Failing

As of last week (maybe two weeks ago), I had reduced my Klonopin intake from 3 MG/day to 1.5 MG/day. As of late, I've been buying Valium illegally (taking up to 20 MG per day, in addition to my Klonopin), buying Seroquel illegally (for sleep, even though my doctor has prescribed 3 MGs of Lunesta nightly for sleep; right now I'm taking 100 MGs of Seroquel and 3 MGs of Lunesta every night), drinking more (God knows how much), smoking more (I've been blowing through about a quarter of Marijuana per week)... I don't know what to do... I didn't know getting off of Klonopin would be this hard...

[avisg]

are you getting any help from the doctor to taper , i am worried about you that is a dangerous mix of meds?

[Dharmabum910]

Sort of... I see my psych doctor once per month (it's all I can afford)... I'm uninsured. I'm sort of on my own right now...

[avisg]

this is a taper ,could you talk about this with your pych next time you go in.

Schedule 5. Withdrawal from clonazepam (Klonopin) 1.5mg daily with
substitution of diazepam (Valium). (0.5mg clonazepam
is approximately equivalent to 10mg diazepam)

  Morning Midday/Afternoon Evening/Night Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.5mg 30mg
Stage 1
(1 week) clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg 30mg
Stage 2
(1 week) clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.5mg Stop clonazepam
diazepam 10mg 30mg
Stage 3
(1 week) clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg clonazepam 0.5mg diazepam 10mg 30mg
Stage 4
(1 week) clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg 30mg
Stage 5
(1 week) Stop clonazepam
diazepam 10mg clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg 30mg
Stage 6
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 10mg Stop clonazepam
diazepam 8mg diazepam 10mg 28mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 10mg diazepam 6mg diazepam 10mg 26mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 10mg diazepam 4mg diazepam 10mg 24mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 10mg diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg 22mg
Stage 10
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 10mg Stop diazepam diazepam 10mg 20mg
Stage 11
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 8mg -- diazepam 10mg 18mg
Stage 12
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 6mg -- diazepam 10mg 16mg
Stage 13
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 4mg -- diazepam 10mg 14mg
Stage 14
(1-2 weeks) diazepam 2mg -- diazepam 10mg 12mg
Stage 15
(1-2 weeks) Stop diazepam  -- diazepam 10mg 10mg
Continue reducing remaining diazepam by 1 mg every 2 weeks (see Schedule 3 Stage 26)



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[Dharmabum910]

Ugh... I really wanted to avoid a taper this long, but thank you, I will print it out and discuss with my doctor the next time I see her.

I suppose I just wanted a "quick fix." Quit and be done. Unfortunately, that hasn't worked. :(

[avisg]

I know you do ,and i can understand why ...I have jut heard with klonopin if you don't go slow it can be hell ...... its just an idea .....

[Chi_Chi_Lover]

You're going to overdose if you keep taking this many drugs. You better get yourself together. Any Benzo such as klonopin is hard to kick and withdrawals are very tough. You have to taper or could have a seziure from the klonopin alone not to mention the other drugs you are taking. Benzo withdrawal symptoms can last for months and sleep may not return to a normal place for a year or more, but you are mixing a lot of medicine not to mention buying it illegally.

Please be careful