Clonazepam for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 13, 2022

"In the fall of 2019, I was placed on 1 mg clonazepam at night for anxiety and panic disorder. After a year, I went down to 0.5 mg because 1 mg seemed too much. I was very happy and did absolutely great on this dose for about a year with no side effects, but getting the medication re-prescribed was always a mess. Doctors would take too long, and I’d run out of pills, which would put me in terrible withdrawals. I finally did a gradual taper to get off of the medicine, cutting down 1/8 of a pill at a time every two or three weeks. I’d experience withdrawals each time I adjusted down, and even now, even though I’ve been off of it for a month, I still get what I call “waves” of withdrawals that sometimes last days: headache, tremors, nausea, panic, shame, fits of rage, confusion, etc. They do at least go away eventually and give you a chance to breathe before the next “wave” occurs, but it’s no picnic."

• Lei...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 30, 2023

"I started taking clonazepam in 2014 after my dad passed away. I was 45 when I started taking them, so I tried stopping cold turkey after only 4 months of taking them. It was horrible. And for people commenting on here, I don't have to tell you what I went through. Unbeknownst to me, I had no clue what was wrong until I Googled it. Omg! Well, I tried the tapering process twice but couldn't do it. Fast forward to now. I lost my sister to glioblastoma 2 months ago. I came down with shingles and didn't even know what I had. Lol! I also ended up with nerve pain. Five weeks ago, my doctor prescribed Pregabalin. After 2 weeks, not only did I feel like my old self again (cleaning, going out, visiting), but I also didn't seem to miss my Clonazepam. No withdrawal symptoms."

• Pea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2021

"I was put on Clonazepam 0.25 mg three times a day as needed for anxiety! This is one of the worst drugs I have ever been on, it makes me feel so bad, and I feel hot spots on my skin, do not feel like doing much of anything. Never had any problems with anxiety until my thyroid meds I was on for 12 years for hypothyroidism were taken away cold turkey! All I can say is do not take Clonazepam, it is very bad. I did not take three a day. To taper off, I cut the 0.25 in half, will take it for a week or two and then cut 0.125 in half, after that cut 0.125 in half. Hope this helps someone not suffer from this awful drug!"

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2021

"I was on clonazepam since 2019. I went cold turkey in October 2021, and it has been one of the worst experiences of my life. The withdrawal symptoms have been severe anxiety and panic attacks, paranoia, crying, depression, loss of appetite, lack of patience, and can't focus. Prior to taking clonazepam, I was taking Buspar for anxiety, but when it stopped working, I was put on clonazepam. I'd avoided benzos for anxiety for over a decade due to their addictive probability. When the Buspar stopped working, I crashed into a severe panic anxiety-filled meltdown, and I just wanted to feel better, so I agreed to the clonazepam-one of the worst mistakes of my life. Don't take this drug, it's horrible and should be taken off the market."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2020

"I have been on a 4 mg dose of clonazepam per day for a month for benzo withdrawal. I've had enough of the side effects and have stopped completely. Doctors want to taper, but I can't handle the pains in my shoulders. I'm so scared now, but I'm stopping, and I'm off sick anyway. After reading all comments, I wish they didn't put me on these, but when you're unwell, you take it - don't you? I'm on quetiapine now since yesterday, so I'm preparing for a white-knuckle ride if going cold turkey."

• Sci...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 10, 2021

"This class of drugs is bad. It causes dependence in as little as two weeks. If you use them like I did (my pain doctor prescribed it for me for CRPS), you will find yourself a year later addicted to a drug that only makes you feel worse even when it's not causing withdrawal. It only worked for a few weeks anyway. I was on opiates for 24 years and have been on benzos for 16. I went through opiate withdrawal successfully. It was a nightmare, but I've tried many times with benzos, and it is so very much worse. I've given up on quitting and just take the lowest maintenance dose I can. DON'T start unless you like Russian roulette. It's your choice ultimately."

