I am having a VERY difficult time with Klonipin withdrawal

Posted by lisalynn @lisalynn, Jun 29, 2023

I have been on Klonipin for a BIG Panic disorder for over 15 years. I recently had to wean down off of 3 to none fast. The withdrawal was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I have my normal prescription now. However, at a lower level. But, I am still having a withdrawal symptom that is plaguing me. I am still taking it, but half of what I had been. I hear my Heart thumping in my ears, very loud and fast, 120 beats per minute. Did anyone else have that symptom? Or describe their withdrawal? Oh, and I NEVER want to speak to that new and cold Psychiatrist I have.
Struggling. Thanks.

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Profile picture for joseph1963 @joseph1963

I've recently started taking herbs. The last ones I've added are Rhodiola Rosea Root, 400 mg. and Kava, 200 mg.. Kava can be very potent. The kava capsules I purchased was 200 mg. That was too much. I remove half of the Kava and take it at bedtime. The Rhodiola I take in the afternoon. Usually after lunch.
2 times a day I take 100mg. of niacin with 400mg. of Turmeric.
I suggest you look into these supplements. The internet is flooded with information regarding them.
I do notice days when I miss them. I hustle to go take them.

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Are you still on Klonopin?

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Profile picture for kb2014 @kb2014

I would try a psychiatrist or perhaps a nurse practioner who emphasis is behavioral health. Not sure about your insurance or finances but a federally qualified health centers could help. I had no problems tapering off but other people do. I was prescribed it for way too long. The better option is therapy which taught me boundaries etc.

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Again, in my area I couldn't even get in to see a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner as the small amount of the ones that we do have are not taking any new patients. It's very frustrating.

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Profile picture for laura1970 @laura1970

I just saw an ad for virtual appointments through amazon if ur a subscriber. If you are, you could ask if they take your insurance. Worth a shot?

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I am. I will have to see what they specialize in. Thanks for the info.

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Profile picture for mcoleman1971 @mcoleman1971

I have been on Klonopin for 25 years at 2mg per day and want to get off of this horrible medication. My GP here doesn't know how to help me and since I live in a small town we don't have any therapists that would be able to help me as well. I do not wish to go to a rehab center and need support through what I am going to be going through over the next year.

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No way. That is exactly what I am trying to avoid.

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Profile picture for mcoleman1971 @mcoleman1971

I have been on Klonopin for 25 years at 2mg per day and want to get off of this horrible medication. My GP here doesn't know how to help me and since I live in a small town we don't have any therapists that would be able to help me as well. I do not wish to go to a rehab center and need support through what I am going to be going through over the next year.

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I've been on Klonopin for 35 years. I use to take a lot more than I do now. I'm down to 1 mg in the evening. I was put on it for both anxiety and seizures. But I am on an anticonvulsant too. I can't seem to kick the 1 mg because I do end up with break through seizures. But if I use CBD I am able to not use the Klonopin. Ask your doctor about using that. Only thing is insurance doesn't pay for it so it's out of pocket.

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Profile picture for mcoleman1971 @mcoleman1971

I have been on Klonopin for 25 years at 2mg per day and want to get off of this horrible medication. My GP here doesn't know how to help me and since I live in a small town we don't have any therapists that would be able to help me as well. I do not wish to go to a rehab center and need support through what I am going to be going through over the next year.

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This is what I did. For 2 mg:
Week 1 decrease by .25 for 1 night, reg dose next night, decrease by .25 for 2 nights, reg dose 1 night, decrease by .25 for the rest of the week
Week 2 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.75 next night, 1.5 for 2 nights, 1.75 1 night, 1.5 for the rest of the week
Week 3 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.5 next night, 1.25 for 2 nights, 1.5 for 1 night, 1.25 for the rest of the week
Week 4 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.25 next night, 1.5 for 1 night, 1.25 for the rest of the week
Week 5 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.0 next night, 1.25 for 1 night, .75 for the rest of the week
Week 6 decrease by .25 for 1 night, .75 next night, decrease by .25 the next night, .5 for the rest of the week
Week 7 decrease by .25 for 1 night, .5 next night, decrease by .25 the next night, .25 for the rest of the week
Week 8 decrease by .25 for 1 night (Nothing), .25 for 1 night, nothing thereafter
I tried many ways to get off this awful drug. This is the only way that worked for me.

Good luck! Ps your memory will improve when you get off!

