clonazepam withdrawal

[nan828]

I feel like I'm going crazy... what is the best way to get off this drug. What can help with the horrible side effects. Sweating, on going panic attacks, headaches, sinus pressure,feeling loss of coordination, easily startled, pounding burning heart.Barely leave my house, having a hard time functioning. Feel best in my bed. I'm 16 days into a wean..taking .5mgs 2x a day. I was taking up to 3 mgs a day for 4 years.
This is my third time. first taken off cold turkey, put back on.Then was weaned too fast. put back on .
Now the plan is .5 mgs 2x aday for 4 wks, then .5 for 4 weeks then, ..5 every other day for 2 weeks. I feel horrible now.. how can this wean work? Plus I have no dr. The one who put me on this schedule i met at the hospital, the only way I can see him is to attend out patient substance abuse programs . The other dr in my area wants to put me on depakote to detx for a few days in the hospital.This is no way to live.

[Mindjet]

I know exactly what you're feeling and going through. I had the same experience last year. Was on 6 mg./day for a full year and had to titrate down to 3mg/day for a month and then to .5mg x2/day. Don't bother with the Depakote, it won't make it any easier. I know, I tried it. Clonazepam is one of the worst drugs on the market and should be pulled by the FDA. It serves absolutely no purpose except to treat seizure disorders.... The anxiety and panic attacks I was having before I started the Clonazepam were like a walk in the park compared to the anxiety and withdrawal symptoms I had when I tried to stop taking it. The best thing you can do is NOT listen to any of these doctors who want to put you on a titration schedule that will have you reducing your daily dose by more than .5mg/day for any less time than 8 weeks at a time. So, if you currently take 3mg/day, drop down to 2.5mg/day for 8 weeks. Then drop down to 2mg/day for another 8 weeks, and so on.... If you try to move any faster, you'll cause yourself enormous amount of unnecessary pain and suffering. You may even have to wean down slower since you've been on it for several years. You might need to move in 12 week increments rather than 8 week increments. That's okay. There is nothing you can take to mitigate the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Nothing. All you can do is move very, very slowly, and listen to your body. You shouldn't have to experience anything more than a small bit of discomfort during the process. Some of the withdrawal symptoms I was having consisted of uncontrollable shaking, intense muscle spasms, profuse sweating, stammering, stuttering, intense headaches, loss of taste, smell, and feeling throughout my body, insomnia, sky high blood pressure and rapid heart rate. There were more, but those were the worst. Of course, if my doctor would not have weaned me off so quickly, I could have avoided all of it. I couldn't even go to work or talk on the phone. The process should take about a full year if it's done correctly. There's no reason to have to go through so much pain and completely withdraw from life for six months. It's gotta go really, really slow, so you can still function, not suffer any pain, and still move toward the end goal of reducing your body's dependence on the drug.

[nan828]

i'm somewhat stable not great at .5 2x a day.some days are better than others. they started me there since i was 8 days without any during the horrible fast wean where i ended up in the hospital. what would be the correct wean from here. the next cut will be to .5 1 x a day for 4 weeks. that seems like 2 much to me. how do you wean when its at such a low dose.

[Mindjet]

Best thing you can do is go to .25mg x 2/day. You either buy .25mg pills, or just bite the .5mg pills in half. Make sure you keep taking the .25mg dose two dimes a day for at least 8 weeks and listen to your body. You should feel some slight discomfort about two weeks into the wean and then it will dissipate. If your body goes into too much shock when you try to finally go to .25mg twice/day, go back to the .5mg twice per day for another 4 weeks. There's no rush and it's not a race. The important thing is not to put your body into a state of trauma, which is what happens during withdrawal. The last stop is to just go to .25 once/day and keep doing it for another 8 weeks. I know it sounds crazy to take such a small amount for 8 weeks, but if you don't, your body will experience very real trauma and you'll be raked with pain all over again. Good luck and just take your time. Don't let the doctor's rush you. They have no idea how severe the withdrawal pain is and just think you're being a big baby. Unless they've experienced it for themselves, they just don't have any way of knowing. It's ironic that they help people to quit taking taking crystal meth by giving them daily doses of methadone to eliminate the withdrawal, but they don't do anything to help people quit taking these benzodiazapenes. They don't even acknowledge how painful it is.

