Withdrawal From Klonopin 1mg Daily (Page 2) (Top voted first)

I have been on kolonopin 1 mg daily for 14 months now I am depressed and very anxious most of the time I want to get off this drug but from what i have read It should be cut down slowly and over a long peroid of time. has anyone gone through a simlar situation that may have some advise

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Successful taper off 2 mg of klonopin/day after prescribed about a year! Started 2 months ago and went down to 1 mg right away; that was rough. After a few weeks went down .25 am and .5 pm for a few more weeks, and then .25 am and .25 pm a couple weeks. Then, just .25 at night to sleep for a couple weeks. The worst part was the first decrease which would pry not recommend dropping 1 mg, maybe 1/2. I had terrible w/drawals, unable to sleep, fatigued, and a killer skull crushing head ache but Remained determined and Knew this too shall pass. Haha, this experience drew me closer to God for sure. As I was detoxing, I looked up info about others tapering but haven't seen too many finished stories but more of those who were going through the battle. So, I wanted to share that it definitely is possible. I looked at it as I have to do this sometime in my life so mine as well be Now. I hope this brings relief to whoever is where I was 1 - 2 months ago. It's possible; if I can do it....you can!

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I have struggled with anxiety for years, and especially after my daughter was born 3 years ago. I would have panic attacks, luckily I had a very healthy pregnancy, never even took tylenol, but after my baby was born I was prescribed valium and I took it every day at a very low dose, I had gone through a quick withdrawal, not that bad and eventually discontinued it and I got to where I felt I would not feel better unless I took a medication so I had also taken ativan, the reason I stopped valium was because it wore off quickly and I felt anxiety again, ativan didn't work as well, then for about a year now I have been on klonopin, this at first was a miracle drug. I felt great, normal, no anxiety. I was taking 1 mg for a couple weeks only a pill a day but decided I did not need that much. So I had been on .5 mg a day for 8 months then eventually halved it then 1/4 the pill now I am trying to just stop it because I do not want to be dependent on this anymore, my symptoms have been muscle aches, headaches!, sensation of being hungry, even after I had eaten..very annoying, slight dizziness, loose bowel movements occasionally, heart racing, heart working heavier or beating stronger than normal, sensitive to lights and sounds, Hot flashes! Anxiety, and when it gets real bad my throat gets so tight (very hard to control) i spit up some blood because the pressure of the musle spasm in my esophagus was so strong, breathing problems (yes I could breath, but felt like I couldn't) this is the worst feeling because it worries you even more, all I can say is God please help me and everyone in this same situation, it is by far the hardest thing physically I have had to go through. But I cannot give up, I have a daughter and I will not let the devil win the battle! Good luck to all God bless!!! You can do this.

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.125 reductions are much better than 1/4 hold for at least three weeks or more on each reduction... I am almost free it has taken years to reduce from 2mg daily... DO NOT RUSH... BE DILIGENT... DO NOT USE OTHER MEDs it will make it worse!!! Melatonin helps with insomnia I use 10mg...but now I sleep only 4 hrs at most it is difficult... night sweats, aching neck and shoulders , anxiety, headaches, tension... BUT BE RESOLUTE...DO NOT GIVE IN TO THE WDs...TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE!!!

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Paul and to all CLonazapam and all other names they use for this terrible drug! I am finally FREE AFTER 8 years of being Dependant on this horrible drug. I am Drug Free WITH NO SIEZURES. It took me a year to wean from 2 MG down to ZERO without prolonged Side Effects. Due to a misdiagnosis from a doctor and a miss-prescribed medicine, I suffered a 7.5 minute long Grand Mal Seizure in 2003 and was put on Clonazapam. I lost 15 lbs, was depressed and crying daily... had mysterious ailments and then, in 2007 my blood platelets began to drop...

In 2005 ran out for Four Days and suffered a 3.5 minute long seizure minutes before I was about to get in my car and drive on the I5 Freeway! I could have been Killed and/or Killed other innocent people too. I slowly weaned see past post to learn how reducing by .125 mg each 3-4 weeks according to symptoms intensity. IT TOOK A VERY LONG TIME, with many setbacks... BUT as of last OCT I began my last reduction and succeeded by December 2013!! It is now 90 days later and I am Free. I still have issues with sleeping through the night, but I use Z-quill and or Melatonin and I have been having good results. DO not try this without them... Lack of sleep is our worse enemy when it comes to BENZO addictions.

Among other things I suffered extreme weight loss, (I was down to 92 lbs at one point, healthy is 113) and my platelets were dangerously low, I looked like a skeleton... and was a basket case emotionally. Now I am healthy again back to 113lbs. and generally Positive all the time. I have my life back and you can too...

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I was taking klonopin 0.5mg for about a year. Slowly weaned off to 0.25 for two weeks, then 0.125 another two weeks then stopped. No withdrawal symptoms.

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I'm on worker comp, they have paying for klonopin, they have been for 18 years (4-5mg day), however went two days without any, and it was very bad. I don't have the money and they pulled with without warning. Dr.'s are behind me in an appeal, but will take months. Can't take the withdrawal. workers comp say as it is not curitive, took all meds away they pay for, heart med too, no more! Are they not handing me a death sentence/??

