My mother has been on Klonopin for over 30 years

[[co...]]

Hello,

 

I have been doing a lot of research into my mom's health issues. And I am starting to think that the things she is experiencing are a result of her long term use of many different medications. The main medication I am concerned about is clonazepam (klonopin). It is a pretty heavy benzodiazepine and you are only supposed to be on this drug for a few weeks at the most, because you can become physically dependent and the withdrawal is horrible and can kill you. She has been on this drug for 30 years. Since before I was even born.

 

I have known this for a few years now, and I have always suspected that the health issues my mom has, were a result of this drug wrecking her immune system, and that because she took this drug (and many other drugs) for so long, that she developed a lot of other diseases. But after doing a lot of research, what I now suspect, is that her symptoms may not actually be diseases, but side effects of long term use of this drug. Every single symptom she has can be explained by long term klonopin use. I've read that some of these things might actually be reversible if she is able to get off of this drug. I know that she would have to withdraw very slowly and taper off of the drug so as not to get dangerous withdrawal.

 

She thinks she has ALS, but she has thought she has had a number of illnesses over the past 4 years or so, and the doctors can never find any conclusive evidence of it. Thought she had parkinsons, MS, etc. All of these things. It seems like it's a new thing every 6 months.

 

I guess I would like to know more about getting off of this drug, and if its possible for her to do so. She's 62. She has been on this drug, and a number of other drugs for half of her life. She claims a doctor has told her it is not even worth it for her to get off the drug at this point, but I am convinced this drug is killing her and that its not too late to try and get her off.

 

Please, any advice would be appreciated.

[[ma...]]

Hi concerned_son_3759 Welcome to Benzobuddies.

 

We are glad you found us, we are always happy to welcome members supporting close ones.  Tapering off benzos  is very much worth it.. Mom can do this…it’s the best thing I ever did after 26 years on Valium.  Withdrawal can be challenging, but it will get easier.  Benzodiazepines need to be tapered slow and careful.  It is suggested cutting between 5% and 10% of the daily dose every 10 - 14 days.  It’s okay to go slower,  whatever  your mom feels comfortable with, the aim is to try to keep any symptoms manageable.

 

Withdrawal from benzos can be a very lonely place,  family support, and support from people who understand is important.  I am hoping your mom will join,  I know she will get plenty of support here.

 

I would recommend that you have a read through the Ashton manual, It is a great resource for understanding the effect benzo’s have on the body.  It provides withdrawal information and includes a list of common symptoms

 

I'll leave you links to boards, with info for Tapering  and Withdrawal Support

 

The Ashton Manual. 

Withdrawal Support

General Taper Plans

 

Please take time to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give relevant advice.  Go to the top of the page and select PROFILE then choose forum profile then insert drug history into the text box and remember to click change profile

 

Welcome aboard

Magrita

 

 

[[He...]]

I agree 62 is not too old to taper, and the best thing

She can do for herself. She has probably been in tolerance

Withdrawal which can sometimes be diagnosed with other

Conditions like ms, Parkinson’s as you mentioned as these

Are neurological disorders and benzodiazepines effect the

Nervous system. My brother was diagnosed with being bi polar

and it ended up being withdrawal from benzos.

Again I agree tell her to check out this site, she will probably

see her story here. And realize it’s time to safely get off this

evil medication.

[Guest [so...]]

I totally agree and i commend you for being such a caring son. You will find a ton of good information on here plus a very caring community. Best wishes.

[[or...]]

concerned, about this:

 

She claims a doctor has told her it is not even worth it for her to get off the drug at this point,

 

For heaven's sake! How sad. She has plenty of life left. I can't tell you how angry this makes me. I started my taper when I was 65 and I am so glad I did. I lost my writing career due to benzos (writer's block and general cognitive impairment), but once I had tapered off valium, I regained my ability to write.

 

So it certainly can be done.

 

Wishing you and your mom the best. There are plenty of people here to help you/her with a slow taper.

