I went off Klonopin cold turkey two weeks ago (bad move I know)... I was taking .25 mg a night to sleep (as per docs script) for three weeks... It started to make me feel extremely anxious and drugged up after taking it for a while... I seem to have EVERY protracted withdrawal symptom known to man (odd thoughts, flu like symptoms, no energy, constant headaches, memory loss, confusion, severe anxiety, severe depression, depersonalization, aggressive thoughts (but NOT actions), etc. How long is this HELL going to take to emerge from? I fear that as per the Ashton Manual (read it too late) that I did IRREPARABLE damage to my psyche and brain due to going off the med C/T. Does ANYONE have ANY insight on this matter from PERSONAL experience... I'm well versed in medical statistics... but I'd like to know some actually case histories... Thank you all for listening to my jumbled ramble... GOD BLESS!
How long should C/T clonazepam (Klonopin) withdrawal take?
Question posted by SEZFIT on 10 June 2012
Last updated on 11 February 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
101 Answers Page 3
It may take two days to clear clonazepam from your body, but getting over withdrawal can take a lot longer. Your brain has to re-set. It may be a couple of weeks or even a couple of months, depending on how long you were taking clonazepam before you quit. It's going to suck. Hot baths help.
Get your dose down to 1/8 of a mg, something that is easier to do if you're taking 1/2 mg tablets, before quitting.
You make it sound like a contest. That there is virtue in being of off klonopin. What’s your story? Are you deliriously happpy because your off? Just giving a schedule for getting off, which no one asked of you, and nothing else, isn’t basically a worthless comment. This string is about something else. You belong elsewhere. Bye-bye. Ciao.
> You make it sound like a contest. That there is virtue in being of off klonopin. What’s your story?
> Are you deliriously happpy because your off? Just giving a schedule for getting off, which no
> one asked of you, and nothing else, isn’t basically a worthless comment. This string is about
> something else. You belong elsewhere. Bye-bye. Ciao.
That's an interesting point of view.
If you're happy on clonazepam, then by all means stay with it.
I want to add, that in my experience, being off clonazepam feels better in several ways compared to when I was taking it. Once off and past the withdrawal, I was surprised how much clearer my thinking became. I no longer had to take a nap every day. The way I behaved with other people felt like the old me. I didn't realize while taking that drug what it had done to me. My advice is, only take it for a few weeks. That's what the package insert recommends.
I took 1.5 mg for over 20 years. I was kind of a case study because I had been on it for so long. I tried to go off of it several times titrating down and it didn’t work . Finally went to detox in a hospital for 10 days. When I got out I still couldn’t drive and was not thinking clearly for a month.
So the good news was in about six weeks I was back to normal. That was all back in September 2016.
I am not a physician but since you were on such a low dose for a short period of time I bet your symptoms should stop soon.
I am also looking for help. I have been on .5 mg of klonopin for at least 13 years as it was the only thing that helped me sleep. I was able to stay on that without needing more, but I was determined to get of it as my cognition is being affected and I suspect it may be the klonopin, and it was not working as well as it used to, I tapered off as recommended and have been off for 2 months. It has been horrible. I cant sleep at all and now all of a sudden after being off of it for almost 2 months I am having terrible anxiety and nervousness.One docs solution was to give me seroquel that made me feel loopy, and now my docs solution was to give me restoril, but that is just another benzo. It helps me sleep but does nothing for the anxiety and I feel like I am losing my memory, concentration, etc. more every day. Can this be a normal withdrawal even after never taking more than .5 mg? any suggestions?
Yes. It’s normal. It’s a very strong drug. If you can just hang on without having to restart it you should gradually get better. It’s slow but it happens.
Yes, try to not restart. There is evidence that if you restart and stay on the higher dose for a month or so that when you try to withdraw again, the withdrawal symptoms can be much harsher because of a process called kindling.
I've heard that while benzos like clonazepam help you sleep, but that the sleep is not restful. Go slow on the withdrawal. A rate of taper that works well for some people might be too fast for you. You will feel better. It just takes time.
If you can, see a sleep specialist.
I have been having it rough. I have been on 1 MG of clonazepam twice a day for about 4 years. Then I was taken down to 1MG once a day for the past two years. Last month she changed it to 1MG take PRN, and now I’m down to 0.5mg once a day. She says I sound like my life is going good and I’m doing better which my life is great! But, I still get severe anxiety. She started me on 5MG twice a day of Buspirone to try and help my anxiety and withdrawal from Klonopin. I’m terrified for my next appointment with her cause I fear she is going to try and lower my dosage again. I do not want to be on this the rest of my life but I’m having such a hard time.