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Debra, I hear you, benzos are very difficult for ones that have taken them for sometime. 40 years of all types here, Do nothing for me, but absolutely miserable and suicidal without. I tried a couple of times, I just could not function. I know exactly how you feel. I gave up and will live the rest of my life on them unfortunately. Hope you are more successful. Carl

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I tapered under my psychiatrist's care from 2mg. to 0mg. over a period of about four and a bit months, cutting down by 1/2mg. every three weeks or so. They say the medicine is all out of my body by now (though I have read it can be stored in body fat for a long long time!) and yet I am still experiencing horrible pain they call "Rebound Anxiety" which I'm not sure I agree with as I am still having the horrible anxiety attacks I had when on the Klonopin (which, ironically, was evidently given to me to stop anxiety but, which, in itself, can CAUSE anxiety attacks! Not to mention it is not supposed to be given to people with severe depression or sleep apnea {it effects the respiratory system} and the sad thing is, I didn't have anxiety attacks BEFORE I was put on the Klonopin!) (If I could find the doctor who put me on this poison, I would sue him till he cried like a baby). I get suicidally depressed because I can't see the end of this and none of my doctors will even give me a hypothetical end date because they say that would be "unethical" (I suppose it's more ethical to let me suffer thinking it will NEVER end.) I've supposedly had the drug 'out of my system' for more than a month and I am still in excruciating anxiety. I would really like to ask if anybody out their has had the symptom of waking up from sleep in anxiety attacks, even if I drift off in a chair for 5 minutes. It's so bad I'm afraid to go to sleep! This just compounds my depression and anxiety.

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God Bless you! I hope you can get some legal assistance and sue the hell out of both that doctor and that hospital! I hope you can get off of the Klonopin. As you can see by my letter below, I am no longer taking Klonopin but am left with its horribly painful and damaging side effects. It can actually restructure your brain and I'm praying that that's not permanent. You can't get the opitimal help from CBT (which also restructures the brain but, in a positive way) while you are on Klonopin. You will be in my prayers! We all have to speak up publicly about this horrible poison to keep others from taking it. My dream is a day when this and other drugs like it are removed from the market. Any doctor who prescribes this medicine is worse than a quack, he or she is a poisoner. "First do no harm!"

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Good Luck Rita! I can't believe that we as 51 year old grand-mother's are in this predicament! I seriously feel like a drug addict. It just makes me so mad that someone did this to me! I had another night of no sleep. I have this metal taste in my mouth that will not go away, and my smell is so distorted. I can't wait to get on the otherside of it. I want to get there like you did....and I will!

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Are you kidding how insensitive can one be "been there" try being human and shut up unless you have something helpful to add.

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CLAIRE. SERIOUSLY WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF ADDICTED DON'T LOOK TO US FOR HELP

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For the last tme, it doesn't take that long to get off of the klonopin! If one follows their doctors inetructions, it can take up to 3-4 weeks if you make sure at do what he tells you. You will be just fine. I know I have gone through this with xanax, and that is much more addictive! Don't let anyone scare you or tell you otherwise. I hate it when people come on here acting like they know it all. I have gone through this process. It can be done very easy, just follow your doctore advive. Gee now is that so hard? NO! If you have any question, just ask me, I am not a doctor, but my room mate is.
God Bless you all:)

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I am a victim of this drug and contrary to some thoughts it takes different times to withdrawl as per Each Case. Kindness is due those who are sympathetic, not those who wish to mock others. I have no malice, only empathy. Live in joy and stay on track at your pace.

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Hi Debra If you are talking to me about the 8 months of my weaning from Clonazepan I would be happy to share with you. I stopped going to my Psych. Dr. because I knew she wouldn't support me in my choice. I went to my family Dr. and he set up a schedule of a very slow taper. It took forever but I did it. Every four weeks I would go down a dose and at the end I got the chewable tablets. It is VERY important that you get the EXACT dosage while weaning. You can cut the tablet in half by the score but don't cut it in forths you won't get an exact amount. You will experience NO sleep for what seems to be forever. It WILL pass. Grab sleep when you can. You will have very long nights. I had light flashes in my eyes, ringing in my ears, flu like symptoms, back ache, neck aches, head aches, the worst was anxiety in which it is what it was prescribed for in the first place. This will go on for weeks but you WILL get over it. When I was finishing up weaning my skin burned like it was on fire. I can't even explain to you what my body went through trying to get off of this. You need a support group or a good friend to help keep you sane. I had my Church and friends praying for me. I had the support of my family. I got on this because I had something happen to me I had trouble coping with. I NEVER thought I would get addicted nor did I know it was addicting. While I was weaning I did not plan anything in my days. You need at least 6 to 8 months. Do not tell yourself you don't need it anymore. That is the worst thing you can do. Take it like you Dr. says. You need to complete the whole weaning process. I never thought I could do it but I did and you can too. I will say that it was one of the hardest things I ever did. But the great news is I did it and you are strong enough to do it too. This CAN be done. Everyone is different and reacts to drugs different. Your story might be different than mine. Please let me know how you are doing. I will be thinking about you and praying for strength for you. Hang in there and don't give in to it. You can do it!

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Hi Newhandle, if your still having problems sleeping, I used an over the counter sleep aid, and it really helped me. I have one question, why do you wonder what you will be like? I don't quite understand that.
Clare

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CLARE LOOK AROUND POST 109 THAT IS "SO BLESSED"

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Pinz no good - Congratulations on your success weaning off of this nasty drug! I am another one who has successfully weaned off of it! I had the same struggles you did but I did not give in to it. I also got the strength from above because I know I could not do it on my own. It is refreshing to see on this site people that have successfully got off! When you are going through the withdrawal process it sure helps to know you are not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

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Just started the 1/4 off tapering from 1mg of klonopin. I work in the the accounting dept of a const co. 40 hours a week. Please dear God let me live through this.

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update ..ok Its been 4 wks at .75 mg I cut the .25mg in half last night and will do that for a week to see if it causes issues , if not I will reduce further to .50mg... I so WANT to be FREE again,to Sleep Unaided AGAIN

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