[jwill2]

I have been taking generic Klonopin (clonazepam) for 5 years and in my youth I took alot of drugs including LSD and had several "bad trips" which, I believe, induced trauma that has led to what is called HPPD or Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder. I still see "trails" behind moving objects and have major anxiety and my thoughts sometimes spin out of control to the point where I "shutdown" because I analyze things or just a particular thing and can't get my thought process straight. It keeps me from functioning in everyday life. Sometimes just simple activites or very hard to do or socilaizing is extremely difficult. 1993 was the last time I ingested LSD. I know this sounds crazy...
It is a very complicated disorder to describe.

I have taken my medication (clonazepam) for this and have gone through withdrawl from taking my meds too fast. The withdrawl (for me personally) is TERRIBLE. It's like being on a "bad trip" all over again. Paranoia, agitation, racing mind, SEVERE introspection.

I'm just posting this too see if anyone has or think they have HPPD and , no matter why you take it, if your on Clonazepam - please share your withdrawl symptoms. I would like to compare. I am on 3mg a day.

Any kind of feedback to this post is appreciated greatly.

JW

[lewielew]

i have been on on clonozapam for about the same time and have reduced from 10 - 1 mg per day-to an as needed basis.whatever you do dont try cold turkey-this class of meds is one of the worse to come off of--you have to find a dr. who really understands benzodiazepian and the withdraw..this seems to be the most successfull resourse on the web..http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/index.htm

take it slow.i dont feel comf giving med advice.. good luck and i know it can be done
lew

[makisupa]

I have what you are describing, it did cause a lot of trouble in my life, primarily Anxiety. I was prescribed Klonopin about 7 yrs ago, and still take them. For a long I did abuse the klonopin to numb myself, and eventually got to the point where I was no longer able to get "High" so to speak. I still have to take them, but I do take them on a as need basis. Even the addict in me knows its a moot point to abuse the Klon's, which is good and bad. But I do take them a lot less then befor and I can go a day or 2 without them and not blink an eye.

I do know that it can be very dangerous and very uncomfortable to go cold turkey and no doctor would morally do this to a head like you and I. They know even more than we may , how dangerous that is. Even after 7 yrs, I still feel like I may have to take them for the rest of my life,I hope not, The now just do the job that they should for me.

I have, in the past done A lot of LSD , Mushrooms, peyote etc.. And I know, as much as anyone can, how you feel and what Halluc's long term after effects feel like. I have sort of just accepted the fact that I will see trails for rest of my life. Initally, I was treated for Social Anxiety, Panic disorder and depression. I took Zoloft for about 5 yrs and was as close as you can get to "Cured" of my Social Anxiety. I absolutely love Zoloft and was completely amazed that I feel Cured. I really had no hope, and it's almost sureal that to me when I look back at what I was and how I am now. I no longer take Zoloft but I do still have extreme Panic attacks about 3-5 times a day. I don't have to call 911 I ,sort of, just know what to do? If that makes any sense?

I get the feeling that the after effects of your drug use seems to bother you a lot more that I. And I am very sorry that you have to go thru it so badly. It is almost uncanny how well you described what happens to you when you "shut down" and the "Over Analysis" . I can totally relate and I get very few hours of sleep due to over active brain activity, I feel absolutly crazy sometimes and it does sometime feel like I have lost my mind. If you really want to talk further, you can e-mail me at makisupa666@hotmail.com.

Please , don't feel like you can't reach out to me or anyone here. I am not here to judge you , just help, share, relate and even vent if you need too. I am very fortunate to have a brother that I can talk to like no other human on Earth. I have a good support system with him and can say things and relate without even speaking. If you need a bit of support , I am totally willing to lend an ear with what seems to be a lot of common experience.

take care!!