Withdrawal from klonopin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went off Klonopin, but I didn't have any side effects. i just gradually tapered off, and all was well. It sounds like you are coming off of it too fast. I would talk to the doctor, and if s/he approves, maybe do a maintenace dose of .5 mg and then slowly come off of that.

Op here: I'm so sad to say I talked w my doc and I have to go take it and try to taper slower. I can't sleep, I'm nauseated, shaky, racing heart, phenomenonal anxiety, the list endless. What did you use as a taper? I want to be aggressive about it but be more sensible. I'm honestly so ashamed.

There is NO taper for klonopin. You'll need to break the pill into practically crumbs and only decrease your daily amount by a quarter each week. If you are shaking, you have quit too steeply.

Are you a doctor? I'm not being sarcastic. My doc seems to have just general knowledge and I'd love someone who knows this better...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just concerned that you were relying on other people's experiences. Withdrawal isn't something to be taken lightly and a medical professional needs to be aware of what is going on. Family friend had severe complications during withdrawal because they used dr. Google to tell them what was going on. Ended up having a seizure and has permanent damage due to going cold Turkey and not doing the appropriate method of weaning.down. was not klonopin, but was a legally prescribed drug that she took according to her doctor's orders

Can I ask, was it a benzo? Now I'm freaked

It was probably Wellbutrin (anti-depressant/ smoking cessation). It lowers the seizure threshold. Going off it cold wouldn't cause a seizure, but monkeying around, going back and forth would. Benzos won't give you a seizure. They'll repress your breathing at high doses. If you mix it with too much alcohol that could be deadly. Be very conservative with that if you're not sure of your alcohol tolerance.

[Anonymous]

OP don't feel ashamed this is a very difficult class of drugs to withdrawal from. I've done it twice with Xanax and it is hellacious. Just keep praising yourself for the progress you have made. My withdrawal symptoms were shakiness and racing heart and deep anxiety. I had to taper down to crumbs as a PP said. My first day without any one of my eyes crossed inward and I thought I'd collapse. That lasted for a day. I did feel much better within a week though I was on it about a quarter of the time you were. My policy with benzos is to never take them more than two days in a row. Some of us cannot handle regular usage. They are a miracle drug though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP don't feel ashamed this is a very difficult class of drugs to withdrawal from. I've done it twice with Xanax and it is hellacious. Just keep praising yourself for the progress you have made. My withdrawal symptoms were shakiness and racing heart and deep anxiety. I had to taper down to crumbs as a PP said. My first day without any one of my eyes crossed inward and I thought I'd collapse. That lasted for a day. I did feel much better within a week though I was on it about a quarter of the time you were. My policy with benzos is to never take them more than two days in a row. Some of us cannot handle regular usage. They are a miracle drug though.

Thank you for your encouragement. I sincerely appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:be careful. It took 6 months to come off that dose. Do it under a Dr's guidance. You can take valium to help the physical withdrawl.

Wow. No. Klonopin is the withdrawal drug. It has an incredibly long half life and the psychological withdrawal is months. You should go down by .25 grams per TWO WEEKS. Over a period of 2-3 months because of the long half life. That will make it relatively painless--but you must.not.regress and go back up in dosage. Or you will be back to square one. And you really should stop. Long term use exacerbates depression, causes weight gain, disinhibition, disorganized thinking, etc. Don't use one benzo that is faster acting (Valium) to get off of another benzo that is incredibly slow acting (klonopin).

Why would a benzo cause weight gain?

Because the general sluggishness you feel from benzos will reduce your overall will to be active. Less active with same caloric intake = weight gain.

Funny the crazy anxiety was responsube for me losing 25 pounds and the only thing that stopped the weight loss was klonopin bc I was then able to eat...

