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 7
I understand your worries. I would like to allay your fears however about the long-term consequences. I have gone off Clonazepam three times over the years, twice cold turkey. I currently take 2 mg also for sleep and have for years now... four times what you were on and I am working again to get off. I should never have re-started but after a long hiatus the effectiveness for my problems surpassed other medications. When I went off, I also had everything from severe chest pain and pressure to extreme flu like symptoms, buzzing in my brain etc. It is not a pleasant experiance. However it does all pass and aside from my personal experience, nothing that I have ever read points to long-term issues or damage. The right way to come off is to gradually decrease every 2 weeks while taking another drug ( talk to your doctor about alternatives) as support while you withdraw.
However your dose is so relatively small that I am surprised that you reacted as you did..the trouble with .25mg is that you can break the pill only so many ways..I am also surprised at the severity of your reaction after only 3 weeks but everybody tolerates drugs differently! Withdrawal symptoms can last 3-4weeks but it depends on how much residual is stored in your adipose (FATTY) tissues as this gradually releases back into your bloodstream. If you are completely off now and the symptoms still persist ask your doctor for a short regimen of Diazepam. It is in the same drug family (Benzodiazapines) and will dispell your syptoms, without re-establishing any addiction if used for only 10 days max. That should be enough to get you over the hump. All the best and let me know if I can be of further help.
I forgot to mention I was taking 2.5 mg a day. When I got to the hospital they misread the dose and thought I was taking .5 mg a day. But now, finally, I have a new doc and I'm finally on meds that help me! I've never been so relieved. I found a job and am working, but it took until the end of Sept. to be put on the correct meds and feel "ok." But wow, what a horrible summer I had. I honestly couldn't function much at all. I hope everyone is taken off this med slowly in all cases.
I've been on Clonazapam for 20 years, 1mg/day for insomnia. If I can't get it (missed an air flight) I do not sleep all night. I tried going off when I moved to a new area and had no doctor, and kept thinking I would sleep the next night. I had no sleep for 4 nights, until I went to the local ER for a new script. A few years later I got a doc to prescribe a compounded liquid version of the drug so I could taper extremely slowly. However, once I got down to .8 mg I could not sleep at all, as though I wasn't taking any. So then I just stopped taking it. For the first week my w/d simply felt like I was on speed. Not unpleasant, but no sleep for a week, none, although no other terrible symptoms such as are described here. I was determined this time, so I stayed off, thinking the next week, or then the next month, the drug would "wash out" and I would be back to normal. That did not happen. For 8 months my sleep pattern was 2hrs, 2hrs, 6hrs, then repeat.
It was like I had to be incredibly sleep deprived before I could get even that 6 hours. I was not working so this was feasible although I felt awful of course. I was shocked at being affected for so long! Then I had to work so went back on the drug on a Doc's advice. Glad to find this forum with guidance on helpful meds to take while in w/d ie. rivotril and imovane. I now believe this drug is totally counterproductive in that taking it does not help me sleep, rather it keeps me from not sleeping. And I think my sleep is not restful because, since I refuse to increase the dose, my body is in constant mild withdrawal. My conclusion: the way for me to get off this drug is to go into marathon training. I think doing hard althetic training for four hours a day at a minimum will make me so extremely tired, the insomniac w/d symptom has no chance.
Do you remember what compound liquid version or was it just a compound pharmacy that did it ? I'm not good right now doctors messing with my taper who are clueless on withdrawals. Most don't get that lucky I wish I was one but also on a lot higher dose for 8 years. Trying to let my body adjust to this disaster now and that's my route I want to try is compound liquid titration.
Do you remember what compound liquid version or was it just a compound pharmacy that did it ? I'm not good right now doctors messing with my taper who are clueless on withdrawals. Most don't get that lucky I wish I was one but also on a lot higher dose for 8 years. Trying to let my body adjust to this disaster now and that's my route I want to try is compound liquid titration.
I tried a 5-week taper set out by my doctor. I had been taking Clonazepam for about 15 years then, 3-4 mg/day. It was the worst experience of my life once the benzos left my body. The worst was the sleeplessness for weeks and weeks, and then the anxiety - I felt as if the walls were closing in on my. I ended up back in pdocs office begging for Klonopin. It was such a relief to have it again that I wasn’t even ashamed.
These days I have a new doctor (old one retired) and they reduced me to 2 mg/day and now 1.5 mg a day. On my own I reduced from 3 .5mg pills each night to 2.5 pills and I seem to be okay most of the time. But now I also take prescribed trazodone to help me sleep as well. I want to wait til I’m confident on 2.5 pills before I discuss what’s next. I don’t care how long it takes. I won’t go through another two months like I went through before.
I know this is a very old post but I was wondering if any of the people on here that were on the higher doses and longer time being on klonopin were still active to chat with. If so add me as a friend and I will as you back ty so much in advance.
isn't .25 mg the lowest dose? My psych is having me cut down .25 mg every 2 weeks and it has been about 2 weeks already off it. I've taken 2 mg since 08. i feel cold flashes, shortness of breath, lack of motivation/depression, lack of sleep, and racing thoughts every now and then but it's a small price to pay since I will be better without this powerful medicine.
I've been on Klonopin sine 2007 & it's 2013. I take (3) 0.5mg per day. I want to be off of it, but am terrified!!! I recently went 3 days w/out it & feel like I'm dying... My head is foggy, I'm shaking terribly, and I feel like I could run 10 miles and still be about to crawl out of my skin... All these posts are scaring me about weening off. HELP!!!
You should not have gone 3 days without it..you should be tapering gradually..reducing your dose by .25mg every two weeks or even slower to avoid the type of symptoms you speak of.. I have done this many times and you have nothing to fear if you do it the right way.
Thank you holistic Pete. I've been on Clonazepam since 1998 for anxiety, insomnia & panic disorder. I tried cutting back from 3 pills (.5 mg) a day to 2 pills a day and had lack of sleep, heart palpitations and hot flash type sweating. I just recovered after going back to my usual dose, and will try the slow withdrawal method you mentioned.
Yes, same thing with me. I get extremely dizzy as well. I lost three days worth while camping . I take 0.5 two times a day since 08. I never felt like that in my life! My husband was going to bring me in but I was to scared , I kept saying no I'm fine.. But yes, these posts scare me and I am going to talk to my doctor and get off this!
Hey, it's 2017 now. How did your story end?
I was taking (1) klonopin at night for the last 7 years.I couldn't stand how it made me feel, at first it helped with the panic attacks and anxiety for years that I was on it but it also made me feel tired, slugish and cloudy thinking. I went to my Doctor and told him I want to get off of klonipin so he has me doing a slow tapering I'm taking .75 for 2wks and then .05 for 2wks and then 1/2 of the .05 for 2wks at night. And he prescribed Buspar which is for anxiety to take the edge off if I start having any w/d so for so good I'm on my second wk of the .75. the buspar is not in the benzo family. I was afraid myself to go off of them but I just told myself I gotta do this. You can to. Talk to your doc about it.
Best of luck Deedee95
Yes these posts are scaring people, if your going to post please post positive outcomes only. People are dealing with enough, use your common sense, or don't comment.
Oh my! You did it cold turkey??? There's a risk of seizures when tapering off benzos and klonopin is a brutal one (not to make you feel bad). I know it's milder than say Xanax or other benzodiazepines, however my sister did a detox in rehab and said it was the worst experience in the world. I just read the rest of your post, I had to answer immediately. Ok, good news you weren't on it that long. But please see your doctor to make sure everything is ok and ease the discomfort. I say congrats to you for not wanting to get physically addicted to anything. And there's so many sleep aids including holistic. Best of luck!!!
Hello, I agree with Bryan. You can become addicted to benzos very quick and if you don't do a slow taper you can experience very uncomfortable w/d and going cold turkey is even worse. I have been experienfing protracted w/d for close to 3 yrs and it's horrible. Talk to your dr. I wish nothing but the best for you ... pamee
I've been on benzodiazepines for 12 years now. Xanax and the last 6 years, 4mg of klonopin a day. I quit 6 weeks ago and I'm now completely fine aside from a poor appetite. How are you having withdrawal for 3 yeas and which symptoms are you experiencing? I know klonopin is a dangerous drug and I think I lucked out by feeling "normal" after just 6 weeks. I thought I'd be suffering for a year. I kind of wanted to know what symptoms could linger 3 years in.
Niklaus,
We are all different. Count your blessings you are one of few that have no problems coming off benzos. Thank God!
Wow. I have been on an increasing dose for over 8 years now. I take 4 MG daily, spread out for anxiety and PTSD. I moved across country and my med delivery got a little messed up and I was out for over 5 days. I have to say... I have never felt so horrible as I felt about the third day in. And the next two days, I was literally twitching and glitching and having walking nightmares and sleep issues and it was like being thrown back into my issues that caused PTSD to start with. In the throes off this, my beloved boxer died, and I was damn near hospitalized... when my pills finally came in, I understood what "junkies" feel like. Those first two pills soothed the demon like no other. Im not twitching, i finally settled for a nap, i can thonk clearly. Understand, I am a highly educated, mother of two, a veteran, and have sough treatment for years for sexual trauma. ... I think it's time to talk to my doctor about the medication side of this one... that was miserable.
My sister suffered with severe protracted withdrawal syndrome. I've never seen any one suffer so much coming off of any drug. No matter how long she would quit for she could never get past the seizures, psychotic episodes, depression, panic attacks act. After dealing with it month after month she went back on the medicine. I go to NA and nobody there believed the seriousness of the problem. I wish more people (especially Drs knew about this problem. I wish u the best of luck.
Wow 4 milligrams of clonazepam is alot. I'm on 1 and they'd too much. Your doctor's giving you too much. I would taper myself off.
So true !!!
What AWFUL responses. No one should belittle or disregard another's symptoms or illnesses! Granted in the grand scheme that is a small dose, but look up the facts. Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can last for a long time and in some extreme cases, years.
Do your research then talk with your dr. If they give you a "pooh-pooh", get another dr!
God bless and good luck.
You are so right! Trouble is for me I can't find another doctor. I need a psychiatrist and I can't get in to my new one until Aug. I'm miserable and they don't care.
I'm having the same problem. I swear when you are an alcoholic many Dr's seem to label you and tend to ignore your VERY REAL and possibly life threatening symptoms!
Forget help from standard medical practice. Try to find MDs who practice functional medicine. There are many standard medical and holistic treatment combinations to help depression and insomnia. A functional medicine approach looks at root causes for depression or insomnia. Changed my husband's life when he found out 1.5 years of anxiety, ocd, insomnia ..lost his entire personality ... was caused by a systemic candida infection. He did use K long pin low dose for awhile and slowly weaned off but it gave him the sleep he needed to help him heal. Lorazapam is shorter acting and was a disaster withdrawal! Klonpin is longer acting and as long as you don't keep upping the doses and don't take multiple times per day for more than a month... withdrawal should be minmal.
For anyone needing psych attention in this (USA) broken system, please get thyself to a crisis center in your local ER. They should plug you into the system. Granted, it stinks but it is better than nothing.
This opinion is not directed to any specific patient or reader, but rather a statement to the population who are reading this comment. There is no doctor patient relationship inherent to this comment.
I once was without my kolonopin prescription for two days and I felt so weird like I wanted to rip my hair out and agitated and I had to bite a wash cloth I felt crazy and like I could not function what would you say about this I take two pill's a day
I once was without my kolonopin prescription for two days and I felt so weird like I wanted to rip my hair out and agitated and I had to bite a wash cloth I felt crazy and like I could not function what would you say about this I take two pill's a day
I was first treated using Clonazepam for restless leg syndrome and seizure.
2mg three times a day for 20 years. I tried seven times to stop. I started to have what felt like sticking your finger in a light socket. Hallucinating, I was drawing the walls. I am not a additive person. I have had to take the strongest pain meds that is made and it never bothered me at all.
Clonazepam is the worst additive med I can not get off by myself. My Md doctor is a jackass to start with and told me I just didn't want to be uncomfortable. He has no idea how uncomfortable things are. I have had two plates in my neck ,two hip replacement, both knees replaced. My jaw had been broke and the bone around my eye cancer twice before I was twenty. I frigging know what uncomfortable is. I don't want to be 70 having to take these but I can't do it by myself. Help
Yes. It is now 2018 and as a PhD Biopsychologist it is clear we are all unique. Some people can take benzodiazepines for a while and just stop without any problems. However others like myself struggle for very long periods of time trying to taper slowly fom what is a prescribed dose of Klonopin and became extremely impaired when I have been told on numerous occasions by many types of doctors that I should have no problem stopping. There is enough evidence now that for some people it can be difficult to stop taking benzodiazepines. I never judge others and their difficult experiences with psychiatric medications. Period.
I am lucky to have been "adopted" by a psychiatrist after more than 40 yrs., But I am confused about what the outcome will be with a psychiatrist versus a GP, whom I had and would not take me off benzos (1.50 - 40 yrs.) due to possibly irreversible w/d. I would rather stay at 1.50. I hope I can get a dr. or a psychiatrist to understand my concerns, via an expert maybe?
0.25 is nothing. you should be ok soon.
U may actually be having panic episodes and think it is withdrawals. Coming of klonopin cold Turkey is not recommended at all it can do awful things to u and even cause seizures. I agree with the others I would see my Dr if I were u. Best of luck to u.
I was taking 1mg on and off for several years. I tapered off for approx 3 months down to 1/8th for a few weeks but still did not feel well. Then I stopped. It has gotten so bad I feel like I'm dying like my head feels like unbearable tension, I get severe shivers. At one point I couldn't take it and took 1 mg. A friend who is a doctor said that reset me back to zero. I don't know how long this will last. Can someone please offer some advice.
Thats my big question. My body is overly sensitive to antidepressants so I was on an MAOI inhibitor for 30 years and I finally had to have surgery and they wouldn't do it unless I came off of this (it works for me an anxiety disorder) I was also on a small amount of klonopin at that time. However, after the surgery that impending doom feeling came back and the doctor prescribed me 1 mg klonopin 3 times a day. I now have weined it down to 2.75 mg a day. I also have blood pressure issues. I am so confused I want to come off this klonopin just to see if I still have panic attacks. Probably I do, but how does one know the difference? I will wake up in the midst of the night my heart papilating and freaking out I do deep breathing and do my blood pressure meds and .5 of a klonopin at 4 am in the morning. Help- anyone else have these type of withdrawal episodes with such little decrease... what to do I am losing my days studying these meds and trying to get off of them.
Klonopin is a CNS depressant that causes shallow breathing while asleep. Taking it before bed can cause sleep apnea with drops in oxygen levels. This can cause you to suddenly wake up with a racing heart along with high blood pressure. I had no history of sleep apnea prior to the use of klonopin. I now use a cpap machine, a blood pressure cuff on my bed, along with a recording pulse oximeter that I upload to a computer. Klonopin use puts you in a scenario that causes a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation which aggravates anxiety. Most people respond by taking more klonopin. I've done many sleep studies and I can tell you as a fact that an increase of klonopin equals lower oxygen drops during sleep which in turn leads to sleep deprivation and more anxiety. If your on klonopin you should be using a cpap machine to compensate for the depressed breathing side effect. Otherwise you'll be miserable and stuck on klonopin forever.
I have protected withdrawals. From stopping clonazepam 4mths ago after being on it for 10 years. New Dr doesn't want me on it and sent me to a psychiatrist who will not give it to me either. All because I also am on opioids for chronic pain! Have been on 6 different meds and none have helped! I'm starting to get a little more energy. But still shaking to the point where I am afraid to walk up and down my stairs, still don't want to leave my house and not much sleep. My pain management Dr has no problem with me being on clonazepam and has none that I was on it. New PCP said I can have it back in March. And yes I am going to go back on it, I'm also going to try and get the Dr to prescribe it for me sooner. It has been the only thing that has worked for me and hopefully I will be able to get it sooner.
I have protected withdrawals. From stopping clonazepam 4mths ago after being on it for 10 years. New Dr doesn't want me on it and sent me to a psychiatrist who will not give it to me either. All because I also am on opioids for chronic pain! Have been on 6 different meds and none have helped! I'm starting to get a little more energy. But still shaking to the point where I am afraid to walk up and down my stairs, still don't want to leave my house and not much sleep. My pain management Dr has no problem with me being on clonazepam and has none that I was on it. New PCP said I can have it back in March. And yes I am going to go back on it, I'm also going to try and get the Dr to prescribe it for me sooner. It has been the only thing that has worked for me and hopefully I will be able to get it sooner.
I'm actually surprised.. 2 weeks and going into 3 most are recovered well after just a few weeks on any medication. You may be over thinking it and just need medication in general for your anxiety. I took Klonopin for 2 years.. 3 times a day. Feb 12, 2004 I came off at 2 a day for 1 week (7 days) then 1 a day for 13 days.. finished with 1/2 tab for 4 days.. I was done. Don't think of it as withdrawal.. you needed it for a short while and you are done. If you are experiencing anxiety make yourself another appointment and evaluate your new symptoms.
Everyone is different but you may need to seek advice on an allergic reaction from the med. Honestly it doesn't sound like you were doing well on it at all.
Good answer. I was on 2mg 3 x a day for a few years and decided that was too much. Now I am down to 1mg 2 x a day. My goal is to eventually get off of it, but it is so very hard. My dr. feels I still need it for a while. Hope you are doing well and have a blessed day. Ruthie
I currently take Xanax for my panic/anxiety/ lack of PTSD... it changed my life. I can do some shopping and go to some functions now where as I was home bound for years with PTSD, no one wants to be medicated.. sometimes its absolutley necessary to live though, and we must accept that. I don't worry about it anymore like I once did feeling worthless because of meds.. I read that a lot on here that people worry about HAVING to take it. If something is keeping you from living and functioning you should definitely get some help with it. Life is just too short to suffer!
