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What is the best way to taper off Klonopin?
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Dec 5 7:07am | Replies (281)Comment receiving replies
What a wonderful site this is and clearly shows an ongoing need for these conditions. I'm 74 and have leg and foot tremors just as I'm falling asleep, in addition to pin pricks in my feet, hands, and even my face. It only comes on when I'm just about to drop off, and wakes me up every time. This goes on for two hours or more. Onset occurred when I gradually stopped klonopin, 0.5 mg 2X, which I'd been taking for 20 years. A neurologist examined me and found no back or coordination issues. He prescribed gabapentin, 600 mg, taken at night before bedtime. It sometimes helps but other times doesn't. Is there anything else that might help? Will this go on for the rest of my life? And will there be wicked side effects if or when I finally quit gabapentin? Thanks for any help you can provide. This condition is awful and frightening.
Replies to "What a wonderful site this is and clearly shows an ongoing need for these conditions. I'm..."
I would go on utube and try exercises for restless leg syndrome. It would be worth a try.
JoJo @frankz maybe try amitryptiline? I was given this for restless leg syndrome. I would wake up and feel like I had to get up and move around all the time. I did get up most nights and walk around. Not sure if that would help. I’ve been taking clonazapam for years because I would wake up early morning with panic/anxiety attacks. I have GAD, so I’ve no interest in coming off of it. Do you have any anxiety issues? Is that why you were taking it? A lot of meds have uses for things other than the original treatment use. I hope you find help with this. I’m chronically sleep deprived with all my problems and imagin you are too. Have you talked to your PCP about options?
After retiring and leaving my high-pressure job, my anxiety level went down. My PCP recommended quitting klonopin as it can adversely affect balance, so I followed his advice. I'm just starting to take CBD, low dose, and hope that with gabapentin I'll get some sleep but it's been very difficult timing when to take the gabapentin before trying to sleep.I hope you feel better my friend.
Hello @franzk and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing a nicely detailed account of your symptoms following your Klonopin taper.
You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on getting off of Klonopin, which you can find here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/getting-off-of-klonopin/
I see you've had a couple of members join you already and would like to also connect you with @abc123xyz who is around your same age and had been on it for 15 years.
How long has it been since you started your taper?
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I have taken klonopin .5 for about 15 years for Restless Leg Syndrome. Have you had a sleep study done? A doctor friend of mine who is an addictions specialist told me to taper off taking .25 for one month and should ok. I haven't made a decision to so that yet. I also take Gabapentin. Im not a doctor and would not presume to give advice. There are some exercises that are helpful with the leg issues. Even if you haven't been diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome the exercises can be helpful. Why did you have to stop Klonopin? Hot water helps with leg issues.