• Kim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 23, 2021

"I have been on several benzos over the last 15 years. I have social anxiety and bipolar depression. I’ve gone back and forth with as needed to daily use. Started with Xanax but outgrew it, moved to Valium, and now clonazepam for the last… 8 years maybe? I’ve been on .5 twice a day for about 1.5 years now. I’ve been on and off many medications since my diagnosis, thankfully, the ones I’m on now have been working for a decade. Today is day 2 of weaning off. My doctor said to cut by 25% every 12 days, but I am going to listen to my body for the duration of time in between cuts. In the morning, I am taking .25 and at night .5. This morning, I was panicky, restless, slight headache, nothing severe. If you know what’s coming, you’ll be better equipped to handle it. Basically, anything you feel is normal. Just go slow. I think tomorrow I will try and make it more even by taking 3/4 of a pill am/pm to keep it balanced. I will update!"

• San...
• January 31, 2016

"I have been prescribed a multitude of medications in the last year and a half or so. As it turns out, I have been very sensitive to the first two types of antidepressants. Cipralex was the first, then Zoloft. I have been diagnosed with what the doctor said is a 'high anxiety mood disorder.' It seems that life as I once knew it has melted away, and I feel so ashamed and empty. The Zoloft was such a horrible experience for me. I also was prescribed clonazepam 0.5 mg = 3."

• Nev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2021

"I was prescribed 5 mg at bedtime for a year because of severe PTSD. At first, it helped with acute anxiety. Nobody explained or warned me of how this drug works, so I just blindly took it, thinking that such a small amount is harmless. Had I known better, I wouldn't have taken it every day. Six months in, I became agoraphobic and couldn't feel anything: happiness, love, excitement, etc. It made me tired, lose my hair, coated my tongue, caused pain, and the worst sense of impending doom and anxiety. This drug is so dangerous and downright evil. It's only meant for short-term use. I will NEVER touch the stuff again! If I could give it a zero, I would."

• Jef...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 29, 2023

"I'm coming to you on this beautiful morning. I'm able to see, for the first time in 20 years, and appreciate a little more than usual. I have just spent approximately the last 30 days in the comfort of my family's home, going through what Stevie Nicks described as being HELL. I also made the worst decision to walk into a doctor's office about 20 years ago and tell the doctor I have a little trouble sleeping, and BINGO, I was prescribed Klonopin for the first time. I do take a little responsibility, of course, for not checking it, however, you're talking to an ex-drug user. I feel the same way and don't know if I can ever forgive him. I've lost everything from nice possessions to wife and kids. I'm 47 years old now and have nothing to show for it except depending on family that, thank God, is still around to help me. I'm just now feeling a little better, but I know there are still days to come. I went cold turkey because I had no choice. Since the regulations have gotten stricter, I have been coming up short."

• Don...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 30, 2021

"My story is one of finding out how to taper clonazepam. I'm almost 55 now and feel like this drug is just really bad for me. I've been on it since 2009, so approximately 13 years, as well as on 2 other benzos and 75 mg Seroquel to sleep. My initial starting dose was 7.5 mg! I had no idea what kind of drug this was. Years later, I found out it's an anti-convulsant, and I was also taking 180 mg oxycodone a day for 8 years because of having muscle aches, which made it impossible to walk 400 meters. A quarter of a mile. In the last few years, I've had infarcts in the brainstem (pons, thalamus). In 9 months, I quit the oxycodone and considered myself clean. The clonazepam I tried taking 1 tablet of 0.5 g a month less. Now I only use 2 mg at night along with 5 mg nitrazepam and 100 mg oxazepam and the Seroquel. Now I visit a USA website and find out how dangerous it can be to rapidly quit the remaining amount of benzos I still take. But I feel sick all day, every day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 11, 2021

"This medication is extremely dangerous, and they do not even tell you how severe the effects of these withdrawals truly are. I was on clonazepam for almost two years, and it’s been almost 2 weeks since I’ve last taken the medication, and this is the peak of the withdrawals. This medication is NOT intended for long-term use AT ALL. Make sure to always ask questions, too!!"