[nan828]

i saw an addiction specialist on 8-4. He upped the clonaezapam to 1 mg 2x a day. added gabapentin 300mgs 3x day and methyphenid 10 mgs. he said to trust him and do this for a month and then he would talk to me about what to do next????

[nan828]

how is it the same category

[nan828]

I've been jerked around by so many ds. This dr is an addiction specialist. He told me trust him and try his method for a month. I was very resistant. But I have noone else to treat me. He didn't even lower the clonazepam, he upped it. He said I had to stabilize. that I was having protracted withdrawal symptoms.
I am afraid to do this on my own. I feel a dr should monitor the wean. How do i find the right dr. When ive disagreed with them in the past about taking meds, they want me to go into a "mental health facility" They tell me i dont want to get better. This is very frustrating.

[Mindjet]

First of all, I'm sorry you have to through this painful disaster. As I mentioned, I went through the exact same nightmare two years ago and I unknowingly checked into a 'mental health' facility. I only went to the hospital because of my chronic panic attacks and major depression. They don't let anyone leave unless they give you a "clean enough" bill of health. Kept me there for 2 weeks. It was awful. I actually felt like an outsider among the rest of the patients who were trying to detox from krystal meth, cocaine, alcohol, herioin, etc.

Anyway, I was having all the same symptoms as you, including profuse sweating, tremors, and serious confusion. I was so confused, I couldn't do the most tasks. All of it was from the downward titration of the clonazepam.

Gabapentin and clonazepam both aim to minimize nerve pain in the body as well as minimizing seizures. However, they are in two distinctly different classes and, as such, utilize two different methods of action. They aren't even chemically similar and don't share any of the same properties at the molecular level. I took Gabapenin when I decided to stop taking the drug also. I didn't experience any withdrawal at all when I stopped taking it. On the positive side, it helped minimize the severe nerve pain I was having throughout my whole body.

From everything you've said, it think you should definitely proceed with your doctor who is the addiction specialist - but proceed with cautious optimism. The reason he increased your dose is because you tried to wean down to quickly. The reason he prescribed gabapentin is to help you with the nerve pain and, now this is key, prevent you from having a seizure as your body gets less and less of the drug you've been taking for a pretty long time. The two drugs that will cause seizures when you start taking less and less of them are alcohol and clonazepam.

So, I think he knows what he''s doing. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your doctor and do your own research online. And this forum is a good place to get answers or just vent. Oh, and don't forget, Gabapentin is not habit-forming and is in no way considered to be a drug that induces painful withdrawal when you stop taking it.

You'll get through this, I promise. Just be patient and go slowly. One of the comments made earlier in the forum stated that it only took two weeks for her to wean off it completely. Everyone's body is different. And most importantly, you need to know that the longer you have been on the medication at possibly higher doses, the longer it will take you to get off it. Your addiction doctor seems to know what he's doing so far, so stick with him and be cautious of any knew medication he prescribes for you. Bottom line is that there shouldn't' be any new meds for him/her to prescribe. So if he/she does, you need to get in his/her face and demand to know why and re-assert your goal of being drug free.

Sorry this is so long, but I forgot one thing - DON'T GO TO A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY unless you are just unable to take care of yourself, develop a seizure disorder, your heart is racing to the point that it feels like it's going to explode, or you feel you are a danger to yourself or others. I remember that at one point when I was detoxing, I seriously wanted to die. Didn't make any plans to accomplish it, but I definitely was thinking about suicide. Like I said, everyone's different.

