1. < Depression & Anxiety

I was on 0.5 mg Klonopin for about 10 yrs. Going through withdrawal

Posted by annako @annako, Oct 2, 2023

Hi everybody
I just joined this forum and I am very grateful.
I was on Klonopin 0.5 mg for about 10 yrs. My family doctor prescribed it because I had experienced multiple losses one by one and had anxiety issues.
Long story short- my family doctor retired and new doctor on our first visit told me - no more Klonopin and to stop it in 2 weeks. She prescribed Wellbutrin,which I don’t want to take.
I took a month to tapper it down and stopped a week ago. Having hard time with withdrawal symptoms.
My question is about LTheanine Serene Supplement.
It was recommended to me by grief counselor some time ago.
I know I will need help with my anxiety.

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mitfit | @mitfit | Oct 2, 2023

A family member was on it for 8 years and experienced difficult withdrawal as well. He has been prescribed Wellbutrin. Tapering off the K gradually.

REPLY
1 reply
scolio | @scolio | Oct 2, 2023

How awful. Your medication decisions should be your decisions!
I don't know a lot about theanine, and I've never tried it.
Is there any way you could get a second opinion, get a refill of the Klonopin, and taper off more gradually?
What have you learned or read so far about theanine? Do you see any pros or cons that might influence what you decide?

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2 replies
floralou | @floralou | Oct 2, 2023

I've taken Welbutrin for 8 years and never had any problem s. It's a wonderful medicine for me. It knocks the anxiety doen to a place I can function. What don't you like about it?

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1 reply
annako | @annako | Oct 2, 2023

All the side effects and possibility of seizures . I did not respond well to antidepressants in the past.
Maybe I will take another look at Wellbutrin.
Thank you so much for your reply.

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1 reply
annako | @annako | Oct 2, 2023
In reply to @floralou "I've taken Welbutrin for 8 years and never had any problem s. It's a wonderful medicine..." + (show)
@floralou

I've taken Welbutrin for 8 years and never had any problem s. It's a wonderful medicine for me. It knocks the anxiety doen to a place I can function. What don't you like about it?

Jump to this post

Thank you for your reply. I posted my reply in the comments

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scolio | @scolio | Oct 2, 2023
In reply to @annako "All the side effects and possibility of seizures . I did not respond well to antidepressants..." + (show)
@annako

All the side effects and possibility of seizures . I did not respond well to antidepressants in the past.
Maybe I will take another look at Wellbutrin.
Thank you so much for your reply.

Jump to this post

I recently learned that physicians are supposed to fill continuing education credits each year, and that one of the ways they can get those is by attending drug-company-sponsored presentations. Now I wonder if that has something to do with why it seems that some doctors are especially given to prescribing certain medications?
My personal feeling is that in the end, you need to do your own research and sometimes be a bit of a squeaky wheel if you don't feel heard by your health care providers/prescribers.
I did a quick search for the words: difficulty discontinuing theanine
and this came up
https://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/50115-l-theanine-does-it-have-a-withdrawal/
One of my biggest fears and hesitations about antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs is how difficult it can be to discontinue them, as you are experiencing with the Klonopin.
Also, it can't hurt to make sure your vitamin D levels are within range. I recently learned that too little puts us at risk for anxiety, while too much puts us at risk for insomnia.

REPLY
2 replies
annako | @annako | Oct 2, 2023
In reply to @scolio "I recently learned that physicians are supposed to fill continuing education credits each year, and that..." + (show)
@scolio

I recently learned that physicians are supposed to fill continuing education credits each year, and that one of the ways they can get those is by attending drug-company-sponsored presentations. Now I wonder if that has something to do with why it seems that some doctors are especially given to prescribing certain medications?
My personal feeling is that in the end, you need to do your own research and sometimes be a bit of a squeaky wheel if you don't feel heard by your health care providers/prescribers.
I did a quick search for the words: difficulty discontinuing theanine
and this came up
https://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/50115-l-theanine-does-it-have-a-withdrawal/
One of my biggest fears and hesitations about antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs is how difficult it can be to discontinue them, as you are experiencing with the Klonopin.
Also, it can't hurt to make sure your vitamin D levels are within range. I recently learned that too little puts us at risk for anxiety, while too much puts us at risk for insomnia.

Jump to this post

Good points. I have done my research and I found pros and cons about LTheanine supplements but more pros.
I take Vit D3 and my levels of Vit D are fine. I just wanted to ask about personal experiences.

REPLY
1 reply
scolio | @scolio | Oct 2, 2023
In reply to @annako "Good points. I have done my research and I found pros and cons about LTheanine supplements..." + (show)
@annako

Good points. I have done my research and I found pros and cons about LTheanine supplements but more pros.
I take Vit D3 and my levels of Vit D are fine. I just wanted to ask about personal experiences.

Jump to this post

https://www.drugs.com/comments/l-theanine/
https://reviews.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientreview-1053-THEANINE

REPLY
annako | @annako | Oct 2, 2023

Thank you so much. Excellent links.
Yes, we have to be informed patients and you are also right about doctors participating in pharmaceutical presentations.
Like with all medications- people may react differently and have different opinions.
I am very grateful for all your replies. Thank you

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