@buchanana - thank you for joining the Mayo Clinic Community and sharing some of your experiences with the community. It sounds like you have had a really tough time and sharing that with an online community takes some courage. You have come to a great place to share those experiences and meet others who have had similar experiences as well. Members like @aarniek, @rosie111, and @nonnied have all discussed tapering off benzos with different results in addition to the members in the discussion you found here.
@buchanana - Are you currently managing your anxiety with any sort of treatment now or were others discussed with you when you had all of your issues with the weaning off of benzos?
I weaned off of benzos two years ago. There is no repairing the damage done by the person I became. I have been forever changed because of taking Klonopin.
I am sad and furious.
I recommend everyone wade the super fine print a potential side effects. You may become and be capable of doing things you never believed possible and will carry the shame with you forever. No one warned you could lose all of your friends and marriage your family and still expected to function. No support no job and no explanation as to what happened. My panic disorder is not cured my anxiety and depression are not better and now I have nothing.
I would have suffered the panic attacks had I known.
I weaned off of benzos two years ago. There is no repairing the damage done by the person I became. I have been forever changed because of taking Klonopin.
I am sad and furious.
I recommend everyone wade the super fine print a potential side effects. You may become and be capable of doing things you never believed possible and will carry the shame with you forever. No one warned you could lose all of your friends and marriage your family and still expected to function. No support no job and no explanation as to what happened. My panic disorder is not cured my anxiety and depression are not better and now I have nothing.
I would have suffered the panic attacks had I known.
I'm so sorry, first of all, but did the benzos cause the problem - or being taken off them? I took Klonopin for many years and it was only at bedtime and I never increased my dose. It was like a wonder drug for me, by allowing me to sleep deeply and through the night without horrific night sweats and panic. Now that I have been "forced" to taper off it, I am back to insomnia and night sweats. Thankfully, I have learned to manage the panic part by meditating and reframing my sleep situation. I am hopeful I will, in time learn to sleep without a pill. I would hope there would be safer alternatives for you to manage your anxiety and depression. I really am sorry for your pain.
Thank you. I needed to hear that. My psychiatrist is suddenly speeding up the taper despite my request to keep it as is (6-8 weeks then decrease). This is because I am turning 65 in a few weeks and their practice does not see any patients after age 65. His "goal" is to have me completely off Klonopin by my birthday because he doesn't want to prescribe any medication after he discharges me. I'm on week 5 at .25mg and had planned to do that another week or two, then go to .0125mg for a month or 6 weeks and off. Because of this push, I have felt more anxiety and had more trouble sleeping. It is the end of Klonopin but also the end of a one year relationship and psychoanalysis with this doctor. I don't think he will prescribe more than 2 more weeks. So I am feeling a bit frustrated. I am trying to be strong. Nothing lasts forever.
Thankfully my psychiatrist listened, and gave me a full 90 days of .125mg of Klonopin so I could continue the taper on my own terms. Sadly, .125mg is like taking nothing and I am back to insomnia and night sweats. Ugh! I have gotten the names of CBT for insomnia therapist and a sleep doctor. Moving ahead!!!
I'm so sorry, first of all, but did the benzos cause the problem - or being taken off them? I took Klonopin for many years and it was only at bedtime and I never increased my dose. It was like a wonder drug for me, by allowing me to sleep deeply and through the night without horrific night sweats and panic. Now that I have been "forced" to taper off it, I am back to insomnia and night sweats. Thankfully, I have learned to manage the panic part by meditating and reframing my sleep situation. I am hopeful I will, in time learn to sleep without a pill. I would hope there would be safer alternatives for you to manage your anxiety and depression. I really am sorry for your pain.
I am so scared . I am taking klonopin for severe anxiety . I don’t want to take it . I know the drug is bad for you. I have terrible anxiety due to my husband’s cancer . What else have you tried ? Did you take it daily ? How much ? Please tell me.
