Tapering clonazepam

[[Cl...]]

Hi everyone, i have been on clonazepam for almost 8 Years, 2 mg/night, this was prescribed by my horrible psiquiatra...in the last 2 weeks i started to decrease the dose to 1.5 mg. Last night i Took only 1 mg. My new physician prescribed efexor XR, venlafaxine, 75 mg to decrease the withdrawal sympoms, i felt so bad with this drug that i asked for a lower dose, 37.5 mg/Day. I wonder if my doctor is doing alright:clonazepam decrease by efexor XR in.

[[Ju...]]

Hello Clona21,

 

Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

 

We'll be happy to support you as you withdraw from Klonopin.  In my opinion, there is no psych drug other than another benzo, that can be utilized to cover benzo withdrawal.  So if I'm understanding your post correctly, your doctor is substituting an antidepressant to replace a part of your Klonopin dose.  Personally, I would take a stable, (same every day) dose of Klonopin and reduce this med very slowly and taper off rather than trying to substitute another psych drug like Efexor XR for my Klonopin.  Good luck and please consider opening a post on the taper board linked below to get some ideas about how to taper.  

 

You can post a topic about your taper on our General Taper Plans Board.  The second pink-highlighted post explains the three accepted taper methods.  Also:

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Members discuss their symptoms on Withdrawal Support (during your taper).

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Welcome to the board!

[[Cl...]]

Dear Juliea:

Thank  you very much for your message, i was also surprised that, even when i had slowly tapering clonazepam, a new doctor told me that Efexor XR will help me by avoiding my insomnia. I will do that, to stay in 1 mg clonazepam and 0 effexor...see what happens to night!

[[Cl...]]

Does Efexor XR causes insomnia?

[[ea...]]

All the Ad's have poor sleep as a possible side effect. That, and a host of other things. When it came out, Effexor was touted as being "energizing." Why, I don't know. I tried it years ago, and it didn't help anything at all. But each person seems to react differently to the ADs.

east

[[Ju...]]

Does Efexor XR causes insomnia?

 

Perhaps open a post on our Other Medications board and ask for the experiences of others who have taken the medication.

[[Cl...]]

Thank you eastcoast62 and Juliea. I will ask my doctor why he gave me this efexor for. I do not have depression anymore, but a lot of anxiety. Fortunately i have taken only 4 pills, 3 of 75mg and 1 of 37.5mg during the last 4 nights. Thus i will stop it today. It is GREAT that i joined this spectacular forum. No clonazepam  withdrawal symptoms today...see what happens tomorrow!