clonazepam withdrawal (tolerance) symptoms question.

[[jo...]]

First of all wanna say hi to all BB members, I was here little while back, tried to do withdrawal from Clonazepam but had hard time, Anyways my question is I'm on 2.5mg right now, and slowly tapering of by direct taper by 0.125mg per day for 2 weeks,then another 1/4mg, its almost second week of taper, but having bad withdrawal symptoms,there where present before taper while in tolerance,but not bad as now , such as ( poor memory, contracation, its hard to function/focus on things, muscle spasams-bad ones sometime, and kinda joints pain,all over body aches thing,light dizzines).

Are those normal side effect of withdrawal,or something else ?.And are there any vitamins or something that would help easy symptoms.

Thank you all for reading and help.

 

Johnny.

[[fi...]]

I think you're tapering too fast.  Most recommendations are to taper by 5-10% every 10-14 days.  Personally, that was too aggressive for me and I am tapering by .125 mg. every month and hold when I need to.  Slower is better.  I've been the fast route before and could not handle the horrific symptoms. 

 

I want to be off of Klonopin today, but I know I have to listen to my body and tapering slowly is what has worked best for me.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sincerely,

 

fg

[[...]]

Agree with Fisherguy, too fast dude. But the stuff you describe are pretty much how I feel with the exception being I have extreme dizziness, I think if it were me I would slow it down some, it is not a race and then it may not be so rough on you. Just my opinion. I hope you feel better and do not worry, it sounds like typical stuff.

[[He...]]

Hi Johnny,

 

I have had some good results using supplements but I know many people feel that they only sensitive their nervous systems further.  For me, the use of niacin, powdered vitamin c, and amino acids such as tryptophan have been very helpful.  I also do a lot of juicing and switched to a gluten-free diet to assist in the detoxing process.

 

Best of luck!

 

Karen

[[pi...]]

Hi Johnny,

 

Welcome back to Benzo Buddies!!!

 

You are indeed tapering fast from a very powerful drug. It would be best if you slowed down the taper and even hold when the symptoms become too tough.  We are all in a hurry to get rid of these meds, but slow and steady wins the race.

 

I would also be careful about adding supplements, a lot of buddies have found they rev up their symptoms.  You might read the "Alternative Therapies and supplements Board".

 

Here is a link to that: http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=110.0

 

Please feel free to ask questions.

 

pianogirl

[[Fe...]]

I agree way too fast!!! Please slow down if your doctor will let you.

[[jo...]]

Im in no rush to taper fast,the lowest cut i can make is 0.125mg,pills are 1mg, and adiction-ph that im seeing says that direct taper is best way, and he does not care if takes me 3 or 5 years to come of ,but would not prescribe valium. Ill just extend period of each cut, and see how body reacts.

Thank you all for help.

[[fi...]]

Can you get a prescription for the .5 mg. pills?  That's what I had to do.

 

Sincerely,

 

fg

[[jo...]]

Yea im pretty sure i can, as doc told he could do that, i have appt in about month and half, and i will ask for 0.5mg pills.

[[fi...]]

That's great.  That's really the only way I could begin tapering, since the 1 mg. pills were too hard to cut to a smaller dose.

 

fg

[[Ma...]]

Hello, I am seeing an holistic doctor that seems extremely good.  I have not yet started my Klonopin taper from 6 mgs, as I am currently coming off Lamactil.    The Lamactil was causing me extreme anxiety.

 

A GP gave me a script for Hydroyzine, which is a powerful antihistimine, like benadryl.  It supposedly works with benzos, meaning, no ill effects combing the two.  Just thought I'd tell you that.

 

I can't speak for K withdrawal yet, but the doctor has me taking: fish oil omega-3, lethicin, choline and b vitamins.  Just this week he prescribed me some herbs to make tea from which are: scullcap, damiana, and oat straw.  He said to make a pot of tea of that and drink it all day.

 

I took my first dose of hydroyzine last night and I did sleep.  I am only on day two of Lamactil total withdrawal, after tapering down by 25 mgs ever about 11 days.  Usually the third though fifth day is the worst, and pretty bad a few days after.  Anyway, just telling you what herbs adn vitamins were givin to me by this doc who I think is very excellent in his field. ( helping people get off drugs)

[[fi...]]

My only initial concern might be the Skullcap, since it can interact with Klonopin:

 

Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with BAIKAL SKULLCAP

 

Baikal skullcap might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness and drowsiness are called sedatives. Taking Baikal skullcap along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

 

Some of these sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and others.

 

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-903-BAIKAL%20SKULLCAP.aspx?activeIngredientId=903&activeIngredientName=BAIKAL%20SKULLCAP#vit_interactions

 

Sincerely,

 

fg