I'm so thankful to be able to read about others' experiences tapering off of Clonazepam.
I've been taking 2 mg at night (along with 10 mg of Zolpidem) for around 17 years. I took Lorazepam for around 10 years prior - PRN for panic attacks.
I'll be 65 years old in 3 mos. A couple of mos. ago my psychiatric nurse callously told me she could no longer refill my prescriptions (which she'd been doling out for so long without hesitation) after I turn 65 and that I'd "have real problems finding anyone that would prescribe them".
When I expressed fear, she told me I'd most likely have to be admitted to the hospital where I'd be given anti-seizure medication. She almost seemed judgemental. I was embarrassed and horrified.
Already anxious and depressed, her sudden course of "treatment" had me on the verge of tears for weeks. I began searching online (which was scary), for success stories that didn't require hospitalization and weren't too awfully rapid/painful/even deadly.
There's so much stigma and patients are so often labeled as "drug seeking", so I was ambivalent about speaking to my PCP about it.
Today, I brought it up and I'm SO glad I did. She assured me that she will refill my prescriptions, will refer me to a _competent_ psychiatrist and will support me as I work my way through getting off of these pills that have so much control over my psyche.
I cut from 2 to 1.5 mg/night a month ago and other than some stomach issues, mild anxiety, and depression (which may or may not be related), I'm okay!
I know it gets much harder the more the dose is decreased, but now, at least, I feel that I'll have a support system.
I know that all physicians aren't as proactive or understanding, but if your mental health professional is failing you, I recommend you reach out to other providers. Feeling understood, supported, and knowing that you'll have a PLANNED taper is so important.
Thanks again for sharing so much info and for letting me join in the conversation.
Wonderful to hear your PCP stepped up to the plate. I’m sure this has been a relief. I’m not really crazy about nurse practitioners. I think some really think they’re doctors. Keep us posted!
Hi everyone I’m new here too. I have ben taking .5 MG of Klonaopin as part of a “drug cocktail” for about 10 years. I really would like to get off this so I can think clearly again. Does anyone know how slowly I need to taper this? Its such a small dose and only at night. At first I thought I could just stop but now I’m getting worried reading all these comments. I stopped drinking with no issues aside from craving sugar and its been over a year with no issues so I do feel like I’m in a good psychological position to stop? Thank you!!
Wonderful to hear your PCP stepped up to the plate. I’m sure this has been a relief. I’m not really crazy about nurse practitioners. I think some really think they’re doctors. Keep us posted!
I got off Klonipin two years ago on my own. I would taper off by 1/8 of a pill every few weeks. I know it might be hard to split a pill that way, but I was extremely conservative about it, and didn't notice a thing. Best wishes to you.
I would like to tell everyone my problem. I had a nervous breakdown about a month ago. I have been on .5 /.75 mg of Klonopin for about a year and a half. My mother passed away unexpectedly in May and I did not grieve well. I was an only child and I took it really hard, but didn't process it. So when the holidays came around I was having panic attacks left and right and the went to the ER 6 times!! Each time they gave me an Ativan .5 and sent me on my way after good bloodwork. Fast forward 2 weeks and I start a Partial Hospitalization Program, and I get put on Zoloft 100MG and Seroquel 50MG. I was not eating or sleeping, so I have to say that these meds helped with that. However, through this process, the Psychiatrist asks me what I am taking in Klonopin. I told him I was taking .5 mg a day and sometimes may need .75 depending on panic attacks. He asked me how many pills I had, and I told him that I had 5 left, and he told me to cut them in half and I was done. My PCP who originally put me on 2 mg a day sent me to this Psychiatrist, so I am freaking completely out. I slowly tapered myself from 2 MG down to .5 in about 6-7 months. I luckily found 5 more pills that I had put back in my med cabinet months ago. So, I tell them I am not comfortable with the speed of this taper and they act like I am a bad guy for not trusting them. They are a non-Benzo facility at this Psych hospital. All this, and I am 46 with 2 kids, a great job, but I have not been to work (fmla) for the past 5 weeks due to uncontrollable anxiety. I have called a friend of mine that is a Nurse Practitioner that is willing to taper me down slowly, but I am worried that the Psych Hospital will get upset if I go outside of them or my regular PCP to get a feasible controlled slow taper. Plus, I do not want to be looked at as a Dr. Shopper or pill head. I just want to stop taking this medication slowly, so I don't have uncontrollable side effects or dreadful rebound anxiety. Any suggestions?
