Relief from Klonopin withdrawals; weaning from Klonopin?
Question posted by Ben1187 on 18 Sep 2014
Last updated on 20 December 2022
I've been on klonopinfor the better part of a year, and the last week I've been forcibly taken off the medication as a result of not counting the meds and finishing them too soon (before they would let me get a refil). As a result I've been experiencing very strong withdrawals inluding night terrors, body tremors, panic attacks (very severe), insomnia, nausea, fear of going insane (severe), lack of ability to concentrate, and I think that's it...
My question is pretty simple, my mom is bringing my new prescription over this afternoon, however, I've come to a decision (as this has been a huge wake-up call for me), I want to quit Klonopin, however, I also don't want to have these horribly uncomfortable withdrawals.
I was wondering if anyone has any experience, or tips on how to manage and properly wean off of Klonopin (or other similar drugs).
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.
48 Answers Page 3
SL
sleepnomore
16 March 2017
I've been weaning off of clonazepam for the last 6 weeks. I'm now down to 3/4 of a .5mg pill. I did my 1/4 cut back Sunday after going on DST. What was I thinking!! I've not slept at all some nights. Last night, I did finally drop off to sleep sometime after 5 am and got up at 7 am. I feel rather like a zombie, but I'm determined. Two years ago I went off of Ambien. I've been on these two meds for over 20 years. It all started when I went for marriage counseling (on my own) and the counselor sent me to a psychiatrist for meds. I was put on Ambien, Clonazepam and an anti-depressant. I took myself off of the antidepressants after about 9 months, as I noticed no difference. Through all of this, I was getting my college degree. I was an older student, but wow, I could tell it had an impact on my memory.
Now that I am older yet and my husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's/vascular dementia, I need to be off of these meds. I actually tried 15 years ago and got off of the Clonazepam, but when I cut out the Ambien, I was down to 1/4 a 10 mg pill, it was too high of a dosage. We had gone on a vacation and I just wanted to sleep when we got home, so I went back on them. My PCP is of no help. He sent me to a sleep specialist when I told the PCP I wanted off of the meds. The sleep doctor said, when he walked in the room, if you are here for more pills you won't get them. I said I was there for help to get off of the pills I was on. He suggested yellow glasses to cut the blue light from the TV and Melatonin. That was it. He ruled out sleep apnea. Fast forward two years ago, I was finally able to get myself off of Ambien and told my PCP. He asked me why I wanted to stop taking Ambien. I was floored. My biggest stressor is not sleeping now that I am going off of Clonazepam. I feel so out of it. I've tried deep breathing, Melatonin, Wal-hist (antihistamine) drinking sleepy time teas, making banana tea. Nothing has helped. Any positive suggestions will be welcome. I apologize this is so long.
Votes: +0
KL
klonopin2017
25 Feb 2017
KLONOPIN TAPER ! I was on 4mg daily for 3 yrs. Here is the deal on weening off. Decrease by 1/2 mg every 2 weeks.
WHEN you get to 1mg daily -- cut back by 1/4 every 10 days. When you get to 1/2 mg left over --- take it at NIGHT. Then go to 1/4 at night and so on for 10 days.
THEN... go to an HERBAL & safe anxiety med. There are many good ones. -- Bruce
Votes: +0
JL
Jll1977
11 Jan 2017
I have been on klonopin for over 5 years. I built up to about 1.5 mg a day. Lately I've been depressed and my dr feels it's the Klonopin and I need to come off. I transferred this dr, he says he would have never prescribed me Klonopin to take daily Anyhow I was scared. He has given me a schedule to wean down .25 mg every 5 days and has giving me a rx for gabapentan and instructed me to also take magnesium. My pharmacist agreed with this and said that was a very smart drug to use to get me off the Klonopin. Last night was my 1st night at .25mg and so far I have had no withdrawal at all! I can't believe it. I know in the past when I've ran out I thought I was going to crawl out of my own skin. It was horrible. Anyhow, this so far has worked for me.
Votes: +0
KE
kelliejoclark1234
22 Dec 2016
i was on klonopin for 9 months the first 7 were 1 mg and the last 2 were 1.5. i had enough and checked in for a 5 day detox on the 3rd of december. the first 10 days sucked with peaking at day 10 with what was like a severe flu. im now at day 17 and feel much better. what was your dosage and what day off are you on? im now glad i went this route but you are susceptible to seizures and thats why i went the bold route of detox. know that your symptoms will pass mine where just weird stuff and a couple of times mildly feeling like i cant take it but they passed. call your doctor see if he can do Tegretol or a seizure med just for a few more days and if you really want off dont reinstate it may just prolong your agony.
Votes: +1
KE
Kelliejoclark1
1 Feb 2017
Yes it is stored in your fat tissue because it is fat soluble. I am at day 59 and finally feel happy again as well as a desire to do much more. I did have a week long wave that was pretty bad but it passed. I gained 37 pounds on it and have lost 12. You'll have bad weeks followed by good ones but with time it will pass.
IN
indigogirl
22 Aug 2016
Ok, I am in the same boat, and I really need help. I lost my family doctor, I live in Ontario Canada, I am on Celexa and was on ativan 1mg x3 per day x 17 years , as per my psych who got sick and closed her clinic. Then I got a family doc which is hard to find in this town. She switched me to clonazepam. 1 mg x3 a day, So I am so tired of asking for this med and being turned down or finding a doctor who will prescribe this med at a walk in clinic since I don't have a doctor. Anyway, I am so anxious. I am down to 1mg per day I plan on going down to 0.75 for two weeks 0.50 for two weeks and then 0.25 for two weeks. will this work? Im so scared. I feel so alone and like some kind of criminal for taking this medication because I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Thanks for your time.
Votes: +3
HO
Hollydolly088
16 Sep 2016
HEy hun, how isn't it going ??? I'm 28 and I've been on Klonopin since I was 16 years old. I've been on 1 mg once a day for about four years before that I was only on half of milligram. They want to get me off within one month. They want to drop me to half a day and then for two weeks and then another half or two weeks I just feel like it's way too fast and I'm terrified :(
PE
Petewiththebeat
21 Sep 2016
Hi indigo, your taper off program sounds good, maybe go 3 weeks after you lower each dose. I have been taking 1mg × 3 a day and am just starting to wean. Today/tonight I took 2 mg. I use generic benidryle to help sleep. I also have been taking ambien so I'm going to try to see if 2 mg of clonepin will let me sleep with no ambien. I have a feeling I have quite a bit of withdrawal to go through but I'll try and let you know how it's going for me and see how your doing, for some moral support. Thanks for your comments, Pete
WA
Warren36
20 Dec 2016
How are you doing? I know this is an older post. Hope you are doing well :-)
CM
CM Bilbia
12 Oct 2017
I have been on clonazepam for 20 + yrs, 1mg twice a day. I am going through the same thing... withdrawal! I feel like crap. Very light headed, my legs are numb, my whole body vibrates, hard to focus.I am going through the weaning off process.I am now down to .25mg twice a day am and pm. This is a very difficult medication to get off of. My advice avoid benzodiazepines if at all possible. I have read alot of comments, so glad I'm not the only one going through this difficult situation. And believe me I do feel alone.
Ive weaned off Klopion And other psych drugs including SSRI In a particular fashion.
Supply list Pill cutter if possible Nail file Liquid good quality Vitamin B complex A little magnesium powder drink.. be careful if prone to IBS D Bonnie motion sickness meds..not Dramamine.. Bonnie must have
Every two weeks file or cut your pill by just a tad. Not half..a tad... Like 1/4 max
Dizziness , nausea can be totally eliminated by Bonnie. It's a fricken miracle I couldn't of made it without it
Shakey hands..tremors.. magnesium.. not tons just a bit... liquid vitamin B..
If you have horrible insomnia..unisom... Not benadryl type... brand.. Unisom
I'm not a doctor but have survived weaning off high doses of SSRIs and Xanax and Klopion with these helpers.
Can not stress the miracle of Bonnie motion sickness med enough. I think it has a slight anti anxiety affect too But stops the Dizziness and nausea like bam
Which really helps
Votes: +2
MI
michthor2137
2 Oct 2017
Hi there! I'm wondering what Bonnie is? And what Unisom is?
BA
Baby-steps
23 July 2018
Niravanagurl, I be tried yur suggestion on Bonine and it does help. How often did you take it? It only seems to last 5-6 hours from me. Also, what dosage on the magnesium and how often. Also vitamin B liquid brand and dosage times etc. Brands are important as you stated, and specifics are too. Any info would be deploy appreciated. Dr just wants to throw my on a antidepressant and start cutting. I’m on 1.375 mg Klonopin 11 years and have reached some dose tolerance.,but very sensitive to the cuts. Dr wanted a .375 cut straight up and I was in the ER, after that so I’m moving slowly forward with no antidepressants. Please respond with your dose specifics. Praying you r well and good! Thank you for any help. Fingers crossed u respond!
SA
sak9210
3 Jan 2019
Pharmacist told me not to take Unisom for more than i week. I need something daily to sleep. I'm down to .125mg Klonopin and now it's really hitting me. Insomnia, migraines, shaky nervous nauseous fever like feeling with chills. :(
I recognize this is an old post but not an Old question as many are using Klonipin/ Clonazapam. I have recently started the weaning process from 1 mg daily. I had success weaning once before after 5 years usage. Was off a few years and went back on again to manage anxiety. I am confident about success. I will put a little disclaimer out first and then lay out my process that worked for me. Advice to work with your MD as to your plan to wean. You may have a serious health condition that requires this med. Wean to fast you can have seizures and possible death. Ok that's out of the way. This can be a long process based on individual. This is my personal opinion but I think having faith in God is a way to find inner strength. If you don't believe. Perhaps Buddhism can also help with mindful meditation. This is important because we must find our center first.
1. Wean off all caffeine first. This is not easy. This is to decrease symptoms of anxiety once you start the weaning. ( no energy drinks either:). ) 2. As a standard, reduce dose by half for one week. Give or take a few days based on individual. 3. When leveled, reduce by half. For 1 week +/- ( challenge is breaking tabs) Dr may write for diazepam which doses different. 4. Continue with this until you can break them no smaller. I was roughly getting 1 mg tabs to 1/8. 4. Take smallest fraction daily for 1 week 5. Space every other day... Then every 3rd day until you say to yourself. "This is stupid, why am I taking this?" I wish you all great success! I would love to hear from those of you that succeed. By the way. This was a program I followed, I discover it through research and read a guide on it from a European Medical Publication.
Votes: +2
KC
kcsmith72
8 Oct 2016
I've been on the Clonazepam now for six months and I so need off but am worried about not being able to manage my anxiety. Did you have odd symptoms as you were weaning off the med?
BE
Becalm64
1 Feb 2017
Just wanted to say that if the blade on your pill cutter is dull then it will not cut your pills cleanly. I went out a bought a new one..so much easier than the knife I was using! I agree with the caffeine at least cut back and none during the day. I think most people will already have cut back anyhow.
10
10longyears
2 Nov 2017
I have been on Klonipin 6mg nightly along with 200mg Amitryptiline for sleep. Long story short, I’m Bipolar- so I should in my opinion been put on medication to treat Bipolar DIsorder instead of the insomnia it causes, so now here I begin my journey of tapering off the medications I should have never been prescribed in the first place. HELP!!!
I've been on clonapin for 14 yrs my doc left me from last week without a refill, I'm nauseous, chills ,spasms, massive headache as I try to sleep at night . I had chiari1 malformation & syringomyelia. 14 yrs ago . He wants me to see a physiatrist. But here I sit with nothing . Any help please
Votes: +0
DE
dearfriend
2 Oct 2015
I noticed the question was asked in 2014 but I still want to contribute my opinion in hope that it could help someone else in similar situation like Ben1187.
I was on .5 mg Clonazepam (Klonopin) for 4 months. It was prescribed to me without any warning from the doctor that it is a hard drug to get off... (long story but I'm not gonna go into that). Anyways, although the dose was small and the time that I was on it was only 4 months, I was having a very very difficult time getting off of it!!!
But please don't be nervous and scare. Just pray God to help you during the wean off process. You can do it bc if a weak person like me could do it, then anybody can do it.
Here is the plan that works for me although it did cause me severe withdrawal symptoms (I'm very sensitive w/ medication). 1. I reduced from .5 mg to .25 mg, and take .25mg once a day for two weeks. ( no withdrawal symptoms for me) 2. I took .25mg every other day for 3 weeks. ( I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms during this time. I then learned at the end of the process that reducing from .25mg every day to every other day was too much for my body to handle). If I could do it again, then would reduce to .1875mg every day instead. Anyways it took me 4 weeks for the withdrawal symptoms to lesson and I was ready to reduced the dose further. 3. I took 3/4 of .25mg (which is .1875 mg) every other day for a week. The withdrawal symptoms got bad the first 1-2 days, then it get better. 4. I took 2/4 of .25mg (which is .125 mg) every other day for a week. Again the withdrawal symptoms got bad the first 1-2 days, then it get better. 5. I stopped completely and I felt fine. Beside some minor body aches. I am fine.
I am not going to list all my withdrawal symptoms to you and I recommend that you don't try to google the symptoms. Because you will tend to "wait" for those symptoms when weaning off the drug, which will make you more nervous and anxious. I could only tell you that I was homebound for 2 months while weaning off the medication. It was a horrible time in my life but it was well worth it. I am off of that poison and will never get back to it ever again.
I also took 10mg of amitriptyline everyday during those two months but I don't think it helps me anything with weaning off of the clonazepam.
Please feel free to ask me if you need help weaning off the medication. I just don't trust doctors anymore. My goal is to help people get off of this med base on my experience. You can do anything with faith, hope, and patience.
God Bless :)
Votes: +6
HO
Hope seeker
28 Oct 2015
Thanks so much for commenting on this old post! I'm currently on .5 of Klonopin in the morning as this is when my anxiety is at its highest... then I take another .25 around 1:30-2 pm. My PDoc put me on this until the effects of the Lexapro kick in as I've experienced a terrible relapse of Anxiety disorders and Major Depression. At some point when I'm feeling more stable I'd like to be able to get off of the Klonopin. But want to make sure I do it right. It looks like you where cutting about 10% at a time?? How where you able to get such accurate cuts?? My pill cutter shatters even a 1 mg tablets when I'm cutting it in half!! Your reply would be soooooo appreciated!!!
DE
dearfriend
29 Oct 2015
Hi Hope Seeker,
I did not use a pill cutter because it did shatter my pill. I used a kitchen knife instead. Put the knife on where u want to cut and use the other hand, make a fist and hit the top of the knife (or use a book or something heavy to hit the knife). If you hit too hard the pill can shatter.
Now to get a cut as precise as possible: I cut the .5 mg pill in half, which gives me .25mg. Then when I am ready to reduce further, I cut the .25 mg (which is half of .5) at the number 8 (look on the pill, on one half of the pill it printed number 832. So take all the .25 mg that has the number 832 and cut at where it almost hit the number 8. That way you get close to .1875mg. Its not gonna be exactly .1875mg, but close, which is fine to me. Then save the parts that you cut to use them when you are ready to take .0625 mg. Note it is not going to be exactly .0625 mg but it is close, so no big deal.
I hope I'm explaining this good. Man I wish I could demonstrate with pictures!
HB
hbeers01
12 June 2016
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I've been on Clonazepam twice a day for a very long time... at least 16 years. I tried to get off of it once, but I ended up going to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. I was homebound for almost 8 years but with the help of God and great family and friends, I am getting my life back together. The one thing I really want to change is getting off the Clonazepam. I know now that the first time I tried to stop taking it, I did it wrong. I've been dreading going through it again, but your post is helpful and encouraging. Thank you again for sharing. God Bless!
DE
dearfriend
12 June 2016
Dear hbeers01, I will definitely pray for you. I truly believe the most effective component in this process is to ask God for help. We can't do it alone. All we have to do is to just acknowledge our weaknesses and ask for His help. :)
HB
hbeers01
13 June 2016
Thank you! I believe that to.
LI
lifesucks
13 June 2016
Clonazepam comes in a tablet that you can put on your tongue, this tablet is .25mg and very easy to cut into 1/2 and 1/4 and if need be 1/8, this is the trick in weaning off the medication. With this type of pill you can cut back as little as you want. Its been working for me and i'm down .25mg of a 1mg dosage. NO WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS.
AU
Auolemiss86
8 Dec 2016
Yes can you private message me i could really use the help of getting off my Klonopin
MR
Mrfree
13 Nov 2018
I know you said not to list withdrawal symptoms and all. But I am very very worried. I have ringing in my ears since I began weaning and I am so worried because supposedly it runs the possibility of never going away. Did you have it and did it go away?
AV
Avilady
1 Dec 2018
I was prescribed clonazepam 0.5mg in early Sept 2018 to help me sleep at night. I didn’t take it every night then sometimes cut it in half twice a day but not on a regular basis. I don’t like how I’m feeling and want to stop taking it so wanted suggestions on getting off it completely.
