Switch from Ativan to Clonazepam

[[So...]]

So I'm into my taper plan from 1mg Ativan and down to .375mg dry cut. Things were going fairly well, except for daytime anxiety and only getting 5 hrs of sleep a night. 2-3 days ago I started to develop high blood pressure, lots of heart pounding. Today I'm in my GP's office and my pulse is racing and BP high. So she wants to completely take me off the .375mg Ativan and switch to .25mg Clonazepam (aka Klonopin), in addition to taking Propranolol 20mg once a day to help with the BP (it's working so far, just took the first dose, whew!).

 

I'm a bit concerned about starting a new drug and doing the switch. Supposed to take the first dose tonight. Should I be concerned? Having tons of anxiety during the day on the Ativan, the Clonazepam is supposed to be long acting with less ups and downs during the day. Any advice appreciated!

[[So...]]

Can anyone point me to where I can get info on taper plans for .25mg Clonazepam (aka Klonopin)? Also, what is the difference with a titration plan? Would love if someone here could help lay out a general plan.

 

Thanks!

 

[[An...]]

Hi,  just wondering how your cross over is doing.  I am attempting to switch from ativan to clonazepam as well slowly. To scared to do the switch right away.

[[So...]]

It's actually going well! There are good and bad days, depending on my sleep quality - I seem to be getting up to pee alot, that's a problem. But I've been averaging 6-7 hrs of sleep so that is an improvement over the Ativan. I'm now down to .1875mg of Klonopin/clonazepam. It's a longer acting benzo so I don't get the mood swings, irritability and weird withdrawal symptoms like I use to. Some days I even feel "normal" again. Since I'm still getting over the pneumonia I had in Jan, my energy level is still low, but I am seeing improvement. My doctor got me off the Ativan and switched me to the clonazepam/Klonopin and I'm glad she did - at least I've been able to get the sleep to get better. My blood pressure is also back down - it shot up when I was tapering too fast off the Ativan. It was really stressing my body!

 

Hope this helps you to make a decision. I know it's yet another drug, but for me it's working. Talk to your doc and read the forums to get some more opinions. Hang in there!

 

 

Hi,  just wondering how your cross over is doing.  I am attempting to switch from ativan to clonazepam as well slowly. To scared to do the switch right away.

 

[[An...]]

Thanks sonic em!  How fast are you doing your taper?  I feel more drugged nd drowsy on the clonazepam. Did you feel this? Also did you cross taper directly or did you do it gradually? Hope it's going good for you.

[[So...]]

Hi! My taper is weekly, but I listen to my body. Sometimes it's sooner, sometimes a stay a little longer. This week I'm having terrible withdrawal symptom of increased thirst. My mouth, throat and now chest are all dry. Keeps me up at night. So yes I feel drowsy during the day from getting not good sleep. So until this stabilizes I will probably keep the same amount.

 

My doc also just Rx me a lower pill amount - .125mg so I can manage my taper better. I crossed tapered directly from Ativan to Klonopin. Dropped the Ativan since it was causing many withdrawal symptoms.

 

Thanks sonic em!  How fast are you doing your taper?  I feel more drugged nd drowsy on the clonazepam. Did you feel this? Also did you cross taper directly or did you do it gradually? Hope it's going good for you.

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[Guest [wi...]]

Hey guys! I crossed from ativan to K a looong time ago simply because ativan was giving terrible interdose withdrawal. I had no problems whatsoever and reduced down pretty easily.

 

I'm crossing to valium and have to pee constantly too! I'm wondering if I have a uti and should see a doctor, considering it.

[[So...]]

Hey guys! I crossed from ativan to K a looong time ago simply because ativan was giving terrible interdose withdrawal. I had no problems whatsoever and reduced down pretty easily.

 

I'm crossing to valium and have to pee constantly too! I'm wondering if I have a uti and should see a doctor, considering it.

 

I have not been on the benzos for long - only took them because my doc prescribed them to help anxiety and insomnia from pneumonia I had in Jan this year. But I read it's still very strong in some people and I guess I'm one of those drug sensitive types. The doc started me on Ativan but like you was having bad interdose withdrawal. The Klonopin actually helped and was better for me - for a while.

 

Went down to .125mg Klonopin but was plagued with dry throat/chest which is a know side effect/withdrawal symptom. Could not take it any more so my doc suggested I go cold turkey and took last .125mg dose Friday night. Now having rebound insomnia, chest worse, anxiety. Staying home today and trying to hang in there.

[[Cl...]]

Sonic, how are you doing. I just crossed over from 0.25 of Ativan to 0.125mg of Klonopin and am miserable...

[[Kl...]]

Make sure your Doctor is aware of the Ashton Manual....which recommends crossing over to valium to taper because valium has such a long half life (200 hours). Klonapin has a bad rap with some on BB. The rumor is that it binds more tightly to the benzo receptors and so wd symptoms continue for months/years  after you have tapered off of the drug.

[[An...]]

Klondike i am on clonazepam or klonopin. How are feeling since being off the Valium?  How was your changeover?

[[Kl...]]

Klondike i am on clonazepam or klonopin. How are feeling since being off the Valium?  How was your changeover?

 

The c/o went well....crossed to 7.5mg/day valium. I slept a lot for the first 2 weeks and I needed the sleep. I also only needed to dose twice a day. I crossed very quickly and tapered quickly .... I don't know if I recommend that (see my schedule on my signature block). Symptoms have become fairly mild for the past month....a few bad days but nothing as bad as several months ago.

[[An...]]

Klondike with these rumors that withdrawal symptoms last longer with klonopin. Do you think switching to Valium might help? The last thing I want is that. I know switching to clonazepam helped in terms of sx compared to the Ativan which was like falling into the pit of hell. 

[[Kl...]]

Klondike with these rumors that withdrawal symptoms last longer with klonopin. Do you think switching to Valium might help? The last thing I want is that. I know switching to clonazepam helped in terms of sx compared to the Ativan which was like falling into the pit of hell.

 

That is a huge question and I have only been reading BB for 9 months. There are a lot of veteran BB members here with much more history who may be better qualified to address your question. I believe that, based on what I have read here, Klonopin and Xanax seem to cause problems long after you have quite benzos.....more like for a year or two instead of the usual 4-6 months....but this is a very broad brush generalization and there are so many individual factors like age, sex, length and strength of dose, other medications, etc.  You might want to open a new thread in the forum with a title like...." Which benzo has the worst post benzo effects" or " should I switch and taper on Valium or Klonopin"

 

Also...some people do react badly to valium....especially at very high doses it has a reputation for causing depression. I crossed at 0.75mgs/day ATivan, which is a low dose....and I had no big problems with depression from the Valium. God bless.