Connect
My clonazepam story: More regulation seems to be coming
Serious auto accident 18 years ago. Operated on for a double subdural hematoma. Started experiencing extreme myoclonus a few months later. Put on clonazepam 1 mg/day to control it. C worked very well. Never had to increase dose. Still on 1 mg/day today and very happy with the results. No myoclonus.
Physician I have been with these last 18 years now is starting to increase visits. When all this started it was once every 6 months, then a few years ago increased to once every 4 months, then 3 months, now a year later he just told me he has to do it every 2 months. I can see the writing on the wall. Pretty soon it will be once every month. It's grueling to go to an appointment, usually takes 2.5 hours to get through the whole thing just for a 10 minute "What's new?" friendly chat and then the prescription. It's private pay so this is going to cost quite a bit if I have to do once a month, not to mention the 20 minute drive and $10 parking.
Long story short, hopefully. I'm very happy with the status quo. I have no side effects. Haven't had any to increase the dose. I'm 69 and what's my life expectancy, 8 years?? I'd be very happy to just stay on the C until I die of natural causes presumably around 78 according to life expectancy actuarials. It's the DEA that's upsetting the applecart with this witch hunt they're starting on benzos after having decimated hundreds of thousands of CPP's lives with their opiate crackdown by intimating doctors with prison and loss of their license. My pharmacist suggested my doctor is probably trying to ease me out his door to get rid of me. I tend to agree. But going to a new doctor is going to be very difficult with the climate against benzos now. Channel 4 Evening News is already labeling benzos, "The Next Opiate Crisis?" in a series of reports.
I'm in California and the laws are not too strict here, but is the DEA going to start forcing doctors to get their patients off benzos now like they did with the painkillers? What about people who need this medication because of TBI (traumatic brain injury)? is there anybody else out there who is thriving on the benzos but is being pressured by their doctors to either taper or leave? I would like some guidance on how to weather this storm.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Addiction & Recovery Support Group.
Connect
This is so true. Thanks for your input.
I am on 1 mg of Clonazepam and have been for 15 years the side effects are horrible I want off and my psychiatrist is reluctant because he feels I have very high anxiety!! I have been doing so much research and it’s the drug giving me the anxiety along with horrible side effects I have read that you need to taper very slowly. How?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsReduce by 5-10% monthly, if tolerated, slower if necessary. You can try to dry cut and weigh the pills, or you can do a liquid taper. Google Ashton Manual, free and downloadable, it's all in there. Your psychiatrist is showing his age. It has been known for a while that long term benzo use causes tolerance, dependence, an increase in the very symptoms it was prescribed to treat. I'm sorry for your trouble. I'm right there with you, failed first attempt, miserable.
Best ~
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI’m on the same medication and also prescribed YEARS AGO after a dr noticed my panic attacks while in the waiting room for other health related business.
25 years later, here we are. It’s a monthly challenge to fill the med, even though I have never ever used more than what I’m prescribed. I don’t ask for refills early. I don’t count my pills, and I do have addictive tendencies.
I’m not inclined to abuse benzos.
People abuse EVERYTHING. Who will save us all FROM OURSELVES? The FDA will sell us pharmaceutical products from anywhere on the globe.
Seems they have international oversight and are making rules for the WHOLE WORLD.
They are EVEN HUNGRIER since the covid bonanza !
Hopefully some common sense will be given to this new generation of body dysmorphic people coming of age/power.
Hopefully they will be able to take care of their peers more kindly and compassionately.
Common sense has no place in the current circumstances.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionDear @sears, I'm truly sorry you're feeling so unhappy, I honestly know what you feel like,
I too have been feeling really awful but it's also complicated by family issues and other emotional issues that have a profound effect on how well you fare when you feel like loosing it and saying I've had enough. I have been tapering from Ativan for years which is just a brand name for benzos and yes it's it's an ongoing process that can take month, even years to stop, however as we all know the people who make decisions about these drugs don't really care about who they hurt in the process...sadly,history has taught us that when you take something away from people, they will find other sources, this is the real danger or threat that faces those of us who need more help with the meds. The more you dwell on the scary aspects, the more difficult it gets to slow things down. That's what I find the tough part getting myself on a steady routine and feeling stronger, even a little prouder that you've got control of this but then wham, something comes along as it always does in life and you just get thrown, of course I realize I have to carry on but that sure is easy to say, nothing worthwhile comes easy. I am grateful for the good days and make the best of it and I try not to think too far ahead because at age 72 I learned, along with many other things, that nothing ever goes the way you think it's going to go., thank God for that.
Im so much better now after 4 years. Thank you for showing your concern.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI’m happy you’re doing better..it’s just so heartless and scary, I wish I never took the first Ativan, 23 years later I’m still doing battle with them. It’s a very good thing you got through it but I have no doubt it took a lot out of you to do so..on days when you don’t feel good, just keep telling yourself you did it and give yourself some well needed pats on the back because you deserve it
I’m not quite through it yet but still doing much better than I was. I have tapered to 2.5 mgs. Valium which is equivalent to roughly 1/8 mg.of the Xanax that I took for 25 years. I plan on doing another cut soon. We shall see!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi, Thank you for your positive input on clonazepan. Just recently my Dr. Prescribed it for me because of my anxiety. I found out I had breast cancer for the second time and my insides wouldn't quit trembling. It has calmed and stopped the tremors. I'm only taking 1/2 of a .5 mg when needed.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI am 74, and have depression,as my mother did. I have tried many antidepressants, Wellbutrin was the best,but psychiatrist put me on highest dose, 450,had a seizure. Started on several, didn't do much. Pristiq is good,but my psychiatrist added, Adderall 20 mg daily. OMG I felt so good, I went shopping, visiting talking on phone, neighbors great feeling,but now I fear I can't get off the Adderall. I have dropped it to 10mg a day, but what am I going to do. If I stop, I will lay in the bed all day,depressed.All my Drs say it is ok to take Adderall but can anyone suggest a stimulant to make me get out of bed. I feel, I am hooked, and will not be able to get off. I can't exercise, have stints in bladder, but hallelujah I have just learned SUDUKO.
I MAY TRY ACUPUNCTURE.
THANKS
DIANE
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction