Tapering off of clonazepam after 10 weeks.

[[pl...]]

Hi, I decided to join Benzo Buddies because I want information and support as I quit clonazepam, and this board was recommended by a commenter on eMedTV.

 

I take clonazepam, generic. Initially prescribed for acute sleep and anxiety issues I developed.

 

I started taking the clonazepam on May 14th, 2017.  I took .125 in the morning, another .125 around noon and then took .375 at night for week, after which point I increased to .5 mg at night, around 9, before bed.

 

After meeting with my doctor, I started to tape last week, Friday the 21st of July, after 9 weeks of that dose (.125+.125+.5) by eliminating the morning dose of .125. I was told if that goes well, after a week to eliminate the .125 dose at noon and just take .5mg at night. My next follow-up isn't until the 16th of August. How should I continue to taper? I've read plenty of horror stories of lengthy and painful withdrawals. 

I am also taking 20mg (prescribed at the same time) of Prozac, which I also want to quit as I don't find it to be necessary. I'm 1 41 year old male that weighs around 195 pounds that is otherwise in good health.

Starting yesterday, I felt more depressed as well as had nausea and diarrhea and a slight headache, for which I took some Tylenol. This was a week after I cut out my morning dose. I also occasionally feel tingling and will have occasional muscle twitches. 

Sorry for the long intro, want to be accurate.

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum! We're glad to have you as a new member. 

 

You'll find lots of information and support here.  Our members have been through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to find  people who understand what you're going through.

 

For those who are starting a new taper, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days at first, and then adjusting the taper rate to suit your own needs.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a few months after discontinuing the medication.  First/only withdrawals after a slow taper tend to be easier than multiple reinstatements/withdrawals over time, which may make symptoms worse and longer lasting. The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but there are many others. These are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

General Taper Plans

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field. Section III explains and describes symptoms, and there is also a section with suggested 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!

 

 

[[Th...]]

Hello there,

 

You've been on 1mg or less for just 9 weeks?

 

I was on Klonopin (clonazepam) after I quit opiates for a 5 months to help with anxiety (this was in 2011). 2 mg daily and was able to cold turkey with very little withdraw.

 

Everyone is different however but we all have the ability to develop a positive mindset and outlook. Nutrition, exersize, meditation, being in nature are all healthy for our mind and body. I wouldn't over think what is to come as most of what you see in here in regards to withdraw and going through hell are mainly from long time users on much higher doses. I don't know what your past meds are or anything else about you so take my comment as just wishful thinking for you and not advise.

 

Best wishes to you. I think you can beat it as long as your mentality is in the right place.

 

 

[[pl...]]

Welcome to the forum! We're glad to have you as a new member. 

 

You'll find lots of information and support here.  Our members have been through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to find  people who understand what you're going through.

 

For those who are starting a new taper, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days at first, and then adjusting the taper rate to suit your own needs.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a few months after discontinuing the medication.  First/only withdrawals after a slow taper tend to be easier than multiple reinstatements/withdrawals over time, which may make symptoms worse and longer lasting. The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but there are many others. These are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

General Taper Plans

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field. Section III explains and describes symptoms, and there is also a section with suggested 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!

 

Thanks for the quick response and helpful links admin. Dr. Ashton's site is very impressive!

[[pl...]]

I agree that my length of time on a total of .750mg of Clonazepam every 24 hours, 9 weeks, isn't that relative to other treatment/dependence lengths I've read. Plus during that stretch I'd occasionally skip a morning or noon, and once both, doses.

I guess the good thing is by getting plugged into a support group, one can show that even users of relatively short periods of times can approach the same goal with the right attitude. 

 

Cranium, I'm curious, you said you quit a short treatment back in 2011 with no withdrawal issues.

Was this fact part of what motivated you to retry the drug, I notice that you're working on tapering again.

 

I was fortunate enough to do research on the benzo's prior to filling the doc's prescription back in May and wanted to make sure I

Hello there,

 

You've been on 1mg or less for just 9 weeks?

 

I was on Klonopin (clonazepam) after I quit opiates for a 5 months to help with anxiety (this was in 2011). 2 mg daily and was able to cold turkey with very little withdraw.

 

Everyone is different however but we all have the ability to develop a positive mindset and outlook. Nutrition, exersize, meditation, being in nature are all healthy for our mind and body. I wouldn't over think what is to come as most of what you see in here in regards to withdraw and going through hell are mainly from long time users on much higher doses. I don't know what your past meds are or anything else about you so take my comment as just wishful thinking for you and not advise.

 

Best wishes to you. I think you can beat it as long as your mentality is in the right place.