• Fra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 13, 2024

"Was placed on clonazepam over 30 years ago at 3 mg per day. Taken as 1 mg every 8 hours. I had no idea this was going to be so horrible. I have been forced to taper even though I didn't abuse the drug. It was given for GAD and severe PD. So, last September, the tapering began. The issue is, the NP doing it has no clue how to do it, so I've very carefully taken matters into my own hands. I'm now on 0.25 three times a day and cutting another 0.25 very soon. This is a horrible drug. It's a scary drug. Please never take this. I've been suffering with sleep deprivation, heart palpitations, blood pressure increases, more anxiety, and was even hospitalized. This drug is no joke. Do not take it. I don't even feel real anymore. Please protect yourselves and your loved ones from this. I've been cutting 0.25 about every 8 weeks. That's when withdrawal calms down enough for me to cut the pill again. Please, just don't take anything unless you know all the facts first."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2021

"I got initially prescribed 0.5 mg, which got bumped to 1 mg within a month. I’ve been on this horrible drug for almost 8 months now, and I’m withdrawing, which is terrible. This drug has ruined my life, my relationships, and overall my ability to function like a normal person. My previous psychiatrist (in between at the moment) forgot to fill my script, and I’ve been doing everything to try and get a hold of her because I am violently shaking, vomiting, sweating, can’t concentrate, there’s ringing in my ears, and I’m going through the nightmare of cold turkey. It’s only day 2. I wanted to taper, but now I don’t even have that option. I would go to the hospital, but I’m afraid of getting thrown into rehab when I’m currently in the middle of taking a bunch of exams. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG AND EVERY BENZO. NO ONE SHOULD BE PRESCRIBED THIS STUFF."

• tra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 9, 2021

"I was on clonazepam since I was 22. I am now 50 years old. My doctor has cut me off cold turkey."

• Nin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2022

"I took clonazepam for a year, and the dose was 0.25 once a day for anxiety and insomnia. I decided it was time to stop. I am probably at around week three, and I wasn't expecting severe withdrawal symptoms as I felt that my dosage was low. It has been a rough few days with insomnia, nausea, and some anxiety. I think doctors should probably look to alternative medicine, as most anxiety medications have side effects and are difficult to withdraw from, not to mention that they just aren't good for you long-term. The lure of the benzos is that relief is instant, with minimal side effects initially. Looking forward to feeling better, and have learned a very hard lesson. I am going to pursue natural methods to ease my anxiety and work on coping strategies instead of taking medications that just mask the problem."

• Bad...
• September 18, 2021

"I started on Klonopin maybe 12 years ago. As needed. In December of 2020, I started taking it every day for about 6 weeks. 1 mg. I stopped taking it, and it was a nightmare. I ended up in an emergency room. Psych hospital. They gave me 11 Ativan to wean me off of it, and that was it. Cold turkey. I can't begin to describe the misery. High blood pressure. Tinnitus, heart racing. Really crazy. The only thing that got me through was CBD oil. Yes, CBD oil. I still suffer from the side effects of cold turkey and am actually thinking about going back on Klonopin. I'm 75 years old. I think, why not just regulate it and live the rest of my life happy? Doctors keep trying to put me on SSRIs, but there are too many side effects. Escitalopram. Anyone else try this stuff? Diarrhea, insomnia, I had none of those issues with Klonopin. I just feel so much better on Klonopin."

• Duc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 4, 2021

"My doctor took me off 2 mg Xanax cold turkey after 25 years, and 5 months later I still feel horrible! Gained 35 lbs, up all night every night for 4 months, have 0 energy, can’t work, can’t hang out with my grandkids, can’t play golf, don’t trust myself to drive my car, knees hurt, back hurts, upset stomach. Last night started sweating, got ready to go for a walk today but had a dizzy spell, so basically I’m screwed. Have little hope of getting back to the condition I was in before my doctor decided to stop prescribing Xanax."

• Mac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2021

"I took clonazepam 2 months, 2mg a day. I didn’t know that I would have a withdrawal, wasn’t educated on the drug. It was the most awful thing that has ever happened to me. I felt like I was going to die. I wouldn’t wish this nightmare on the worst scumbag on earth. I was scared to death of having a seizure, my heart was beating harder than on amphetamines. I had some weird and awful neurological symptoms that persisted for months. Even now, when I drink a couple of beers, the symptoms come back (vertigo, feeling like the floors are too high, weird tremor). I’m free for almost 1 year now. I will never ever touch a benzo of any kind. You would have to hold me at gunpoint to have me contemplate touching that awful drug. And even then, I’d probably say: Bullet, please. If you read this, please do not take this awful thing. I promise you that there is nothing good in it for you. There are better ways."