Great posts here. Making a long story short, I've been taking 1 1/2 (0.5 mg) every night for many, many years. Used to be(2 1/2) mg, but I don't know when, a some point I just cut it down. Anyway, I think it's slowing me down and I've decided to stop taking it entirely. I need to taper, slooowly, lol! I would like any suggestions, if anybody knows, how I might cut down at this point? And for how long? And what other drug to use possibly to cut w/d symptoms. I feel a bit anxious and annoyed today, "rushy." I'm not sure but last night I only took 1 (0.5) pill and night before 1 1/2 and the two previous nights I only took 1 0.5 pill. Thanks so much. Any natural remedies to help with w/d welcome. I am also experiencing stomach cramping... anyone have that happen? :)))
Votes: +1
BE
Ben1187
10 Feb 2015
I'd like to begin by thanking everyone for the support and suggestions. I'm happy to report that as of October of 2014, I am completely drug free. I have not had any medications at all since then. (I was on at least 4 behavioral meds). I'd also like to report that I was able to stop the meds so easily because of the support of friends and family, and I am now much better than I ever was.
I still have some residual issues from years of being medicated, but in general my quality of life has drastically improved. I suggest to anyone interested in quitting to look for support, be kind to those around you, keep a positive attitude through all the hard times, know everything is finite. I also suggest meditation and relaxation and breathing techniques.
Thanks again everyone! Ben
Votes: +8
VA
valermac
23 April 2015
How did you do it Ben? The klonopin?
ES
Essence13
10 July 2018
Hello, Ben can you give me information on tapering please?
TH
Theresa 1961
4 Nov 2018
Thank you. I was on 1 mg.klonopin twice a day ( originally in 3)..I had asked my Dr to help me taper off.. After my last appointment she cut my 2 mg. to nothing with a 100 mg. Gabapentin in the morning and one at night... I work in the medical field and told her this was not safe..she ended up giving me .5 asking with the gabapentin... After four days, I was calling her to tell her I was unable to focus on the very detailed work I do and the anxiety was bad enough I didn't even want to leave my office which is not good because I need to talk to families about their loved ones ..I would just stand there staring feeling like my brain went out to lunch and left me behind..lol.. Gotta keep a sense of humor here... so she added one more .5... That seemed ok for about 3 weeks other than some dizziness and anxiety which I attributed to work or not drinking enough water.. then all of a sudden I thought I had caught the crud at work and that's why I was feeling so crappy...
3 days later I had a migraine, my head had a constant buzzing, my scalp felt numb I was shaking, having tremors, strong inability to focus , sweats... Thinking it was a migraine which I never get ... it wasn't until I looked to see if Klonopin withdrawals can cause migraines did I finally realize I was not tapering properly and that little bit of gabapentin was useless as a rehab facility would put u on more like 3600! Mgs. .no thank you! Causes weight gain and one more thing to have to worry about getting rid of . Why did it take over a month to start having this affect on me? I was on 3mg. A day for four years if that helps... my mother and grandmother had extreme anxiety and panic disorder so I swore I would never end up in this boat but was prescribed it during my husband's last 4 years of his battle with end stage liver disease while trying to work in a highly paced nursing home ..I guess I just don't get why I did ok the first three weeks for the most part then this. Sorry for the novel..
I am going through horrible withdrawal from Atavin, (I was on Klonopin for 20 years) and I cannot sleep at all, high anxiety, fear level high, of leaving my home and nauseous. My psychiatrist has not responded to my call for a over a week and I feel abandoned by her. She doesn't feel good about my taking an extra pill as prescribed: (2) 2mg. In December 2014, my bank account was hacked into and someone stole $1700. The money eventually paid back, but I suffered a Major anxiety attack and still feeling it. I do not want to see her. I have been seeing her for the past three years and today I am calling a neurologist in Boston. I can empathize with you 100+%. Please rsvp.
Votes: +2
JO
Jonny2207
26 Sep 2015
What happened with Boston ?did u get help?im suffering from severe depersonalization and reoccurring panic attacks!i just started kolonipin like month ago but only for panic attacks not regularly I don't know if I'm experiencing rebound anxiety cause I don't take it regularly or what but it's bad so should I take regularly then wean off after a month or two ?
DE
DEXILEE5-ll
29 March 2016
Buspar and trazodone and helped me in the past. Trazodone helps me sleep and the buspar works and people complain about it not working because it takes a couple of weeks before it starts working but it DOES. Most of the people that say it doesn't they only take it for 3 days and that's not long enough. Yes you may feel grubby in the begging but it will go away.