 

 

Katz

[[Fi...]]

It can be done but, the symptoms of "withdrawal" can be long lasting and debilitating, as in mine and many other cases reported here. IMHO, it would be wise to investigate the benefits/risks of "withdrawal" and then let the patient make an informed choice.

 

Very Best Wishes

[[Qu...]]

I think you are approaching this in the right way, with concern and caution. From your language it is clear you are worried about her, and are looking into her best interests, which is why I almost didn't mention this, but just in case: remember that she has to be an active and absolutely willing participant in this. Sounds like you already know that. She has to do it for herself and because she believes it will help, not because she feels guilty or wants to make anyone else happy (or because she starts thinking she's a drug addict, which she absolutely is not). It's too long of a road if you aren't self-motivated (even if that motivation is, in the end, fear of what the drug has been doing to you). I think the best way to get her to make that choice is to give her time, help her find information, have her introduce herself here if she's up for it, and do some reading at

 

https://benzoreform.org (you might want to print off some relevant pages, some of its a little researchy)

and

https://www.benzoinfo.com

 

Other's already mentioned the Ashton Manual, that is probably the clearest explanation of what's going on here. Dr. Ashton also has way of writing that is almost cheerful, and is certainly disarming and makes this process seem not quite so scary. It's an excellent first step. Her tapering schedule may be too ambitious for someone like your mom, but that is something to worry about for later and in consultation with others including the members here.

 

And you two could watch the CNN special tonight together at 10, or later with the online versions. I feel like that is going to be an intense experience for a lot of people who have been on these drugs for a long time without knowing the harm they can cause, so you two should talk about it.

 

After 30 years it's not like there's a need to rush. I think she will have concerns, given her current health history, and because her doctor sounds like a twit, that members of this community could really help her with. These people ARE the experts. I am not an expert, so if anything I said here sounds dumb to others, please correct me.

 

P.s. She's going to need some willing doctor, even if it's her current one, to prescribe her the medication for her to taper with. So don't alienate him/her if you don't have to.

[[co...]]

It can be done but, the symptoms of "withdrawal" can be long lasting and debilitating, as in mine and many other cases reported here. IMHO, it would be wise to investigate the benefits/risks of "withdrawal" and then let the patient make an informed choice.

 

Very Best Wishes

 

This is the thing I am concerned about. If it is even worth it for her to try. I think these pills are slowly killing her and causing a lot of the health problems she currently has, but it seems like things will get worse with withdrawal before they get better. And she might be in withdrawal for years before things get better. So I understand why she would be reluctant to do it, and why doctors think it would be easier for her to just stay on the medication.

 

I just think there is a chance she could improve if she stopped using these. But that it would take a long time before we got to that point. Its a hard choice to make.

[[pi...]]

It can be done but, the symptoms of "withdrawal" can be long lasting and debilitating, as in mine and many other cases reported here. IMHO, it would be wise to investigate the benefits/risks of "withdrawal" and then let the patient make an informed choice.

 

Very Best Wishes

 

This is the thing I am concerned about. If it is even worth it for her to try. I think these pills are slowly killing her and causing a lot of the health problems she currently has, but it seems like things will get worse with withdrawal before they get better. And she might be in withdrawal for years before things get better. So I understand why she would be reluctant to do it, and why doctors think it would be easier for her to just stay on the medication.

 

I just think there is a chance she could improve if she stopped using these. But that it would take a long time before we got to that point. Its a hard choice to make.

 

I was also in my 60's during withdrawal and recovery and it was the best thing I have done for my health and wellbeing.  While I wasn't on benzos as long as your mom, I reached tolerance quickly and had a myriad of health issues. I had many trips to the ER and I also thought I had a number of diseases and conditions.

 

A slow, controlled taper would be suggested for your mom. If you decide tapering is a good idea, listen to her and adjust the taper rate if necessary. Benzo withdrawal is not a race, slow and steady is the way to go. Remember, not everyone has a challenging withdrawal. 

 

pianogirl