• a m...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 12, 2023

"I inherited panic disorder, and after trying numerous medications over the course of two years, Klonopin was the only one that made life possible for me. I started taking it when I was 16 years old, and now I'm 40. At one point, I was prescribed an insane amount of 6 mg per day for 10 years. However, after moving to another state and being told that it was an excessive dosage, I personally took it upon myself to gradually reduce my intake to 4 mg (1 mg tablets) per day. During the process of tapering down, I used Xanax temporarily and another drug commonly used for alcohol detox to help ease any side effects. Surprisingly, I didn't notice any significant side effects during this period. I successfully managed to reduce my dosage over time. However, I have experienced two seizures in the past from abruptly stopping the medication, which scared me. These seizures occurred when I was not fully aware of my surroundings, and they happened fairly quickly. That's why I'm currently taking 4 mg per day and planning to slowly taper off completely over the course of a year while using other strategies to help alleviate any side effects. Klonopin has been the only medication that has effectively prevented severe panic attacks for me, which sometimes lasted for days. It eliminated symptoms such as out-of-body experiences, body twitches, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating, and the feeling of a heart attack. It provided immediate relief. I've already succeeded in reducing my dosage from 6 mg to 4 mg, and I believe that with a gradual and long-term tapering-off plan, I can successfully discontinue the medication completely."

• TG2...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 19, 2022

"I’ve been on 8 mgs of clonazepam for 30 years. I suffered a lot of trauma in my childhood and in my adulthood. I had severe social/agoraphobia. I’ve been on every antipsychotic antidepressant and was also on 600 mgs of pregabalin for 10 years for neuropathic pain and GAD. I am an addict, firstly alcohol, then heroin. I've done lots of detoxes cold turkey. I have tried 3 times to come off of the clonazepam, as I was told they’re what’s making me relapse. I came off of the pregabalin and did an opiate detox and a benzo detox one month ago. I am over the rest, but this clonazepam is the worst. I feel suicidal. I've been hallucinating and everything. There’s much more, but I can’t get it all on one page. Please, any help. The rehab sent me to the hospital, who said I have psychosis, but told me the rehab won’t take me back, so to get a train all the way back to my hometown with no meds, and I now have to re-register with my GP."

• Jul...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 13, 2022

"I was prescribed Klonopin in 2015 for anxiety. I took it off and on until my mother passed in 2018. Since that time, I have been taking 0.05 mg nightly. Recently, my PCP increased my dose without consulting me, and then, two months later, just stopped them. This medication has been extremely helpful and probably has saved my life. My PCP gave no reason for their action, and I now am waiting to meet with a psychiatrist. I found my family doctor's behavior to be highly unethical and unprofessional. I had to beg for a taper to get me to my appointment with a real mental health professional. This is not the medication's fault, but the 'doctor' who felt the need to fix what wasn't broken. I highly recommend this medication. 0.05 mg nightly to allow my mind to rest has been a true gift."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2020

"I've been taking 2 clonazepam for a month. I want to get off. I have 22 left. I want to cut down and off, wondering how to do this safely. I can't go into a facility."

• Sim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2022

"I was on this drug for 3 months, 1 mg. It was 0.5 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg at night. When I tried to taper off, I did it slowly and I somehow cut that 0.5 mg in the morning. But this happened next - I started feeling really bad withdrawal symptoms even while on 0.5 at night. So I stayed for a while like that, but the symptoms became more and more intense, so I put myself in the hospital to finish my journey. They took it away immediately, and 0.5 mg I kind of went cold turkey. Trust me. If not for other benzos that keep me as still as possible, I’m still going through some nightmares now… Even this 0.5 mg is a huge deal to withdraw. So: 1. Either you taper off slowly and this takes months. 2. Or you go to some detox or hospital, where they help you take it away. I guess both options work, but to sum up - this is a terrible benzo to wean off. I don't like my doctor, who put me on this stuff."

• car...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 16, 2023

"I have been using clonazepam for many years periodically to help my restless legs syndrome that I have been suffering from for decades. I do not take this medication regularly; only after restless symptoms arise which is generally at bedtime. So, if the symptoms do arise when I am trying to sleep, I simply take one tablet and within 30 minutes the RLS is gone, only problem is that it takes a while for the drowsiness to go away when I awaken. But the relief is well worth it. Sometimes I have gone weeks without using it and other times I have had to use it nightly for a week. Never know when it will occur."