I'm so sorry, first of all, but did the benzos cause the problem - or being taken off them? I took Klonopin for many years and it was only at bedtime and I never increased my dose. It was like a wonder drug for me, by allowing me to sleep deeply and through the night without horrific night sweats and panic. Now that I have been "forced" to taper off it, I am back to insomnia and night sweats. Thankfully, I have learned to manage the panic part by meditating and reframing my sleep situation. I am hopeful I will, in time learn to sleep without a pill. I would hope there would be safer alternatives for you to manage your anxiety and depression. I really am sorry for your pain.
I am so scared . I am taking klonopin for severe anxiety . I don’t want to take it . I know the drug is bad for you. I have terrible anxiety due to my husband’s cancer . What else have you tried ? Did you take it daily ? How much ? Please tell me.
I took one and a half mg daily for seven years. 1 milligram at bedtime a half a milligram in the morning.
Monitor your behavior be aware of any abnormal changes. I understand your need admittedly are used again when my father was dying.
Don’t forget, while being a caregiver to be mindful of that with your physical and mental health. Don’t become complacent in being numb.
I am so scared . I am taking klonopin for severe anxiety . I don’t want to take it . I know the drug is bad for you. I have terrible anxiety due to my husband’s cancer . What else have you tried ? Did you take it daily ? How much ? Please tell me.
I don’t think it would be wise to even consider tapering your med while being the caregiver for your husband . If your doctor is on board why don’t you just continue?
I don’t think it would be wise to even consider tapering your med while being the caregiver for your husband . If your doctor is on board why don’t you just continue?
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@buchanana - thank you for joining the Mayo Clinic Community and sharing some of your experiences with the community. It sounds like you have had a really tough time and sharing that with an online community takes some courage. You have come to a great place to share those experiences and meet others who have had similar experiences as well. Members like @aarniek, @rosie111, and @nonnied have all discussed tapering off benzos with different results in addition to the members in the discussion you found here.
@buchanana - Are you currently managing your anxiety with any sort of treatment now or were others discussed with you when you had all of your issues with the weaning off of benzos?
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1 ReactionAlways remember you are not alone. There are so many in the same boat. We’re all trying to heal and we will.
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4 ReactionsI'm so sorry, first of all, but did the benzos cause the problem - or being taken off them? I took Klonopin for many years and it was only at bedtime and I never increased my dose. It was like a wonder drug for me, by allowing me to sleep deeply and through the night without horrific night sweats and panic. Now that I have been "forced" to taper off it, I am back to insomnia and night sweats. Thankfully, I have learned to manage the panic part by meditating and reframing my sleep situation. I am hopeful I will, in time learn to sleep without a pill. I would hope there would be safer alternatives for you to manage your anxiety and depression. I really am sorry for your pain.
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Hug
2 ReactionsThankfully my psychiatrist listened, and gave me a full 90 days of .125mg of Klonopin so I could continue the taper on my own terms. Sadly, .125mg is like taking nothing and I am back to insomnia and night sweats. Ugh! I have gotten the names of CBT for insomnia therapist and a sleep doctor. Moving ahead!!!
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am so scared . I am taking klonopin for severe anxiety . I don’t want to take it . I know the drug is bad for you. I have terrible anxiety due to my husband’s cancer . What else have you tried ? Did you take it daily ? How much ? Please tell me.
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1 ReactionI am so scared after reading this . I have severe anxiety, I take 0.5 a day . I know I should not be on this . I am scared.
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1 ReactionA side effect of the Klonopin, was damaging.
I took one and a half mg daily for seven years. 1 milligram at bedtime a half a milligram in the morning.
Monitor your behavior be aware of any abnormal changes. I understand your need admittedly are used again when my father was dying.
Don’t forget, while being a caregiver to be mindful of that with your physical and mental health. Don’t become complacent in being numb.
I don’t think it would be wise to even consider tapering your med while being the caregiver for your husband . If your doctor is on board why don’t you just continue?
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1 ReactionI have been on it for year. I have severe anxiety. I also worry about my meds 24/7.
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