Wondering if Benzos are the issue

[[Lo...]]

I've been on Clonazepam for at  least 15 years if not longer - initially prescribed for panic attacks in the middle of the night that had me going to the emergency room because I thought I was dying.  Those attacks would go on for a few hours where my system would speed up and my body would feel like I was in danger.  I would have to go to the bathroom until there was nothing left to come out and I'd end up dehydrated.  After this happening to me about 1 or 2 times a month, I finally went to my GP.

 

He prescribed me 0.5 MG tabs twice a day.  I take those  two 0.5 MG tabs together at night before bed.  I remember in the beginning feeling like a pleasant zombie for a week or so and then started to feel better and the panic attacks stopped and have never returned.

 

I've decided I want to start tapering off of them.  I've had lots of things like muscle aches, restless legs syndrome and weight gain for the entire time I've been on Benzos and wonder if they are a contributing factor.

 

I've started as of this evening to cut my nightly two 0.5 MG tabs to 1 1/2 0.5 MG tabs a night for a month - that's reducing my dosage by 1/4th.  After I see how I feel after 30 days, I will cut again by by 1/4th which would leave me taking 1 0.5 MG tab at night for a month.  And so on.  I'm prepared to back up and do it by 1/8ths if I start to have any sort of trouble.

[[Co...]]

Hello Long Time Clonazepam User.

 

Welcome to the BenzoBuddies Community.

 

I apologise for the brief welcome message from me - we are a little short-handed at the moment. Though I am sure you will receive help and support from the wider community.

 

Good luck.

 

Colin.

[[ga...]]

Welcome! I'm glad you found us. I recently finished my taper. I could not have done it without the information and validation I received on this forum. Spend some time exploring the site and you will find many resources to help you taper off successfully.

 

Here's a link to the Ashton Manual.  It's relatively short and a very good place to start learning how to safely taper a benzo.

 

You will make it and it will be worth it!

 

Gardie

[[Li...]]

Hello, Bud!

 

I'm new to this forum, too.  But, I can tell you that going thru taper is better handled with the resources you can find here.  I didn't have this forum when I tapered from Xanax, sadly.  Read read read.  It will help you with your journey to know that you are not alone and that life after Benzos  is possible and is, in fact, sooo good.

 

I experienced the symptoms you are describing and I can tell you that, currently, four years after my taper they have all disappeared.  Soo.. be good to yourself.  Treat yourself with kindness as you approach this journey that is 'tapering'... because it is a journey.  It will take time.  You can do this, sugar.  I promise.  In time, your brain will remember how to be you.

[[Lo...]]

Wow!  Thank you all for taking the time to welcome me .  Your encouraging words and advice is much appreciated.

[[ga...]]

Wow!  Thank you all for taking the time to welcome me .  Your encouraging words and advice is much appreciated.

 

You are really lucky. You got your first welcome from Colin who started this forum and owns it. He's busy with his real life now that he's off benzos but he sometimes pops in here to help with things when it gets busy (like now).

 

Thought you might like to know we have a very active Klonpin Support Group.

 

Hope to see you around on the forum!

[[es...]]

So glad you are here with us. I have a similar history. 1-1.5 mg k for 17 years. I am four months off now after over a year of tapering. I hope you will consider microtapering very slowly. I wish I had started that way. My first cuts were much too big and I had a difficult taper the whole way. I am always happy to pm if I can help. Espy