SH
Shulumu
13 May 2016
Sue your shrink and have her lose her kucence
TA
Tammy Moulton
11 Nov 2018
And your one of the reasons that Ppl who need clonazepam can't get it because you overtake your script. And don't really have a good reason why you take it! If you are having such anxiety then get your butt into see your psychiatrist..
Klonopin has a long half-life meaning it stays in your system for quite awhile after the last dose taken. Because of this, it must be tapered very slowly. When I weaned myself off this med with my doctor's ok I reduced daily dose by o.5mgs every 2 weeks. This means reduce daily dose by said amount and stay at that daily dose for two weeks, then reduce by another 0.5mgs for another 2 weeks, etc. Once I was down to 0.5mgs a day I cut the pill in half and took .25mgs a day for two weeks, then .25mgs everyother day for two weeks then stopped. I had no withdrawal symptoms.
Votes: +15
BE
Ben1187
18 Sep 2014
That sounds extremely promising and I than you so much for sharing. I will talk to my doctor and discuss tapering.
NE
Newmesoon
4 Feb 2015
How long were you on it for? I have been on 2 .5's of klonopin one morning one at night for 7 years. Dr. wants me to cut my evening dosage in half starting tonight. Needless to say I am dreading this process. She says cut back every two weeks at that dosage. Does this sound practical? 8 weeks after 7 years? Thank you!
LA
LaurieShay
4 Feb 2015
This sounds like a reasonable withdrawal plan. I took Klonopin 0.5mg three times a day for many years. I weaned by reducing 0.5mgs every two weeks. I had no problems with my withdrawal. Be aware that some anxiety may return since your body is use to taking for this reason. Also, if you start with reducing the evening dose you may not sleep as well until your body gets use to the change.
NE
Newmesoon
4 Feb 2015
First morning after cutting back. My body is feeling very tense... any suggestions? Also I was wondering how long does it take for your body to get used to each reduction? I have read so many horror stories about this process that it was quite a relief to find yours Laurieshay:-) So Thank you!!!
LA
LaurieShay
5 Feb 2015
I waited at least two weeks from one reduction to the next. You may chose to wait even longer so to avoid withdrawals.
AR
ArtistTam
18 Aug 2017
Hey, good to read. I've been on K for 27 years and w/o doctors help, went from 1mg tablets 2xs a day, ( years ago ) to 1 once a day to half of 1mg a very long time ago too. I've been taking a quarter of 1mg for probably about a year and started taking the quarter every other day for almost a week now. I am currently having mild w/d but still unpleasant symptoms. If they don't get worse, I can deal with it. I will probably do the every other day thing until which time the symptoms have subsided, (hope they will) then not sure ... take every third day? The K was much harder years ago when I went from 2 a day to 1 a day. Good to read that you don't have w/d after your .25... going to give it a shot.
NI
ninagina66
3 Sep 2017
Laurie if you see this can you tell me how much you were on... it is my hope that u get automated email responses... thanks for your positive story... ❤️
LA
LaurieShay
4 Sep 2017
The max I was ever on was a milligram a day. Recently weaned again after going back on it and am having no symptoms.
NI
ninagina66
4 Sep 2017
Laurie how much were you on and for how long? Thanks for this info
LA
LaurieShay
4 Sep 2017
one mg a day and for several years
MI
Michael LaRosa
8 Jan 2018
Hi Laurie! I added you as a friend. I was wondering if you could help me with my Klonopin question. Can you add me so I can send you a private question? If no, I understand. My apologies!
LA
LaurieShay
8 Jan 2018
Sure
BR
BrittLD89
22 March 2018
Hey Laurie I added you as well can I ask you a question about your taper?
LA
LaurieShay
25 March 2018
Certainly, ask away.
KI
kindsoul
21 Dec 2018
LaurieShay, your advice to these questions has given me so much hope. i just signed up here today so i dont know how to request you to talk about tapering off klonopin but i did sign up with immediate email... i was on 2 mg for over 20 years. i have successfully gone from 2 mgs a day to .5. im scared about how to get off this last bit. im ready to go to .25 a day but how long should i do that? also, i should mention i am on diazepam to get off this last part not Klonopin. because its said to be easier to come off of that. please help. your positivity was a miracle to see. i know about myself that psychologically i am easily affected by what i think. my mind is very strong so if i believe i am going to be okay, i am. thats a big part of how i got down to .5. any advise would be so greatly appreciated
LA
LaurieShay
21 Dec 2018
Sounds like you are determined and that is half the battle. How much clonazepam and how much diazepam are you taking daily now? Are you under a doctor's care?
