Can Klonopin Withdrawal cause Back pain?

[[Ho...]]

So to start off, I have been on ativan for 4 years now came off and went on klonopin. Been on it for 5 months.  I decided this year to come off all ssris and i am in the process of coming off the klonopin(slow taper). Went from 1mg to 0.75 in 3weeks. Out of nowhere this week I started experiencing extreme anxiety to the point where I could not look people including my family in the eye, keep in mind I’m a social butterfly. I have also been experiencing excruciating nerve and back pain that landed me in the ER. I suspected a kidney infection or shingles but all the tests came back normal. Went back again twice because the pain was that bad. Numbness and pain in my hip too. They dismissed me because once again all the tests came back normal. Can Klonopin withdrawal cause nerve like back pain????

[[...]]

Hi, @[Ho...], welcome to BenzoBuddies! So good you've found us.

Yes, klonopin as well as other benzo can cause nerve like back pain and other unpleasant up to unbearable sensations, especially while in the process of its withdrawing. The good news is such symptoms don't mean we're really ill. It's just a way our brain recovers and they are supposed to subside over time.

I think it'd be good for you to start a thread concerning the process of tapering on Taper Strategies forum here. A proper taper is often the key. I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will help you to come up with the most reasonable taper plan. 

As for ssris, please, be careful with them too. It's usually recommended to come off benzo first and start tapering off of antidepressants one by one later only when you feel +- stabilised.

Hope other folks will join in and share their thoughts and experience too. Good luck to you!)

[[pi...]]

Hello @[Ho...] and welcome to the forum from me as well!

Benzos are pretty efficient muscle relaxers. When reduced or discontinued the muscles have  to learn to relax naturally. Muscle and nerve pain were my worse and longest lasting symptoms. They did eventually go away completely. Many people find Epsom salt baths to be helpful with this. I also did gentle stretching and use a non drug topical called Biofreeze. 

Klonopin is a very strong benzo and your cut was pretty aggressive. We generally suggest reducing no more than 5-10% very 10-14 days. It’s important to listen to your body and allow it to adjust to th dose reductions.

Were you feeling pretty recovered after stopping ssri’s?

[[Bu...]]

Hi, @[Ho...]! Oh, yes, I had incredible neck and back pain during tapering that i thought something was seriously wrong. I guess our muscles are learning to work on their own again. Very normal, just care of yourself!

[[Ho...]]

In 2020 before having my son I was on Ativan, citalapram and Anfranil. Came off of it all as soon as I found out I was pregnant . Everything was good until I hit month 7 then I started experiencing all sort of physical and emotional symptoms like constantly crying over the slightest thing, severe back pain with tingling and numbness. The doctors told me it’s normal to have back /nerve pain  in pregnancy and they never took me seriously. Would cry everyday for my child to be born so I can go on pain meds to relieve the pain. Went back to SSRI’s and Benzos and the back pain disappeared which I thought was weird. Now that I’m tapering off its back and I would have never thought it was the benzos that were causing me this immense nerve like back pain. I have seen countless doctors including chronic pain specialists and neurologists and no one could tell me what was wrong with me. I am so relieved to know it was these damn benzos!!! Where do I go from here. Please Help! I’ have two children I can’t be bed ridden again like last week. I had to go back to 1.5 to make the pain go away. Please help!

Edited Sunday at 08:02 by [Ho...]
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[[Ho...]]

I keep jumping from 0.75 to 1 and now back to 1.5. Pain was too much on 0.75 and when I went back to 1 pain was still there. Every time I taper I feel like I have gotten run over by a truck. Whole body is on fire and in severe pain. How do I cope with all this pain:( Gabapetin 100mg is not helping with the withdrawal pains. How do I slowly taper off 1.5? 

[[Ct...]]

My heart goes out to you, @[Ho...]. Jumping around in your Klonopin dose (from 1 to .75 to 1 to 1.5) is not advisable. I suggest that you stabilize at 1.5 mg before you make any further changes. After that, I suggest you reduce by 5% and hold for 2 weeks. As @[pi...] suggested, applying Biofreeze to your back may offer you some relief.

Edited Sunday at 11:42 by [Ct...]