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What is the best way to taper off Klonopin?

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: May 16 6:16pm | Replies (271)

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@pheasy22

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?

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Replies to "I would like to tell everyone my problem. I had a nervous breakdown about a month..."

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.

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.