Getting off Klonopin (clonazepam)

Posted by rucyrious @rucyrious, Jul 30, 2019

Would like information of others who have taken this medication. How long prescribed, how you got off this. Did you have side effects following. Any & all information is greatly appreciated.
Tysm!

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Profile picture for robair @robair

I am tapering off Clonazepam. I had been on Clonazepam 1mg for over five years taking it nightly for sleep. I tapered to .75 MG for 15 days and then 3-weeks at .5 MG. Tonight I start at .25 MG and will stay at that level for 3-weeks. I am under a doctor's supervision and have had NO side effects. My doctor has advised that tonight I can also take Gabapentin 100mg which should help with sleep. I'm having second thoughts about adding the Gabapentin .... especially on my FIRST night at .25 MG. I am in my eighties and I have read that there could be serious problems with that combination. Any advice would be appreciated.

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@robair I hear your concerns. I’m finally down to 1/4 of a 0.5 mg tablet. It’s been a long haul and I seem stuck at this dose. I take gabapentin 100 mg in the morning but it might be out of my system at night. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.

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Profile picture for cici89 @cici89

Ive been on 1mg of Clonazepam for about 8 to 10 years. I moved from my home state 4 years ago and ive had i couple of different drs where i moved that would continue my treatment plan but both Dr's have left the practices and its just getting hard to keep changing and finding a Dr who will prescribe it. Ive been on the same dosage since i can remember but now i feel like i should just come off of it instead of worrying whether im going to find a Dr who will continue with the treatment. Im just afraid i wont taper right or ill have extreme withdrawal and the thought of seizures is terrifying - ive never abused it - i have only ever taken what a Dr told me to take for anxiety and panic which has never been over 1mg. How should i taper?

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My physician designed a safe protocol for tapering over a 3 mo period. It is not easy but I was determined. I chew 2 Magnesium Bisglycinate gummies from SPNutrition 30 min before bed. I now can sleep. Hang in there and get professional guidance. It's all worth it.
PS. I chose to come off Clonazepam because I knew my body was dependent on it. Best thing I could have done.

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Profile picture for bholmstrom44 @bholmstrom44

My physician designed a safe protocol for tapering over a 3 mo period. It is not easy but I was determined. I chew 2 Magnesium Bisglycinate gummies from SPNutrition 30 min before bed. I now can sleep. Hang in there and get professional guidance. It's all worth it.
PS. I chose to come off Clonazepam because I knew my body was dependent on it. Best thing I could have done.

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@bholmstrom44
I was on clonazepam 7 months - I know 2-4 weeks is ideal. I am senditive to alot of meds - my dr had me on 3 different antidepressants in these 7 months. Did a genesight test where the swab your cheek and found Vilazodone was in green. Was on Ativan, Buspar and clonazepam to bridge the vilazodone. On 40. Had me on Zoloft then Prozac but never increased it in 10 weeks so I as not therapeutic.

I started on .5 Clonazepam then tapered to .25 then .125.

Been off 4 weeks but even only on 7 months am having body vibrations. I lnow I was on low dose but every one reacts differently.

Dr. says it is anxiety - I don’t agree and think my body still reacting / maybe rebound anxiety.

Dr tried to increase vilazodone from 40 mg to 60 mg but that sedated me way too much. 40 mg is recomnended highest degree dose.

Not feeling the best and maybe need to change antidepressant.

Clonazepam scared me and hope my body will readjust soon.

Any suggestions ? I see some folks been on clonazepam for years.

Thankful for this group !

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