Oh I agree with you totally. I am Bipolar, have PTSD, Severe Anxiety, ect.. I used to self medicated with alcohol and almost died from that. Have been sober almost 6 yrs now. I have many physical issues I won't list but I have to take pain medicine for. Yes..it took me a while to deal with the medicine issue, because I was only 30 when it started. But now I have come to the fact that this is a part of my life. I have to take my medication to be the best me that I can be, and I'm not ashamed of that now. I have a family to take care of and love and nourish. Thanks for your words of wisdom and for listening. You have no idea how much that is appreciated. Take care. Ruthie
Congratulations on your sobriety! That's a huge HUGE ordeal in itself. Bless your heart, that was a sweet comment. Made me feel good today. I love this site, I don't know a whole lot about a lot but I hope one day maybe something I have been through or know about helps somebody. You are very kind and helpful yourself, and that's exactly right We have a life to live however it needs to be, and hoping one day We all wake with no pains.. none, but We all have each other for support and that's huge in this big lonely place on earth u know.
Just remember I'm here if you ever need an ear or a friend. I'm a pretty good listener. You have yourself a great day. Ruthie:)
I'm going through something right now that even my doctor is at odds with.. you know much about migraines? I used to get headaches but this has been quite different. Onset I am getting dizzy sick and everything is really loud. I'm worried it may be my pain medicine.. sometimes it acts funny like no effect then 3 days later its like my medicine got stuck and is numbing my face and feels a bit strong..I dunno but its starting to worry me. The spells are lasting 1-3 days its happened several times over the last 3 weeks.
Sorry I'm just now getting back to you. I myself suffer from migraine's and take medicine regularly (Topamax) for them. Plus they prescribe me Fiorinal for the biggies that are just horrible that won't go away... Period. I don't have to take them very often at all. But I have never had the numbing experience happen. You said you're doctor was at odd's with it. What kind of doctor is this? I'm trying to think of what kind of doctor you might need to go to.
I take that back. I have had times where I have had some numbing in my face. It concerned me, but always went away... so I never really did anything about it.
It's hard to explain.. I may have a neuro doc take a look..
I have a really good friend on here that asked about it... and she and I both agreed that a nuerosurgeon would probably be you're best bet. I wouldn't let it continue without having it checked out though. Not to scare you or anything. Just looking out for ya is all. :) Please keep me updated on it though and let me know if you do go to the doctor and what turns up. I'll keep my little prayer's going for you too. Have a great day my friend, and if you need anything... don't hesitate to get ahold of me. Big Hugs and Best Wishes... Ruthie
I called my doctor back this morning.. We are gonna do a CT.. my memory is getting worse and I just figured it my fibro was just worsening. He doesn't seem to think this is it this time. So we will just have to see. It will be a month or so.. I'm not gonna stress about it. It happened again this morning and woke me. It just doesn't mimic my normal migraines. Take care Ruthie and thank you. Just so much going on at once. I can't keep up with it all. <3
I'm on this site researching quite a bit. Lots to read and trying to understand what the heck is going on with my body & brain! Thanks again girl you're the best.
Angel
Some good comments here folks. Klonipin is a funny drug? for me anyway..
Like when I take mine 10 mil. I will doze off for a couple of hours and I never know or get a signal how long before la la land . I just will wake up and my clock will show around a couple hrs snooze time . But I'm an older man 72 yrs or 3 score and 12yrs lol. I also don't plan on trying to stop taking them till I croke, nor will I stop norco. But as we know anything can happen and usually does :) saucerman
Agree Saucerman Klonopin can come on strong. Just be careful if you smoke not to fall asleep while doing it!
Patiently and bumblebee... your both an insperation to me..its scary to not know whats going on with your body. Is it medications, or new illness, and doctors often dont have a clue. Best of luck to the both of you..
Patiently and bumblebee... your both an insperation to me..its scary to not know whats going on with your body. Is it medications, or new illness, and doctors often dont have a clue. Best of luck to the both of you..
Well said! Is life better with the meds? Then so be it! Why are we so hard on ourselves?