Keep me posted :)

[DJMontgomery1978]

First of all, you are not going crazy. If you were crazy you wouldn't be reaching out for help online and through your Clinician. Secondly, Clonazepam is NOT the worst drug on the market; that's simply a matter of opinion. I have been where you've been, and I understand; quite frankly you are strides ahead, in terms of your taper off of Clonazepam ...in terms of time that is. I am in no rush, and I work full-time in a very stressful field. My co-workers & colleagues noticed changes in me, and I feared I was at risk of losing my job. I was sluggish, having an awful time waking up and often slurring words and not realizing it, especially when I had to do public speaking, or chair a meeting, etc.; all eyes were on me. Again I never realized the change, but others most certainly did; it was painfully obvious I was over-sedating myself. But I would BEG my Clinician for an increase in my dose, and he'd trust me and call in the prescription. I'm still taking it slowly in regards to my taper off of Clonazepam, after consulting with my Clinician, who is NOT an Addiction Specialist ...but instead my family Clinician with occassional visits to my Psychiatrist, naturally. Oh of course I would love to do it overnight but that is impossible; you could actually die from Benzodiazepine withdrawal, so take it easy ...at least try to :)

It has been weeks now so I sincerely hope you are doing well and that your Clinician is monitoring you VERY closely. I don't know where (geographically) you're at but it sounds like you are absolutely limited in your means of experienced Clinicians and are struggling with trusting them. Absolutely. Do not continue to go to a Clinician you cannot trust (or feel so); always trust YOUR instinct. I happen to live in a major metropolitan region where there are dozens of choices near me and dozens more in the city (a half an hour away), not to mention in-patient/rehabilitation facilities ...or even out-patient. I trust MY Clinician with my life, literally.

Get a second, third ...as many other professional opinions as you can until you find that "match," and you will know when. If you do not have many to choose from, do some research online. If you must, then get on that damned plane and see someone with a great reputation and experience ...believe me they're out there. I prefer private treatment but if money and/or insurance are an issue there are some wonderful county/state run facilities where there are terrific addiction specialists who will work with you. You don't need money to get quality treatment in this country today; a blessing. Neurontin and Depakote??!! That's totally ridiculous ...I've never heard of those medications being used as means of treatment for Benzodiazepine withdrawal. You might want to ask about Clonidine ...I didn't go that route but my Clinician DID mention it more than a few times, but I was already satisfied with our initial "plan".

I can say that I am not experiencing the severity of the physical symptoms you've described due to the withdrawal. I have however had problems with my legs (restlessness) and especially sleep (insomnia ...it was consistent). I began taking Clonazepam as prescribed with .5 mg over 3 years ago "as needed" for my nerves and anxiety. Embarrassing to admit ...but 8 months ago I was up to 6 mg (sometimes 8 mg ...my insurance fills 2 days early) ...when I began playing games like that at 31 years old ...well, that's when I knew I was addicted.

With my Clinician's help, I am now down to 1 mg of Clonazepam daily, and it has taken time & patience. This is not a medication you're going to get off of in two weeks! My Clinician used Diazepam to "substitute" for the Clonazepam. Because I was taking 2 mg of Clonazepam 3 times daily (6 mg total per day), he instead had me take one 10 mg tablet of Diazepam and two 2 mg tablets of Clonazepam daily, for about 4 weeks (4 mg of Clonazepam & 10 mg of Diazepam total per day; less than the equivalant of the 6 mg of Clonazepam I was initially on). Next, he prescribed 1 mg tablets of Clonazepam three times daily, still taking the 10 mg of Diazepam; another 4 weeks (3 mg Clonazepam and 10 mg of Diazepam total per day). He then tapered me down to 1 mg of Clonazepam twice daily and started me on 5 mg of Diazepam three times a day (2 mg of Clonazepam and 15 mg of Diazepam total per day). That was a bit more difficult and it took me about two months at that dose, but eventually he tapered me down to 5 mg of Diazepam twice daily and 1 mg of Clonazepam. This is where I am at presently... (1 mg of Clonazepam and 10 mg of Diazepam total per day). From 6 mg of Clonazepam to 1 mg total per day ...in four months and with little pain and suffering!! :)

I am still taking a "pill" three times a day, but the dose (mg) has decreased substantially. You see, it's more in your mind (at least it was with me) then you realize, and it certainly is physical too, hence the slow and gradual taper. I was in a "habit" of taking a pill three times a day, whether I needed it or not. There ARE going to be symptoms but they needn't be so severe, as you've described; sleeping WAS horrifying for me though. I have such confidence in my Clinician that I am positive I will be free of Clonazepam AND Diazepam by the end of the year. The few times I had very bad insomnia, he prescribed me 1 mg tablets of Lorazepam at bedtime ...but ONLY if I really was having a rough night (and you KNOW what I'm talking about!).

