Addicted to Clonopin

[[Mi...]]

I take 2 mg. of Clonopin per day.  When I went to a Phych. doctor to talk about ECT as I was so depressed and had tried everything else my present Psych doctor recommended ECT.  The ECT doctor told me that I should get off the Clonopin that I've been on for five years as he was pretty sure that Clonopin was causing my depression.  I called my other Phych. Doc and told her I was going off Clonopin after taking it for five years and she said "Oh it's easy to get off from, just stop 1mg. one week and the other 1mg. the following week.  I knew this was wrong as I had weaned myself off from Benzos in the past and with my Phych. Docs help at that time I used the Ashton method. When I mentioned this to my present Dr. she thought I was crazy.  She said "Why would I have you come off Clonopin in that manner?  I tried to explain the Ashton Method to her but she didn't want to hear it. Therefore the best I can do is cut by 1/4 every two weeks.  Today was my first 1/4 cut and I'm already having anxiety.  When I mentioned this to my doctor she said it was all in my head.  Well, that's my story.  I'll be here everyday looking for help.  Thank you.

[[Ch...]]

Hi and welcome, Minnie1971.

 

The doctor that suggested long term use of Klonopin may be the cause, or at least a contributing cause of depression is well informed.  Depression is a common side effect of taking a benzodiazepine longer than a few weeks.  As far as tapering, 1mg a week for two weeks is absurd.  5-10% of your daily dose every two weeks is recommended after long term use. 

 

I'm not sure what 1/4 means... do you know how many milligrams you've cut?  Klonopin is very long-acting and the symptoms can take up to two weeks to show up...another reason why one week cuts are not advised.

 

I think it would be a good idea to have a look at the Ashton Manual for information about the withdrawal process.  There are also tapering schedules in it that you can print off and show your doctor.  Dr. Ashton is considered to be the leading expert in the field of benzodiazepine withdrawal.

 

This is a great place to start asking questions on this forum: General Taper Plans.

 

Please take some time to Create a Signature. This will help other members understand your history so they will be better able to support you.

Go to the top of the page and select Profile, then choose Forum Profile, insert drug history/timelines into the text box and click Change Profile.

 

~Challis

[[Mi...]]

What I mean by 1/4 is a forth of the pill is cut off and I take the 3/4 that is left. Two weeks later I'll cut off another 1/4 to equal a 1/2. There will be a 1/2 leftover and that is what I will take. Two weeks after that I cut off 3/4 and take the 1/4 that is left.  Two weeks later I start the same process on the other 1mg. tablet that I have left.  I hope that makes it clearer.  I talked to my doctor about the Ashton Manual and she has no desire to look at it.

 

Thank you,

Minnie1971