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Getting off Klonopin (klonazepam)
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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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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1 ReactionThank 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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2 ReactionsI 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!
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.
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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1 ReactionWas 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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2 ReactionsAt 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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1 ReactionGlad to hear you received an additional month. Hopefully you can find a doctor who understands how this med works and weaning schedule etc. Unfortunately you will more than likely need more refills from new doc in order to wean over extended months I suspect. I can tell you I stopped cold turkey after only 7 months and I had 3 ongoing withdrawal symptoms, one of which still exists after 11 months. But I was having issues after only being on drug for month or so and should have stopped after that brief stint. Doctor told me my symptoms weren't related to klonopin so realized later he was an idiot who didn't understand the med at all. Unfortunately most older docs don't. Younger ones seem to get it, just fyi!
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4 ReactionsReading all this…my nephew has anxiety and sleep issues. His sleep therapist is having him do genetic testing ti determine the best meds for him.
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2 ReactionsIt's inexcusable for a prescriber to cut someone abruptly off Clonazepam, or any number of other medications. Withdrawal is horrible. I tapered off it last fall, but I started several months before. The tablets can be cut as small as you're able, and then you can reduce the dosage in small increments.
Another consideration is to start a different medication as you titrate. I think that helped me stop after the last .5mg. To avoid withdrawal, it's important to titrate slowly, as much as your body permits. That can mean a couple of weeks (or more) at each dosage. Everyone is different, so no one can tell you exactly how long it will take. But, stopping cold could even put you in the hospital. You might speak with the pharmacist about something you could take as a transition while you titrate off the benzo that would help with the withdrawal.
Jim
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