Tapering off of Klonopin

[[id...]]

I was on Ativan (0.5 mg) for about 7 months in 2012 (it was initially prescribed for panic attacks) and successfully tapered with the help of Remeron (was on Remeron for 2-3 months). I was put on Remeron again in 2015 (for severe anxiety) and while waiting for it to work I was put on Klonopin 0.5 mg at night and 0.25 mg in the morning. It was too sedating, so I gradually tapered to 0.125 mg within a year or year and a half and stayed on that dose for another year and a half. I was getting worse and worse and then realized that Remeron was making me feel much worse (I've never really been depressed or suicidal before Remeron and didn't have persistent insomnia and OCD before Remeron) and I cold turkey'ed off of Remeron in the end of June 2017. That was hell of it's own. 2.5 months after CT I used Ativan a couple of times instead of Klonopin and realized that every time I take Klonopin I feel sick, while Ativan actually relieves anxiety. I looked up side effects of Klonopin and there were all of my mysterious symptoms. Klonopin never really did much for me (compared to Ativan), but I kept taking it nonetheless, too afraid to stop. Now I realized that I HAVE to get off of Klonopin. Remembering my Ativan taper (it wasn't fun, but it was not even close to what I'm experience with Klonopin now) I thought that I am on a low enough dose and dry cut 40%. That sent me straight into hell. I tried reinstating my previous dose but it made me feel even more sick with the side effects. Now I am at loss as to what to do, because my previous doctor claimed that I could just stop even from 0.5 mg of Klonopin. I am extremely sensitive to medications in general (not just benzos, but things like benadryl and antibiotics cause severe side effects that other people don't experience at low doses), so I knew that 0.125 mg was a serious dose for me. I just didn't realize how serious it was. I want to see if anyone else had problems tapering off of 0.125 mg of Klonopin and find out how they did it and if they switched to valium, what was the dose that they were able to be stable on and continue the taper.

[Guest [Le...]]

Hello, ideallifevision - welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

Wow, I'm still amazed when doctors say that jumping from a steady dose of a powerful tranquilizer is OK. I was told that too, but it turned out not to be easy at all. It's not always necessary to cross over to Valium - a number of members here have tapered directly from Klonopin, so you'll be able to get some tips from them. You've come to the right place to plan a more comfortable taper. 

 

I'm so glad you decided to join the forum - you'll find plenty of information and support here. Our members have gone through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, so you'll be able to connect with others who understand what you're going through.

 

Here are a couple of links that may be a good starting place for you to post your questions.

 

  General Taper Plans

  Withdrawal Support

 

When you have a chance, I recommend that you take a look at The Ashton Manual, a guide for withdrawal and recovery. 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.

 

For those who are currently tapering, a starting guideline is that the dosage not be reduced faster than by 5-10% every 10-14 days - some taper even more slowly than that. One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper somewhat faster. 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature. This will allow members to see where you are in the process, so that they can better support you.

 

Looking forward to seeing you on the forum!

Leslie 

[[id...]]

Thank you, LeslieAsh! That's very good information! I've thought about crossing over to valium because it comes in smaller doses, but there's no consensus on dosage conversion from one benzo to another, so maybe I'll continue my taper with Klonopin. I am crushing it into powder now for more precision. Valium would have probably been easier, but my previous psychiatrist (covered by old insurance) refused switching to valium and I doubt that when I find a new one he/she will agree to do the switch. It seems like Klonopin is considered safer in terms of abuse  Although, when I was given Xanax I absolutely hated it, and it's considered one of the most abused benzos. My point being, I don't want to be on any benzo!

 

Hello, ideallifevision - welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

Wow, I'm still amazed when doctors say that jumping from a steady dose of a powerful tranquilizer is OK. I was told that too, but it turned out not to be easy at all. It's not always necessary to cross over to Valium - a number of members here have tapered directly from Klonopin, so you'll be able to get some tips from them. You've come to the right place to plan a more comfortable taper. 

 

I'm so glad you decided to join the forum - you'll find plenty of information and support here. Our members have gone through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, so you'll be able to connect with others who understand what you're going through.

 

Here are a couple of links that may be a good starting place for you to post your questions.

 

  General Taper Plans

  Withdrawal Support

 

When you have a chance, I recommend that you take a look at The Ashton Manual, a guide for withdrawal and recovery. 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.

 

For those who are currently tapering, a starting guideline is that the dosage not be reduced faster than by 5-10% every 10-14 days - some taper even more slowly than that. One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper somewhat faster. 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature. This will allow members to see where you are in the process, so that they can better support you.

 

Looking forward to seeing you on the forum!

Leslie 

[Guest [Le...]]

You should do fine - there are lots of Klonopin-free (or tapering) members here who can really help you out.

[[Yo...]]

Hi ILV,

 

I'm tapering off 1mg of Klonopin using the liquid titration method, which some swear by as the best for making minute reductions. Since you're tapering from such a small amount, you might wanna look into that.

 

I think Klonopin has the longest half-life after Valium, so to me it made little sense crossing over to V and risk potential complications.

 

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you. 

[[id...]]

YSNANL, thank you! Good luck to you too! 

 

I'll have to look up liquid titration. Do you use water for it? I see that you are on a low dose now too. Do you feel those tiny drops in the dosage?

 

Hi ILV,

 

I'm tapering off 1mg of Klonopin using the liquid titration method, which some swear by as the best for making minute reductions. Since you're tapering from such a small amount, you might wanna look into that.

 

I think Klonopin has the longest half-life after Valium, so to me it made little sense crossing over to V and risk potential complications.

 

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you. 

[[id...]]

Oh, I misread your dosage (benzo brain  ), I thought there's another 0, like. 0.088 mg. The question is still the same: do you feel different with 10% decrease?

[[Yo...]]

I learned on the titration board that the drug itself, which accounts for only about 1% of the pill, doesn't actually dissolve in water...but will in milk, because it binds to the fat molecules. Full-fat milk is best (3.25 or 4%, depending on where you live).

 

You'll find people with much more knowledge than me on the titration board who can advise you and answer any questions.

 

I have no ill effects so far after slowly dropping 10%. I have anxiety, but I think it's just worry over the taper and what "could" happen as I drop more.

 

Again, best to you.