I want to better understand the process

[[Mr...]]

I have been prescribed and am currently taking 0.5mg of clonazepam three times a day for 5 months due to anxiety and panic attacks.  I also suffer from severe depression and take several other meds to deal with that.  I will begin the process of tapering off after I speak to my psychiatrist in a couple of days.  I just want to be as informed as possible before this appointment so I have a better understanding when the doctor makes his plan for this withdrawal.  I've also done a lot of searching online and found out about your group through an article in the Boston Globe.  I'm very concerned about the withdrawal symptoms but even more concerned about my memory loss and a recent study showing a possible link to Alzheimer's.  I'm glad to have found this group and hope it can provide some answers I'm looking for.

[[me...]]

Hello MrXYZ.  Welcome to the forum, we're glad you found us!  Congratulations on deciding to get off clonazepam.  We generally suggest a taper rate of about 5-10% every 10-14 days, though individual rates vary.  Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

General Taper Plans

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper).

 

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.

 

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.

 

Again, welcome!

 

 

[[De...]]

Hello MrXYZ,

 

Welcome to the forum from me too 

 

Congratulations on the decision to begin tapering, you'll be given plenty of support and tapering assistance here.

 

Please try not to worry about the taper in advance. Some people have no trouble at all withdrawing from benzos but as long as you taper slowly, within the guidelines that Megan has given you, even if you do have some symptoms they should remain very manageable.

 

Memory loss is a very common symptom of long term benzo use and of withdrawal. My memory was so poor when I was tapering that I was convinced I had a form of dementia but I'm pleased to tell you that I'm 19 months benzo free now and my memory is so much better and my mind sharper. Your memory will also improve once you are benzo free and on the road to recovery, those symptoms are temporary, not permanent.

 

There is a withdrawal schedule for clonazepam, with diazepam substitution within The Ashton Manual chapter 2, perhaps you'd like to print this off to show to your doctor. However, it isn't essential to crossover to diazepam for tapering purposes, many members here taper successfully directly from the klonopin (clonazepam)

 

It is normally recommended to taper from one drug at a time beginning with the benzodiazepine so should you be thinking of tapering off the antidepressant it might be an idea to wait until you finish the benzo taper.

 

I'm glad you found uus and I wish you success with the taper.

 

Debbie

[[...]]

Mr. XYZ

A lot of people on the Klonopin Klub are tapering directly off K.  I used compounded pills but if I had it to do over again I'd get the scale that a lot of people are using on the Klonopin Klub so I could adjust the amount I'm taking off each cut.  You will probably want to start with a slow taper 5 or 10% every week to two weeks if you are trying to continue working.  You can always increase your cut if that goes well.  Its easier on most folks if they take it slow.  Good luck to you.  Here's a link to the Klonopin Klub.  You can ask what the scale is folks are using.

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=57791.10200

 

[[Mr...]]

During my visit to my Psychiatrist two days ago, he told me a lot of things that seem to contradict what I've been reading on this site.  For example, he felt that K was the easiest  of all the Benzos to taper off of with Xanax being the hardest.  He also said that K has a half life of 12 hours;  I've heard 12-50 hrs - different for everybody I'm sure but kinda thought he would have given a range but he didn't, just 12 hrs; again, low-balling the numbers and downplaying the effects are probably part of his method.  Also, a 4 week taper plan seems pretty fast in comparison.  Lastly he didn't seem to think being on them 5 months was enough time to be a problem regarding dependency.  He seemed very confident in his plan which gave me some reassurance and was pleased that I made the decision to taper.  Perhaps he's trying to help me not "psych" myself out with worry and anticipation of the withdrawal.  Perhaps he's right, perhaps not.  Two days into the taper and I'm already feeling flu-like symptoms  coming on with nausea and headaches, not bad but there.  Only time will tell.  Staying positive