I would like to tell everyone my problem. I had a nervous breakdown about a month ago. I have been on .5 /.75 mg of Klonopin for about a year and a half. My mother passed away unexpectedly in May and I did not grieve well. I was an only child and I took it really hard, but didn't process it. So when the holidays came around I was having panic attacks left and right and the went to the ER 6 times!! Each time they gave me an Ativan .5 and sent me on my way after good bloodwork. Fast forward 2 weeks and I start a Partial Hospitalization Program, and I get put on Zoloft 100MG and Seroquel 50MG. I was not eating or sleeping, so I have to say that these meds helped with that. However, through this process, the Psychiatrist asks me what I am taking in Klonopin. I told him I was taking .5 mg a day and sometimes may need .75 depending on panic attacks. He asked me how many pills I had, and I told him that I had 5 left, and he told me to cut them in half and I was done. My PCP who originally put me on 2 mg a day sent me to this Psychiatrist, so I am freaking completely out. I slowly tapered myself from 2 MG down to .5 in about 6-7 months. I luckily found 5 more pills that I had put back in my med cabinet months ago. So, I tell them I am not comfortable with the speed of this taper and they act like I am a bad guy for not trusting them. They are a non-Benzo facility at this Psych hospital. All this, and I am 46 with 2 kids, a great job, but I have not been to work (fmla) for the past 5 weeks due to uncontrollable anxiety. I have called a friend of mine that is a Nurse Practitioner that is willing to taper me down slowly, but I am worried that the Psych Hospital will get upset if I go outside of them or my regular PCP to get a feasible controlled slow taper. Plus, I do not want to be looked at as a Dr. Shopper or pill head. I just want to stop taking this medication slowly, so I don't have uncontrollable side effects or dreadful rebound anxiety. Any suggestions?
Could you just tell the partial hospitalization people you feel more comfortable going slowly? It's not about trust (they myst be struggling with their own pride), it's about knowledge. When I have had a difference of opinion with my PNP, it's not good to argue. Maybe you can plead your ignorance and ask them to help you understand why they think you can titrate quickly. And humbly pray to God for wisdom and help with this. Make the decision to leave the PH program as a last resort.
I would like to tell everyone my problem. I had a nervous breakdown about a month ago. I have been on .5 /.75 mg of Klonopin for about a year and a half. My mother passed away unexpectedly in May and I did not grieve well. I was an only child and I took it really hard, but didn't process it. So when the holidays came around I was having panic attacks left and right and the went to the ER 6 times!! Each time they gave me an Ativan .5 and sent me on my way after good bloodwork. Fast forward 2 weeks and I start a Partial Hospitalization Program, and I get put on Zoloft 100MG and Seroquel 50MG. I was not eating or sleeping, so I have to say that these meds helped with that. However, through this process, the Psychiatrist asks me what I am taking in Klonopin. I told him I was taking .5 mg a day and sometimes may need .75 depending on panic attacks. He asked me how many pills I had, and I told him that I had 5 left, and he told me to cut them in half and I was done. My PCP who originally put me on 2 mg a day sent me to this Psychiatrist, so I am freaking completely out. I slowly tapered myself from 2 MG down to .5 in about 6-7 months. I luckily found 5 more pills that I had put back in my med cabinet months ago. So, I tell them I am not comfortable with the speed of this taper and they act like I am a bad guy for not trusting them. They are a non-Benzo facility at this Psych hospital. All this, and I am 46 with 2 kids, a great job, but I have not been to work (fmla) for the past 5 weeks due to uncontrollable anxiety. I have called a friend of mine that is a Nurse Practitioner that is willing to taper me down slowly, but I am worried that the Psych Hospital will get upset if I go outside of them or my regular PCP to get a feasible controlled slow taper. Plus, I do not want to be looked at as a Dr. Shopper or pill head. I just want to stop taking this medication slowly, so I don't have uncontrollable side effects or dreadful rebound anxiety. Any suggestions?
