Retiree ready to back off Clonazipam 0.5mg

[[Cl...]]

I am facing backing off Clonazepam at recommendation of my endocrinologist. I know that this won't be easy. So when I came across this forum's link in a medical paper on the subject, I definitely thought I would reach out for some advise and support. I started taking o.5mg of clonazepam and 10mg of amitriptyline in 1993 (nighttime only), shortly after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FMS).  I have declined any increase in the dosage over the years and glad I did.  In the 90's doctors were so quick to prescribe these drugs and I really don't blame her.  No one knew what to do with FMS and pills were the "god" of all diseases.  Now we see the side effect are pretty horrific.  No one mentioned addiction, confusion, dementia etc. as side effects.

I was referred to an endocrinologist one year ago due to thyroid problems and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism.  Changes in diet and taking thyroid pills have stabilized this significantly.  However, my doctor feels that a significant part of  my ongoing brain fog, confusion, depression etc. are related to the #1 Clonazepam and #2 amitriptyline.  #1 being of greatest concern.  A very slow tapering off is recommended over 5-6 months.  However, I see that some doctors recommend slow substitution program of various kinds.  I am prepared to proceed but anxious also.  I tell myself it is a low dose & won't be to hard. But it has been a long time.  I really want my sharp mind back and I want to be rid of the dark fog. I am looking for encouragement and tips for coping.

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  We have many members in their 50's and 60's, and a few older than that.  I'm 67, and I finally got off xanax 5 years ago.  It was very difficult, but I'm glad I did it.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to find  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that. 

I'

Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these and other symptoms are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

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 in Chapter III, 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!

 

 

 

[[on...]]

Welcome!! Like you I was prescribed a benzo many years ago- in my case for anxiety and panic attacks. I did not realize till getting off it that the xanax was actually causing many of my symptoms and my  feeling lousy  for  so many years...thought it was just the original anxiety. Now I see the xanax was the culprit for the many times I would think wow I just don't feel right- I guess this is just my normal. Here I am 10 months off xanax after 30 years of use and I wanted to give you encouragement it can be done even after many years and being older. I am 60 years old. It was a tough withdrawal but the key is to take it slow- at a pace your body can handle. It is not a race -after all the years you have been on it a few more months to get off at a gradual pace is worth it.  In hindsight I wish I had tapered a bit more slowly - I did my taper  in 4 months- think I might have had less lingering side effects if I had gone slower. . That being it said I am getting better every day- my mind is clearer and I feel happy for the first time I remember in many years. You can do this too! Best wishes to you.

[[Bu...]]

 

Hello Claireday,

 

Welcome and great decision! You can do this! There is no reason to believe that this will be that difficult. My thoughts:

 

Most people here would agree that you should taper the Kolonopin first and then the amitriptyline after.

 

I would taper slow like ontheroadme said... 5% every two weeks would be good considering the time you have been taking the Kolonopin. You could be done with this in 6-8 months with relatively mild issues.

 

Getting the cuts exact is important so you may want to use a liquid taper. This is not that difficult to do and can be explained by many of us here at BB and on different threads.

 

You will want to get some things to have around for anxiety should it arise from time to time; like Suntheanine, Gaba tablets, Calms stress tabs... see "Supplements" section here at BB.

 

Learn good deep breathing techniques, mindfulness, eat well, lots of water, exercise, get good vitamins on board especially b-complex, D3K2, magnesium, omega3.

 

If sleep gets harder there are a few things that help, see the "Insomnia" section... I had good success with doxylamine, benadryl, tryptophan, 5htp, low dose melatonin and a few other things. Prescriptions that did not effect healing also worked, Flexeril 10mg, Phenergan 15-25mg, gabapentin 100-300mg. Gabapentin works well but only take once  a week or so...

