Too quick detox??

[[Je...]]

Hello, My name is Jessica and I was put on 3mg of Clonazepam from Jan 2016 until May 2017. I decided to come off very quickly after my new psychiatrist advised me how bad benzos are. I managed to come off within approx. 2 weeks I believe it was. Nonetheless it was a quick taper and not a gradual one. Since then, I have lived in a permanent state of fight or flight - noise sensitivity, brain fog, live in my head, forgotten how to spell, dissociation, cant study or work, ibs type symptoms, gas after meals, panic disorder and the list goes on. I already had ocd but now it is exacerbated. I was then put back on lorazepam for approx. 1 month in october 2017, and came off that quickly too, and then finally valium for 2 weeks in end of march in 2018 which i also came off quickly. So all in all ive been benzo free for 1 year now, but 2 years since the main one which was the clonazepam (first one). I dont know who i am anymore. Has anyone come off suddenly or have a similar story and have some words of encouragement? I read a story about woman in UK who said she hasnt been able to live for 35 years since her "innocent stint with valium for neck pain her gp put her on". Thank you and i hope that you are all out of this hell hole and getting on with your lives x

[[pi...]]

Hello Jessica1357,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies!  Try not to be scared of stories you read, recovery is possible, even from a cold turkey or rapid withdrawal. 

 

You basically did a cold turkey when you tapered for just two weeks, and your dose of clonazepam was quite high.  Clonazepam is a very strong benzo.  The equivalent in dose of the 3 mg of clonazepam you were taking to valium is 60 mg.  I'm not surprised that things were so rough for you. I also went through a cold turkey, as requested by my doctor for a medical test, so I do understand just how harsh it can be.

 

I see you tried a couple of other benzos in order to allay some of the symptoms you were having.  That is not uncommon in a quest to find relief.  Now you have been benzo free for one year.  These types of drugs make massive changes to the central nervous system. It can take a while for the system to reset, to find balance again.  It's hard to wait and live with the symptoms but with time, they will ease up.

 

I'll give you a link to the Post Withdrawal Recovery Board where you can post and receive feedback from members.

 

I'll also give you a link to the Ashton Manual.  Although the manual discusses tapering in great detail, it also gives good information about the withdrawal process in general. It was written by Dr. Heather Ashton, an expert in the field.

 

We understand what you are going through and will support and encourage you as you heal.  Please do ask questions, we're here to help.

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper)

 

The Ashton Manual

 

pianogirl 

[[An...]]

HI Jessie and welcome--

When you were initially on klonopin, did they start you on 3 mgs or did you graduate to 3 mgs bc of tolerance? I agree that you were taken off too quickly. These meds have to be slowly tapered to minimize CNS shock. I applaud you for being off a year. Are you taking any other psych meds currently?

[[ba...]]

Hi, Jessica! I wish you a quick recovery! Good luck!