I do not have a medical degree, but I simply wanted to share with you how I am doing this, because it hasn't been that bad. I also will not let my Clinician, as much as I trust him (hence the Clonidine), tell me to take something if it's not working and especially if I'm suffering as a result; physically, emotionally or perhaps both. Remember ...you're paying them, so you have that right.

I hope my story can help you, or someone else out there ...or at least get you on the right track. You don't have to suffer. Hang in there, ok? I know you're going to make it; we BOTH will! Congratulations on how far you've come ...and GOOD LUCK! :D

[Mindjet]

D_

Glad the drug replacement therapy to counter harsh withdrawal from the Clonazepam has helped you so far. Be careful though, or at least aware that you may encounter some shakes and sweats and stuff when you're finally off all three meds. They're all in the same class and have the same withdrawal effects, although the Valium can be taken in much smaller doses to prolong the 'weaning' process which should minimize the withdrawal pain. A little confusing though why you should need to be on three different benzodiazapenes in order to quit the Clozaepam. You're taking three different addictive and very habit forming sedatives at the same time it seems in order to quit one. Been there and done that. You're really not making any progress as long as you keep adding more sedatives as you reduce others. Consider Paxil or a good SSRI with no punishing withdrawal symptoms instead to calm your anxiety down, otherwise you're just chasing your tail.


By the way, Clonidine is also chemically addictive - WebMD refers to it in this way:

"Rebound Hypertension on Withdrawal of Clonidine

Clonidine suppresses sympathetic outflow resulting in lower blood pressure, but sudden discontinuation can cause rebound hypertension due to a rebound in sympathetic outflow.

Clonidine therapy should generally be gradually tapered off when discontinuing therapy to avoid rebound effects from occuring. Treatment of clonidine withdrawal hypertension depends on the severity of the condition. Reintroduction of clonidine for mild cases, alpha and beta blockers for more urgent situations. Beta blockers never should be used alone to treat clonidine withdrawal as alpha vasoconstriction would still continue."

It may have some off-label clinical value by reducing some of the neuropathic and central nervous system depression and discomfort. But then you have to wean yourself off the clonidine to minimize withdrawal pain from that drug too.

You can find a doctor to prescribe you just about any medication and tons of it for as long as you like, whether it's killing you or not. Just ask Anna Nicole or Michael Jackson - oh, yea... they're no longer available for comment.

[nan828]

Hi all.
It's been tuff. My doctor switched things up again. Now I'm off clonazepam completely. I am taking 5mg of valium 4X a day.300 mg of neurontin 4 to 6 times a day. It's very sedating so the addiction specialist added methylphenenid 20 mgs. i have to cut them in half or I'm speeding like a crazy person, but they do allow me to get out of bed.I take 2 or 3 halfs a day.
This has been going on since 8-21. At first it was hard without the clonazepam. but I think my body has adjusted. Still getting sweats thou. He wnated me too wean to 5mg of valium 3x aday after three days but that didnt work. So ow the cut is 3 and a half valiums a day. I'm going to start today.
any comments or ideas

[nan828]

PS I live in rockland county ny. if anyone knows a good dr near here let me no. I live near where the NJ garden State pwy meets Ny before the tappan zee bridge.

[Mindjet]

Sorry for misquoting, I realized my mistake after it was too late to change my post. The list of meds you weaned off looks conspicuously similar to mine. Seems like the only qualifications needed to practice medicine is a prescription pad and an office.

But I totally agree with you about these pill happy doctors. They put you on these drug cocktails that make you more sick than you were before you started.