[Anonymous]

*responsible

[Anonymous]

Op here, just wanted to update, that it's been about a week and that I've been on a usual dose and almost all my sxs have disappeared, so I def stopped way too quickly. I hate doing that but my doc was threatening me with IV benzo in the ER. I will start as slower taper asap. Thank you everyone for your kind support.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. Just saw this thread and could be you, OP. I have had health issues most of last year, with what I think is PTSD as a result. Was on Klono for a couple of months at a time. I kept "needing" to go back on it when all those lovely symptoms cropped up: tremors, twitching, upset stomach, etc. I just had surgery and have been off it for about a month, but I am getting the twitches and feeling anxious. Haven't taken any and WILL NOT after reading this. Just say No to klonopin! Freakin' nightmare!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster here. Just saw this thread and could be you, OP. I have had health issues most of last year, with what I think is PTSD as a result. Was on Klono for a couple of months at a time. I kept "needing" to go back on it when all those lovely symptoms cropped up: tremors, twitching, upset stomach, etc. I just had surgery and have been off it for about a month, but I am getting the twitches and feeling anxious. Haven't taken any and WILL NOT after reading this. Just say No to klonopin! Freakin' nightmare!

Op here, did you get the muscle jerking at night? That's the worst! How did you taper?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster here. Just saw this thread and could be you, OP. I have had health issues most of last year, with what I think is PTSD as a result. Was on Klono for a couple of months at a time. I kept "needing" to go back on it when all those lovely symptoms cropped up: tremors, twitching, upset stomach, etc. I just had surgery and have been off it for about a month, but I am getting the twitches and feeling anxious. Haven't taken any and WILL NOT after reading this. Just say No to klonopin! Freakin' nightmare!

Op here, did you get the muscle jerking at night? That's the worst! How did you taper?

Ps- what kind of twitches are you talking about? Can you be specific? It just helps to know I'm not alone...

[Anonymous]

They actually happen anytime, but I am more aware of them in the quiet times, like at night. It will just cause my knee to flex, or a foot to jerk up, or even a shoulder shrug. It's a small movement, but quick and without warning. I am not even sure if it's the anxiety or the Klonopin. I haven't taken any for weeks, but I get cravings for it when the jerks become
more frequent. I believe the jerks can come from anxiety, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They actually happen anytime, but I am more aware of them in the quiet times, like at night. It will just cause my knee to flex, or a foot to jerk up, or even a shoulder shrug. It's a small movement, but quick and without warning. I am not even sure if it's the anxiety or the Klonopin. I haven't taken any for weeks, but I get cravings for it when the jerks become
more frequent. I believe the jerks can come from anxiety, too.

OMG you ARE me!!! Yes I get the same things, just at night, and just as I'm drifting off to sleep. I think it's both the anxiety and the withdrawal and they are effing us synergistically. I'm sorry for you. It's awful. When I restarted the jerks quieted considerably. I am hoping a very slow taper will help that. Did you taper? If so, can you give me an idea how you did it like literaly doses?

[Anonymous]

10 mlgs of valium is about equal to 1 mlg of klon. Valium comes as little as 2 mlg tablets that can be broken into 1 mlgs each. I strongly suggest asking the Dr. about switching. You would take an equal dose of valium to start, but could titrate form there going slowly either 1 or .5 mlgs at a time.

I lowered my dose at .5 every week at first and then in the end every 2 weeks even taking a nibble of the valium at the very end. I had horrible withdrawal and this was the best way for me. Just a thought.

Good luck. You can do it!

[Anonymous]

A close friend was recently in rehab and said that more people were there for benzo addictions than for anything else. Also, the benzo patients spent the most time in the detox unit- more than the heroin addicts. I threw out all my klonopin after hearing that and won't take any ever again. Klonopin, Xanax, etc. are meant for occasional- NOT DAILY- use. Doctors are prescribing them irresponsibly and people are becoming hooked.

OP- if you try to taper off and you can't, you should see an addiction specialist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A close friend was recently in rehab and said that more people were there for benzo addictions than for anything else. Also, the benzo patients spent the most time in the detox unit- more than the heroin addicts. I threw out all my klonopin after hearing that and won't take any ever again. Klonopin, Xanax, etc. are meant for occasional- NOT DAILY- use. Doctors are prescribing them irresponsibly and people are becoming hooked.

OP- if you try to taper off and you can't, you should see an addiction specialist.

Op here: yes I regret taking it. But my life was crippled w anxiety. I can do this. I am highly motivated. Thanks for your thoughts...