It actually can take months for some patients/persons! Weeks,Months and for others even years! It's all to do with conditions, circumstances, medications/drugs plus tolerance, as well as the length of time and the amount in doses. And of course if allergic to what you've taken it complicates n worsens
conditions & triples on
defeating the withdrawal symptoms. And in some, rare, cases, can cause death!! I like many of Us learn the hard way,through experience. :(
I was given clonazapam (klonopin)for three years while in Afghanistan and gradually they moved my dosage to three times a day. Finally, when diagnosed with PTSD, I decided to stop the clonazapam bec I thought it was not helping my condition and the doctors here in the US wanted me off. I had a harrowing sleep last night having dropped from 3 a day gradually now down to .5 m a day at night only. My question is this. Will I gradually get rid of this feeling of walking through fresh cement and memory loss and function again and regain my sense of humor??? How long is this going to take? I feel like I lost myself in Afghanistan, both body and soul and need to get off this horrible drug!
I took klonopin for three weeks trying to stop made me more anxious and agitated,nauseA,dizzy, I am sick of it.last night woke up at 4 agihated. Had taken .5 at bedtime. Trying to use pharma gaba during the day,it helps.any suggestions on what to use to not wake up in middle of night
Yes "Otenglesh", you will get through this and get back to yourself again. The doctor might prescribe something else for you to take for a short while if needed. Try to relax an take a few deep breaths,breathing in and out slowly. I know it's easier said than done,but it will help. Hopefully you are already feeling better. Let me know how you're doing? Sending you well wishes! GB
I take .25 mg. 2 times a day along with my escitalopram. I have tried several times to get off of that dose but the escitalopram causes me more anxiety without it - I think. It is a late day anxiety I get still. I am trying to reduce the clonazopam but can only due small amounts due to the ridiculously severe rage I get off and on during the withdrawals(its embarrassing that it happens too). Then I eventually become almost lithargic in my limbs, with worsened depression. I have talked with my doctor about replacing the clonazapram with something like zoloft so I can avoid some of those side effects as I have heard of that to. Whatever you do remember we are all different and the effects of these drugs whether going to them or coming off of them will differ slightly or even dramatically.
I just want some advice I have been on kholopin for a little over a year and I do have bad anxiety I started taking a half of a 0.5 when needed then it eventually got to every other day now it's a pill a day I don't like the way it makes me feel I'm tired all the time dizzy hot flashes don't want to do anything don't have desire to have sex I feel like it's ruin my relationship I just don't feel like myself 2 months ago I stopped taking it for a week had hot flashes and bad migraine and I fought threw it but then I felt normal again I had more energy and everything then I started having anxiety again so I strated takijg them again but I just want to get off of it I don't think it's really helping me and I don't like the way it makes me feel I'm only 25 and I'm tired of this feeling your advice would be appreciated thank u
Patiently Waiting. I may have missed something, but I don't believe that you mentioned what dose you were taking. Only how often you were taking the clonazepam. I hope that you're correct about it not being so difficult. I'm about to start withdrawal from 4 mg at bedtime every night for 30 years. It may be more difficult for me. But as you commented... everyone is different!
If anyone is going thru a tough time and you just want to talk to someone, I'm offering. I'm not a Dr. but I have more history surrounding Benzos, both for myself and other people I helped. You can't not help another when you see them struggling like you did. Don't do it alone. Your head is going to interfere and tell you things that may not be true.
What would the taper be for 0.5mg three times a day? Have been on it for four years .
I would have you get a doctor involved. many times stopping abruptly like you did can make it very difficult to ever get back to any sense of normalcy. Your Dr can help you achieve a smooth landing which will also keep you from relapse or the temptation to seek more in an effort to feel "better" again. Case history? Yes, I've been through enough to know what I am saying is true. Hope this helps.
I know this is a old post but I wanted to add something, my doctor took me off klnopin after 20 years with my now retired doctor, he said oh its not good for me my dose was .05 and I was doing great, now I am sick, anxiety riddled, housebound, I do not trust doctors anymore
Ask your doctor if he will restart your klonazepam back at your old dosage and to leave the dose at that for a couple of weeks for you to get back to your old self. Ask him if he would then please allow you to taper off very slowly and see if that won't work better for you? Try to assure him that you are willing to stop taking this medication but that stopping it all at once has made you feel awful. If he won't consider this, maybe consider going to a psychiatric mental health nurse practioner who will help you stop this medication responsibly.
Peg4blues, I am new here, and the posts are a bit confusing, as to who's answering whom. I just want to add that I was addressing your problem with the suggestion I just posted a few minutes ago. Best wishes to you.
The problem I've had now is I've also been taking this for my tourettes, not just anxiety and depression, and now my tics have been getting worse for over a half year and been trying clonidin but nothing seems to be getting better. Having this strange arge to hurt myself which I've never had before. I have taken clozinapam(klonipin) for about 5 years, have tried stoping in the pass but have failed miserably. Also had ECG treatments and made me worse. Don't know what else to do, feel like I have to be back in the hospital
I would advise against starting up again. If you're off, stay off.