Maybe if you show your doctor the Ashton Manual she’ll be willing to taper you more slowly. The slower, the better!!
Look into the Magnesium Advocacy group on Facebook. They have a mineral rebalancing protocol that many are saying eliminated their anxiety symptoms. Anxiety is related to adrenal health. Part of the mineral rebalancing protocol includes adrenal support. Magnesium is part of the protocol too. Hope this helps.
I stopped taking klonopin 1-1/2 years ago. I was on it for 28 years. I took 1 mg per day - at night. The withdrawals were hard. Over time the symptoms wax and wane. From hair loss, ringing of the ears, just so many many side effects of going off the klonopin. The supplement that has helped quite a bit is Inositol . I did have a seizure at 6 months - never had one before. When I arrived at the at the ER - my potassium was very very low - 2.7. That was one year ago. Take good care of yourself. Your sleep will return, and as I said, the symptoms wax and wane. Do persevere. The one thing that happened three days ago - my body temperature seems to have returned to normal. I was so extremely hot ALL the time, sleeping with the window open when it was 20 degrees. That has changed and I can actually feel the cold now. Celebrate all these things - it truly is one day at a time. Wishing you success!!
I’ve been on .5 mg of Clonazepam for a couple of years. Recently I decided to taper off. I immediately reduced to .25 mg for about two weeks and then stopped. I’ve been off of it now for a couple of weeks but due to some side effects I’ve have taken a pill or 2 when needed. My side effects are as follows: tension headache, jelly legs, muscle spasms in the legs and anxiety worse than normal. I am still taking 10 mg of Lexapro. My side effects are always in the morning & will dissipate by mid-afternoon. The leg side-effects are freaking me out. Has anyone else experienced this?
Sure, everything you describe is typical for the 70% of people who experience withdrawal effects from clonazepam. It actually doesn't sound like your symptoms are bad compared to many others. The withdrawal can range from no trouble at all to complete disability. 85% of those withdrawing return to their normal state within 18 months after getting off, some much quicker. One note of caution: It is known that if clonazepam is reinstated longer than about 1 month after getting off that the subsequent withdrawal is much more intense. Your best bet is to ride out the symptoms, unpleasant as they are. Only reinstate if symptoms are truly unbearable and then taper very, very slowly. Hope this helps.
Yes your symptoms are normal. I tapered off a .5 mg dosage twice a day last summer. It was horrible and I tapered slow. I stopped it in Sept and feel like I’m just getting to feel better the past few weeks. I broke my pill down into tiny doses before stopping totally. You might have gone too fast. I know I did. Good luck
Thank you for both of your responses. It’s just hard to believe that these type of symptoms are caused by this. I’ve gone off Clonazepam before & this never happened. Every morning is such a struggle for me. I lay in bed staring at my phone searching for answers. I had myself convinced I had MS or ALS. Not fun!!
It sounds like this second withdrawal is more difficult and that is the general pattern, unfortunately. Just know that the symptoms are not MS, etc. Physicians at present do not understand withdrawal from benzos and will try to see your symptoms as pathology (MS, etc.). Don't fall for it.
Apparently, mineral imbalances underly all our health woes, but this is not something taught in med school. They have a protocol for rebalancing minerals and are getting very good results for many, many different health problems. The protocol will not interfere with anything else you are doing and is mostly food-based. I had a difficult withdrawal from clonazepam myself and following the protocol has been very helpful.
I have been taking clonazepam for over thirty years. I was prescribed it for panic anxiety disorder. I have decided to stop this drug and am tapering slowly from a .5 mg twice a day dose. I've been doing this taper over the past couple of months and have just made another decrease after about two weeks. I am presently at .125 twice daily. I have felt horrible all this time. My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin and Buspar and I honestly don't know if they are helping or not. I am dizzy at times, have trouble sleeping anxious and very depressed. I am terrified these things may even be permanent. Any advice or encouragement will be greatly appreciated
Mjw
Mjw67,
It won't be permanent, don't worry about that. About 70% of those withdrawing are able to get off with minor or short-term symptoms. 30% have a great deal of difficulty, but will return to normal within 18 months after the taper is finished. There is a great deal of variation in the time to feel better, possibly for genetic reasons. All the symptoms you mention are very well known for this kind of withdrawal. Dietary support seems to help to some extent. Lots of veggies and healthy fats helped me to some degree. I know precisely what you are going through and it is dreadful. At this point, physicians have very little knowledge of this kind of withdrawal and many will dismiss what you say or try to give other drugs. Frankly, Wellbutrin and Buspar are not known in the support groups to help and may just be 2 more drugs requiring withdrawal at some point. I would look into the Facebook groups and probably stop the other 2 drugs. My best to you.
