What is the best way to taper off Klonopin?

Posted by kittymama @kittymama, Apr 7, 2019

Can anyone tell me the best way to taper off Klonopin? I feel it does nothing for my anxiety

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@tennisgirl6205

Looking for insight on quitting Klonopin. It's the weekend and I can't reach my dr. I have been taking Klonopin a couple times a week - .25 mg for about 7 months. Very low dose. I am wondering if I can just stop. It has four days now since I have taken a pill and I am noticing withdrawal symptoms. The most intense is my insides feel like they are on fire. It comes in waves. Wondering if I should just work through this or if I should have tapered to an even lower dose for a while.

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I’m trying to go off Lorazepam. Have been on 1 and a half mg for at least 2 1/2 years. My doctor suggested reducing it by 1/4 that is the half of one half. Already y anxiety has increased. I want to do it slowly. Am worried about side effects. Any ideas?

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@nano42

I’m trying to go off Lorazepam. Have been on 1 and a half mg for at least 2 1/2 years. My doctor suggested reducing it by 1/4 that is the half of one half. Already y anxiety has increased. I want to do it slowly. Am worried about side effects. Any ideas?

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Lorazepam is addictive, be careful because your body is altready used to the other dosis. Indeed your anxietive will increase. These medications sometimes you need to know with your doctor in order to check on you, you need to be assisted.

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@tennisgirl6205

Looking for insight on quitting Klonopin. It's the weekend and I can't reach my dr. I have been taking Klonopin a couple times a week - .25 mg for about 7 months. Very low dose. I am wondering if I can just stop. It has four days now since I have taken a pill and I am noticing withdrawal symptoms. The most intense is my insides feel like they are on fire. It comes in waves. Wondering if I should just work through this or if I should have tapered to an even lower dose for a while.

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What a wonderful site this is and clearly shows an ongoing need for these conditions. I'm 74 and have leg and foot tremors just as I'm falling asleep, in addition to pin pricks in my feet, hands, and even my face. It only comes on when I'm just about to drop off, and wakes me up every time. This goes on for two hours or more. Onset occurred when I gradually stopped klonopin, 0.5 mg 2X, which I'd been taking for 20 years. A neurologist examined me and found no back or coordination issues. He prescribed gabapentin, 600 mg, taken at night before bedtime. It sometimes helps but other times doesn't. Is there anything else that might help? Will this go on for the rest of my life? And will there be wicked side effects if or when I finally quit gabapentin? Thanks for any help you can provide. This condition is awful and frightening.

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@franzk

What a wonderful site this is and clearly shows an ongoing need for these conditions. I'm 74 and have leg and foot tremors just as I'm falling asleep, in addition to pin pricks in my feet, hands, and even my face. It only comes on when I'm just about to drop off, and wakes me up every time. This goes on for two hours or more. Onset occurred when I gradually stopped klonopin, 0.5 mg 2X, which I'd been taking for 20 years. A neurologist examined me and found no back or coordination issues. He prescribed gabapentin, 600 mg, taken at night before bedtime. It sometimes helps but other times doesn't. Is there anything else that might help? Will this go on for the rest of my life? And will there be wicked side effects if or when I finally quit gabapentin? Thanks for any help you can provide. This condition is awful and frightening.

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I have taken klonopin .5 for about 15 years for Restless Leg Syndrome. Have you had a sleep study done? A doctor friend of mine who is an addictions specialist told me to taper off taking .25 for one month and should ok. I haven't made a decision to so that yet. I also take Gabapentin. Im not a doctor and would not presume to give advice. There are some exercises that are helpful with the leg issues. Even if you haven't been diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome the exercises can be helpful. Why did you have to stop Klonopin? Hot water helps with leg issues.

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@mcd123

I have taken klonopin .5 for about 15 years for Restless Leg Syndrome. Have you had a sleep study done? A doctor friend of mine who is an addictions specialist told me to taper off taking .25 for one month and should ok. I haven't made a decision to so that yet. I also take Gabapentin. Im not a doctor and would not presume to give advice. There are some exercises that are helpful with the leg issues. Even if you haven't been diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome the exercises can be helpful. Why did you have to stop Klonopin? Hot water helps with leg issues.

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Thanks for replying. I did have three sleep studies done, one at home, with no significant findings. I tapered off the klonopin at the advice of my primary care physician, who said it doesn't do anything for your anxiety after two years. It's just an addiction and could possibly lead to balance issues, though I've never had any. The only outcome of stopping the klonopin has been the nerve problem. The neurologist I saw said it had suppressed my nerves for years and now they were reacting to it not being there anymore, but this seems extreme! What are the exercises you mention? Can I find them online? I'm now thinking of taking mild TCH gummy bears that another contributor mentioned. They may help. There's no substitute for a good night of sleep.