UPdate, I found a new Doctor who has no problem giving me my regular dose, so you see some of us do need this medication to be normal
Please listen to what others are saying by contacting your physician, again. You need help, and it could be a different medicine or not, still I always stick by the M. D. that will listen to you best, and whom you trust.
I was on 4mg a day for rls,insomnia for 15 years.I got of last year for me personally I went in the hospital for two weeks and was off. I can't remember most of it it was really bad. Still had withdrawals for about six months after mostly severe rls and insomnia. Best thing i ever did. It will get better. i know at the time you are going through it you think why did i decide to do this.
Klonopin is a long acting med (half life 30 to 40 hours) so it is going to take a little while you should gradually feel better. You haven't done irreparable damage to the GABA receptors so relax and hang in there. It will get better.
How long does klonopin withdrawal last?I took ten .05mg pills over a five week period sporadically in small 1/4 pieces. I feel worse than before I took it, I am 83 years old and want to get off it all together. I have tinitus very bad. LOUD hissing in my ears that never ever stops. I had Lymes disease a year ago and have not been the same since. Basically I am healthy but this pill makes me feel like I want to die. I have a wonderful family backup and a good husband who puts up with my outbursts and crying and nowI want to try natural ways to live with tinitus, rather than a drug which makes me feel terrible/ Should I just quit outright? Please help me, I want to be the good mom and grzndmz ˆwas before all this happened. My internest of 14 years put me on clonopin to help my stress but it makes me feel worse, Now he said I should add zocor also or drop the klonopin and just take the zocor.
He originally told me klonopin was the mildest stress reducer, But I have since learned that is not true. Can I just I just want to take no drugs at all but he gets very frustrated when I tell him that. He feels it will help me
If you were only taking 0.125mgs (1/4 of a 0.5mg pill) once a day, then that is a very small dose and you should be ok to stop. If you were taking more than this on a daily basis then you may wish to taper off by reducing your daily dose by half for a couple of weeks before stopping. For other people who may read this, if you are taking a higher daily dosage of klonopin or any other type of benzodiazepine DO NOT stop abruptly. Anyway, there are other ways to manage stress without medication such as talk therapy with a counselor. I go to therapy every two weeks and find very helpful in reducing my anxiety and stress. You may experience some heightened anxiety after a few days of stopping this medication. This is normal and will gradually decrease. Any further help, just ask. Be sure to tell your doctor what you are doing and maybe the doctor can recommend a good therapist.
Thank you so much for your very helpful answer. I appreciate it ery much. It gives me the courage to continue on to quit clonopin. unfortunately I took a bad fall a few days ago which was disturbing to say the least. But I am making it through okay, As you said, I was on a low dose. I really don't ever want to take any meds that make me feel worse than I did before I took them. What's the point in that? Thank you again.
I agree! Though for me I haven't dealt with that problem,thank goodness... Not with Klonopin anyways. It did make me feel a bit sluggish,"my head not body" after taking it on a regular nightly basics/schedule. So I started taking it ever other night for awhile. I personally didn't get any bad withdraws after stopping. Each one of Us can experience it differently. Don't worry... U will be alright. :)
for rmw, if you had Lyme disease you may have Post-Lyme Disease which can exist after the fever goes away. I had mold exposure which has the same chronic inflammatory syndrome associated with it. The tinnitus I had with that condition has diminished and I don't need clonazepam any more. Anyway something to look at. Go to survivingmold dot com is where I first read up on it. (I'm on the final stage of treatment which is VIP spray.) Good luck!
I have taken my klonipin in .01250mg. tablets. Due to different med changes. Aside from first taking the medicine with an anti depressant to kick in I have never taken more than .25mg. 2 x's a day. I have gone of an on it a couple of times and I would not say it is easy at all even with tapering. I did find that educating myself about the medicine and its withdrawal side effects was helpful along with as you say tapering slowing and very consistently with the same dosing. I am presently trying to wean down my doses that crept up to .03150mg. 2x's a day; cutting back only one dose.00650mg. which eventually happens if you are on it long enough. My doctor said 'oh, that is a small enough dose. You should be fine coming off of it eventually." Well it is not fine even in small increments. I went from hyper the first two days, to blah, then sad, irritable, tired, today hopeless and tired of life. I take 400 mgs. of citrate magnesium 2x's a day.
