I know I’m new but need help BAD❤️🙏 (Other post didn’t show)

[[Li...]]

*Omg I’m new here I know but PLEASE PLEASE help. I hope I’m posting alright:/ im 47 yrs old. I’m hooked on 8 mg klonopin & take 8 mg tramadol. Tram 15 years & klon 2 years. I started klonopin when my kiddo was on respirator for months in hospital (Covid) & obviously scared to death & I tried numbing myself. He’s home ok now THANK GOD! OK now fix myself lol. Reading these posts has me sooo scared & confused. Can we talk mg? That’s all I know, I’m sorry. I’m having panic attacks reading these posts. My doc put me on 4 mg klon gradually. I had tons extra from my moms & took those so 8 mg daily :/ I want off bad. Don’t feel safe driving kiddos, I feel NOTHING, starting to have bad health issues at once I’m sure related, etc. No one hardly knows I abuse due to job etc (built tolerance I guess & function well that high). Am I reading it takes some people a year or more to stop  1-3 mg klon?? ( I once had my purse stolen & lost my script of 3 mg daily klon & doc basically said sorry about luck & sent me home with Gabapentin & said I’d be fine. W/d day 2 bad anxiety-I got klon from friend luckily). Anyway not point yet. I’ll talk mad at docs later lol. I need to help MYSELF first clearly & clarify what doing. I was under impression from friends I could take HALF PILL LESS DAILY EACH WEEK or even ONE PILL DAILY less EACH WEEK—lowering .5 mg-1mg weekly). Couple school teachers did that & said just nervous & trouble sleeping but worked fine etc. That wouldn’t take long as what I’m reading. I’m sorry but I’m SO SCARED. I have kiddos & can’t be sick for a year. That’s absurd. Please tell me I’m reading wrong. Yes I should have followed doc orders but all I cared about was whether kiddo made it out alive & kept numbing, building tolerance. I can’t even conceive idea of trying live my crazy life sick for months, year or more!! It would be impossible. I have always had some stress problems anyway b4 klon & I def can’t deal with all that! Just praying I’m confused here on the few posts I read. I started shaking at each post & decided to just ask u guys. *what is best taper schedule for 8 mg klon habit for 2 years* (oh & stopping tram after 15 years. & one drug at time or together? Sorry long I know u guys all have prob & I pray for u all. Just hoping I misread & there is the hope I thought I had! It sounded much easier from a couple people. I feel rude barging in new & not asking about others. I’m just so confused. Can’t get weights here so I only know mg. Thank you & so sorry if sound selfish. I just got scared & couldn’t read anymore :/ good luck 🙏thx listening to new girl❤️

[[Co...]]

Hello @[Li...]. Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

I've approved your introductory post - future posts do not require approval. You might now edit the title of your topic.

I am busy, and only have time to approve your message. But I expect that other members will be along soon enough to help you.

Good luck.

[[PE...]]

Hi @[Li...] and welcome to  benzobuddies

I'm afraid you didn't read wrong and 8mg clona is a lot. I was also on big doses. If you can you should talk to your doctor about a taper and inform him about your current dose. The one you get from friends also. 

 

[[pi...]]

Hello @[Li...] and welcome to Benzo Buddies from me as well,

Yes, you are on a very high dose of klonopin. However it is possible to successfully taper off. I agree with @[ne...] that it is important to be upfront about your dosage with your provider. Hopefully they will be willing to prescribe that dose once you affirm a desire to safely taper off. 

It won’t be a fast or speedy process. A slow taper will be the best plan. We generally recommend reducing no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days. 

It must hav been very scary to see your child have such a severe case of Covid. I hope they are well now so you can focus on your future health and well-being.

You will receive a lot of support and information here to help you with your taper, it is doable.

[[Li...]]

No my doc is very strict/judgemental & says to seek professional help & if I have problem go rehab when I told him I lost my script b4.  been through that. I have decent number klon. But where taking 8 tramadol daily too do I need to quit tram first or can I taper both same time? I know tram lowers seizure threshold too so I’m scared in every direction I go 🤦‍♀️ my fam is not going to deal w/ me sick for weeks, especially longer. If taking 8 of both a day I heard u could lower dosage at larger % in the beginning of taper like 25%?? Is that wrong? I have my phone now (kiddo broke last one) so I can check here again for guidance if anyone can help. I’m sooo scared but was taking 10 pills of each drug weeks ago, now 8 still.  So I’m at 8 mg klon daily (& 8 tram 50 mg each). I’m soooo scared. All facilities I call say w/d that long is completely unnecessary. What do u guys think I should do? I have kids, I can’t die or have some horrible seizure etc. thank u ❤️ I’m clueless on this 

[[PE...]]

