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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

In reply to @annako "Thank you" + (show)
@annako

Thank you so much for your reply. Good advice.

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@annako

Thank you so much for your response.
Today is day 9 after I stopped taking Klonopin and anxiety is touch better. Other symptoms seem to be a little better. I take LTheanine with magnesium and Holy Basil and GABA- one at night and half in the morning. Taking one day at the time.
The doctor who told me to stop taking Klonopin did not have a clue how slowly we have to stop. I am angry that she was incompetent like this.
Yes,we are strong and slowly It will get better

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You are correct about the incompetence of this doctor. There is a definitive protocol for tapering off klonopin and clearly she didn't follow it. She caused needless suffering for you, and I'm so sorry for that. Moving forward, I hope you find a doctor who shows a lot more compassion. As far as the bad times, I think it is different for everybody, depending on the circumstances. Your brain literally needs to rewire and it takes time. As others have said, be careful of the psychiatrists...they're the ones who got me so messed up. I hope you find some relief soon, and let us know how you are doing.

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I am going to see highly recommended psychiatrist who listens to their patients. I will be careful.
You are right about individual experiences.
Thank you again.

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@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.

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Going to research your attachment! 35 Years of Xanax. I had PAC and PVC and University of Chicago tried 3 heart meds. Noting worked, side effects back then were awful. Now, after laparoscopic surgery I developed tachycardia, 200 bpm 23 times, lasting 2-3, minutes in 10 days. So… one cardio put me on metropol, awful, then Dilitizem 30mg twice a day, zapped energy out of me. No new meds out there! Tried flecenide. Black box warning, raised Bp. Then Zoloft!!! Was on it a week. Went cold Turkey!!!! Pcp had to go to CVS on a Sunday to ok a script for Xanax! Back to being human. Now on Dilitizem but 30 mg ER. One a day. Yesterday was stressful day, stomach was shaking in my upper gut. Had knee replacement 2.5?years ago. Wrong size, swollen, weather bothers it so still on about 7 mg a day total of Percocet. I cut it. Back on the Xanax still. But now internal tremors and low cortisol. 2,endo’s, 3 Nuero’s all think its POTS. I can feel the PAC and PVC!!!! The tachycardia is sort of under control. Another heart monitor in 2 weeks. This is my 6 th cardio!!! HE and HIS PA stated:,how stupid of physicians to think you can’t be in pain and have issues with your heart and not take both meds. I thought I died and went to Heaven. My pain Mgt doc stated not taking enough paid meds, had shots, burns, epidurals and RFA. Mind you, Xanax… for the first 14?years on it I was Vice President of Pepsi in the Chicago area. Never high! Had a DNA test, SSRI are not good for my body. Depressing. Scared to take more pain meds, scared to take the Xanax during the day. But at night, take them both, FEEL HUMAN! I have done things I can’t during the day, like walk, shop, clean, workout. So it’s my fault. Still have the Xanax. Pcp learned and saw. This pushing meds, they are correct. Neighbor on Zoloft for 4 years, a mess. Gained 100 lbs, out of breath, not herself. She is a Physical Therapist, works 3 days a week. Told her get off the Zoloft! Try the zanax it was like I was telling her take heroin. Yesterday she came to me, crying. Sometimes the old meds work better. We all are not wired the same! The possible kickbacks, if that is discussed in the link, I believe it!!!!

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@taftst1

Going to research your attachment! 35 Years of Xanax. I had PAC and PVC and University of Chicago tried 3 heart meds. Noting worked, side effects back then were awful. Now, after laparoscopic surgery I developed tachycardia, 200 bpm 23 times, lasting 2-3, minutes in 10 days. So… one cardio put me on metropol, awful, then Dilitizem 30mg twice a day, zapped energy out of me. No new meds out there! Tried flecenide. Black box warning, raised Bp. Then Zoloft!!! Was on it a week. Went cold Turkey!!!! Pcp had to go to CVS on a Sunday to ok a script for Xanax! Back to being human. Now on Dilitizem but 30 mg ER. One a day. Yesterday was stressful day, stomach was shaking in my upper gut. Had knee replacement 2.5?years ago. Wrong size, swollen, weather bothers it so still on about 7 mg a day total of Percocet. I cut it. Back on the Xanax still. But now internal tremors and low cortisol. 2,endo’s, 3 Nuero’s all think its POTS. I can feel the PAC and PVC!!!! The tachycardia is sort of under control. Another heart monitor in 2 weeks. This is my 6 th cardio!!! HE and HIS PA stated:,how stupid of physicians to think you can’t be in pain and have issues with your heart and not take both meds. I thought I died and went to Heaven. My pain Mgt doc stated not taking enough paid meds, had shots, burns, epidurals and RFA. Mind you, Xanax… for the first 14?years on it I was Vice President of Pepsi in the Chicago area. Never high! Had a DNA test, SSRI are not good for my body. Depressing. Scared to take more pain meds, scared to take the Xanax during the day. But at night, take them both, FEEL HUMAN! I have done things I can’t during the day, like walk, shop, clean, workout. So it’s my fault. Still have the Xanax. Pcp learned and saw. This pushing meds, they are correct. Neighbor on Zoloft for 4 years, a mess. Gained 100 lbs, out of breath, not herself. She is a Physical Therapist, works 3 days a week. Told her get off the Zoloft! Try the zanax it was like I was telling her take heroin. Yesterday she came to me, crying. Sometimes the old meds work better. We all are not wired the same! The possible kickbacks, if that is discussed in the link, I believe it!!!!

