2 months off Klonopin

[[n3...]]

So I went to my doctor for the first time since jumping off Klonopin yesterday.  I explained I was concerned as I was still experiencing side effects, although minimally at this point but still bothersome.  I explained how I tapered off.  I received feedback that was disappointing to me.  First, my doctor gave me grief for not tapering off in a week.  He felt that most people can do this in a week with no issue.  I explained I went through hell to get off of this stuff and it was the hardest thing I've ever encountered.  I said I've been off it now for two months, but I'm still having issues with my foot burning, my cheek, and a spot on my back.  The doctor thinks it's most likely anxiety.  I am also having some vision issues and some occasional heart palpitations.  By far, these are very insignificant compared to during the taper but I wanted some re-assurance that this is going to clear up.  I became more concerned when the p doc said he's had hundreds of patients go through this and has never heard of any negative side effects.  So who do you trust in this scenario?  I've ended my treatment with my p doc as of yesterday as there was no point to keep going and ending on a note of I'm just a rare outcome and not the normal left me a bit dissatisfied.  So will these stupid remaining things go away and is it true I took 6 months to get off something I should have been able to handle in a week?  I'm glad I've made it to where I'm at, I think I would have died jumping after a week.  I feel a million times better than when I was tapering off this stuff but I have stronger sympathy now for those going through this.

[[Li...]]

Hey n3v3rl8,

 

Congratulations on getting off Klonopin. From what I've read in your post, I can't see anything you did wrong.

 

The simple truth is, most doctors are not benzo wise. They are simply not aware of the consequences benzos could have on some people. Of course, there are those that could quick cold turkey and be fine, but that's not always the case. I'm confident everybody in this forum would agree that benzos are a very complicated drug and that they are very difficult to stop for many people.

 

Unfortunately, your doctor is not benzo wise, but that should not in any way detract you from your own success. Of all his patients that "successfully" quit in a week, I wonder how many ended up in the ER a few weeks later with "unexplained" panic attacks, palpatations, dark thoughts, muscle aches etc with other doctors blindly treating the symptoms without even thinking that those were withdrawal symptoms.

 

In your case, I say this strongly, you did the VERY right thing by slow tapering. From your withdrawal symptom profile, had you gone faster you would have been in a very bad place. You absolutely did the right thing.

 

All this being said, your question is, will the symptoms ever end? From my research I could tell you with certainty that with time, your symptoms will slowly fade and you will be better than ever. You may have setbacks and you may have waves, but from the testimony of everyone whose beat this, with time, you will be fine. Don't be tempted to get back on, stay off. You've put in the work, VERY hard work and you've achieved something many people will not be able to.

 

Again, hats off to you for having been through this. I look forward to reading your success story when your journey is complete. All the best!

[[Le...]]

You did the right thing. Doctor is an idiot.

[[An...]]

You did the right thing. Doctor is an idiot.

I agree. I wish doctors who think like this could take xanax or K for a year and then stop by stepping down off of it quickly. Then, they would literally see and feel exactly what we are going through. Ugh!

[[n3...]]

Thanks all, I appreciate the kind feedback.  The advice and encouragement I've received from this board has been incredibly helpful through it all.  It remains beyond me why doctors would think we are making this up and why they are a far cry from what we need them to be which is always depressing. I pray I can make it all the way to death with minimal doctor interaction, 

[[AZ...]]

I would bet many of those he “successfully” got off the drug in a week had been on a very short time or suffered symptoms soon after and ended up on other drugs.  The doctor’s common response is to assume your anxiety returned, it’s not withdrawal.  And so does much of the public feel the same way.  It’s really insidious how this issue gets ignored and hidden.  It’s amazing as well since there is so much well documented and scientifically supported information that this IS real.  And still they refuse to see it.

 

 

[Guest [so...]]

Omg your Dr has come out of the same mould as mine. I was forced off a small dose of Valium by the Dr who said it was non addictive and told me to "just tough it out ", 3 days later I had a stroke. The neurologist in the hospital was horrified and even gave a lecture to the hospital Dr's at the end of my bed saying that benzos are powerful brain changing drugs and should not be prescribed outside of the ER. Thankfully I recovered from the stroke but at 16 months off I still have horrible physical sxs and horrific mental sxs, I am sure that the rapid taper has made me protracted. Thank god you listened to your instincts, like you I got rid of that Dr. I really believe that Dr's who think that way should be made accountable, it's gross negligence.  I wish you all the best for your recovery.

[[mo...]]

That doc is an idiot. I know how it feels to have your experience denied by a medical professional but don’t let it get to you. I’m sure you will heal in time, I’ve read that most everyone does. It just takes time.