7 minutes ago, [[L...] said:

No my doc is very strict/judgemental & says to seek professional help & if I have problem go rehab when I told him I lost my script b4.  been through that. I have decent number klon. But where taking 8 tramadol daily too do I need to quit tram first or can I taper both same time? I know tram lowers seizure threshold too so I’m scared in every direction I go 🤦‍♀️ my fam is not going to deal w/ me sick for weeks, especially longer. If taking 8 of both a day I heard u could lower dosage at larger % in the beginning of taper like 25%?? Is that wrong? I have my phone now (kiddo broke last one) so I can check here again for guidance if anyone can help. I’m sooo scared but was taking 10 pills of each drug weeks ago, now 8 still.  So I’m at 8 mg klon daily (& 8 tram 50 mg each). I’m soooo scared. All facilities I call say w/d that long is completely unnecessary. What do u guys think I should do? I have kids, I can’t die or have some horrible seizure etc. thank u ❤️ I’m clueless on this 

When in extreme doses. Witch 8mg can be seen as, many make a really big cut first thing. Like half of it. And then start a regular taper when you stabilized.

All about how you react to it. No don't taper the opiate at the same time. It's much easier to stop then benzo IMO.

 

[[Li...]]

So just quit taking the tramadol now u think? & taper klon same time? Making sure I understand right. Thk u so much for any help ❤️so scared

Edited March 21 by [Li...]

[[PE...]]

4 minutes ago, [[L...] said:

So just quit taking the tramadol now u think? & taper klon same time? Making sure I understand right. Thk u so much for any help ❤️so scared

No I meant wait with it

One substance at the time. But tram is not far as hard to stop as benzos!

 

[[Li...]]

Great tram felt HORRIBLE for over month. I’ve been there few times. I can’t imagine worse. Klon freakin sucks, I’m so mad I did this with two drugs. This is sooo scary. Thx  for response. ❤️

[[PE...]]

38 minutes ago, [[P...] said:

No I meant wait with it

One substance at the time. But tram is not far as hard to stop as benzos!

Also remember, being scared is a symptom. It will be with you for awhile. 

[[Li...]]

Thk u so so much. Just scared of seizure as I know tram lowers ur seizure threshold as does coming off klon. I don’t ever want another seizure. Last time I had one was when coming off xan (quickly) & taking tram so I was debating which to do first. Seems like double whammy now for seizures coming off klon first & then tram but like I said I’m clueless. I’m glad u guys have understanding! So Thk u so much for ur help & taking time to talk to stranger lol. I’ve been thru too many scenarios in my head & ur right-I need to Remember being scared is symptom. Plus I’m freaking my own self out thinking too much. I’ll update u hopefully lol.  Thks again ❤️*** if anyone else been on both drugs together & trying come off please let me know or if educated on it like peepe. would be nice to know someone did what I’m doing or knows someone etc  ❤️ just DO NOT WANT SEIZURE. ❤️

[[PE...]]

17 minutes ago, [[L...] said:

Thk u so so much. Just scared of seizure as I know tram lowers ur seizure threshold as does coming off klon. I don’t ever want another seizure. Last time I had one was when coming off xan (quickly) & taking tram so I was debating which to do first. Seems like double whammy now for seizures coming off klon first & then tram but like I said I’m clueless. I’m glad u guys have understanding! So Thk u so much for ur help & taking time to talk to stranger lol. I’ve been thru too many scenarios in my head & ur right-I need to Remember being scared is symptom. Plus I’m freaking my own self out thinking too much. I’ll update u hopefully lol.  Thks again ❤️*** if anyone else been on both drugs together & trying come off please let me know or if educated on it like peepe. would be nice to know someone did what I’m doing or knows someone etc  ❤️ just DO NOT WANT SEIZURE. ❤️

Here someone coming off benzos is no stranger!

I never had one seems I'm not prone to it doing cold turkey's from huge doses.

I looked at vids on YouTube and it looks nasty. I like being in control and that must be the most uncontrollable situation to go through. 

 

[[kn...]]

I took 4mg of Klonopin and 1 mg of Ativan for nearly 30 years.  About the only thing my first provider did that came out well was to cross me over to an equal amount of diazepam.  My combined dosages of the two equalled 60mgs of Diazepam.  I agree whole heartedly with @[PE...].  I would't try to get rid of both meds at the same time. The daily computations, anxiety about cutting and physical symptoms from the taper may take you out of comission badly.  Diazepam pills are much larger, easier to chop up with a pill cutter and have a longer  half life (about 10 days) so the taper is a bit more forgiving.  Yes, you can go down fairly quickly at the higher dosages.  When I was at 60mg at the beginning of my taper, 2.5 years ago, I could cut 10 mg at a time and get by with it.  When you get down to ten or so, you'll have to obtain a scale and micro-dose.  Oral solutions of diazepam are available, but drs. are reticent to prescribe and I've heard some on the BB site who say that the consistency of the pills does not necessarily equate to the same amount of mg as the pills.  Whatever the case may be for you, this is just my choice and doesn't necessarily mean that you should do the same.  It does take a bunch of time to accomplish all this.  Like I say, I've been at this going on three years and am down to 4mg.  But if you do it right (different for everyone) you can be successful without being in bed and non functional.  Best wishes.  Keep us up to date on how things go.   