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@franzk

What a wonderful site this is and clearly shows an ongoing need for these conditions. I'm 74 and have leg and foot tremors just as I'm falling asleep, in addition to pin pricks in my feet, hands, and even my face. It only comes on when I'm just about to drop off, and wakes me up every time. This goes on for two hours or more. Onset occurred when I gradually stopped klonopin, 0.5 mg 2X, which I'd been taking for 20 years. A neurologist examined me and found no back or coordination issues. He prescribed gabapentin, 600 mg, taken at night before bedtime. It sometimes helps but other times doesn't. Is there anything else that might help? Will this go on for the rest of my life? And will there be wicked side effects if or when I finally quit gabapentin? Thanks for any help you can provide. This condition is awful and frightening.

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I would go on utube and try exercises for restless leg syndrome. It would be worth a try.

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@franzk

What a wonderful site this is and clearly shows an ongoing need for these conditions. I'm 74 and have leg and foot tremors just as I'm falling asleep, in addition to pin pricks in my feet, hands, and even my face. It only comes on when I'm just about to drop off, and wakes me up every time. This goes on for two hours or more. Onset occurred when I gradually stopped klonopin, 0.5 mg 2X, which I'd been taking for 20 years. A neurologist examined me and found no back or coordination issues. He prescribed gabapentin, 600 mg, taken at night before bedtime. It sometimes helps but other times doesn't. Is there anything else that might help? Will this go on for the rest of my life? And will there be wicked side effects if or when I finally quit gabapentin? Thanks for any help you can provide. This condition is awful and frightening.

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JoJo @frankz maybe try amitryptiline? I was given this for restless leg syndrome. I would wake up and feel like I had to get up and move around all the time. I did get up most nights and walk around. Not sure if that would help. I’ve been taking clonazapam for years because I would wake up early morning with panic/anxiety attacks. I have GAD, so I’ve no interest in coming off of it. Do you have any anxiety issues? Is that why you were taking it? A lot of meds have uses for things other than the original treatment use. I hope you find help with this. I’m chronically sleep deprived with all my problems and imagin you are too. Have you talked to your PCP about options?

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@franzk

What a wonderful site this is and clearly shows an ongoing need for these conditions. I'm 74 and have leg and foot tremors just as I'm falling asleep, in addition to pin pricks in my feet, hands, and even my face. It only comes on when I'm just about to drop off, and wakes me up every time. This goes on for two hours or more. Onset occurred when I gradually stopped klonopin, 0.5 mg 2X, which I'd been taking for 20 years. A neurologist examined me and found no back or coordination issues. He prescribed gabapentin, 600 mg, taken at night before bedtime. It sometimes helps but other times doesn't. Is there anything else that might help? Will this go on for the rest of my life? And will there be wicked side effects if or when I finally quit gabapentin? Thanks for any help you can provide. This condition is awful and frightening.

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After retiring and leaving my high-pressure job, my anxiety level went down. My PCP recommended quitting klonopin as it can adversely affect balance, so I followed his advice. I'm just starting to take CBD, low dose, and hope that with gabapentin I'll get some sleep but it's been very difficult timing when to take the gabapentin before trying to sleep.I hope you feel better my friend.

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@franzk

What a wonderful site this is and clearly shows an ongoing need for these conditions. I'm 74 and have leg and foot tremors just as I'm falling asleep, in addition to pin pricks in my feet, hands, and even my face. It only comes on when I'm just about to drop off, and wakes me up every time. This goes on for two hours or more. Onset occurred when I gradually stopped klonopin, 0.5 mg 2X, which I'd been taking for 20 years. A neurologist examined me and found no back or coordination issues. He prescribed gabapentin, 600 mg, taken at night before bedtime. It sometimes helps but other times doesn't. Is there anything else that might help? Will this go on for the rest of my life? And will there be wicked side effects if or when I finally quit gabapentin? Thanks for any help you can provide. This condition is awful and frightening.

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Hello @franzk and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing a nicely detailed account of your symptoms following your Klonopin taper.

You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on getting off of Klonopin, which you can find here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/getting-off-of-klonopin/

I see you've had a couple of members join you already and would like to also connect you with @abc123xyz who is around your same age and had been on it for 15 years.

How long has it been since you started your taper?

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@amandajro

Hello @franzk and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing a nicely detailed account of your symptoms following your Klonopin taper.

You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on getting off of Klonopin, which you can find here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/getting-off-of-klonopin/

I see you've had a couple of members join you already and would like to also connect you with @abc123xyz who is around your same age and had been on it for 15 years.

How long has it been since you started your taper?

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Thanks for moderating and moving this post to a person who is in like circumstance. I stopped this pernicious drug in October of 2021 and went on gabapentin in early February of 2022. I read the symptoms of stopping it can last over a year. My worry is that these symptoms may be caused by something else, but Parkinson's has been ruled out. Whatever RLS is caused by, my condition may be that. I'm thrilled this forum exists and shows how so many people are suffering from neuropathy with no definitive cures or even diagnoses. Thank you for your help. This has given me renewed faith in the goodness of people!

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