Hello everyone, I have been taking benzodiazepines for 8-9 years now. I was wondering if anyone else has brain or face zaps when just taking their regular dose. It seems like the medication has just quit working and I feel like I’m detoxing with my regular dose when I get too stressed out. I am about to go for it and begin tapper. I am in a high stress job and not sure if I can keep it together at work while tapering. Just wondering how others have approached work/tapper balance?
I’m on Klonopin and tapering very slow with the help of my dr. I’m very sensitive and getting bad side effects even at tapering slow. It’s either the tapering or my anxiety or both doing it to me. It hasn’t been easy. Ever since pandemic I was on Xanax then was switched to klonopin to taper off of. Hopefully it will get easier for you and myself.
Is anyone still following this? I'm trying to get off Kolonpin. Prescribed 1mg 3xday. I take 1mg at night for Akathisia. Trying not to take it during daytime because of sedative effects. What is the best way to get off this stuff without withdrawal?
Is anyone still following this? I'm trying to get off Kolonpin. Prescribed 1mg 3xday. I take 1mg at night for Akathisia. Trying not to take it during daytime because of sedative effects. What is the best way to get off this stuff without withdrawal?
I got off of it completely in March after 4 attempts over the years.. the best way to get away from the beast is to taper down 25% every 2 weeks or every week which ever best for you.. that was the best with minimum side effects ..hope it helps!
I am currently going through a taper of Klonopin after about 15 years - maximum dose 1.5mg at bedtime - only for sleep and usually just 1mg. My PCP stopped prescribing, sending me psychiatrist, and he told me first visit 7 months ago that is was a bad drug and I needed to get off it since I'm looking at 65 years of age soon. For me, it was a wonder drug for my long-term insomnia. I had used antihistamines, pot, alcohol, ambien, sonneta, and this was the best thing ever for sleep and didn't use any of the former except alcohol in moderation. I didn't increase the dose for 15 years. Had a lot of trauma and stress and it did the job to help me get 8 hours of sleep almost every night. My last psychiatrist told me to also take magnesium and zinc and a small dose of melatonin (.5mg) at bedtime. I tried essential oils as well. New psych kept on me about getting off it and I finally was forced to start a taper. He agreed to go really slowly and I am happy to say that I am doing well at .5mg at bedtime. He gave me .75 per night but after a month, I took myself off the .25 - I think I can do this. I do appreciate his very slow approach and letting me guide it. Feeling good about it. It is like saying goodbye to an old reliable friend, and my sleep has not been great - but I'm trying some new non-drug things.
I got off of it completely in March after 4 attempts over the years.. the best way to get away from the beast is to taper down 25% every 2 weeks or every week which ever best for you.. that was the best with minimum side effects ..hope it helps!
Is anyone still following this? I'm trying to get off Kolonpin. Prescribed 1mg 3xday. I take 1mg at night for Akathisia. Trying not to take it during daytime because of sedative effects. What is the best way to get off this stuff without withdrawal?
Thank
So for the responses. I feel good having peer support and hearing success stories. I know it’s the right course even though I’ve resisted because it worked so well. Slowly giving it up and looking for alternatives to sleep.
Thank
So for the responses. I feel good having peer support and hearing success stories. I know it’s the right course even though I’ve resisted because it worked so well. Slowly giving it up and looking for alternatives to sleep.
I have such a problem with the sedative effect during the day that I still have break-throughs of Akathisia. Has anyone used Kolonpin for Akathisia? When do you know if it is gone. I feel horrible most of the day. Only feel like myself in the evenings (7pm until 11pm). This all started in January this year when I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar and given Abilify. Akathisia started within 5 days (I stopped that immediately). Doctors have tried Remeron, gabapentin, lexapro, and a bunch of other meds to stop it. Kolonpin is only thing that has had any effect.
