Female age 65 been on clonazepam over 20 years for MVP with dysautonomia and what I was told was anxiety and panic. I would have hot flushes come from my stomach up to my face and would feel like I was gonna die and have unreasonable fear. Also as I was about to drift into sleep I would jerk awake because I couldn't breathe. Started happening after c sec and was put to sleep with ketamine and had the going through the tunnel affect of hallucinations I was told. After one clonazepam I felt it coming but the clonazepam stopped it. But it has slipped through over the years. But now having low heart rate and palpitations that I thought might be the clonazepam. Any ideas on all this and how to slow taper?
Tapering clonazepam after over 20 years?
Question posted by Scharf on 21 Feb 2017
Last updated on 16 October 2017
Added 22 Feb 2017:
I'm on 0.5 half in morn and half at night
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3 Answers
kmmjr781
27 Feb 2017
i been on 13 years now i have a dose of klonopin 8mg a day i had to come off cold 4 times in the last six mouths i dont know how i lived i have all had a hard time with this i my say of the late i been takeing 5 mg a day i tryed 3 a day but i could not work what iam ask is how do i come off and be able to work if anyone out there got a fast way out of this that work if there is one i would like to know like most
Missy2122
22 Feb 2017
I was on klonopin for many years. It was making me do things that I would not ordinarily do. Now I have a new doc and she weaned me off of the klonopin slowly. Do not try this without a DR's help! I am now on Vistaril and it helps my panic disorder. Good luck!
Scharf
22 Feb 2017
How much were you taking and how did you taper? I don't know vistaril, is it benzo?
Missy2122
22 Feb 2017
I was on 1mg 3 times a day. Vistaril is not a benzo, it is a sedative. Inderal, which is a beta blocker, also helps. No more benzos for me!
Mgnm84
16 Oct 2017
Has vistaril quit working for you? It did for me. It is a antihistamine and they use the side effect calmness to help with anxiety. But with me the side effect calmness quit working. It was great in the beginning. Just wondering if.its. Still working for you?
chuck1957
22 Feb 2017
Scharf; Yes after 20 years it sure would be worth a try to get off or at least get to the lowest dose possible on the Clonazepam, You did not say the dose your on. But it can be hard to come off of these after this long of time If it were me I would talk to the doctor and get a tapering dose to get you down slowly don't just try to skip pills it can bring on more of these attacks or withdrawals of this medication before you even start please talk with you doctor about coming off of them and how. Good luck to you
Scharf
22 Feb 2017
I'm on half of 0.5 clonazepam morn and night
Related topics
anxiety, benzodiazepine withdrawal, panic disorder, seizure prevention, hot flashes, clonazepam, dysautonomia, tapering, sleep paralysis
Further information
- Clonazepam uses and safety info
- Clonazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Clonazepam (detailed)
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