Newbie to site

[[Av...]]

I was prescribed Klonopin, 2-3mg per day 8 months ago after a traumatic event in my life (the suicide of my spouse), in addition to an antidepressant.  I only stuck out the antidepressant for a few months, then weaned my self off of it successfully.  I simply did not like the way it made me feel.  Same with the Klonopin.  I believe it was making my grief and despair worse than with no meds at all.  So I am going it cold turkey.  I know I'm reading only reports of this being the wrong way to go, but I'm already at Day 3;  having symptoms of w/d, but managing to deal with them druglessly. 

Looking for support and hope.

[[Ki...]]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

I'm sorry you find yourself needing to be here but you have found a safe place to share and learn about becoming benzo-free.

 

Although going cold turkey is not recommended, it doesn't mean you won't heal. Just keep in mind that recovery is non-linear and that is a natural part of the process. You may want to check out the Cold Turkey Section of the forum for other people who withdrew from their benzodiazepine in the same manner.

 

Another great place for reading is the Success Stories area of the forum. It's a great way to remind yourself that although some people experience difficult withdrawals, the end result is healing and recovery .

 

Please take some time to Create a Signature. This will help other members understand you 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.

 

Take Care,

Kiddo 

[[Av...]]

Thank you for your responses and the additional information.  Forgive my rambling ... Day 3 has my mind foggy, the dizziness I'm  experiencing is very frightening along with the insomnia and lack of appetite.

I feel incredibly foolish for blindly taking a medication without knowing the side effects, essentially without informed consent.  I had NO idea this drug was as potent as it is.  I never exceeded the dose prescribed.  Quite honestly, I can now look back and have an explanation for the side effects I was experiencing and chalking up to grief and loneliness.  I feel my addiction is more physiological - I never craved it and still don't.

I was not aware of the danger of going cold turkey until after I had already stopped the drug and began reading the information on various websites.  I am unfortunately in the situation that I am totally alone except for my animal companions and have no support system.  The GP who RXed me I have totally lost trust in.  I do not work, so I hope that is one advantage I have - I can stay in my home and try to fight this symptom by symptom.  I have been trying to stay active, drinking lots of water, forcing myself to eat, and avoiding caffeine.

At least that's my plan for now.  I do have a refill waiting for me at the drugstore which I have purposefully not picked up (and not wanting to drive with the vertigo I'm experiencing) because at this point I fear that it would be far too easy to begin taking the dose I was on.  So I do have that back-up plan should I need to taper myself.

I guess that at this time I figure that if I've made it through the horror of finding my spouse dead by his own hand, I can make it through this.     

[[fi...]]

Avalon - I know your pain - I too did exactly what you have done with ZERO idea of what I was dealing with.  I'm pretty new here too - I had to reinstate and am now tapering more slowly - but I don't have advice to give you on reinstating - and I did it all wrong - there are def. positives but a lot of negatives as well.  CT can be dangerous though.........How many days have you been off?? Have you talked to a Dr about the risks of CT? and the CT Forum.......

 

 

Anyway - my point here is not to give you advice as I'm a novice pretty much (although I've been dealing with this since June 2015) but I was working with BAD info from my dr......

 

I just wanted to welcome you - I have found many supportive and kind people here.......

 

[[Ki...]]

can stay in my home and try to fight this symptom by symptom. 

 

Avalon,

 

The quote above is brilliant....and exactly what you need to do to get through this. Please know that vertigo/dizziness is a very common symptom, so try not to fear it. It is very unsettling, I know, as it was a symptom I had to deal with as well.

 

Reinstating and slowly tapering is an option, though it sounds as though you are interested in doing that. As FightForMyLife mentioned, it doesn't always work and is not without risk...but it is an option.

 

Please keep posting on the forum, you'll find a lot of helpful information and kind people all willing to share their experience.