Mid-taper questions (Klonopin) -- need advice

[[ca...]]

My taper had been going relatively well. Moderate uptick in anxiety and a couple days of physical symptoms after each cut -- but overall manageable.

 

However, when I got down to about .4 mg daily, split between 2 doses, I started getting extreme teeth sensitivity.  Now, dental issues and dental phobia last year are what sent me over the edge causing me to go on the Klonopin in the first place, so having my teeth start hurting again, is extremely triggering to me. I have been doing my best to cope, seen the dentist multiple times, he doesn't see anything wrong. After searching this forum, I now know that teeth sensitivity, increased teeth grinding and jaw pain are all benzo withdrawal symptoms. This is reassuring to a point, but, as I stated, this whole area of my body is extremely triggering for me. So it is maxing out my ability to cope.

 

I also just found some posts on the forum about withdrawal symptoms potentially getting worse the lower you go. Somehow I missed that in all the reading I have done.

 

Anyway, I'm just sitting her debating, do I keep making cuts and just suffer through the teeth sensitivity and jaw pain? Or do I hold? But if I hold, wait for the pain to stabilize, won't the next cut just start it back up again? I'd kinda rather get it over with? I also hate the idea that the longer I take to taper the longer the medication is in my system.

 

I guess I'm having both big picture and small picture questions and ruminations.

 

-- The longer I take to taper, the longer my brain is being damaged by the medication? Can someone talk me through the basics of why a slow taper is better?  I realize this is a basic question, I'm probably just feeling impatient after 2+ years of recovering from psych meds.

 

-- Is there anyone who has gone through the teeth sensitivity thing?  How long did it last?

 

-- What are the pros and cons of combining my 2x a day doses into 1 nightly dose? I'm currently at .112 mg 2x a day

 

-- If WD symptoms can get worse the lower you go, at what point do you just jump and get it all over with?

 

I appreciate any and all input. TIA

 

 

[[Pa...]]

Are you using a mouth guard, you would probably benefit from asking your dentist to make one for you.  This would protect your teeth from any grinding but also give you a bit of confidence that you’re doing all you can to keep your teeth in good working order. 

 

The purpose of a taper is to hopefully remain functional while you rid yourself of the drug.  After the drug has been eliminated there is recovery and it can last awhile so for quality of life purposes, it makes sense to live your best life while tapering slowly because once the drug is gone, you won’t have it to mitigate your symptoms.

 

By tapering slowly, you’re allowing your body to regain the functions it lost to the drug, reducing and holding are the tools we use so while it feels counter productive to do this, its the best way we know to get free of the drug. 

 

How many times a day you dose is completely up to you, if you’re not dealing with interdose withdrawal then you can dose once a day but I would think twice would be better.  Of course, eventually, all doses have to go but I’d hold off for as long as possible.

 

Some members do report increased symptoms as they get lower in dose, others feel better the lower they get, but I’d say most struggle. 

 

Jumping off the drug too soon will most likely result in painful symptoms, most members report acute withdrawal after they jump but it seems to settle into just plain symptoms in 1-3 weeks.  Typical recovery for those who have taken the drug long term is between 1-2 years.

 

I’ve read other member discuss teeth problems, you might want to use these search functions, they work better than the forums. http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=251991.0

 

I know I probably haven’t answered all of your questions and I’m sure you don’t like the answers I did provide but I’m arming you with information you need to know.

[[ca...]]

Thank you Pamster. You have answered most of them. I know slow and steady is best, I'm just frustrated and weary. Tired of this being the focus of my life for the past 2 years.

 

I do have a night guard which I use every night. I have had one for years. Teeth grinding was one of the reasons I stopped my SSRI in the first place, it exacerbates my grinding tendency. I have also see a TMJ specialist. I have almost no cartilage left in my jaw so the increased grinding with each cut and the length of time it's taking, causes me more anxiety. vicious cycle.

 

Thanks again.

[[Pa...]]

I can understand why you’re worried, these drugs take a toll on every part of our body.