I have only been on 2 mg klonipin a few months. I am also on gabapentin for anxiety. My dr wants me to slowly get off the klonipin. Well over the course of about two months I've only gone down to 1.5 mg. Two weeks ago I went down to 1.25. After a few days I started having anxiety so I went back up to 1.5 and I've still got anxiety. I've had some extra stress lately. I'm wondering if this anxiety is withdrawal. I mean I've only gone down a tiny bit. Also, wondering if I join these closed groups on Facebook can other people see?
It could well be withdrawal. Some people reach tolerance pretty quickly and the accompanying withdrawal has anxiety as a major part. Have you considered looking into finding out if you have mineral imbalances? Mineral imbalances are behind all of these things and rebalancing them will eliminate the problem. It is not fast, but mineral rebalancing protocols are getting very good results. Check out the Magnesium Advocacy group on fb and read the pinned post at the top. This is a closed group. The closed groups on fb seem to have a good record. Other members of the group can see your name. However, fb now has a feature that advertises groups that you belong to to your friends, with a notice that one of their friends is a member. If your friend wants to find out who is in the group, they can. fb is even doing this with closed groups, but they may have changed the policy because of complaints. If this worries you, open an account under another name.
Well I have been taking magnesium, and zinc. What other minerals are you meaning?
All our minerals must strike a specific balance to result in really good health. Most in the US have iron overload because of a federal mandate in 1940 to start iron fortifying flour, rice, pasta, and cereal. Excess iron is now recognize to cause oxidative stress, which is behind chronic illnesses. Most of us also have iron<>copper dysregulation, with insufficient ceruloplasmin (a copper containing enzyme) to properly metabolize iron. The fb group has a protocol for rebalancing that is getting very good results.
Make... I am going thru terrible withdrawal from 2mg 3xdaily for over 30 yrs. I do not suggest you take an antidepressant, as the withdrawal from them are just as bad. I have told my Dr. This and he told me basically that I don't know what I'm talking about. I do... I have anxiety, I'm not stupid.
I have researched these drugs and terrible side effects. Excuse me Dr. I already am going thru enough side effects ( from withdrawal). I do not need more. This is just my opinion,as I am not a doctor.
Extremely bad move, I would know because I tried that last February. I lasted 12 days after jumping off 0.50mg. It just got worse and I had to reinstate at 1mg and do a micro liquid titration. I'm down to 0.25mg as of today and will try and get off next month. There are great tutorial videos on YouTube that explain micro LT. Best of luck to you.
I have been on clonazepam for 2.5 years. I tapered down for a period of time. Then anxiety came back. Long story short, it stopped my anxiety for a bit but causes muscle stiffness, disassociation, depression, anger , and many other problems and I'm sick of it. They give me something to stop problems and then cause me more problems. I can't wait to stop taking this garbage.
Yes, that is benzo withdrawal. There is a range of experiences trying to get off. A lucky 70% of the population will have little or no trouble. 30% will have significant trouble lasting varying lengths of time. Once off, 85% will return to baseline within 6-18 months. The remaining 15% take longer, although the symptoms continue to decrease. If you want the most up-to-date info about the whole withdrawal experience and also have questions answered, join the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal support groups on Facebook. They are terrific and someone is always available to help.
I wish the doctor would have told me about side effects and getting off this crap.
Actually, physicians seem to be out of the loop on this in some ways. Yes, they know (or should know) that benzos should only be prescribed for at most 2-4 weeks, because that is what pharmaceutical companies put on its package inserts. It is has been known since the '70s about the horrible withdrawal effects for 30% of people. In the support groups, they are saying that Big Pharma quashed this info. Sounds about right to me. One thing you may find is that most physicians deny that withdrawal can go on for a long time. They will tell you that the symptoms are new or returning pathology and recommend more drugs. It is not unlikely that this is what they hear from their medical associations (which get their info from Big Pharma). Your best bet is to take no new drugs until researching them thoroughly online. Google the name of your drug followed by 'controversy' or 'problems'. It sucks I know.
