How did you taper off Benzodiazepines?

Are you sure it’s withdrawal and not your original anxiety that has returned?

I am going to lose my health insurance and prescription coverage within the next 6 weeks. I am a 62 year old female and have been on Klonopin (Clonazepam) 0.5 tablets dosage 2 times a day and as many times as I have tried to taper off without a Doctor's permission my attempts have been futile. I am not able to go in to a Rehab Detox Center. Any suggestions to have a successful taper after such a long time on Benzo's? leah09

Here I am again after a much disappointing outcome. I was on Lorazepam 6MG for at least 10 years. A friend's husband, a Psychiatrist told me it was a dangerous drug. I decided in a day to stop. Called my Primary Doctor and asked how long would it take to get off, he said 7 days, do I want something to help, I said no. Obviously I knew nothing about Benzodiazepines and tapering. Four days after stopping COLD TURKEY I was in very bad shape. I kept hearing my phone ring and it wasn't, I sat up in bed rocking for hours, could not lay down, it made me vomit. I could never describe what I went through. 4:40 AM I called my Doctor and he called in a prescription, which was Clonazepam, another Benzodiazepine. Plus 3 other medications to get me through this, Mirtazapine, Ropinirole and Hydroxyzine. Needless to say there were several others Gabapentin for sleep, that was a terrible problem. Two weeks after staring the new medications I got a terrible rash all over the upper part of my body. Two weeks after that ended I got hives all over. These are both signs of a reaction from one of the prescriptions I was taking. Obviously I didn't sleep much for three weeks because they caused itching and burning. I started tapering myself as I so badly wanted off these drugs. One script at a time. My suggestions not the Doctors. At this point I started seeing a Psychiatrist at UCSF because was told this is who I needed to go thru withdrawing and tapering off the ORIGINAL LORAZEPAM. I was, at start of tapering, taking .5MG Clonazepam which was switched from the 6MG of Lorazepam, which has a longer half life. At 10 months off all medications I found out that I should had started my withdrawal and tapering with 3mg of Clonazepam which is equal to 6mg of Lorazepam. Contacted both my Doctor's and told them of the mistake they made when they started my taper with the wrong strength of Clonazepam. That is why I had HORRIBLE HORRIBLE withdrawal systems for 10 months and all the while I was telling both I was having tremors, not sleeping and felt I was getting worse not better. At this point I was dealing with my Psychiatrist which the Medical Industry says you need a Psychiatrist when tapering. She told me my symptoms were not are not from tapering. Where am I now, not doing well. I am 79 years of age and a very ANGRY PERSON. I am basically on my own. They will not admit to their mistake, which is a big one, one everything you read about tapering will tell you make sure you are dosed correctly when changing to a longer half life to taper. Sorry this has been so lengthy, I did omit a lot. I hope this wakes up anyone who is going or will go thru tapering to be aware. Went on line many time to find out the comparable strength of Clonazepam from Lorazepam and only found info when tapering from Lorazepam to Diazepam. I found it way too late. Make sure you RESEARCH AND RESEARCH, and read ASHTONS MANUAL. Thank you Mayo for allowing me this theatre to vent.

Here I am again after a much disappointing outcome. I was on Lorazepam 6MG for at least 10 years. A friend's husband, a Psychiatrist told me it was a dangerous drug. I decided in a day to stop. Called my Primary Doctor and asked how long would it take to get off, he said 7 days, do I want something to help, I said no. Obviously I knew nothing about Benzodiazepines and tapering. Four days after stopping COLD TURKEY I was in very bad shape. I kept hearing my phone ring and it wasn't, I sat up in bed rocking for hours, could not lay down, it made me vomit. I could never describe what I went through. 4:40 AM I called my Doctor and he called in a prescription, which was Clonazepam, another Benzodiazepine. Plus 3 other medications to get me through this, Mirtazapine, Ropinirole and Hydroxyzine. Needless to say there were several others Gabapentin for sleep, that was a terrible problem. Two weeks after staring the new medications I got a terrible rash all over the upper part of my body. Two weeks after that ended I got hives all over. These are both signs of a reaction from one of the prescriptions I was taking. Obviously I didn't sleep much for three weeks because they caused itching and burning. I started tapering myself as I so badly wanted off these drugs. One script at a time. My suggestions not the Doctors. At this point I started seeing a Psychiatrist at UCSF because was told this is who I needed to go thru withdrawing and tapering off the ORIGINAL LORAZEPAM. I was, at start of tapering, taking .5MG Clonazepam which was switched from the 6MG of Lorazepam, which has a longer half life. At 10 months off all medications I found out that I should had started my withdrawal and tapering with 3mg of Clonazepam which is equal to 6mg of Lorazepam. Contacted both my Doctor's and told them of the mistake they made when they started my taper with the wrong strength of Clonazepam. That is why I had HORRIBLE HORRIBLE withdrawal systems for 10 months and all the while I was telling both I was having tremors, not sleeping and felt I was getting worse not better. At this point I was dealing with my Psychiatrist which the Medical Industry says you need a Psychiatrist when tapering. She told me my symptoms were not are not from tapering. Where am I now, not doing well. I am 79 years of age and a very ANGRY PERSON. I am basically on my own. They will not admit to their mistake, which is a big one, one everything you read about tapering will tell you make sure you are dosed correctly when changing to a longer half life to taper. Sorry this has been so lengthy, I did omit a lot. I hope this wakes up anyone who is going or will go thru tapering to be aware. Went on line many time to find out the comparable strength of Clonazepam from Lorazepam and only found info when tapering from Lorazepam to Diazepam. I found it way too late. Make sure you RESEARCH AND RESEARCH, and read ASHTONS MANUAL. Thank you Mayo for allowing me this theatre to vent.

