How to stop Klonopin after 13 years?

[Red70]

Hello everyone. I'm new. ;-) Was "googling" & found this site; thought I might get some answers/thoughts/opinions on my ongoing problem w/this evil drug.

I've been taking it for 13 years. My OB/GYN put me on it in 1994 for panic disorder. Prior to taking this drug I had never taken any pills. I was against taking aspirin. I despised pills honestly.

Anyhow. My life has been a living hell since I began taking this drug. I take 4 mgs. a day...it's to the point now that if I DO NOT TAKE IT for even one damned day, I get horrible w/drawals. They have gotten so bad that I've thought of ending my life. I won't because it's a selfish act in my opinion,  but I can't find a way out.

No doctor has successfully detoxed me or even been able to so my dr. just continues to give it to me.

I've been to 2 rehabs. Netiher were successful. I can't locate an addiction specialist anywhere here in the OC. If anyone has ANY advice for me I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks much.  

      

[road2recovery]

i was on klonopin for about 3 yrs...i went cold turkey, and i have no idea how i made it..i did not tell my doctor when i got off, and i really didn't know about detoxing or w/d's then...i would go like 3 days without and then i would have the worst feelings and take one and it would go away...i just took it as i was having a severe panic attack , which was the reason i was put on it to begin with...I went for 13 days of
PURE HELL, worst then when i detoxed from opiates....I went in to see my doctor and he threw a fit, could not beleive i did that and immediatly put me on lexapro...He was going to put me back on a benzo and i was like hell no...I really thought i was just having some type of nervous breakdown for 13 days....
Now, 3 yrs later, i have been persribed it again, and i only take it maybe 1 to 2 times a month., if breathing techniques don't work....But before that he had me taking it 3 times a day, and never talked about addiction...
anyways i hope this helps some
r2r

[Odysseus887]

I have been taking Klonopin every day for 13 years.  I am completely dependent upon it, and I have made my peace with that dependence.  My anxiety and panic symptoms were far more damaging to my health and life than a medication that several primary care docs over several years have been completely unconcerned about.  Why go off?  I would not have a normal life without Klonopin.  If I went off it, I would end up taking something else.  Klonopin is an 'old' drug that has been tested many times.  For me, the side effects, which include addiction, are a small concern compared to the huge anxiety problems the drug solves.  I tried to stop taking Klonopin several times (I got down from 2mg/day to .25 mg/day) and it was HORRIBLE.  Once I got down to the very low dose, I realized that CBT and non-meds approaches did not help as much as promised.  Tapering down on Klonopin is hell, and living with anxiety/panic is hell.  Life is too short to worry about a drug that has few long-term side effects.  Also, why do we stigmatize medicines that work?  Klonopin is not heroin.  It is a safe, effective, prescribed medicine.  Are diabetics who take insulin 'drug addicts'?  IF THE MEDICINE IS WORKING, and IF YOU ARE TAKING IT AS PRESCRIBED, my 21 years of anxiety/panic experience indicates that you should relax and keep taking it.  Anxiety is hard enough without people making you feel bad about the few drugs that can actually help you.

[Greatgreebo]

hang in there sister!! You can do this. Keep posting and start tapering :-)
Stay strong.
Greebs

[Summer123]

Hi April,
Was the Benzobuddies site too slow for you?  
Summer

[Red70]

Wow. Thanks for all of the advice/thoughts/prayers. It helps my SPIRIT...

I do know not to CT off of The Evil K! I never would. I can't go more than one day without it before I start becoming VERY SICK.

Again...I've been on this junk for almost 14 yrs. so I know a lot about it & how it affects the brain, behavior, the body, etc., etc. I'm just exhausted trying to GET OFF OF IT. It seems impossible.

And then I found this site. :-) Thank you guys! I'll be here a lot.

April    

[againnot]

There are probably tons of people addicted to benzos....problem I'll bet is that they just don't want to get off of them, and, they are used to treat that anxiety that no one ever wants back.  I also think there is more of a "social stigma" attached to opiate addiction as opposed to benzos, which, of course doesn't make it right.  Also, Summer, there is a separate Anxiety forum here that probably addresses the benzo addiction more than this forum.  So....you are definately not alone...I have lots of first hand experience with that drug, and as everyone has said....never C/T....and, if possible, consult with a dr. that understands that drug for a taper schedule and work closely with that dr.  Good luck!  It's doable!

[ohisleguy]

Yes, benzos are a different breed, but you can come off of them slowly....they usually use diazapam(valium) which has a long half life....they slowly switch you over to the valium, and then slowly dose you down off the valium. I had a xanax addiction once....went to a 4 day detox and they used phenobarbital. So, it can be done....u may need to start out in a rehab or detox unit....google Dr. Heather Ashton....she's a benzo expert in the U.K. She has all kinds of info..

[Summer123]

Hi Red,
I'm on a similar drug only it is xanex.  I use it for panic disorder.  I took opiates for pain for 12 years and then went off of them, but the xanex I've been taking for 20 and I've gone down in dosage, but it's driving me crazy.  I can understand what is happening to you.  What I don't understand is why there aren't more people addicted to the benzos.  It seems harder to me to kick than any other drug.

[IBKleen]

PLEASE..do NOT cold turkey off of it. Listen to the people who know.

[avisg]

hey ,greebs is right you cant CT benzos , you have to taper .....i have a taper schedule in my journals it has to be done very slowly . you can do it but it will take time .

JUST DONT COLD TURKEY

[shelly405]

See how the spirit moves...As you were writing yours I was googling it.
God is good, huh?
Shelly

[shelly405]

I just googled this drug and it says you could have siezures if you quit cold turkey. I am out of my element here. I don't know anything about this one, but I am sure you can get off it. I think someone that knows more about it than me will be able to help you better.
Good Luck to You,
Shelly

[Greatgreebo]

Shame on you!!! How dare you tell someone that has been on benzos for 13 years that they can quit right now. This is the most irresponsible advice I have seen given in a long time. CT'ing from benzo's can be FATAL!! You never tell someone to do this.
Please get your facts straight before handing out advice that can kill someone.
Greatgreebo

[Greatgreebo]

Klonopin is a benzodiazepine...DO NOT COLD TURKEY benzos. It can be fatal!!!!!

write back immediately so that I know you got this post

[Red70]

Thanks, Shelly. I'll "hang out" for a while like you suggested. :-)

I've been desperately wanting to stop this drug for years but the w/drawals are so horrifying I can't take it. I become literally incapacitated. Death seems a better option...WHEN I'm going through it.

I just need to find out HOW to come down after 13 years of use of the drug. I've had docs tell me it could take 2-3 years FOR ME.

Anyhow. Thanks again for your advice.

April

[shelly405]

What is Klonopin?
The 2 favorite ways to detox around here are Tapering and Cold Turkey. I just hung out and read everything for about 2 months before I posted. Sometimes just hearing other people's stories are enough to give you the strength to quit.

This place is awesome, and I like to the The Lord is really moving on this board. I am sure someone will know just what to tell you to inspire you to stop using.
Good Luck,
Shelly