IN
Inactive
9 Feb 2019
Hi laurieshay i dont know if you will respond to this but could you help me out im currently tapering and from 1mg i cut .25mg since 3 weeks ago just mild anxiety depression and minor sleep problems do you think doing it monthly instead of every 2 weeks better i been on benzodiazepines for 7 years total i never taken more than 1mg of any medication mostly just for sleep thank you
MR
Mrfree
12 Feb 2019
Hi elaine marie, Yes going monthly can be better since it can give you more time to recover. Also, consider doing 10% cuts instead of .25 it may help ease the symptoms as well. Best of luck, if you need anything you can always send me a message
RO
robfur
18 Feb 2019
I'm tapering off .5mg which I've taken for at least ten years. Going by a Brazilian study which is cited by the National Institutes of Health, I've decided on an 18-week titration, from .5 to .375 for six weeks, then .25 for six weeks, then .125 for six weeks. I'll continue longer at any step if the side effects are unbearable. The study recommended a four-month withdrawal, with an additional three months if necessary for a total of seven months max. I may ask my pdoc for valium or Xanax as a substitute for K if she thinks that a good idea. I have posted elsewhere about being satisfied with staying on K but I'm noticing fuzzy thinking which I am not sure is my age, or the K (studies say it can cause dull-headedness and confusion in older people --I'm 77). I guess I'll find out.
SW
sweetangelwings
26 Feb 2019
I've been on Klonopin/Clonazepam for many years now, over 20 I've started my weening by doctors schedule, I've on been taking a half a 0.5 mg for a long time, been on weening for going on my 4th. week but now I noticed I'm super tired during the daytime, nights aren't a great sleep but wondering if this pill weening causes the tiredness during the daytime and how long that may last for, no other issues that I notice. Anyone please tell me, I really don't want to start taking again my half just because I'm feeling tired and that's all I get for issues out of weening I will try to continue. I was told 2 and a half months of weening on the doctors schedule.
LA
LaurieShay
26 Feb 2019
Be patient. Your body is going through a bit of an adjustment. You mentioned nighttime sleep not as good with less Klonopin which makes sense. I would guess tiredness is from not sleeping as well at night.
KM
Kmj523
4 March 2019
I have been taking Klonopin for 12 years. I still am but have came off twice, with no withdrawals. You have to be patient and listen to your body and def not the internet!! Google is your enemy, I have came off a bunch of drugs from doctors misdiagnosing me. At one point I came off 150mg Seroquel, 15mg Remeron, 300mg gabapentin, 500mg Depakote, 10mg of propranolol and 40mg of Valium daily. It took me over a year to do this by myself, but what have me the confidence and courage was anger! Anger over peoples obsessions with horror stories, I have dedicated myself to help others get off these drugs. You can not listen to what others are Going to tell u how you’re going to feel. You must keep a positive mind have a plan and stick to it. Mean while workout, eat healthy, drink tons of water, go out distract yourself. Do not let your fear or mind consume you and create obsession with google and other peoples lives.
Most of people who have really hard times coming off benzodiazepines is because they abused them, then quit cold turkey, others their original symptoms came back and they blame the drug and obsess over it and write about and feed off others obsessions. It’s a never ending circle. You must stay off the internet! I lived for a year with a rubber band stress feeling around my head and I now know how to not let this happen! Pray! There is power in prayer! And in the word of God! Remember these words those people are not you! You may not withdrawal at all! I didn’t the first time I cold turkey 4mg a day!!! But do not do this! I used a extremely unique trick to do it and didn’t even know it was working, until I realized I was off for 6 months no withdrawals, but do not cold turkey!! I repeat do not! If I came off now I would cut 0.25 every month of 2 maybe longer, you can’t look for a timeline only listen to your body! And stay off the internet! God bless!
HY
Hysterical
6 Nov 2020
Laurie , You said below you took .5 mg 3 times a day which would be 1.5 mg , but then further down you said you never took more than a milligram ??
Tapering is difficult especially if you have problems with control. I would advise you to let someone "hold" your medicine (like your mom, for instance) and have her give them out to you only as directed. This will help you so you arent tempted to take more than you should. You can try to taper this way as well. As far as tapering, it is kind of up to you how to do it and what works best for you. Some people begin by tapering the number of pills per day, for instance, you are taking the pill three times a day, so you drop to two a day, then one a day the half of one or some people find it works better to take a half of one three times a day then two times and so on. It helps to get a pill cutter to half or quarter the pills to reduce dosages or the Dr may give you pills with less mg (like if you are taking 2mg pills, he may give you one mg or 0.5mg etc) Tapering works best when done slowly like reducing the dose one week at a time.