Sounds like the PH program is not being professional, treating you like a "bad guy". Don't get involved in games with them, just focus on the facts.
And be careful with Seroquel. I'vebeen on Seroquel since last April. It has some nasty side effects. It leads to overeating and diabetes if one is not careful, among other things. Do a google search on Seroquel side effects. Don't panic over it, just be informed.
If you want to talk more about anxiety, feel free. I've gone that route, have been in hospital, now am doing well on the other side.
Sounds like the PH program is not being professional, treating you like a "bad guy". Don't get involved in games with them, just focus on the facts.
And be careful with Seroquel. I'vebeen on Seroquel since last April. It has some nasty side effects. It leads to overeating and diabetes if one is not careful, among other things. Do a google search on Seroquel side effects. Don't panic over it, just be informed.
If you want to talk more about anxiety, feel free. I've gone that route, have been in hospital, now am doing well on the other side.
Sounds like the PH program is not being professional, treating you like a "bad guy". Don't get involved in games with them, just focus on the facts.
And be careful with Seroquel. I'vebeen on Seroquel since last April. It has some nasty side effects. It leads to overeating and diabetes if one is not careful, among other things. Do a google search on Seroquel side effects. Don't panic over it, just be informed.
If you want to talk more about anxiety, feel free. I've gone that route, have been in hospital, now am doing well on the other side.
I am done with PHP now and back to my old medication manager at the same hospital. She has to release me to return to work Monday, but I told her this morning that I was not trying to be difficult, and I wanted to be transparent as possible, but I am going to get a 2nd opinion if they don't let me do a slow taper. While I know the meds are not working for me anymore, tapering slowly on them is vital for my long-term health. I do not want to argue with them about it, but I have to be released to go back to work and they are a Benzo Free facility, so I know they are not going to write the prescription.
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I'm so thankful to be able to read about others' experiences tapering off of Clonazepam.
I've been taking 2 mg at night (along with 10 mg of Zolpidem) for around 17 years. I took Lorazepam for around 10 years prior - PRN for panic attacks.
I'll be 65 years old in 3 mos. A couple of mos. ago my psychiatric nurse callously told me she could no longer refill my prescriptions (which she'd been doling out for so long without hesitation) after I turn 65 and that I'd "have real problems finding anyone that would prescribe them".
When I expressed fear, she told me I'd most likely have to be admitted to the hospital where I'd be given anti-seizure medication. She almost seemed judgemental. I was embarrassed and horrified.
Already anxious and depressed, her sudden course of "treatment" had me on the verge of tears for weeks. I began searching online (which was scary), for success stories that didn't require hospitalization and weren't too awfully rapid/painful/even deadly.
There's so much stigma and patients are so often labeled as "drug seeking", so I was ambivalent about speaking to my PCP about it.
Today, I brought it up and I'm SO glad I did. She assured me that she will refill my prescriptions, will refer me to a _competent_ psychiatrist and will support me as I work my way through getting off of these pills that have so much control over my psyche.
I cut from 2 to 1.5 mg/night a month ago and other than some stomach issues, mild anxiety, and depression (which may or may not be related), I'm okay!
I know it gets much harder the more the dose is decreased, but now, at least, I feel that I'll have a support system.