I am currently going through a taper of Klonopin after about 15 years - maximum dose 1.5mg at bedtime - only for sleep and usually just 1mg. My PCP stopped prescribing, sending me psychiatrist, and he told me first visit 7 months ago that is was a bad drug and I needed to get off it since I'm looking at 65 years of age soon. For me, it was a wonder drug for my long-term insomnia. I had used antihistamines, pot, alcohol, ambien, sonneta, and this was the best thing ever for sleep and didn't use any of the former except alcohol in moderation. I didn't increase the dose for 15 years. Had a lot of trauma and stress and it did the job to help me get 8 hours of sleep almost every night. My last psychiatrist told me to also take magnesium and zinc and a small dose of melatonin (.5mg) at bedtime. I tried essential oils as well. New psych kept on me about getting off it and I finally was forced to start a taper. He agreed to go really slowly and I am happy to say that I am doing well at .5mg at bedtime. He gave me .75 per night but after a month, I took myself off the .25 - I think I can do this. I do appreciate his very slow approach and letting me guide it. Feeling good about it. It is like saying goodbye to an old reliable friend, and my sleep has not been great - but I'm trying some new non-drug things.
I too am tapering myself off of Klonopin. But, as you mentioned, it must be done slowly!
Klonopin has it's positive side too. It is used to treat sleeplessness addition to moderate to severe anxiety disorders.
Sometimes, I think it gets a bad wrap. Just my opinion.
Hope this helps, Pat
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Hello everyone, I have been taking benzodiazepines for 8-9 years now. I was wondering if anyone else has brain or face zaps when just taking their regular dose. It seems like the medication has just quit working and I feel like I’m detoxing with my regular dose when I get too stressed out. I am about to go for it and begin tapper. I am in a high stress job and not sure if I can keep it together at work while tapering. Just wondering how others have approached work/tapper balance?
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1 ReactionHello, I hope you are making progress! Can you tell me about some of your side effects, so I don’t feel crazy?
Is anyone still following this? I'm trying to get off Kolonpin. Prescribed 1mg 3xday. I take 1mg at night for Akathisia. Trying not to take it during daytime because of sedative effects. What is the best way to get off this stuff without withdrawal?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI got off of it completely in March after 4 attempts over the years.. the best way to get away from the beast is to taper down 25% every 2 weeks or every week which ever best for you.. that was the best with minimum side effects ..hope it helps!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI am currently going through a taper of Klonopin after about 15 years - maximum dose 1.5mg at bedtime - only for sleep and usually just 1mg. My PCP stopped prescribing, sending me psychiatrist, and he told me first visit 7 months ago that is was a bad drug and I needed to get off it since I'm looking at 65 years of age soon. For me, it was a wonder drug for my long-term insomnia. I had used antihistamines, pot, alcohol, ambien, sonneta, and this was the best thing ever for sleep and didn't use any of the former except alcohol in moderation. I didn't increase the dose for 15 years. Had a lot of trauma and stress and it did the job to help me get 8 hours of sleep almost every night. My last psychiatrist told me to also take magnesium and zinc and a small dose of melatonin (.5mg) at bedtime. I tried essential oils as well. New psych kept on me about getting off it and I finally was forced to start a taper. He agreed to go really slowly and I am happy to say that I am doing well at .5mg at bedtime. He gave me .75 per night but after a month, I took myself off the .25 - I think I can do this. I do appreciate his very slow approach and letting me guide it. Feeling good about it. It is like saying goodbye to an old reliable friend, and my sleep has not been great - but I'm trying some new non-drug things.
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Hug
6 ReactionsGo as slowly as you need to go. You will get to the finish line!
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2 ReactionsVery slowly - take your time for your brain to adjust.
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2 ReactionsThank
So for the responses. I feel good having peer support and hearing success stories. I know it’s the right course even though I’ve resisted because it worked so well. Slowly giving it up and looking for alternatives to sleep.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have such a problem with the sedative effect during the day that I still have break-throughs of Akathisia. Has anyone used Kolonpin for Akathisia? When do you know if it is gone. I feel horrible most of the day. Only feel like myself in the evenings (7pm until 11pm). This all started in January this year when I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar and given Abilify. Akathisia started within 5 days (I stopped that immediately). Doctors have tried Remeron, gabapentin, lexapro, and a bunch of other meds to stop it. Kolonpin is only thing that has had any effect.
I too am tapering myself off of Klonopin. But, as you mentioned, it must be done slowly!
Klonopin has it's positive side too. It is used to treat sleeplessness addition to moderate to severe anxiety disorders.
Sometimes, I think it gets a bad wrap. Just my opinion.
Hope this helps, Pat