If I through anything int he mix I'm done for Did that today due to adrenal issues per natural path suggestion. I should have waited out the withdrawal period. Which for me can be two weeks to one month. It doesn't help that my anti depressant doesn't work either and I have that depression hanging over my head each day. But I think the clonazopram has worsened the depression too. Anyway just adding my thoughts on the post.
Ask your Doctor if he'll switch you to the equivalent in Valium and see if you feel better. Then, you can wean down the Valium as tolerated with little to no symptoms.
Hello, I am currently weaning off clonazapam, and oh my what a helpless feeling. Many ugly side effects started last night. I too am worried that I have done irreversible damage, very scared. I have been taking clonazapam for almost 4 years (1 mg nightly now .5 then .025 weaning off) I am mostly here to vent,God bless!
I have been on other anxiety drugs just about all my life. I'm 63 yrs old and found out I was bipolar 10 yrs ago. Since then I have been on Klonopin, 2 mg at bedtime or if needed 1 mg AM and 1 mg bedtime along with other bipolar meds. Has anyone noticed a change in mood (more so than the bipolar prob) and personality while on this med? I seem to have turned into a horrible nasty person to my family and I hate myself for it! Also, when I take it the last few weeks I feel nerve irritation and pain throughout my body. My psychiatrist is weaning me off slowly but I have speeded up the process myself. Reading all your comments I now think I am weaning too fast and it scares me to see that it may take 2 yrs to get it totally out of my body. I didn't think I would have had to worry about this at my age and I sure don't want to feel this bad for the next 2 yrs!!! I want to live my life and be happy with my granddaughter!!! In our technology, no one has come up with a better way...
I know you have read many horror stories about coming off Klonopin, but really if you follow your doctor's instructions you needn't be taking 2 yrs to complete this processes.
Hi Laurie,
I have been taking zapiz(clonazepam) since last 6 days. My doctor prescribed it for anxiety and insomnia. He prescribed 0.5mg but did not provide guidelines about dosage tapering.
I took 0.5mg for 1st three days and reduced the dosage to half for the next 3 days. What should I do next? Should I again reduce the dosage to half before discontinuing or can I stop taking the drug at 0.25mg dose.
I would really appreciate if you could guide me about the ideal way to stop taking this drug safely.
Thank you.
Regards,
Shaily
I must first ask if you are suffering from anxiety and insomnia, why are you stopping this med after only 6 days?
i took clonzapan and started taking only 1/4 of a pill a day it worked good then i got scared and went back to half a pill at night ive only got around 5 mil in my system should i keep going with the 1/4 to help me get off of the clonzapan
i took clonzapan and started taking only 1/4 of a pill a day it worked good then i got scared and went back to half a pill at night ive only got around 5 mil in my system should i keep going with the 1/4 to help me get off of the clonzapan
I would talk to your doctor about your fear. Not clear as to what you were taking long term so not really able to say what you should do.
Laurie Shay,
I'm curious to know if you are a medical dr or nurse? Do you have professional medical experience? I'm really curious because I see you answering a lot of questions that concern me. I'm not trying to be critical. Really I'm not. I'm just concerned because I have had medical experience with this drug. This drug is very dangerous and habit forming. Elderly people really should not be taking this medication.
Also, if a doctor insists you take a medication that you know is not helping you and it's making you feel worse than before it's time to look for a new doctor. I hope you don't think I'm being nasty because that is truly not my intention. Have a wonderful evening!
Yes, Im aware Klonopin is habit forming. Im, also, aware that it is contraindicated for the elderly. As I am not a doctor, I cant tell people to stop their medication. Only be supportive when there is a need.
I’ve personally been thru it myself and it does suck but I will say that realizing that I’m going to go thru this when I don’t have any more, for me, I think I create a lot of the anxiety from knowing I don’t have it. Having said that know that “this too shall pass” and just go thru it. Benadryl helped me sleep after about 3 nights of little to no sleep.
I have been on Klonopin 2mg at bedtime for 33 years. My new PCM was horrified that I was on that much. I have a severe anxiety disorder. I also take Paxil 20 mg every morning. This was the combination that stopped my anxiety symptoms. I felt like I was among the living again. I am starting a slow taper of .5mg every two weeks. I have just begun this and am not noticing any chant in the way I feel. Dr. said that the Klonopin could suddenly stop working. I have not heard of this before. Has anyone else>
I was on 2mg/day. I stopped cold turkey. Bad move. Two weeks of feeling like I was going to lose my mind, but this resolved. I would never recommend cold turkey.
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klonopin, anxiety, benzodiazepine withdrawal, insomnia, panic disorder, restless legs syndrome, sleep disorders, clonazepam, withdrawal, sleep
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