I know that all physicians aren't as proactive or understanding, but if your mental health professional is failing you, I recommend you reach out to other providers. Feeling understood, supported, and knowing that you'll have a PLANNED taper is so important.
Thanks again for sharing so much info and for letting me join in the conversation.
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4 ReactionsWonderful to hear your PCP stepped up to the plate. I’m sure this has been a relief. I’m not really crazy about nurse practitioners. I think some really think they’re doctors. Keep us posted!
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3 ReactionsHow’s your sleep?
Thank you. Will do.
I got off Klonipin two years ago on my own. I would taper off by 1/8 of a pill every few weeks. I know it might be hard to split a pill that way, but I was extremely conservative about it, and didn't notice a thing. Best wishes to you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI would like to tell everyone my problem. I had a nervous breakdown about a month ago. I have been on .5 /.75 mg of Klonopin for about a year and a half. My mother passed away unexpectedly in May and I did not grieve well. I was an only child and I took it really hard, but didn't process it. So when the holidays came around I was having panic attacks left and right and the went to the ER 6 times!! Each time they gave me an Ativan .5 and sent me on my way after good bloodwork. Fast forward 2 weeks and I start a Partial Hospitalization Program, and I get put on Zoloft 100MG and Seroquel 50MG. I was not eating or sleeping, so I have to say that these meds helped with that. However, through this process, the Psychiatrist asks me what I am taking in Klonopin. I told him I was taking .5 mg a day and sometimes may need .75 depending on panic attacks. He asked me how many pills I had, and I told him that I had 5 left, and he told me to cut them in half and I was done. My PCP who originally put me on 2 mg a day sent me to this Psychiatrist, so I am freaking completely out. I slowly tapered myself from 2 MG down to .5 in about 6-7 months. I luckily found 5 more pills that I had put back in my med cabinet months ago. So, I tell them I am not comfortable with the speed of this taper and they act like I am a bad guy for not trusting them. They are a non-Benzo facility at this Psych hospital. All this, and I am 46 with 2 kids, a great job, but I have not been to work (fmla) for the past 5 weeks due to uncontrollable anxiety. I have called a friend of mine that is a Nurse Practitioner that is willing to taper me down slowly, but I am worried that the Psych Hospital will get upset if I go outside of them or my regular PCP to get a feasible controlled slow taper. Plus, I do not want to be looked at as a Dr. Shopper or pill head. I just want to stop taking this medication slowly, so I don't have uncontrollable side effects or dreadful rebound anxiety. Any suggestions?
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsCould you just tell the partial hospitalization people you feel more comfortable going slowly? It's not about trust (they myst be struggling with their own pride), it's about knowledge. When I have had a difference of opinion with my PNP, it's not good to argue. Maybe you can plead your ignorance and ask them to help you understand why they think you can titrate quickly. And humbly pray to God for wisdom and help with this. Make the decision to leave the PH program as a last resort.
Sounds like the PH program is not being professional, treating you like a "bad guy". Don't get involved in games with them, just focus on the facts.
And be careful with Seroquel. I'vebeen on Seroquel since last April. It has some nasty side effects. It leads to overeating and diabetes if one is not careful, among other things. Do a google search on Seroquel side effects. Don't panic over it, just be informed.
If you want to talk more about anxiety, feel free. I've gone that route, have been in hospital, now am doing well on the other side.
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3 ReactionsWell said and great advice.
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1 ReactionI am done with PHP now and back to my old medication manager at the same hospital. She has to release me to return to work Monday, but I told her this morning that I was not trying to be difficult, and I wanted to be transparent as possible, but I am going to get a 2nd opinion if they don't let me do a slow taper. While I know the meds are not working for me anymore, tapering slowly on them is vital for my long-term health. I do not want to argue with them about it, but I have to be released to go back to work and they are a Benzo Free facility, so I know they are not going to write the prescription.
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2 Reactions