New User Needing Help

[[To...]]

I've been taking 1mg Klonopin at night for almost eight years as prescribed by a neurologist for a benign condition, mostly to aid sleep.  I decided I don't want to take this medication any longer.  My doctor instructed me to start cutting the dosages in half, slowly, until finished.  I chose to go a little smaller and slower: I'm a little over a week tapering at a dose of .75mg each night - waiting to stabilize before the going to the next cut.  I am looking mainly for support and advice; my doctor means well, but I feel like I'm on my own.  Thanks in advance for any help. 

[[Ch...]]

Hi Tony. Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

 

Withdrawal from long term benzodiazepine use tends to be a slower process than halving one's dose.  I've given a link to the Ashton Manual below, which goes into depth about withdrawal and recovery, but the general recommendation is to cut no more than 5-10% of one's current daily dose every couple of weeks, sometimes slower with long term use.  Long acting benzodiazepines like Klonopin would fall into the 'two weeks' as it can take that long (or longer for some) for the body to adjust to the cut in dose.

 

Many of us feel 'on our own' in tapering a benzodiazepine.  It can lead to a bad cut in dose, which can bring on uncomfortable symptoms that last awhile.  A careful taper is important.

 

Here's a link to  General Taper Plans, where you can post to the wider membership for more suggestions.

 

The The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect during withdrawal and recovery, authored by Dr. C. Heather Ashton, who is an expert in the field. It provides a great deal of information that can be very reassuring during any stage of this process, including a list of common symptoms with helpful explanations on the reasons for their existence.

 

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 

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Hi Tony, I was on 1mg K about 10+ years, just started my journey in June.  You are ahead of me.  Wishing you the best !