[[Li...]]

Thk u so much. Makes me feel better!!! U guys are so nice. I know I’m a stranger & just hopped on here begging for advice :/ Terrified of seizure w/ kiddos around. Wish I was only on klon & no tramadol but it is what it is. This is giving me some good info so not clueless. Thx soooo much ❤️🙏best of wishes to u too!! We will all get there I’m sure. Stupid pharma comp & docs need to educate b4 putting us on this! I’d never taken that amount if knew this bad. 

[[je...]]

Hi @[Li...]

You mentioned that you've had seizures before when you were coming off Xanax? What dose were you on and how did you reduce the Xanax? It's really important with a history of seizures to manage your taper correctly. 

[[Li...]]

I was taking about 6 mg of Xanax  & about 10 tramadol for a few months a few years ago. Quit cold turkey on Xanax as I ran out & I had seizure. Was on tram only.  I kept saying I was going to cut back & kept getting scared or kiddos would need me & b4 I knew my pills were low- u know how goes. ER doc said tram lowers seizure threshold & coming off Xanax does too. He said too much on brain. He did some brain scans & said I was ok (no damage) & sent me home w/ nothing & said to talk to fam doc-the judgemental one who said get professional help  won’t lie-took more than prescribed, (my other kiddo had eating disorder in hospital & I was having panic attacks over it) so he was unenthused w/ me being irresponsible. He just said get prof help from addiction facility etc. I thought “maybe” I’d be better off coming off tram first since it lowers seizure threshold & THEN tapering Benzos slowly. Thoughts? I felt like death once when going off tram (worse than hydrocodone even). But no seizure that time when benzo not involved just pain which I can survive. 🤦‍♀️I know it’s my fault & stupid for going back on but when crisis hit it was first thing I could think of to numb self. I was panicking for my kid & I feel like I can get thru anything on tram & klon (this time). I feel like idiot. Thank u guys so much for advice. You guys are so sweet here ❤️

[[je...]]

I’m not very familiar with Tramadol. How do you get a dose of 8mg? The lowest I was able to find is 25mg. 

[[Li...]]

Sorry I was taking taking 8-10 tram (50 mg) & about 6 mg xan when seizure years ago quitting xan cold turkey,  Now I’m taking 8-10 tram (50 mg-always the mg they seem to prescribe where I live)& my 8 mg klon now   so yea stuck on both. Tram is similar to hydrocodone but weaker but everyone says it has anti depressant properties with it b/c it helps w/ dopamine too.  Not real familiar w/ science behind it but just know I love it but have to quit. Docs don’t want to prescribe it anymore. It’s becoming the new hydrocodone here b/c docs refuse to prescribe narcotics so everyone is being cut off it too :/ 

[[Li...]]

Also has many seized by tapering klon? Obviously I’m one prone to seizure coming off these so curious if anyone seizes by tapering 

[[je...]]

1 hour ago, [[L...] said:

 Now I’m taking 8-10 tram (50 mg-always the mg they seem

I’m sorry I don’t understand what this means. Are you taking 10 of the 50mg pills? Can you also tell me what this is prescribed for? It’s just important to understand your medical history. 

[[Ho...]]

Hi there,

First, I agree with you 'bout not telling your current doctor your dose. He/she will likely feel the best path is to cut you off, and that is the opposite of true.

I'm not a doctor, so this is not medical advice but if I were you, I'd stay on the Tramadol for sure. It has antidepressant properties that may help while you are on this journey.

I had a psychiatrist for meds only, but she told me of a patient she had helped get off 6 mg Clonazepam. She got him off in a year, which I think was way too fast. He was an attorney who'd been on Clonazepam for 30 years. It took him three years to feel like himself again. And by the way, he was 83! So you can do this.

You've got to get back to the doctor's prescription level. Sometimes people take deeper cuts at first and then slow down. You'll have to decide your best path, but slow is easier in the long run. Some people walk off pretty gently. You never know how you'll be, but you can do this. Thousands have! You can too.

There are a lot of people here who can help you come up with a titration schedule. Take advantage of all the help and think about the advice that's given here. Doctors know almost nothing about this. The FDA knows: During the opioid crisis, as they interviewed thousands, they stumbled across many who'd suffered protracted benzo withdrawal, or what is now called BIND (Benzodiazepine Induced Neurological Dysfunction).  As of 2020 all benzodiazepines have a new warning. However the FDA didn't send out dear doctor letters, so doctors still prescribe benzos and know nothing about the warning.

Stupidly the warning is only on the paperwork that physicians and pharmacists see. Not patients'! It's nuts.

But there you have it. This is the best place for help and advice (and the benzo warrior Facebook group.)

Keep moving forward! It's the only way to get to the other side. And it's a lot better there!

Warmly,

HCHC