Klonopin

[[Li...]]

Hello, Falke.

 

As a first step, I agree with Pamster’s suggestion — ask your pharmacist if s/he can advise you on how to dilute the Rivotril oral solution so you can make smaller reductions in dose than one drop (i.e., 0.1mg). The Rivotril liquid is quite concentrated (2.5mg/mL). A liquid with a concentration in the range of 0.1mg/mL or even 0.01mg/mL would be more suitable for tapering clonazepam.  You can also ask your pharmacist about what gear you will need (see examples in my earlier post), how to obtain it, and how to use it.

[[Fa...]]

Thanks for the info.

 

But can't you just put one drop in a e.g. 10ml water and then take 9ml then 8ml etc...?

[[Fa...]]

Hello,

 

do I have a bad idea?

Does not work?

 

I would also have to dissolve Flurazepam in water. Because the pharmacy always dosed down 1.5mg steps of flurazepam. That was too much for me. And changing the flurazepam to klonopin is not so easy either.

So I can take a lot, but too much is too much.

I am traumatized by the withdrawal now.

Kind regards

[[Qu...]]

Thanks for the info.

 

But can't you just put one drop in a e.g. 10ml water and then take 9ml then 8ml etc...?

 

It depends. It works if liquid clonazepam mix evenly.

I think it's more easy to mix 1 small bottle in a bigger one.

Btw 1 drop isn't that much (0.1mg).

 

[[Fa...]]

Good morning,

 

how much is 1 drop?

I was told 0.1mg.

 

Kind regards

[[Fa...]]

Hello,

 

and how do I proceed now?

For me, 1 drop is 0.1mg.

Quarantine finds it not so much. I do.

I am also worried about the flurazepam. Quarantine has quickly dosed down, with me 1.5mg reduce was already very very hard....

 

Kind regards

 

 

[[Qu...]]

1mg allows you to taper at <10% each cut at least for a while until you'll be at 1mg clonazepam.

 

Anyway I see you didn't updose nor switched.

 

As Pamster say you shouldn't be afraid of looking for stabilization. No judgment is involved. You shouldn't feel guilty if you'll end up at 2mg, 3mg or whatever dosage will make you feel better off and stable.

[[Fa...]]

1mg allows you to taper at <10% each cut at least for a while until you'll be at 1mg clonazepam.

 

Anyway I see you didn't updose nor switched.

 

As Pamster say you shouldn't be afraid of looking for stabilization. No judgment is involved. You shouldn't feel guilty if you'll end up at 2mg, 3mg or whatever dosage will make you feel better off and stable.

 

Hello Quarantine,

 

do you mean slowly switch the flurazepam to clonazepam?

 

Kind regards

[[Qu...]]

Yes

[[Li...]]

Falke: Have you asked your pharmacist about the possibility of diluting the Rivotril oral solution?  We don’t have many members who have experience with this formulation because it is only available in certain countries.

 

Quarantadue:  I’m curious.  What is your rationale for suggesting that Falke substitute a benzodiazepine with a shorter half-life (clonazepam) for one with a longer half-life (flurazepam)? 

[[Fa...]]

Yes

Hello,

 

do you think this is a better option?

You said it would be difficult...

 

How could it work?

Love greetings

 

[[Qu...]]

Falke: Have you asked your pharmacist about the possibility of diluting the Rivotril oral solution?  We don’t have many members who have experience with this formulation because it is only available in certain countries.

 

Quarantadue:  I’m curious.  What is your rationale for suggesting that Falke substitute a benzodiazepine with a shorter half-life (clonazepam) for one with a longer half-life (flurazepam)?

 

Clonazepam is a long half life benzodiazepine and it's available in tablets and liquid formulation. It also has anticonvulsant properties which are useful against withdrawal symptoms.

 

Dalmane is an hypnotic but actually Falke takes it in the morning which make few sense imho. Anyway he already dropped the idea of stabilizing at 30mg Dalmane only, perhaps he's used to clonazepam since a longer time.

He could even try a flexible approach for cross over to clonazepam: updose if anxious, stop and downdose if sleepy. Since he has withdrawal symptoms I wouldn't be too dogmatic on convertion rate.

 

[[Fa...]]

Hello,

 

I have not dropped any idea. And for now have kept the dose, because before I was constantly jumping back and forth. Yes I am scared of the benzodiazepines. Both of clonazepam and flurazepam.

Flurazepam helped me get rid of the clonopin. I was going down with Klonopin at the time to a point where nothing was working. That's when the doctor gave me Flurazepam. I was supposed to take half in the morning and half in the evening. The doctor is of the opinion that the level remains more even. I only took half a dose in the morning and it worked.  Then I stopped taking clonazepam.

The doctor also distributes the clonazepam to four times a day, so that you don't have a high first and then the level drops drastically.

Clonazepam can also work for a shorter time, the lower the dose the sooner you will notice it.

[[Fa...]]

Hello,

 

I was given clonazepam to dose down from the alprazolam prescribed by my family doctor.

At some point, the Clonazepam no longer worked, that was at 1.5mg, I got restless arms at night, sensations, could no longer sleep, anxiety, DP/DR, etc etc....

 

I didn't change the dose because I thought the system should calm down first. After I was on 2mg Flurazepam....and now again so much more.

 

@ Quarantine I also don't think it is good to take other meds daily. RX or zolpidem in alternating doses. Trazodone sometimes so and so, Quetiapine sometimes so and so and Atarax now and then Clonazepam now and then.

