Withdrawal Clonazepam

I stopped taking 1 mg clonazepam one/day maybe five-six days ago because I have a back injury which has flared up and I had to take hydrocodone.... I also take zolpidem and lisinopril and levothyroxine regularly and was taking benedryl for allergies.... I quit taking the benedry and clonazempam because a nurse friend of my friend said they should not all be taken together. Originally I was also on prozac 20mg. I started most of these when my husband died suddenly a few years ago. The last few days I thought I had the flu really bad because I had terrible joint and muscle aches, then horrendous headaches and a continuous slight nausea. Starting yesterday, I have had repeated panic attacks and I am scared.... I called the clonazepam hotline for help and they really just have volunteers and couldn't say what action to take. It is after five and I can't reach my dr. any advice

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Although your nurse friend probably meant well, he or she isn't your prescriber. Clonazepam and Benadryl taken together can cause extra drowsiness, as can the combining of Clonazepam with Zolpidem or Hydrocodone. Lisinopril and your thyroid medication probably woudn't interact with Clonazepam.

Clonazepam is indicated for the treatment of Panic Disorder (and for certain seizure disorders). It's a member of the benzodiazepine (Valium-like) family of drugs. It's very potent on a milligram-for-milligram basis, and Clonazepam has a long half-life and duration of action. Suddently discontinuing or quickly dropping the prescribed dose of Clonazepam can cause withdrawal symptoms and rebound anxiety - just like you're describing. In some cases, stopping or lowering the dosage of Clonazepam can cause seizures. This drug should only be stopped or the dosge reduced under medical supervision. Your "nurse" friend should have known at least that much. I would sugges resuming the Clonazepam ASAP. Even a half-dose might help. Once the Clonazepam re-enters your system, you symptoms should clear up - within 2-4 hours.

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I've been taking clonazepam for 14 years. Prescribe by a psychiatrist after my husband death. I cut the 0.5 in half over 10 years ago without any withdrawal symptoms. Recently I had a very bad experience with some bad batches of the brand I've taken for years. I knew absolutely nothing about this medication. I never had access to the internet so I was actually clueless. I just knew it was a control substance. I'm in shock of what I have been reading about it now. I always knew that I would need to take it because it was helping me with chronic pain. I had to switch to a different brand due to the problem with the one I would specifically get because it was toxic to me. Something was changed because another mfg took it over. And Oh Lord! I have been having a very hard time adjusting to the new brand. I always knew that I would need to take it for the rest of my life because it worked perfect. Until I changed brands. I have been having withdrawal symptoms on the new brand. I've been thinking of getting off but I just can't believe what my body is going through. I wonder if this is withdrawal or side effects. One thing I realized is that I'm going through hell. I wonder why I had absolutely no withdrawal when I cut it in half and it still helped me with my chronic pain. Can't go to detox because they will not give me anything for my chronic pain during detox. Can't win. For now I'm just trying to adjust to the new brand. Hopefully someone can post a good success stories for me. God Bless us all going through this. I say that from the bottom of my heart.

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