Klonopin taper - any suggestions?

Posted by dawgbone @dawgbone, Jul 31, 2017

I have been on some kind of benzo for almost 40 yrs. I am trying to taper from 1.5-2 mgs of klonopin daily . Began in mid may 2017 and my last cut was very small on 7-2-17 to get to 1mg. Honestly feels like i am dying. I also take trazodone 75 mgs and 4 drugs for high blood pressure. I have been researching gabapentin and seroquel to help with the withdrawal symptons. Please offer any suggestions or help. I am 69 yrs old and cant even leave my house to visit my kids and grands. Thank you for any help!

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Profile picture for g0ldengirl1952 @g0ldengirl1952

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 😉

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I did not suggest that you cut your tablet, but I have wondered if I should have cut mine. I cannot suggest to you how to manage your taper. You would have to ask your doctor about that, because everyone's current dosage and chemistry with it is different.

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I was talking about the article's "taper schedules" and substitutions Reese, not sure where I said you "suggested " anything to me did I?? I have to look back and read, I'm sorry for anything I said that sounded like that 🙁

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I see it now, and totally understand why you thought that because it sounds that way, not well written.

What I should have said was the first line you wrote that was just about doing slow-tapering, not your exact method Reese, I'm really sorry. I was just saying how mine is going and wasn't saying I didn't want to do it your exact method. I don't even remember what yours was but what I do remember is going slow which I can't agree more because I believe that will work.

I'm off for awhile, I've made too many mistakes so I'll take a break, take care all, thanks again for all the help, Denise

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Profile picture for sears @sears

I have never heard of anyone having a heart attack due to abruptly stopping benzodiazepines either. I do agree that palpitations are common. I also do not pay any attention to info put out by rehab or detox centers for benzo withdrawal. They want peoples money, they fear monger, they don’t taper properly, one couldn’t afford to stay there long enough to do a proper taper. Can you provide a source other than a detox center.

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Why don't you ask the Mayo Clinic?

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Profile picture for g0ldengirl1952 @g0ldengirl1952

I have read before about heart issues, and here is one place I just found.

I forgot I haven't been here long enough to post links so you can google it on PubMed, but this is the title of the article:
Clonazepam-associated Bradycardia in a Disabled Elderly Woman with Multiple Complications

Just to be clear, I am elderly and like @reese1 mentioned, I am weaning off the clonazepam and very carefully as I am 70 years old. I do believe some of my issues could come from the use of the drug.

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Hi @g0ldengirl1952, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.

- Clonazepam-associated Bradycardia in a Disabled Elderly Woman with Multiple Complications https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5635303/

I appreciate your searching for evidence-based information related to your health. You are your best advocate.

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Thanks @colleenyoung
I really appreciate it, Denise

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Hi all, this is a gentle reminder about the purpose of Mayo Clinic Connect and the Community Guidelines that help keep the Mayo Clinic Connect community safe, supportive, inclusive, and respectful.

Mayo Clinic Connect is a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers should feel safe in sharing their experiences, find support and exchange information with others.

The first 2 rules in the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/) are really important
1. Be careful about giving out medical advice
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
- Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

2. Remain respectful at all times.

We share our experiences. Where possible, we share evidence-based resources. Above all, it's important to remember that we only have words on a page to express ourselves without the benefit of body language and tone of voice. I believe that we all want to support one another through a safe, slow taper when someone wishes to discontinue a medication.

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If Klonopin makes you feel good---try other doctors, why in Canada do
they want you off? It is one of the better drugs, I have tremors and sleep
problem and it has helped me so much. I understand how you feel when you
ask for the pills, they make me sign for them when I pick them up. maybe get
a doctor in the US. I feel bad for you there has to be a way, maybe if you
go to a shrink they will help you.

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Profile picture for reese1 @reese1

I cannot emphasize the word "slow" enough. We know that w/d can cause a heart attack. However, you wean, be sure to do it as slowly as you can. I chose water titration. I found it to be agonizing cutting the pill. I was on 1 mg of Xanax forever. I had to switch to Klonopin, 1 mg., and then I had to cut it in half and took the .50 for a month (agony.) I started the water titration on the other .50 and that lasted approximately six months. The w/d did continue fairly intense with the worst one being on New Years Eve (my last taper.) I thought I wasn't going to see daylight, but I did (God is Good.) In hindsight, I realize that I should have titrated much slower. Maybe, I should have quartered the pill and then started the water titration. On another note, if you decide to do it that way and you have to get through something traumatic in your life, you can "hold." In other words, titrate the same amount, until you get through the traumatic event and then resume the process. Everyone has their own way of handling it and that was the way that worked for me. The Ashton Manual and YouTube can help you with it, as well.

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I have a really good psychiatrist that for that I've had for 10 years that I trust very much and he keeps telling me not to go off of the Klonopin so I'll just keep taking it he says take his little as you can I used to be on 3 mg and now I only take two one in the morning and one at night I do not take the middle of the day dose any longer and he said that was just fine take his little as you can he does not ever recommend that I quit taking it though so I probably won't I don't see any reason to so far I'm not led to take less or to go off of it all together it doesn't seem to be harming me and I don't seem to need to take any more than what I do so I'm just going to go with his advice he's been a very good doctor for over 10 years

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Forgive me for using this talk to text I take 2 mg per day 1 mg in the morning 1 mg at night I skipped the 1 mg midday for over three or four years for many years since 1994 I took three 1 mg tablets of Klonopin per day my doctor says what I'm doing now is fine but he also cautions me not to quit taking it or to go off of it all together so I'm going to just keep doing that until he tells me to do otherwise he says that what I'm doing is just fine and there's no problem and he's been a very good doctor for over 10 years so my first remarks above that I did with talk to text or a little bit confusing I'm not good at texting on here so I hope that this is clarifying at somewhat if there's any questions I'll try to do better thank you and God bless you very much

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