Klonopin taper

Hello again @reese1 , I wanted you to know I am reading the wonderful article you've sent me!! I have never known exactly how the clonazapam works in my body so I went to that first. I'll let you know when I am done reading as much as I can this a.m. Can't thank you enough, Denise

I don't plan to use a substitute as I go through my plan to taper slowly. I've gone a month already just taking away 1/4 tablet at a time, with no ill effects. As I read the article in the link @reese1 gave me, I am reading how many of my issues could very well be from taking even the 1 mg of clonazapam, so it makes me more determined to stick with a "slow taper" plan so my body can start recovering.

So yes, I'm just doing this my way because I believe my doctor had pressured me to go faster. I don't think he did it purposely, they just are taught their ways. But each month, he would cut down my amount of clonazapam and I would panic, or worry that I was not ready. He didn't contact me to let me know things were changing in my next month supply. I realize I needed to stay on top of it myself with him, contact him and let him know I wasn't ready and that it was causing me more anxiety thinking I was being forced to take less.

I hope that makes sense to folks, but I can tell you, being honest, I am doing it this time "my way". I was thinking to cut down another 1/4 tab, but decided that staying another month on the 3/4 was best just to make sure I was ready to go down another 1/4 to start just .5 mg. I am hoping that it isn't to late for my body to fill in the blanks, so to speak, that will no longer be filled with the drug. Anyway, I will keep everyone posted here as I have no one at all in my life for support.

I want to ask if anyone tried something to help our GABA receptors, I think they are called in the article? I just took an L-theanine (from green or black tea) that has shown some help in relaxing, anti-anxiety, but really not much evidence or studies found on it. I am so grateful for this forum, thank you all, Denise

Hello @mkdb

I finally got out of "self" and wanted to tell you that I can't agree more on the slow-taper that I think it was @reese1 or someone mentioned about heart issues. I have a 3rd degree AV Node block since 97, on my 3rd pacemaker now so it's crucial I stay aware of that as I am tapering.

I don't know if my TIA (mentioned in my other replies on this thread) was brought on by me tapering too fast so I went back to my full dose of 1 mg per day. The more I think about it the more I think it was the tapering too fast. So this time has to be slower 🙂

I've been on clonazapam since 1988. I tried cold-turkey once in 2010 and talk about wandering around like a zombie, almost literally fighting my way out of all the people in walmart, it was bad. I truly don't know how I survived it but I got in to see my doctor, and asked if I could go back on it. Amazingly, he wrote me out a new prescription, thank God. I was back to "normal" almost immediately.

I hope you continue to visit here as I plan to also as I have no one around me offline that can understand and sort of be there for me. Let us know how you are doing, Denise

Sorry, maybe I misread your post. I can tell you I was only taking .5mg at bedtime for 7 -8 months but it was doing a number on my central nervous system. First the tremors at nightime started but a few months ago I started noticing body buzzing going on during the daylight hours. Was freaking me out and I decided I needed to see if Klonopin was the issue after I read the tremors were a rare side effect, but indeed a possible side effect. My last dose was evening of March 3rd, so almost a month. Most of my symptoms are gone but a little buzzing still at times but nothing like it was just a few months ago or even after week or two of withdrawal which was not fun. This drug may be fine for some but not for me. I can't even imagine how folks are taking twice and three times my dosage. It would have put me in a wheelchair. Best of luck!

Hello mkdb: I also meant to give you this link from The Ashton Manuel: https://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/
I used a titration method that I found on YouTube which did help me with my taper. I couldn't read The Ashton Manuel, at that time, due to the withdrawals which gave me lousy focus. Anyway, the link above is a very good one. Dr. Heather Ashton spent decades helping people with Benzo withdrawal. I think she passed away a couple of years ago. Anyway, the link above is from her. Again, I hope that you let your doctor know that you are tapering before you have the heart procedure. He/she may prefer that you wait until your heart heals. Take Care.

Yes, please let me know. All of the support groups swear by it.

Thank you Arthur!

I have developed what I would call severe ringing in my ears, and an Essential Tremor. My anxiety and depression have become so much worse over the years so I am so glad to hear you made it off clonazepam. It gives me hope so thank you again!

It sounds you were able to do yours without tapering but I wouldn't dare try that, I've been on this too long 🙁 But I see the end in sight now after finding this website thank goodness!!

In all my years of benzo use, withdrawal and research have I ever come across a statement saying benzo withdrawal causes heart attack. Where did you get this info. I think a lot of us would like to know.

Yes, it's good except the part where she talks about substitutes that are other drugs as well. The chart shows different drugs to work with tapering off of things like clonazepam. Maybe I am misunderstanding but it never made sense to me to use something else I could also get hooked on.

Now that I type that out, maybe she means to go on another drug that isn't as strong, but I really believe your way of slow-tapering as for me, the 1/4 tablet less each time I find that I am doing great on less, then I can taper off another 1/4 tablet, hope that makes sense 😉

@g0ldengirl1952
Hello Denise,
Of course everyone is different but if you are just starting your taper it's easier to taper a larger percentage. But chances are high as you continue at one quarter less my bet is you will be suffering withdrawal effects. If I were you I'd cut them into eighths. If you continue on the path your on and have any withdrawals increase it unti the withdrawal effects disappear and decrease your taper even more.
I tapered off Klonopin without any effects until my taper was almost over. I then chipped off smaller and smaller pieces that stopped the effects until I was off.
I was taking much more than you for seizures. My taper lasted over two years.
But what difference does it make how long it takes as long as your doing so safely, regularly and avoiding withdrawal symptoms.
I was glad to see your reductions are once a month.
Ideally using a compounding pharmacy and reducing by 5-10% so the percentage of medicine is consistent. The percentage when cutting pills changes month to month and can be significant.
Wishing you a withdrawal free taper,
Jake