Klonopin Withdrawal Question

[rockport12]

Hey Everyone,

First, I want to thank everyone that has posted here...I've been reading for a couple of months, During that time and with my physician's supervision, I've come off Norco 10/325 tid, Ultram 800mg/day, MS Contin 90mg/day from a botched back surgery on 3/18/03.  Side note:  interestingly, the meds potentiated the pain as my body wasn't making its own enkephalens and endorphens.  So those meds, I withdrew from in July and August.  

In September, I started to withdraw from Klonopin.  Actually, back in February, this stupid, malinformed pdoc told me that I could just stop Klonopin = I was taking 8mg for 2 years and have been on Klono-crack (my term for Klonopin) since 1993.  Needless to say after 9 days, I was in and out of psychotic breaks with reality, and a friend saved my life.  I went to two other pdocs and they wanted to withdrawal me at 25% of my dose every two weeks!!  (flush $371 x 2 50 minute visits down the toilet for crappy medical advice)  Sorry, I'm angry about what I've been through following their medical advice.  So I found a wonderful pdoc 45 minutes away and I've been gradually withdrawing from 4mg and am now down to 3mg.  

For 4 days, I started to taper down by 0.5mg after stabilizing for 3 weeks, and I noticed that my vision got all screwed up and I developed very slight tinnitus.  Today is the first day that I have my energy back (oh, I went back up to 3mg from the 2.5mg)  and have mainly occaisional "hissing" noise.  I'm going to stabilize another week (total of two weeks since the 4 day drop in dose) before tapering again.  

Have any of you noticed that during the taper at the same dose reductions/adjustment time that at some point it's necessary to slow it down or stabilize?  Also, Thomas' Recipe was so helpful - is there amino's that help with Klonopin withdrawal?  I've been taking 5-htp and Gingo and multi-vite and 1000mg of L-Glutamine (precursor to GABA that can cross the blood-brain barrier freely).  

Thanks in advance,

Greg.

[teenutz]

Klonopin can be addicting, but it is harder compared to other types of other benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax. Klonopin has a much longer half life (the time it takes for half of the medication to break down in your body) compared to Valium and many other types of benzos. In other words Valium and Xanax hit you much quicker, and leave your body much sooner, compared to Klonopin which typically has a slower onset and a much slower time to leave your body. Taking daily doses of Klonopin can really build up in your body, and you probably developed a very high tolerance over time, after overcoming the initial knock out drowsiness stage this drug takes you through. Anyway, I have a clinical psychology degree and know alot about these medications and yes you should slow down and stablize while weening off this type of drug. It will take you a bit longer to get all of this drug out of your body, so normally I would say the weening process would be quicker due to a longer half life. However, since you have been on the medication for so long, coming down off it slower would be the safest route. I was hooked on Xanax and it took me four weeks to come off that, but I never had any problems with Klonopin. Take your time and come down slow, but also remember that since this drug stays in your body longer, the withdrawal symptoms should not be as severe if you decide to cut your dose down further. The quicker a drug hits you the more difficult it is to come down off of, but drugs that hit you quick and last longer don't create as much dependence. I'm not saying Klonopin is not addicting, it definately can be, but it depends on the individual and his or her reaction to the drug's effects. You can do it. Take as much time as you need. Take care and keep us informed.          

[teenutz]

Klonopin can be addicting, but it is harder compared to other types of other benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax. Klonopin has a much longer half life (the time it takes for half of the medication to break down in your body) compared to Valium and many other types of benzos. In other words Valium and Xanax hit you much quicker, and leave your body much sooner, compared to Klonopin which typically has a slower onset and a much slower time to leave your body. Taking daily doses of Klonopin can really build up in your body, and you probably developed a very high tolerance over time, after overcoming the initial knock out drowsiness stage this drug takes you through. Anyway, I have a clinical psychology degree and know alot about these medications and yes you should slow down and stablize while weening off this type of drug. It will take you a bit longer to get all of this drug out of your body, so normally I would say the weening process would be quicker due to a longer half life. However, since you have been on the medication for so long, coming down off it slower would be the safest route. I was hooked on Xanax and it took me four weeks to come off that, but I never had any problems with Klonopin. Take your time and come down slow, but also remember that since this drug stays in your body longer, the withdrawal symptoms should not be as severe if you decide to cut your dose down further. The quicker a drug hits you the more difficult it is to come down off of, but drugs that hit you quick and last longer don't create as much dependence. I'm not saying Klonopin is not addicting, it definately can be, but it depends on the individual and his or her reaction to the drug's effects. You can do it. Take as much time as you need. Take care and keep us informed.          

[rockport12]

Thank you all for your comments.  The information shared and the support given is life saving.

Greg.

[jce1983]

Whatever you do, take it slow. Klonopin is very tough to get off, maybe just a little harder than other benzo's. At any rate I truly admire your courage for all you have done. Take it slow, don't hurt yourself. I agree with FLaddict, Klonopin is dangerous to come off, take all the time you need, you've done so much so far. If you begin to shake, even just slight tremors, seek medical attention right away, I've had a siezure coming off just 3mg of xanax a day, i took them for 5 years and it was a *****. You should consider inpatient medicated detox at your local hospital to assist you. Let us know how you are coming along and if you have any more ?'s, plz ask. As far as this one, I agree with FLaddict and maybe you should add some st. john's wort. ask your pharmacist about brands with proper dosing. Good luck and all the best!

[FLaddict]

Here it is greg.

L-glutamine-- up to 3,000mgs 3x per day at least an hour b4 meals
L-taurine--  up to 1,000mgs 3x per day an hour b4 meals
B complex vitamin 50-100mgs with each dose of L glutamine
multi mineral supplement

I hope you continue to taper down, getting off Klonipin is dangerous so be very careful

[road2recovery]

welcome
I went c/t off of klonopin once and it was the worst w/d's i have ever felt...I am over 30 days clean off of opiates and the w/d's are bad but nothing compared to klonopin....you are doing a great job by weaning and finding this forum..When i did it, i did not have any info nor did i look for any..I just thought i was having the worst panic attacks ever, and a few nervous breakdowns..
Good luck
R2R

[rockport12]

Thank you so much!!

Greg.

[FLaddict]

Yes there are aminos to help with Klonipin withdrawals.  I can post them for you if you like. I will have to dig out my book though so if you can wait a little I can do it.. It was good to start the glutamine and the multi vitamin already.
I will look em up and get back to you.