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Profile picture for shelbym @shelbym

This is what I did. For 2 mg:
Week 1 decrease by .25 for 1 night, reg dose next night, decrease by .25 for 2 nights, reg dose 1 night, decrease by .25 for the rest of the week
Week 2 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.75 next night, 1.5 for 2 nights, 1.75 1 night, 1.5 for the rest of the week
Week 3 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.5 next night, 1.25 for 2 nights, 1.5 for 1 night, 1.25 for the rest of the week
Week 4 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.25 next night, 1.5 for 1 night, 1.25 for the rest of the week
Week 5 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.0 next night, 1.25 for 1 night, .75 for the rest of the week
Week 6 decrease by .25 for 1 night, .75 next night, decrease by .25 the next night, .5 for the rest of the week
Week 7 decrease by .25 for 1 night, .5 next night, decrease by .25 the next night, .25 for the rest of the week
Week 8 decrease by .25 for 1 night (Nothing), .25 for 1 night, nothing thereafter
I tried many ways to get off this awful drug. This is the only way that worked for me.

Good luck! Ps your memory will improve when you get off!

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I tried that but, couldn't make it past 1.5. I will try this again but, as of today I am forced to take 1.5mg for the next two weeks as I had a few days where I took an extra pill because of gastroparesis issues causing panic attacks. This is such a vicious circle. I don't normally run out of my klonopin for follow-up appointments. I hope that I can make it for 14 days dropping to 1.5mg. I feel ashamed of myself because I am not the one in control and this drug is in control.

Will I seize or die because I have to go two weeks with .5mg less?

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Profile picture for sweetlyfree @sweetlyfree

I've been on Klonopin for 35 years. I use to take a lot more than I do now. I'm down to 1 mg in the evening. I was put on it for both anxiety and seizures. But I am on an anticonvulsant too. I can't seem to kick the 1 mg because I do end up with break through seizures. But if I use CBD I am able to not use the Klonopin. Ask your doctor about using that. Only thing is insurance doesn't pay for it so it's out of pocket.

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Thank you!!! I just don't want to replace anything in lieu of this awful drug.

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Profile picture for shelbym @shelbym

This is what I did. For 2 mg:
Week 1 decrease by .25 for 1 night, reg dose next night, decrease by .25 for 2 nights, reg dose 1 night, decrease by .25 for the rest of the week
Week 2 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.75 next night, 1.5 for 2 nights, 1.75 1 night, 1.5 for the rest of the week
Week 3 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.5 next night, 1.25 for 2 nights, 1.5 for 1 night, 1.25 for the rest of the week
Week 4 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.25 next night, 1.5 for 1 night, 1.25 for the rest of the week
Week 5 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.0 next night, 1.25 for 1 night, .75 for the rest of the week
Week 6 decrease by .25 for 1 night, .75 next night, decrease by .25 the next night, .5 for the rest of the week
Week 7 decrease by .25 for 1 night, .5 next night, decrease by .25 the next night, .25 for the rest of the week
Week 8 decrease by .25 for 1 night (Nothing), .25 for 1 night, nothing thereafter
I tried many ways to get off this awful drug. This is the only way that worked for me.

Good luck! Ps your memory will improve when you get off!

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I will try what you did...I just don't think that I am strong enough.

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Profile picture for shelbym @shelbym

This is what I did. For 2 mg:
Week 1 decrease by .25 for 1 night, reg dose next night, decrease by .25 for 2 nights, reg dose 1 night, decrease by .25 for the rest of the week
Week 2 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.75 next night, 1.5 for 2 nights, 1.75 1 night, 1.5 for the rest of the week
Week 3 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.5 next night, 1.25 for 2 nights, 1.5 for 1 night, 1.25 for the rest of the week
Week 4 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.25 next night, 1.5 for 1 night, 1.25 for the rest of the week
Week 5 decrease by .25 for 1 night, 1.0 next night, 1.25 for 1 night, .75 for the rest of the week
Week 6 decrease by .25 for 1 night, .75 next night, decrease by .25 the next night, .5 for the rest of the week
Week 7 decrease by .25 for 1 night, .5 next night, decrease by .25 the next night, .25 for the rest of the week
Week 8 decrease by .25 for 1 night (Nothing), .25 for 1 night, nothing thereafter
I tried many ways to get off this awful drug. This is the only way that worked for me.

Good luck! Ps your memory will improve when you get off!

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How long have you been free of Klonopin?

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