Tapering off of Clonazepam???

Posted by cici89 @cici89, Feb 16, 2023

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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janetfree | @janetfree | Feb 4 3:13pm

My not-so-expert advice is taper VERY slowly. Use a psychiatrist. I was taken off it in one month and I have had many physical problems since. Try to start at .5. Stay in that for a long time. Have your psychiatrist monitor you closely.

sboylenotthesinger | @sboylenotthesinger | Feb 5 4:35am

@sboylenotthesinger -
I took 1 mg of Clonazepam in the morning and a second one later in the day as, and IF, needed. I have Afib, and my anxiety levels are high with the level of stress I'm under. This med really helped with the sudden panic attacks. I am currently OFF of it. I simply gradually backed out of it by taking 1 mg. every other day in the a.m. for a little while before reducing to .5 mg every other day. After a week of that, I just dropped it. I had also further started dropping the "as needed" afternoon dose! My anxiety is still bad primarily due to my LIFE and lotta turmoil. I expect to go on it again to help with anxiety affects on my heart.

con123 | @con123 | Feb 5 6:56am

It took me almost a year of a very slow taper of 1 -1/2 mg once a day. It was very hard and I had many bad withdrawal effects in the process. However, having been off the drug over a year, in hindsight, I’m better without it even though I have to work harder to manage my anxiety issues and sleep. I think this drug does some changes to the brain that may take years to fully heal.

maryjjeandennis | @maryjjeandennis | Mar 5 4:46pm

In reply to @bean2649 "You have to find a psychiatrist who will help you taper off. I’ve been taking clonazepam..." + (show)

@bean2649 good luck, I hope you can find a medical professional to renew you prescription. I understand what you as re going through!
MJD

daveshaw | @daveshaw | Mar 6 10:50am

In reply to @con123 "It took me almost a year of a very slow taper of 1 -1/2 mg once..." + (show)

@con123 I have come to the conclusion that at 74 I don’t want to go through a year and a half of hell.
As far as doing something to your brain show me a drug that doesn’t do something to your brain.
Drinking coffee, smoking or having a drink or two every day does something to your brain. I don’t drink or smoke and exercise two hours six out of seven days a week. I can tell you that two hours of exercise every day does wonderful things to your brain. They are called endorphins and they are free.
Good luck to everyone. Aging is not for the feint of heart but make sure you keep moving. That is the best way to age gracefully and it doesn’t cost you anything.