Here we go...

[[Mi...]]

Hi,

I’ve been on 2mg Clonazepam for 14 years and I’m also prescribed 0.5mg tablets to take as needed. Thankfully I only take one of those once or twice a month. I’m anxious about withdrawing from Clonazepam because of the muscle spasms in my temples, which was the reason I started on this medication.

[[Pa...]]

Hello MiffyBW, Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

It sounds like you've made the decision to withdraw from the Clonazepam, have you been experiencing unpleasant symptoms?  After taking the drug for many years, some of us began to experience interdose withdrawals and tolerance.  If you don't know these terms it means for interdose, we started to feel anxious or uncomfortable between doses, and tolerance is when your body builds up a tolerance to the drug and you need more to achieve the same effect.  Since increasing the dose we take is not a good option, many of us decided to get off the drug completely.  Some, like those of us here experience some nasty withdrawal symptoms, have you felt any of these?

 

I worry about your muscle spasms since withdrawal is famous for giving us those, so it may be difficult to determine if its a return of your original condition, or a part of withdrawal.

 

We're glad you're here and if you'd like, take a look at our General Taper Plans for ideas in how to taper.

 

Please let us know how we can help you.

 

Pamster

 

 

[[Mi...]]

Thank you for the welcome!

I weaned off a different medication (Lyrica) and have been off that for 18 months. I have other meds in my ‘cocktail’ to treat my Trigeminal Neuralgia and other nerve related problems. I decided that the next medication I need to address is my Clonazepam.

I’ve never heard the terms you mentioned, but I do have days where at some point I have anxiety and restlessness. I have always thought I was withdrawing but have never even considered that it could be the Clonazepam. But, that’s when I might take one of the 0.5mg to relieve the symptoms.

I get spasms in my temple muscles. If you clench your teeth, the muscles just behind your temples tighten and that’s where I get spasms. It feels like a woodpecker is inside my head and in some ways, drives me crazier than the pain. If coming off Clonazepam means they’ll start again, I know I won’t succeed, purely because the spasm literally vibrates on my pillow and along with the pain, it almost pushed me to the verge of suicide.

That said, I don’t want to be on all these medications for the rest of my life, so maybe I need to have a conversation with my GP. She’s excellent and I couldn’t have gotten off Lyrica without her support. She told me to do it as slowly as I needed and just to let her know what capsules doses to prescribe. She never questioned it, even though withdrawal took longer than a year.

I’ve been looking around the site and I have to say the spasm issue is my biggest concern

[[Pa...]]

Hi Miffy,

 

The spasms from the Trigeminal Neuralgia sound awful, do the medications you're on help control them, if so, which ones, is the Clonazepam one of them?  I was just wondering what you were prescribed the Clonazepam for and if your Dr would support you withdrawing from it.  She sounds wonderful by the way, I'm so glad she's informed and patient with your process. 

 

I had muscle spasms when I first quit Clonazepam, but I didn't taper, I quit cold turkey so I'm not sure if members who tapered experienced those.  What I do remember is the inner trembling, like a constant hum inside of me, it was nerve-wracking, so I'm sure you're not looking forward to adding this to what you already experience.

 

I feel you would benefit from looking at the The Ashton Manual, it helps explain this process in terms we can understand, it might even be helpful to show to your Dr in case you decide you'd like to taper after all.

 

While getting off these types of drugs can be painful and difficult , for me it was worth it to be free from the difficulties the drug caused.  I hope you can decide what you need to do, but whatever you decide, we're here to help.

 

Pamster

 

[[Mi...]]

Hi Pamster,

 

It was definitely the Clonazepam that calmed the temple spasms and even now it practically prevents them. On the days I have breakthrough spasms, I take a 0.5mg tablet and it calms it again. This would be my biggest concern. Having survived withdrawal from Lyrica, which was horrific, I believe I can get off another one of my meds, with support of course. I had excellent support coming off Lyrica, which helped more than anything. That’s what lead me here, because I know support is essential to your success.

I’ve been looking at The Ashton Manual and it’s all very interesting. I have a lot to process and to think about. I am hoping, if possible, to get off as many medications as possible and try and find out which meds I really need, if that makes sense?

Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it.

 

Miffy