Been on Clonazepam for approx. 18 years!

[[Zi...]]

Hello from Canada,

 

I have a medical condition called cervical dystonia and was prescribed a combination of clonazepam and baclofen to help with my symptoms. That was about 18 years ago if I remember. I honestly don't recall the first day I started taking clonazepam.

 

I watched This is Life with Lisa Ling tonight and am really concerned about being on this drug for so long. I honestly think it has made my dystonia worse now and I have had higher anxiety than ever before. I also have been depressed to the point of now adding an antidepressant into my medicine routine.

 

I hope to learn lots by being here. I have been thinking about getting off the clonazepam for a few years now but have been scared to try, not knowing if my dystonia could get worse or what.

 

I am currently taking 0.5mg 3 times per day. No idea if that is a dose to be concerned about or not.

 

Thanks for listening.

[[ma...]]

Hi Zippo and Welcome to Benzobuddies

 

We are glad you joined the forum.  Sorry about your medical condition.  I would suggest you do some research before you decide. We can help you with support and taper/withdrawal information.  Some people withdraw with few symptoms,  it's possible that you could be one of them.  In general it’s advised to cut your daily dose by between 5% and 10% every 10 - 14 days.  You can alter the schedule, whatever feels comfortable, the aim is to try to keep symptoms manageable.

 

Check out the Ashton Manual, It’s great for understanding the effect benzodiazepines have on our body.  It also provides tapering and withdrawal information.  You will find some valuable support and info on the forum.  Please feel free to browse the boards and post questions to any of the dedicated threads.

 

I will leave a link to this members support group, 

 

Klonopin Klub  members will be happy to share their experience and offer advice. 

 

I'll leave you a few links:

 

The Ashton Manual. 

Withdrawal Support

General Taper Plans

 

When you can, please add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you 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

 

 

[[Zi...]]

Thank you for the welcome and advice! I will do some reading from the links you added  and see if getting off the clonazepam will be better for me or not. I just fear the withdrawl symptoms and watching the CNN story Lisa Ling did was scary! I know we are all different but still very eye-opening! 

[[es...]]

I want to welcome you and offer my support. I was on 1-1.5 mg. of k for 17 years before starting my taper. I had become more and more depressed every year as my tolerance increased. I also had a number of symptoms that I now know are side effects of withdrawal. I am now starting the fourth month of being free after a year+ of tapering. A decision I do not regret. I urge you to not be caught up in fear. This is doable. Take as much time as you need to learn as much as possible. Your best weapon is knowledge and you will find it here on this forum. My doctor was unaware of many of the things I later learned the hard way, before finding my way here. I had been told I was on a low dose, but that is far from true. Klonopin is up to 20 times more potent than Valium, and potency matters in planning a taper. So, take a breath, believe me when I say you will be ok, and ask, ask, ask, everything. Someone will know and answer, I can guarantee that. Espy

[[Zi...]]

I want to welcome you and offer my support. I was on 1-1.5 mg. of k for 17 years before starting my taper. I had become more and more depressed every year as my tolerance increased. I also had a number of symptoms that I now know are side effects of withdrawal. I am now starting the fourth month of being free after a year+ of tapering. A decision I do not regret. I urge you to not be caught up in fear. This is doable. Take as much time as you need to learn as much as possible. Your best weapon is knowledge and you will find it here on this forum. My doctor was unaware of many of the things I later learned the hard way, before finding my way here. I had been told I was on a low dose, but that is far from true. Klonopin is up to 20 times more potent than Valium, and potency matters in planning a taper. So, take a breath, believe me when I say you will be ok, and ask, ask, ask, everything. Someone will know and answer, I can guarantee that. Espy

 

Thank you so much for the support! I appreciate it very much. I do feel kind of alone as no one around me really knows that this clonazepam could be why I have also become more depressed lately and my cervical dystonia seems to be the way it was when I was first diagnosed with it....about 20 years ago. Time flies and I feel like my life has been the same forever! I feel trapped so I am thinking very much about tapering off clonazepam as soon as I gain more insight and courage to do it. If only I knew how these drugs caused so many issues 20 years ago! I gurantee the doctor who treated my dystonia also had no idea! I will never blame my doctors as I know they don't know everything about every drug ever made!

 

If I get off clonazepam I really hope to see mood improving enough to also get off the antidepressant I take now too. Why is our brain so complicated....hahaha. If we were a computer we could just upgrade the parts! LOL 

[[es...]]

Your story is my story, as well. I had told my doctor about the depression, he just didn’t consider the Benzo. I found out, myself, from a news article. Espy