I feel like crap. I tried to taper to 3 quarters of a 0.5 mg pill and I had to go back to the 0.5 MG and the side effects are disgusting. I have glossy eyes and I'm tired all the time. It's hard to function but I force myself to but damn... If I would have known I would have said no to this S##T
That means you need to taper more slowly. Most people are able to taper 10% a month, but not everyone can go that fast. There are some people online who can only taper 2% a month. Even then it's no picnic.
Hello everyone, I just read a couple of your responses and wanted to share my experience with you all. About 1 1/2 years ago I was put on Xanax by my Dr. for insomnia. He started me on a low dose and gradually he upped my dose to 4mg at night to sleep. Even at that high of a dose I didn't sleep well and kept waking up several times at night. In December of 2016 my Dr. announced that he was leaving this office and that a new Dr. was taking over his patience. The new Dr. never arrived and I was left with only a few pills and freaking out. I found a new Dr. and when I saw him he told me that he doesn't prescribe these meds and told me i had to go to the ER. I didn't understand what was going on and why he refused to give me my RX. I went to the ER and told them that i was leaving out of state and that the other Dr. refused to give me my meds and the ER Dr.
only wanted to give me 4 days worth of meds which would leave me without meds come Thursday and i wasn't coming back until Friday. I took my 8 pills and left the ER. Went on my trip and took my last pills on Wednesday. Thursday night I couldn't sleep until 3am and had to be up at 5am to travel back to NY. By the time I got home I felt horrible. I had a very bad migraine and eat some food and took some meds for my headache. By 8pm I started shaking and my heart rate went to 180. I told my kids I had to go to the ER and I would be back soon. Once I got to the ER I was crying and they took me to the psychiatric ward and I was told that I was crashing off the Xanax and I had to stay there and I wasn't allowed to leave because I could DIE if I left!!! Needless to say I was freaking out. I spent 18h at that place and it was the worst experience of my life. They gave me Ativan and it stopped my withdrawal symptoms. The next day I was release and I was put on 2mg of klonopin and that I had to work with a Dr. to slowly taper off the benzos. I realized that I was drugged by my doctor and I hated him for it!!! I made an appointment with a accupunterist and saw her once a week for five weeks. She helped me a lot and I lowered my dose from 2mg at night to 1mg and then to 1/2mg at night. Now I have been off completely for 8 days and it's been a nightmare. Brain fog, sever insomnia, neck pain, tightness in my chest and severe anxiety which i didn't have before staring the benzos. I just want to feel normal again. How long will this go on for??? I feel like it's getting worse and not better. I'm trying to think that it will get better with time but it's been 8 days and i feel horrible. Did I tapper too fast? What do you guys think? Thank you for listening. I don't think benzos are a good medication at all and i feel they just made me worst.
Hi, Aidafero. The same thing happened to me when my dr had a stroke. I was taking 3mg/day for 12 years. No doctor I went to would give me an rx and said I'd be fine in a week. It's been over a month and I am not fine. Severe anxiety, insomnia... everything you said. I think these Dr's either really don't care or don't know. Either way, you got lucky. I was just told "No".
Klonopin must be strange drug. Back in 2012 my Doc had me on 2 mg of Xanax to sleep. It worked great I slept like a baby. Because it worked so great I took it every night. I wasn't supposed to do that. I went for a new script every month and surprisingly the Doc gave it to me. I have experience with Xanax but I knew that without it I'd go back to sleepless nights. After 4 months I was hooked and the Doc finally realized it. So he put me on Klonopin 2 mg a night. It really didn't help me sleep but it helped my anxiety. After 1.5 yrs I tapered off with no problem. I tolerated my anxiety for a year and I went back on it. I'm on 2 mg again but this time I've become addicted to it. The confusing part is it doesn't help me sleep like Xanax does. I even think it interferes with sleep. I tried taking more than 2 mg but it didn't help. Last month I ran out too soon so I cut down to .5 mg from 3 mg within a week.
I went through some nasty withdrawal symptoms. Strange bc the last time I wanted off Klonopin I didn't have any wds. I got my new script and I'm being very careful this month. I really don't like this drug but if I don't take at least 1 mg a day I feel nervous and like I'm shaking inside. It's almost unbearable. Therefore I've decided that I want off this stuff but getting off is proving very hard. I don't understand why bc in 2014 I tapered off easy peasy.
