I have been on clonazepam for more that 3 decades at the same dose (1.50mg). I have experienced increasing anxiety (GAD) over the years, especially in the past 4-6 yrs. By accident, during a particularly tough time, I took 2.0 clonazepam, and felt a respite from severe anxiety and its accompanying effects (tremor, poor sleep, hypervigilance, etc.). I have asked my present dr. to increase my 1.50 dose to 2mg. I know that my retired dr. would have complied, but many new drs. are more cautious.
I would like to know, what recourse I have to get a dr. to increase my dose. Living in anxiety on a daily basis, is a poor quality of life. Would a psychiatrist understand protracted w/d better as it seems that is the problem?
Added 3 Nov 2021:
p.s. I just got an appointment with a psychiatrist! I am so happy but also nervous.
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3 Answers
SA
Satori3636
2 Dec 2021
Yes, a psychiatrist is your best bet. Most docs don't even prescribe benzos long-term. They'll refer you to a psychiatrist. So there you go. That's how I finally got on my clonazepam. I've been on it for probably five years now. Good luck
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Votes: +0
JA
james1998
2 Dec 2021
I do hope Klonopin continually helps you and you are successful in avoiding potential future side effects with this medication with the realization that stopping this medication is very difficult if you ever need to stop taking it. Having taken this class of medication I was not aware of how it affected my cognitive functioning in an adverse way until I stopped taking it in 8/2018.
wishing you well
MM
mmmousemaid
2 Dec 2021
Clonazepam may have affected my cognitive status, without my realizing it; however if I may repeat my question: regarding risk/benefit advantages and disadvantages, are there any clinical trials of anecdotal reports, of improvement upon discontinuation of any chronically taken benzos? Or, will the initial need for treatment return, or even become worse with withdrawal side effects?
JA
james1998
3 Dec 2021
The book authored by Dr. Peter Braggin is titled Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal A guide for Prescribers, therapists, patients, and their families. you can look up the reviews on Amazon. l can feel your pain having struggled with panic attacks associated with a severe generalized anxiety disorder all my life (81 years old). With the assistance of five different psychiatrists that I have seen, I was able to work for 39 years for the federal government with minimal use of sick leave. I would seek out the best psychiatric professional that you can find if you are concerned about potential cognitive impairment from long term use from benzodiazepine use with a speciality in the use of this class of medications possibly an addictive medication specialist. If the need ever arises that you need to stop this medication you can. Just because something is very difficult it is not impossible to do. I understand your concern and wish you well.
MM
mmmousemaid
3 Dec 2021
Thank you. You certainly have a lot of experience.
JA
james1998
3 Dec 2021
another source This is Life reporting by Lisa ling shown on CNN 10/2019 titled the Benzos Crisis. It is available on Amazon Prime with interviews with those in the process of withdrawing from Klonopin and their personal experiences including I believe Lisa Ling's father's experience.
JA
james1998
3 Dec 2021
go to youtube for physician assistant commentary on lisa ling's the Benzo crisis episode dated 10/6/2019. She explains protracted withdrawal very well.
I have been on benzodiazepines from 1966 until 8/2018. ( Serax until 1995 than klonopin) Dr. in 2/2018 would not prescribe Klonopin anymore. Was taking .75 mg for insomnia and GAD with panic attacks. The internist did not instruct me how to taper after long-term use. I found a mental health professional and received a prescription for gabapentin 100 mg tid. he left it up to me how to taper towards the end a dosage of klonopin. I was also instructed to take a medical food supplement L-methyl folate. i used a week interval and cut klonopin in half and week later in half and took toward the end the dissolving .125 mg once a day for a week. Acute withdrawal lasted during the tapering and about ten days after stopping .125 dosage once daily. Acute withdrawal symptoms: severe heart palpitations, insomnia, a hyperactive state with severe racing thoughts, and hyperactivity. The palpitations lasted est. about 2/2020.