 

Every drug no matter which one does something in your system...how should anything come to rest?

 

I don't mean that in a bad way. But to try something different every day is not good.

 

Yes, I can increase the dosage, maybe it is or would even make sense, I don't know.

Something more stable would be super.

But clonazepam alone makes strong derealization with me. And it doesn't help me against anxiety. I tried 3mg clonazepam 2 weeks ago when I was on 2mg flurazepam. But it doesn't work like it did in the beginning.

I even tried 30mg flurazepam plus clonazepam, yes two days. Maybe I should have waited it out. But I get scared when I realize it's not enough.

Where is this going to end?

[[Pa...]]

It sounds like up dosing hasn't helped you to stabilize so your only option is to start your taper and suffer through it, you may actually begin to feel better, I've read members say they've felt better as they tapered.  My suggestion would be to taper the shorter acting drug first.  Have you spoken with the pharmacist to ask for a recommendation on how to dilute the Clonazepam? 

[[Qu...]]

When you tried 3mg clonazepam you still were fast tapering flurazepam. Sounds like your stabilization requires at least 4mg or a dosage higher then that you have ever tried.

 

Last but not least: can you start slepping without taking a beer in the evening?

[[Fa...]]

When you tried 3mg clonazepam you still were fast tapering flurazepam. Sounds like your stabilization requires at least 4mg or a dosage higher then that you have ever tried.

 

Last but not least: can you start slepping without taking a beer in the evening?

 

Hello,

 

yes probably it needs 4mg or more.

 

Whether you can sleep in the evening without beer!?  I think so,

if the benzodiazepines work.

[[Qu...]]

When you tried 3mg clonazepam you still were fast tapering flurazepam. Sounds like your stabilization requires at least 4mg or a dosage higher then that you have ever tried.

 

Last but not least: can you start slepping without taking a beer in the evening?

 

Hello,

 

yes probably it needs 4mg or more.

 

Whether you can sleep in the evening without beer!?  I think so,

if the benzodiazepines work.

 

Drinking beer actually boost benzodiazepines and it's very dangerous. If you do it regularly any conversion rule is almost irrelevant.

You're not switching to klonopine or dalmadorm or whatever and then updosing. You're swiching from benzo and beer to benzo only.

Which is different.

 

Alchool is a CNS depressor. Likely, some side effects of clonazepam are just the compounded effect of benzo and beer.

 

[[Fa...]]

Hello,

 

I know that this is a big problem.

 

I have not drunk beer before along with benzodiazepines.

And am about to let this happen.

But 4.5 mg of clonazepam also knocked me out until the symptoms became unbearable. You don't seem to have much trouble dosing off. Be glad.

But I have big problems with it.

I know I'm scared myself. I am a single mom and responsible for everything on my own.

I don't know any solution at the moment except dosing off.

The doctor says 4-6 mg clonazepam plus milnaneurax.

I may also increase flurazepam. He doesn't care, he says all benzodiazepines are the same. But they are not.

[[Fa...]]

Hello,

 

I had to change the brand of Flurazepam, the new one does not work for me.

I have made many mistakes, I know that too. I was honest, I know that I have problems.

Only now I have to see how to get out of it.

[[Fa...]]

Yes Quarantine,

 

i did not skip the flurazepam and then drink.

 

On 2mg it was so bad that I could have been drinking in the morning.

And every time I thought of my daughter.

I can't do that to her, it's enough as it is.

Alcoholics get benzos in withdrawal. Only in benzo withdrawal nothing helps!  I know that now too.

It goes down only in a reasonably stable phase then gaaaanz slowly.

But there are people for whom there is no stable phase anymore! And then?

I also told the doctor (addiction specialist) about it. Otherwise no one can help.

He says everything omitted....Benzo no matter which and how much.

If the depression (which occurred during withdrawal) is treated, the reduction is a piece of cake.

Is that so? I don't think so.

[[Fa...]]

I haven't had Klonopin since 2019. Only 1/2 = 13.71 mg flurazepam.

I reduced too fast for my body.

 

With the old version Flurazepam I could sleep a little during the day. With the new one it doesn't work.

 

Only on 2mg Flurazepam did the doctor prescribe me Klonopin again.

[[Qu...]]

Doctor wants you stable because or at least better off because traditional tapering may not work if you are too unstable.

 

I refused to updose at the beginning and my tapering never gave me great results.

 

You can't have more withdraval effects updosing at 4,5, 6 or whatever. You may have side effects. Taking liquid clonazepam means taking a little bit of alchool which can actually worsen depression and brain fog like symptoms. At 4mg tablets are better for you perhaps. Which kind of effect did you experience when you updosed? How long?

 

There is a rationale behind your doctor prescription: clonazepam has anxiolitic and anticonvulsant properties while the AD may improve your mood.

 

 

[[Fa...]]

Hello Quarantine,

 

I have been given Clonazepam tablets and also drops.

But Clonazepam is not like Dalmane.

It is a terrible benzo.

It additionally inhibits serotonin. In withdrawal, everything is horrible.

Dalmane was also associated with physical withdrawal for me.

But clonazepam is very hard to come off. Dalmane too. I got electric shocks in my head on 3.5mg Dalmane. A never ending restlessness....at the end I had it all. My eyes were even spasming.

 

But there is no alternative....

[[Fa...]]

But you didn't seem to have much trouble with the reduction. At least it sounds that way.

 

Then why aren't you taking high doses of clonazepam? Then you could sleep and slowly reduce.

Or another benzo that could stabilize you?

 

Greetings