Klonopin/Clonazepam withdrawal question

[tothnews]

Hi. I've been on 3 mg. of Klonopin/Clonazepam for two years and before that larger or smaller doses for a total of six years. Last week I went a bit off the rails and took 70 pills in a week. My psychiatrist cut me off. He is now "detoxing" me using 50 mg doses of Librium three times a day for two days, two times a day for two days, and once a day for two days. Is this a rational detox plan? I've heard that I should be taken down much more slowly and with something like Diazepam.  To my knowledge, Librium is used mainly in alcohol detox (been there, too).  I have had an unsuccessful prior stay at a detox center in which they proclaimed me "clean" of Klonopin after six days, only to have a seizure almost two weeks later.  I'm concerned the Librium treatment is simply going to stall my withdrawal for a few days and that lead me straight into the endless nightmare again.  I'd be happy to learn I'm wrong, but I've a feeling my psychiatrist doesn't know what he's doing.  Any enlightened info would be appreciated.  No need for the horror stories -- I've already been there!  Thank you.

[SophieShine]

Librium is a benzo as well. There are 2 things I don't understand the 1st one is that all tapering schedule recommend the switch to a long acting benzo, mostly valium, and Librium has a shorter half life (5-30 hours) than clonazepam (18-50 hours).
The other thing, IMO much more important, is :
How are you gonna taper a 6 years habit in 6 days??????

Benzos have to be tapered off very slowly. I REALLY would look for a 2nd opinion.

Here's some info on Librium :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlordiazepoxide

Here is a tapering plan for 3mg clonazepam from the Ashton Manual which is one of the references in benzos, they're talking about a minimum of 28 weeks tapering plan!!!

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm#s6

PLEASE go see another doctor!
Best of luck to you.
xoxoxo. sophie.

[kid123]

That is way too fast to go off.  I hope you don't have seizures along the way. You are being set up for failure imo.  

You can taper off using Klonopin/Clonazepam or use diazepam/Valium.  It is easier to control the dosages with diazepam but it can be done with Klonopin.  

Do you have access to more K?  You first have to stabilize on a dose of K, then start cutting around 10 % every week or two.  You might have to invest in a mortar pestle and a graduated pharmacist or chemistry cylinder to measure out doses and get a small baby med dose syringe and a nice long stirring rod.  .  

You grind the pills, stir well into a fixed amount of liquid and then discard part and drink the rest.  You keep on that lower dose until stable and then drop the dose again.  It will take a long time to get off but it will be worth it.