I am just scared. I started pills in 1999 at age 26. And wow - I did have alot of success. But my body has not been off some type of pill now for 6 years. I have terrible withdrawal from tryimg to stop Lexapro and I have read other posts in here about that. BUT what I haven't seen is withdrawal from Klonopin which is similar to xanax.
I am inbetween docs right now. So really have no-one to talk too. Has anyone weened off Klonopin? From what i have read you should only be on it a short period of time. I have been on for 2.5 years. My body is dependent on it.
I will go to a doc before I even try to ween off this one. But I'd like to hear any real experiences from real people.
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6 Answers
AN
Angel g
26 April 2017
Difficulty sleeping and hard to talk or concentrate. And I've been off for a few weeks. Lowering the dose takes discipline. It does get better though.
Votes: +0
EM
emmadee
31 Oct 2005
I've been on Klonopin for the last 4 years. I ran out of pills once last summer and by day 4, I was in hell. I had to go the ER room to get some pills until I saw a doctor. My previous doctor had retired so a new one from the same practice took over my case. He said he had inherited a real mess from the retired Dr because she had all her patients on it. I told him I wanted to go off of it because I didn't want to go through those withdrawals again should I not have access to the pills. I was taking 4-6 mg a day but only at night to help me sleep. They worked and I was able to function just fine, work & take care of family.
He started to wean me off slowly and it's been rough. Started with 2mg a day for 30 days and then down to 1mg for 30 days which was too hard to every once in a while I took an extra pill. After 21 days I ran out of pills. I didn't see the big deal, I mean 7 extra pills 21 days in my mind wasn't bad. But when I went to see him last week to get a refill, he got very mad and raised his voice and accused me of being dishonest about my original dosage amount. But he gave me a refill and increased the dosage to 1.5mg a day. At the same time he put me on an anti-seizure medication, high-blood pressure medication and a very low dose of seroqquel for sleep. He said that going cold turkey could cause seizures and death. This is the hardes thing I've ever been through and can't wait until it's over.
Does anyone know if the valium thing really works. Why would that be different since it is in the same class of drugs that klonopin is in?
At this point, I'll try anything.
Votes: +0
GA
gaina
3 Feb 2022
Valium has a very long half time. Ideal for tapering.
RE
resist0r
22 Oct 2005
I came off a 10mg+ a day habit by doing this: Taking 2mg ativan every 6 hours. Cut back by .5mg every 5-7 days. when down to 0.5 level switched to diazepam 5mg, taken twice a day for 1-2 weeks, then split the dose in half. 2.5mg twice a day then once a day at night. Then you are home free.
I did that with the professional assistance from a doctor. Its a tried and proven way to ween off a heavy benzo addiction.
Note: I required Dalmane at night also, first 30mg for 2 weeks, then 15mg for 2 weeks, then none.
If you have a good doctor or access to order these meds, use this method, it's the best I can advise. The Dalmane is optional.
I was in a worse benzo addiction than yours and this worked for me... consider what I said. Forget xanax, it's * for WD.
Votes: +1
MP
mpvt
13 Oct 2005
You should see if your doctor will switch you to valium.Once on valium you can then detox very slowly.Detoxing to quickly off of benzo's can have lasting effects so be careful...
Votes: +0
DT
dturner242
13 Oct 2005
Klonopin withdrawal is the worst most wicked ever. I've read on many other forums it's a worse withdrawal than a heroin addict goes through. It's been the longest road of my life. I have been tapering from 2mg per day at a rate of 1/8mg every three to four weeks and it still feels like too much but the tablets won't break any smaller. If you want constant ongoing support while going through it, benzo.org is an excellent knowledgable group of people who have all been through it or are going through it. there are 10's of 1000's of people who have used it throughout the years that have successfully withdrawn. Dawn
michigan resident, prev. on klonpin, ativan, xanax, remeron, beta blockers. am currently down to only taking klonopin and have tapered from 2mg per day to 1/2mg per day tapering at 1/8mg every 3-wks to a month.
Votes: +2
DA
dangit
10 Sep 2005
hey, happened to see "Klonopin withdrawal" while looking for something else and it stopped me in my tracks. I've been on it for 8 yrs. [:0] and have tried to wean off it twice, but the withdrawals were horrible!! I'm no wimp, but the extreme anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, and generally feeling like I was going insane was too much for me while trying to run a business, raise a child etc. It scares me what these pills must be doing to our bodies that we are so dependant on them now. Wish the doctors would inform us of the withdrawals, not just the side effects, when writing prescriptions so freely. Good luck and maybe this will inspire me to try again. ugh.
Votes: +2
LY
lynnoffcym
26 Oct 2016
I am having success withdrawing a quarter of a milligram at a time. Slowly. Every week I cut down by that much. Down from 4mg a day to 1 an a half. Just don't take on too much at one time. For one thing, it is not only psychologically daunting, it is physically dangerous to go too fast!