Hey guys, wanted to give you an update on what's going on. My symptoms got so bad by day 12 that I thought my head was going to explode and my eyeballs were popping out. I also had intrusive thoughts and didn't understand what was going on. Insomnia through the roof!!! I called my new Psych Dr. and she told me to take 1mg of K. I did because I thought I was going to die. It took me about 6h to stabilize and I held there for about 3 weeks. I've been doing a lot of research online and came across a support group and liquid micro titration. I'm down to .75mg again after making another 25% cut 10 days ago and I'm feeling a lot of pain in my neck and my left shoulder. I stated the liquid micro titration 3 days ago and I'm now reducing my K. by 1ml daily. I should be completely off in 97 days. Wish me luck. I will keep you guys posted. Dry cutting and holding is too hard on our CNS and I recommend all of you to look into liquid micro tapering. Best of luck and success to you all.
I have been off klonopin for 3 three weeks and I have never felt so sick. I was at the library and I had to leave. I am experiencing the worst anxiety I could ever imagine. My head feels like someone is crushing it with a steel band and I have a pulling sensation in my head. I can't stand this, I don't understand it. Can anyone offer some suggestions or comments? I think I'm losing my mind! Thanks for any help.
Here is a quick update on my situation. I had to reinstate at 1mg of Klonopin and have been doing a micro liquid taper using organic milk. I wish I had know about this method from the beginning of my taper. I was doing the cut and hold method before and it was a nightmare for my CNS. Now I'm making daily cuts and I don't even feel it. I'm down to 0.29mg of Klonopin and should be completely off by June 24th 2017. Had some insomnia flare up and I'm using 5mg of Melatonin to help me with that. What also had helped me is CBD. If you guys have any questions regarding tapering please reach out to me and I'm happy to explain it to you all. Best of luck to all of you and there are several online support groups on FB. Take good care of yourself and don't trust your doctors.
I was on Klonopin for 3 years and at the time I started to taper I was on 2mg. It took me a year and a half to get completely off. I have never been the same since and I have been off since 2013. I am now home bound and I am only 50. That stuff should be taken off the market because I know it caused me permanent damage. Maybe since you were on such a small amount and for such a short time you will completely recover soon. I wish you the best.
I have been taking clonazepam for about two month.I stop taking immidiatley.it was the worst time in my life. everyday I didnt know where I walk and where to go,my leg is viberating. sever depression,sever headache ,stress ,big confusion and I coudnt sleep and my jaw was very tired ,my feet was small swollen.at the same time I had chest congestion and twice I went to the doctor they said you dont have anylung problem ,for the cough they gave me loratidine.before loratidine I was taking for 2day I took paracetamol,for 2day diclo ,for 2day tramadol when I take these antipain it helps me a bit but still I was suffering.after 6day withdrawal I start taking loratidine for my chest pain and cough.it helps me to fall a sleep then after 3days loratidine helps me to my normal life. the doctor didn't help me. the doctor advised me to decrease the dose every other day.
I have been taking clonazepam for about two month.I stop taking immidiatley.it was the worst time in my life. everyday I didnt know where I walk and where to go,my leg is viberating. sever depression,sever headache ,stress ,big confusion and I coudnt sleep and my jaw was very tired ,my feet was itching .I had chest congestion and little cough and twice I went to the doctor they said you dont have anylung problem ,for the cough gave me loratidine.before loratidine for 2day I took paracetamol,for 2day diclo ,for 2day tramadol when I take these antipain it helps me litle to sleep but still I was suffering a lot .after 6day withdrawal I start taking loratidine for my chest pain and cough.it helps me to fall a sleep then after 3days loratidine helps me to my normal life. the doctor didn't help me. the doctor advised me to decrease the dose every other day and prescribed clonazepam again but I didnt want take it.after I saw the withdrawal side effect.I afraid to take it and dicided not to take it.
Yes, this is withdrawal from clonazepam. This happens to about 30% of those trying to withdraw.
It had been awhile since I posted on this board. I tried numerous times to get off klonopin by myself. I finally ended in a detox unit in hospital for 8 days.
When I went home I was in a complete fog and could not function very well for two months. I could not drive and had to have my husband take me everywhere .
Finally after two months the fog lifted and I am living a great life Klonopin free ( I was taking 1.5 mgs for 23 years.)
Horrible drug and should be taken off the market!
I have been taking Klonopin 1 mg 3x a day I have PTSD and it has been over 24 he's since my last dose, I'm confused, anxious angry, and suggestions?
Site moderator. Please post my submissions written to you yesterday; Klonopin withdrawal. Edit what you must. Save a life. Thank You.
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klonopin, anxiety, benzodiazepine withdrawal, insomnia, panic disorder, restless legs syndrome, sleep disorders, clonazepam, withdrawal, sleep
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