Still have insomnia in that I sleep about 4 to 6 hours. I feel great at this stage. Memory has improved, no panic attacks or long-term anxiety issues, better relationship with my wife of over 50 years. I will deal with some insomnia because and maybe in another couple of years it to will get better, Stopping this medication has completely changed my life for the better. Behavior changes that I used during withdrawal was to concentrate my thoughts away from the emotional experience of withdrawal towards the things that i enjoy doing. I am 81 and withdrawal helped me more than any one thing that i have done.
Votes: +0
MM
mmmousemaid
28 Nov 2021
That's very informative and optimistic. Thank you for the feedback. gabapentin may be the magic bullet and I would rather rely on that than Latuba. Still, it makes me wonder what the difference is psychologically, pre-clonazepam Rx and discontinuation improvement. Rather odd methinks: unless other drugs or medical conditions were the cause. But I am glad to read your post as you are better, for whatever reason.
JA
james1998
28 Nov 2021
I now lap swim about 90 minutes daily and I am an avid reader and practiced mental health techniques in a group setting from the founder of recovery Inc. Dr. Abraham Low (mental health through will training). If you wanted more information google Dr. Lowe Mental Health through Will training through Recovery Inc. They have sessions over the internet. I needed behavioral modification training to effectively be productive in moderating the anxiety that I inherited. I am the oldest in my family and my sister and two brothers are now deceased because they used benzodiazepams to control their anxiety and their treatment with these medications was not favorable to them. My brother was a psychiatrist.
MM
mmmousemaid
29 Nov 2021
Dr. Lowe Mental Health; thank you, I will google that. Sounds like the kind of resource my father would have liked. :-)
ST
Stephen Treloar
16 Nov 2021
You really have no recourse to get your dose increased by your doctor and it could, quite possibly, be seen as drug seeking behaviour and have a negative impact on your treatment. Doctors now have new guidelines that they have to work within, so they are understandably cautious.
A psychiatrist may well have better insight but good ones can be hard to find.
I wish you the best of luck with this, take care.
Votes: +0
MM
mmmousemaid
16 Nov 2021
Thank you for your reply Stephen. I suppose you might have some inside knowledge of these new "guidelines"? or have made a similar request? I can only say, that I hope that this new scenario is truly based on medical knowledge, and observation of protracted w/d cases, and not on a bias towards "drug seeking" behaviour. I never sought for this drug in the first place, nor would my dprescribing dr. assist in discontinuation after so many years.
ST
Stephen Treloar
16 Nov 2021
I took klonopin for a number of years, but my psychiatrist was concerned as I confessed "I liked it". It was hugely effective. Sadly it is also known to be highly addictive and withdrawal can be protracted and unpleasant for some people. I was switched to Diazepam (valium) and Alprazolam (xanax) as I was known for having addiction issues and I took klonopin daily. My doctor reduced my valium intake progressively (and stopped the xanax entirely) until I was able to take valium as needed. My anxiety levels are not constant but can be debilitating situationally. But, I'm not sorry for having received some "tough love". Some anxiety is actually a healthy sign in many people.
I hope that I have provided some background, but the only guidelines I'm aware of are for doctors to be careful not to over prescribe.
MM
mmmousemaid
16 Nov 2021
I am concerned about irreversible changes in the brain from long-term use of ANY drug, but esp. benzodiazepines, and narcotic drugs in general, even alcohol. Time taken and dose are important variables. I hope that I am tapered with a longer life benzo, but I rather doubt it, as an antipsychotic was regarded as having sedative effects. Time will tell, and I am sorry to say that time waits for no one and little time is left. I would rather just stay on this dose until I die, as I have not fallen except once (and that due to lithium reduction dizziness) in 35 years, and FALLING seems to be the major concern in the current benzo views. I hope you continue with mini anxiety states, and your psychiatrist is monitoring you.
Cheers
MM
mmmousemaid
5 Dec 2021
Stephen,
I will try to withdraw from clonazepam at a very slow rate; maybe check the Ashton Manual. From my long term experience I notice that there is a "critical" point at which the drug becomes effective; I think that may be the withdrawal stage; below that tingling and below efficacy may be close to 0, so you have to increase it.
I am reconsidering because my drug regimen has now changed, leading to more sedative effects.
