Tapering off Klonipin at my age

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I am female, 79 years old. I have been on .5 mg of Klonipin once daily at night for about 10 years for anxiety & panic & sleeping & I have/had decided I wanted to get off it.  My psychiatrist set up a slow liquid titrationo schedule over a period of 7 months with a taper amount of 5 ml per month.  But being my own worst enemy, I have been reading a lot about withdrawal, including seizures. I am thinking that in the first place that .5 ml may be too much to start with & secondly,  I live alone so there is no one here to keep an eye on me should something go wrong. 

 

I think my age  is significant here & I am looking for input.  I am active (run a cat rescue!) & more of a crazy cat lady than your typical senior, if there is such a thing.

 

I could really use some input & would appreciate your thoughts on this. How many people my age elect to do this?

 

PP

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You've got 20yrs on me so I can't comment about the age factor.  As far as reduction amount, I don't know what percentage/amount that would be of your .5mg K(?).  I know the general recommendation is 5-10% every 2 weeks.  Many find this too rapid and you should go at a pace that you find comfortable, where you can still function well.  If you go at a reasonable pace there should be no issue with seizures.  I think that mainly occurs with a cold turkey of a high dose.

 

Are you having problems with the K or do you just want to discontinue it?  I've read that falls can be a problem for the elderly taking benzo's.  I'm sure that people your age successfully taper.  Others have no issue remaining on them.  You could see how it goes and re-evaluate if need be.

[[Je...]]

I am female, 79 years old. I have been on .5 mg of Klonipin once daily at night for about 10 years for anxiety & panic & sleeping & I have/had decided I wanted to get off it.  My psychiatrist set up a slow liquid titrationo schedule over a period of 7 months with a taper amount of 5 ml per month.  But being my own worst enemy, I have been reading a lot about withdrawal, including seizures. I am thinking that in the first place that .5 ml may be too much to start with & secondly,  I live alone so there is no one here to keep an eye on me should something go wrong. 

 

I think my age  is significant here & I am looking for input.  I am active (run a cat rescue!) & more of a crazy cat lady than your typical senior, if there is such a thing.

 

I could really use some input & would appreciate your thoughts on this. How many people my age elect to do this?

 

PP

 

I think, due to how long you have been on Klonopin and your age, that you should start a little slower than that. You can always go faster. I think you absolutely can do it if you go slow enough.

 

Jenny

[[Ch...]]

You have received some great advice...I applaud your decision and wish you well...

You have so much on your side...I think your psych would go along with your concerns to go even slower, especially initially...there is absolutely no rush for you and since you want to get off it for your general health I think decreasing your dose at 2 weeks is great because of the long half life for symptoms to show so you can slow down or stay the same as your body tells you...As the saying goes, "Make Haste Slowly"!!!

I will look forward to your future posts!!!

[[Sa...]]

Hi. I thought for me this is hard at the age of 53 on klonopin for 20 years. I admire you and wish you much luck. How did you find a Dr willing and able to help you with a liquid taper?  I have a Psych Dr. prescribing me Valium which I crossed over to and I am using the Ashton method but had some sleep problems and other uncomfortable wd's and would like to try micro liquid taper but he won't support that. Thank you.