prepared for any of this and felt lonely and very scared.. We went to the er one night but they heard about klonopin withdrawal, put me in bed in a hallway and ignored me. And no, they were not very busy. It was at 3a.m. and after 12 hours of these shaking and jerky movements and the panic attack I still have some tremors after 3 years and am on 2 meds to help control it. I had bad headaches and nausea too. I would still be taking the klonopin if I had known it would be like this. I'm sorry I took it at all. But for me, the outcome was not worth what resulted.

I had a similar experience after taking klonopin for 18 years. My doctor had me very slowly reduce the dose (0.5 mg every 3 weeks) but I had awful tremors, shaking and twitching movements anyway. At times the shaking was so violent that it made me fall out of bed. My husband would hold me down during the times when the shaking was at its worst. These shaking and jerky movements involved my entire body. Then I had my first, and only, panic attack. We were not prepared for any of this and felt lonely and very scared.. We went to the er one night but they heard about klonopin withdrawal, put me in bed in a hallway and ignored me. And no, they were not very busy. It was at 3a.m. and after 12 hours of these shaking and jerky movements and the panic attack I still have some tremors after 3 years and am on 2 meds to help control it. I had bad headaches and nausea too. I would still be taking the klonopin if I had known it would be like this. I'm sorry I took it at all. But for me, the outcome was not worth what resulted.

I'm very sorry to hear about your horrible experience. can I ask you at what dose did you start at when you began your detox?

@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?