new taper plans problem

[[Da...]]

After starting klonopin 0.5mg oct 15th 1 x day at night for sleep I started to taper  the begining of the second week. Went down to 0.25mg . Seeing that I had only been on it for a short time the MD and parmacist told me I should not have any problems making that cut.

 

Started the new dose of 0.25mg beginning of second week. That dose worked for few days than no longer sedated me so they said go back up to .0.5mg which I did. Now I want to start a new taper however not sure how much to cut or how fast. 

 

A few members of the forum suggested that since I have not been on it long I should try to do a fast taper and others say a slow taper. Im open for opinions regarding that subject however another serious problem has arisen and its as follows.

 

I have depression and was originally given klonopin for sleep with no other medication. At first I was doing ok however since I started taking this med it has been making My depression worse each day.  Around 5 days ago I noticed that when I wake up around 3 to 4am from My dose of klonopin that not only do I feel depressed I also feel like Its depressing My respiratory system and making slightly difficult to breath. That seems to be getting worse and has Me very concerned.

 

I read that Benzos should not be given to depression patients unless they are on an AD drug. I told My psych nurse and also MD that the benzos were only providing Me with a few hours of sleep and that I want to get off of them. They both recomended that I take remeron in a low dose as it would sedate Me.

 

I have not started that yet because Im concerned about My breathing situation. If the klonopin by itself is depressing My breathing I wonder if the sedation from the remeron will make it worse. Im stuck between a rock and a hard place .  Im also wondering if the daily fatigue is caused by the klonopin dose or also the fact that Im only getting  2 to 3 hours of sleep per night. So I think its a combination of both the klonopin and the sleep deprivation.  Wow what a mess. Have no idea how Im going to get out of this situation.

 

I want to get off the klonopin ASAP however utilizing the best safest way fast or slow taper however Im concerned about My breathing status. Im going to call the medical folks today however in the meantime I would appreciate Your opinions on both this situation and also My new tapering plans .

 

Klonopin Oct 15th -14  0.5mg 1 x per day at night for sleep

              Nov 1st    14  cut down to 0.25 provided sleep for around 5 days then no effect.

              Nov  8th  14  back up to 0.5mg  started having breathing problems plus severe depression feelings.

                Nov 13th    cut 0.5mg by 10 %  slept for 2 hours and woke up sedated with slight breathing difficulty plus increased depressive feeling. Its currently 9am EST took dose at 1am and still feeling some effect of depressed respiratory system plus very tired and depressed. Very concerned.