If you start to experience severe withdrawals, add back a quarter of a pill or whatever.Even with tapering, you can experience some withdrawals(anxiety, sweating, chills, tremors etc). It is not easy to get off some of these drugs and benzodiazepines are some of the more difficult ones. I try to advise people not to use them regularly but you are already there so you will need to figure out the best way for you to wean off them. It is very very hard to try to stop these abruptly. Some people do find it better to try to switch to a similar type medication but all benzos are habit forming and can cause withdrawal symptoms when they are stopped but you may find it easier to taper off a different benzo that your body is not so used to (like Valium as others have suggested). I have seen people get so addicted to these meds that it gets hard to even participate in normal life without them and that's why I will never take them on a regular basis but I realize everyone's circumstances are different. You might also consider participating in some counseling to help you develop better coping mechanisms to help you deal with anxiety provoking situations without resorting to medications. People often overlook counseling thinking it is a waste of time and it does not offer the instant relief a pill does and it takes some effort on your part to change but learning new coping skills is essential to recovery and dealing with emotional issues.
Votes: +11
MA
Marty mcfly
1 Dec 2015
I feel like my situation is unique because I get physical Twitches when I don't take my pills. Been taking them for ten years and new doc refuses to give me prescription and old doc won't call it in unless I physically go in for checkup even though I see a new doctor.
LA
LanaDelRey
17 Jan 2016
Hi.. I am trying to ween off my klonopin 1mg as well.. I have been on the pill for ten years. I want off but, every time I try I feel crazy, it affects my sleep, it makes me feel like I'm dizzy, and just out of my body. How can I ween off safely and, get passed this feeling? My doctor said I would fail because my mother currently has cancer, yes it's a hard time but, when isn't? Help please. L
LI
lifesucks
13 June 2016
Okay so here is my answer to all those who are trying to wean off clonazepam. I've been on this medication for over 6 years. I was on 2 mg per day at night time, i ended up losing my short term memory not all of it but enough to worry me. I wanted off this horrible pill and knew a sudden cut back could put me into a seizure at least. I tried cutting back and i did it totally wrong and for a month i wasn't right. After that all disappeared and i was back on my 2 mg for sleep i started to attack it the correct way. I had my doctor prescribe me a new prescription of .25 mg that disintegrate on your tongue. The first night i took a solid pill of 1 mg, 1/2 of a 1 mg and cut up the new prescription that just disintegrates on your tongue. So the first 2 weeks i was only taking 1.94 mg. I started by going down only .06 mg. every 2 weeks. Its been 2 months and i'm down .25 mg. of one of the 1mg pills. I'm taking it very slow so i don't feel any withdrawals at all.
I haven't felt any bad effects since doing this weaning process. At this rate i should be off a total of 1mg by the end of the year and never felling any withdrawals. This weaning has to be done slowly and in very small amounts so your body doesn't feel any lose of any amount you're cutting back. Next year when my body is fully capable of dealing with just the 1 mg i plan on cutting down to zero. I've read horror stories of people trying to cut back and taking them years and still never fully getting off of this medication. If you take it slow and small amounts the body and brain can adopt to the cutting back very easily. I do take other pills but they are opiods and after all of this is done i will start weaning off of them as well. I want my life back and not dependent on pills
LY
Lynn Dayton
26 Jan 2017
I am 64. I do not cheat with my meds. Cause I just end up cheating myself. Has anyone mentioned the brain damage as a result of long term use ... well it kinda like wet brain on a slighter scale. I am very sad about this and yes I have had a brain scan indicating how my brain has been altered. Wish I would have known . PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT KLONAPIN OR CLONAZEPAM... IT A REALLY TERRIBLE DRUG IF NOT TAKEN OFF SHORT TERM... DON'T YOU AGREE? ... SIGNED... SUFFERING
DO
dorothy engel
29 Oct 2019
Go to facebook. here is a group called benzo buddies. they will help[ you wean off sensibly..
I would change to a less addictive medication like Valium/diazepam and stop taking it habitually and more as required. It is not perfect but it is doable. this is just one tiny area where KM and I don't agree.
