WITHDRAWL OFF OF CLONAZEPAM

Please someone can you help.  I have been on Clonazepam for several years.  I have PTSD, Depression and Severe Anxiety.  I have been on 8 mg. of Clonazepam and 2 mg. of Lorazepam.  As I am medication sensitive I cannot go on SSRI's, Tricy's, etc.  I have to do with what I have.  In March of this year I decided it was time to start coming down with my Psychiatrist's help.  I dropped 2 1/2 mg. of Clonazepam.  So up until last Wednesday I have been on 5 1/2 mg. of Clonazepam and 2 mg. of Lorazepam.  We decided to switch me over completly to Lorazepam, abruptly stopping the Clonazepam.  The book says 8 mg. of Lorazepam is equivalent to 5 1/2 mg. of Clonazepam.  I am not a book, ended up being taken to the hospital on Tuesday of this week suffering severe withdrawl (withdrawal).  The Doctor said it was too much, too fast.  So I am now on 5.25 mg. of Clonazepam and 2 mg. of Lorazepam.  Everything kind of seemed better for the first day, but now it is almost like my body is rejecting the Clonazepam and I am back to the shakes, nauseau, rapid pulse.  How should I be dropping this dosage, at this point I really don't care.  If I am going to feel this horrible and terrified and the medication is not working what is the point of even taking it.  The Panic Attacks and everything else have become pretty wicked, although I can push the Panic away I can't stop the racing, so laying down is like doing a marathon.  Please help, I am scared, I am tired and I am sad to say I don't have much support from family.  So it is just me and Psychiatrist and he says that because of the PTSD, my body is running on 24/7 on adrenaline.  I don't like the thought of being sick over the Holidays, but at this point it appears it is going to be rough.  Mind you Holidays are always hard for me.  My blood pressure has been going up and down, but my pulse is running 124 and up.  Do I need to worry - I have been diagnosed with a 1st Degree AV Blockage.   HERE_I_GO_AGAIN    

[notmenow!]

LOOK TO THE LEFT YOU WILL SEE ASK A DR MENTAL HEALTH FORUM, YOU WILL GET ANSWERS FROM A MD WITH EXPERIENCE ON YOUR ISSUE AS IT APPEARS YOU DO NOT HAVE A SUSTANCE ABUSE ISSUE, THE FORUM IS AT THE TOP LEFT IF PAGE YOU WILL SEE ASK A DR CLICK ON MENTAL HEALTH UNDER THE OPTIONS GOOD LUCK

[FLaddict]

Yes I agree this question is for a doctor. This is an addiction forum and is not moderated by medical professionals. I suggest you direct this towards someone who has the medical knowledge to help you.

[BenG8533]

I am so sorry to hear of your plight; coming off of this drug is very intense and can be quite dangerous if not done properly. I too have suffered withdrawals after taking this medication for about a year. Like your doctor said--you came off of this drug too fast. It is very important that you go back to 8 mg clonazepam and start a very slow taper from there. In my Physician’s Desk Reference, it says to gradually reduce the dosage by increments of .125 mg every three days until off of the drug completely. I know this sounds crazy, but it's the safest way to do it; coming off of it too abruptly can lead to seizures. This will take a very long time but I can assure you that you will be screaming with joy when you finally get off of this stuff. No offense, but your doctor sounds like a fool. Clonazepam lasts in the body for a very long time while lorazepam lasts only several hours...when switching benzodiazepine drugs such as these, it is imperative to switch from a drug with a short half life to a drug with a long half life when withdrawing (i.e. lorazepam-->clonazepam), not the other way around. Drugs like lorazepam do not stay in the body as long and therefore leave your system relatively fast, quickly leading to withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, a drug like clonazepam lasts in your system much longer, gradually wearing off in a smoother, less intense fashion. You need resume 8 mg/day of the clonazepam and follow the taper method I described above...it's the safest way. However, you should speak to your doctor before doing this, and it sounds like he needs to refresh his knowledge on these highly-addictive drugs. Please take care and hang in there. Also, prayer helps...we have a wonderful friend in Jesus.

[HERE_I_G0_AGAIN]

Thank you so much and thank you to the other people as well.  I understand that this is for additions, but trust me Clonazepam is just as bad as every other drug and it is an addition and in the past has put me in dangerous situations.  This is for BenG8533, you are great and yes I think my shrink needs a shrink.  He wants me to come off 1 mg. per week.  I am now sitting on 5 mg. still feeling shakey (shaky), but surviving.  I spoke with him last night and all he seemed to be worried about was getting a letter.  He knows my history and I reminded him that he is not the one that put me on Clonazepam, a family physician did.  I told him I will do my best, but with the holidays coming I am not going to put myself in the position of becoming a danger to myself.  Been there done that in 1996/7, I won't go there again.  Again, thank you and I will post to a med specialist.  Good luck to everyone else on solving there addictions.  HERE_I_GO_AGAIN

[Understandable_one]

I too am in the same boat as you except I take 2 mg of the clonazepam a day and 4 mg of lorazepam a day. And they too told me to go down a half a mg a week. I tried it but being on it for 5 years couldn't. I work in accounting so how do they expect me to go down in dosage and have withdrawals at the same time plus I have three kids ages 3,4, and 12. It's not as easy as the doctors say it is. They aren't the one's addicted to it. I pray everyday that I can get off of these medicines for my sake and my kids sake. I think I'd like the same help as you--from the Understandable_one