What is Kpinz?

Street Name for Klonopin/Clonazepam. My younger brother was a Lieutenant in the MA State Police and in charge of Western Massachusetts Drug enforcement until he retired 5 years ago! Lol

Thank you for expressing your anger, frustration, etc. I so relate, but also know it can be done and even with almost 5 years of hell, I am off all psych meds. It is so worth the struggle!! Ashton Manual, and there are support groups on line that are helpful!!!

Here I am again after a much disappointing outcome. I was on Lorazepam 6MG for at least 10 years. A friend's husband, a Psychiatrist told me it was a dangerous drug. I decided in a day to stop. Called my Primary Doctor and asked how long would it take to get off, he said 7 days, do I want something to help, I said no. Obviously I knew nothing about Benzodiazepines and tapering. Four days after stopping COLD TURKEY I was in very bad shape. I kept hearing my phone ring and it wasn't, I sat up in bed rocking for hours, could not lay down, it made me vomit. I could never describe what I went through. 4:40 AM I called my Doctor and he called in a prescription, which was Clonazepam, another Benzodiazepine. Plus 3 other medications to get me through this, Mirtazapine, Ropinirole and Hydroxyzine. Needless to say there were several others Gabapentin for sleep, that was a terrible problem. Two weeks after staring the new medications I got a terrible rash all over the upper part of my body. Two weeks after that ended I got hives all over. These are both signs of a reaction from one of the prescriptions I was taking. Obviously I didn't sleep much for three weeks because they caused itching and burning. I started tapering myself as I so badly wanted off these drugs. One script at a time. My suggestions not the Doctors. At this point I started seeing a Psychiatrist at UCSF because was told this is who I needed to go thru withdrawing and tapering off the ORIGINAL LORAZEPAM. I was, at start of tapering, taking .5MG Clonazepam which was switched from the 6MG of Lorazepam, which has a longer half life. At 10 months off all medications I found out that I should had started my withdrawal and tapering with 3mg of Clonazepam which is equal to 6mg of Lorazepam. Contacted both my Doctor's and told them of the mistake they made when they started my taper with the wrong strength of Clonazepam. That is why I had HORRIBLE HORRIBLE withdrawal systems for 10 months and all the while I was telling both I was having tremors, not sleeping and felt I was getting worse not better. At this point I was dealing with my Psychiatrist which the Medical Industry says you need a Psychiatrist when tapering. She told me my symptoms were not are not from tapering. Where am I now, not doing well. I am 79 years of age and a very ANGRY PERSON. I am basically on my own. They will not admit to their mistake, which is a big one, one everything you read about tapering will tell you make sure you are dosed correctly when changing to a longer half life to taper. Sorry this has been so lengthy, I did omit a lot. I hope this wakes up anyone who is going or will go thru tapering to be aware. Went on line many time to find out the comparable strength of Clonazepam from Lorazepam and only found info when tapering from Lorazepam to Diazepam. I found it way too late. Make sure you RESEARCH AND RESEARCH, and read ASHTONS MANUAL. Thank you Mayo for allowing me this theatre to vent.

It’s the only thing that puts me to sleep, unfortunately. I take 1mg of it.