 

Claire, expect the best, this may not be that bad. Once I got things figured out, my taper went fairly well, expect the best. Stay positive. Again congratulations on this great decision to get your life back and prepare for your future. So many things will get better, better memory, clearer thinking, less moody, more energy, lots of things! 

 

All the best,

 

Wilson 

 

PS: When it comes time to taper the Amitriptyline, look in to "Amino Acid Therapy."  Particularly 5htp or tryptophan as a crossover during taper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will need to find ways to get your sleep as you taper. There are many things you can use to get you through that won't effect your healing.

[[ba...]]

I am facing backing off Clonazepam at recommendation of my endocrinologist. I know that this won't be easy. So when I came across this forum's link in a medical paper on the subject, I definitely thought I would reach out for some advise and support. I started taking o.5mg of clonazepam and 10mg of amitriptyline in 1993 (nighttime only), shortly after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FMS).  I have declined any increase in the dosage over the years and glad I did.  In the 90's doctors were so quick to prescribe these drugs and I really don't blame her.  No one knew what to do with FMS and pills were the "god" of all diseases.  Now we see the side effect are pretty horrific.  No one mentioned addiction, confusion, dementia etc. as side effects.

I was referred to an endocrinologist one year ago due to thyroid problems and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism.  Changes in diet and taking thyroid pills have stabilized this significantly.  However, my doctor feels that a significant part of  my ongoing brain fog, confusion, depression etc. are related to the #1 Clonazepam and #2 amitriptyline.  #1 being of greatest concern.  A very slow tapering off is recommended over 5-6 months.  However, I see that some doctors recommend slow substitution program of various kinds.  I am prepared to proceed but anxious also.  I tell myself it is a low dose & won't be to hard. But it has been a long time.  I really want my sharp mind back and I want to be rid of the dark fog. I am looking for encouragement and tips for coping.

 

Hi Claire,

 

Be very careful of the advice you receive here.  Time is the only healer.  Go slow!  This is some fucked up shit and you don't need advice on how many pills to swallow to make it better. 

 

Hugs

 

[[Be...]]

I am facing backing off Clonazepam at recommendation of my endocrinologist. I know that this won't be easy. So when I came across this forum's link in a medical paper on the subject, I definitely thought I would reach out for some advise and support. I started taking o.5mg of clonazepam and 10mg of amitriptyline in 1993 (nighttime only), shortly after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FMS).  I have declined any increase in the dosage over the years and glad I did.  In the 90's doctors were so quick to prescribe these drugs and I really don't blame her.  No one knew what to do with FMS and pills were the "god" of all diseases.  Now we see the side effect are pretty horrific.  No one mentioned addiction, confusion, dementia etc. as side effects.

I was referred to an endocrinologist one year ago due to thyroid problems and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism.  Changes in diet and taking thyroid pills have stabilized this significantly.  However, my doctor feels that a significant part of  my ongoing brain fog, confusion, depression etc. are related to the #1 Clonazepam and #2 amitriptyline.  #1 being of greatest concern.  A very slow tapering off is recommended over 5-6 months.  However, I see that some doctors recommend slow substitution program of various kinds.  I am prepared to proceed but anxious also.  I tell myself it is a low dose & won't be to hard. But it has been a long time.  I really want my sharp mind back and I want to be rid of the dark fog. I am looking for encouragement and tips for coping.

 

Hi Claire,

 

Be very careful of the advice you receive here.  Time is the only healer.  Go slow!  This is some fucked up shit and you don't need advice on how many pills to swallow to make it better. 

 

Hugs

 

 

This^

[[on...]]

Totally agree with Babyrex! I would never recommend pills, supplements,vitamins....like Babyrex said time, your own inner strength and determination is what will get you through this- that is what did it for me- I took no extra meds other than the antidepressant I was already on and I tapered directly from the xanax. It was tough but it can be done and you will be so grateful when you are off the benzo! The danger in recommending meds is that every person is different and bodies respond differently  to medications and supplements.  For me the simple straightforward approach worked best.