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Thank you for your post and sharing about your journey. A lot is happening in your life. Glad you feel a little better.All Benzo medications helped many people.
I hate what is happening now with this crazy approach to take everybody off Benzos. I tried few antidepressants and had horrible reactions to it.
Klonopin was very helpful.
When we read information about antidepressants - they also have many side effects and some are dangerous.
I truly feel all Benzo should be available for some people who like you and me don’t tolerate antidepressants.
I am 67 yrs old,I never abused Klonopin, I was on very low dose of prescription Medication.
Suddenly young PA during my first visit with her tries to help me by changing my Klonopin to Wellbutrin which is not good match. Not to mention she asked me to taper off Klonopin for only 2 weeks,I added 2 extra weeks and learned later this was totally wrong. Not enough time. Still after two weeks going through hell

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@annako

Thank you for your post and sharing about your journey. A lot is happening in your life. Glad you feel a little better.All Benzo medications helped many people.
I hate what is happening now with this crazy approach to take everybody off Benzos. I tried few antidepressants and had horrible reactions to it.
Klonopin was very helpful.
When we read information about antidepressants - they also have many side effects and some are dangerous.
I truly feel all Benzo should be available for some people who like you and me don’t tolerate antidepressants.
I am 67 yrs old,I never abused Klonopin, I was on very low dose of prescription Medication.
Suddenly young PA during my first visit with her tries to help me by changing my Klonopin to Wellbutrin which is not good match. Not to mention she asked me to taper off Klonopin for only 2 weeks,I added 2 extra weeks and learned later this was totally wrong. Not enough time. Still after two weeks going through hell

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I would switch to a different doctor. But in todays day, the good old docs are leaving the field, so we have the young, think they are educated, who wish to make a mark for themselves instead of doing what is good for the patient. What happened to “do no harm?” Part of their oath. My physician is 65, not going anywhere since he has 2 daughters to put through college. But without him, who knows. Never abused, scripts are picked up late too. Look at pain meds. If not abusing and in pain, Tylenol? 8-10 a day? Liver damage. So, some seek street meds and die. The physicians who pull their scripts from those in pain, should be held responsible!
It’s our typical mindset of who we have in our states office. Bottom line!

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You are right about new doctor and reality of present medicine.
People are dying because of this new trend too.
I am going to talk tomorrow to new doctor and we will see but I don’t expect anything major. Maybe she will surprise me.
I enjoy our conversation and sharing.

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Thanks For your reply. My Dr has been giving me .5 mg twice a day for the last 8-10 years. Went to Dr Yesterday for refills on clonapin for next month. He said he won't refill this anymore. Just like that. So I asked for 1 months worth till I can figure something out. He told me to go to another type of Dr. I have 5 Left. I know the withdrawal on this type of medication. Been through it. So now I have to take 2.5 mg a day I guess and spread it out over 10 12 days. It can't be done, I'm 72. BIG TOM

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@bigtom72

Thanks For your reply. My Dr has been giving me .5 mg twice a day for the last 8-10 years. Went to Dr Yesterday for refills on clonapin for next month. He said he won't refill this anymore. Just like that. So I asked for 1 months worth till I can figure something out. He told me to go to another type of Dr. I have 5 Left. I know the withdrawal on this type of medication. Been through it. So now I have to take 2.5 mg a day I guess and spread it out over 10 12 days. It can't be done, I'm 72. BIG TOM

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Was it the same physician who has had you on klonopin all these years? If so, interesting that he decided to stop all at once?? Something obviously influenced this decision but he should also realize you need to be weaned off rather than just stopped? He's either run into an issue with someone over this med. or something else is up for him to change his stance so abruptly with no explanation? And no weaning schedule? Wishing you the best.

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@arthur57

Was it the same physician who has had you on klonopin all these years? If so, interesting that he decided to stop all at once?? Something obviously influenced this decision but he should also realize you need to be weaned off rather than just stopped? He's either run into an issue with someone over this med. or something else is up for him to change his stance so abruptly with no explanation? And no weaning schedule? Wishing you the best.

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At the last minute I called the pharmacy this morning and he filled one more month. Time to look for another Dr and try to use the months worth to ween off. I agree totally with you.

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