Klonopin Use

Posted by rclouv @rclouv, Jan 9 5:24pm

I’ve been struggling with anxiety for over 7 years. In addition to taking Desvenlafaxine, i also have been taking klonopin, an average of 3-4 milligrams a week. Usually separated by a couple of days (but occasionally back to back). I’ve been cutting back the last couple of weeks and am struggling. Could i be addicted using this small of a dose? My psychiatrist (only used for med management) says no. He said I’d need to be taking much more and daily to be addicted. Any answers?

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Why do you want to get off of it? Are you having problems on it? If you feel better on it I would stay on it. I wasn't given a choice and it's been a battle to get a doctor to just let me stay on my original dose. I felt so much better on it than I do now.

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Profile picture for daveshaw @daveshaw

Good luck to you. My Doctor is only in her forties but it is still something to discuss with her the next time I see her.
If there was a way to get off it without the terrible side effects I would certainly do it but at 73 I would prefer to just keep my current dose which has been the same for 35 years.
I welcome other posts regarding possible ways to taper off Klonopin.

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I’ve been on gabapentin for a couple weeks and it has helped me cut back on klonooin very quickly. Small dose of 300 mg; 100 mg am and 200 mg evening. For the first time in years, I’m having more “normal” days.

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Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

@daveshaw developing tolerance for Klonopin has nothing to do with personality, in my view and from what I have read. I have been told the body can get accustomed to a certain dose over time and more is needed to get the same effect. You are fortunate that has not happened to you but I don't think it is helpful to blame those for whom it has happened as addictive personalities or "abusers" or lacking "common sense."

The fact that you could not reduce your Klonopin shows that you did develop dependency, but your tolerance did not increase. So you weren't able to get off but you also didn't need to go up on dose.

I avoid taking Klonopin more than two days in a row. I stick to 1/4 or in a rare case 1/3 of the lowest dose. My body is sensitive and I would expect tolerance to develop so I am careful. I use 30 0.5mg pills in 9-12 months so doctors continue to prescribe for me.

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You are absolutely correct about the dependence which is a nice way of saying addicted frankly. If it works for some, stay on it if you wish but for anyone who suffers trying to get off of it, it simply illustrates your dependence/addiction. It's no different than an illegal street drug with the addiction characteristics. I guess the only thing that would concern me is the issue of whether or not one is more prone to get dementia being on this drug, I have read it does up the possibility which I assume is one reason docs don't want people on this class of drugs these days.

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Profile picture for bonez3861 @bonez3861

Why do you want to get off of it? Are you having problems on it? If you feel better on it I would stay on it. I wasn't given a choice and it's been a battle to get a doctor to just let me stay on my original dose. I felt so much better on it than I do now.

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My main concern is tolerance. I don’t want to have to keep increasing dose to achieve results.

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I worry about tolerance. I also worry about dementia because sometimes the day after I take it I have what I call memory delays. Not the same thing as something on the tip of my tongue. The delay is maybe 15-30 seconds, like a brain glitch. It doesn't happen otherwise.

I am glad to hear gabapentin is helpful @rclouv. I just got a prescription for trigeminal and occipital neuralgia. I had an attack last night and it felt like someone stabbed the left top of my head with an ice pick, then the pain moved down. I did not take Klonopin. Tough to sleep. I am scared to try gabapentin but will try tonight.

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Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

I worry about tolerance. I also worry about dementia because sometimes the day after I take it I have what I call memory delays. Not the same thing as something on the tip of my tongue. The delay is maybe 15-30 seconds, like a brain glitch. It doesn't happen otherwise.

I am glad to hear gabapentin is helpful @rclouv. I just got a prescription for trigeminal and occipital neuralgia. I had an attack last night and it felt like someone stabbed the left top of my head with an ice pick, then the pain moved down. I did not take Klonopin. Tough to sleep. I am scared to try gabapentin but will try tonight.

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I’m taking a low dose and no side effects. Curious if it will help you.

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Profile picture for rclouv @rclouv

I’ve been on gabapentin for a couple weeks and it has helped me cut back on klonooin very quickly. Small dose of 300 mg; 100 mg am and 200 mg evening. For the first time in years, I’m having more “normal” days.

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I have tried before for depression and did not find it affective but maybe for withdraw from Klonopin it does. The drug has been around forever and prescribed off label for so many things.
I appreciate the advice.

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What are best new prescriptions for someone Bipolar 1 manic?

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Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

I worry about tolerance. I also worry about dementia because sometimes the day after I take it I have what I call memory delays. Not the same thing as something on the tip of my tongue. The delay is maybe 15-30 seconds, like a brain glitch. It doesn't happen otherwise.

I am glad to hear gabapentin is helpful @rclouv. I just got a prescription for trigeminal and occipital neuralgia. I had an attack last night and it felt like someone stabbed the left top of my head with an ice pick, then the pain moved down. I did not take Klonopin. Tough to sleep. I am scared to try gabapentin but will try tonight.

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I understand your fear of using Gabapentin.
However, my experience deems your fears to be unnecessary.
I take Gabapentin for a different condition and have had significant relief. You start on a small dose and it works by stealth as you slowly increase it. Another tip about increasing the efficacy of Gabapentin is to combine this with paracetamol. According to my neurologist there's a good synergy between the two agents. It seems to improve the effect in my case.
Best of luck and all good wishes for your recovery!

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Profile picture for ank @ank

I understand your fear of using Gabapentin.
However, my experience deems your fears to be unnecessary.
I take Gabapentin for a different condition and have had significant relief. You start on a small dose and it works by stealth as you slowly increase it. Another tip about increasing the efficacy of Gabapentin is to combine this with paracetamol. According to my neurologist there's a good synergy between the two agents. It seems to improve the effect in my case.
Best of luck and all good wishes for your recovery!

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Thanks @ank. In the past I had a bad, instant reaction to both the capsule and the liquid in the past. That is why I am leery. I had like 1/4 tsp of the liquid and immediately felt like my head was going to explode and my face went numb. I have unusual reactions to so many meds so others reading this, please don't let it scare you!

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