klonopin dosage

[bill2007]

I have just went thru the wors thing in my life and that was the withdrawals feom Cymbalta. I have been on that for about 2 years and also on Klonopin for the same amount of time. I am currently taking 4 mg. of Klonopin a day and was wondering if anyone else has been prescribed this much? I would like to come off of it but from what I have read, it mat be worse then the Cymbalta withdrawls. Can anyone please let me know

[FLaddict]

Klonopin detox should be done with medical supervision. Benzo's are a rough detox. Similiar to alcohol detox. You may consider going to a program just because medically you should be monitored. Blood pressure and stuff like that goes nuts.

[wschoops]

i'm on ten mgs a day of klonopin (not prescribed obviously) and have just started lowering the dosage.  i get the occasional feeling like a panic attack coming on, but i'm weaning off it very very slowly, like half a mg a week.  now cymbalta, that's a different story, stopping it was the worst feeling in my life and i've been through a lot when it comes to withdrawals and drug-stopping side effects, so i wouldn't worry so much about the klonopin, as long as you take it slow and don't let those little panicky feelings scare you, it's only because of the drug and it WILL go away eventually.

[jakegorzen]

4 mgs it kinda high, but in definition of "benzo" addiction, or "accidental addiciton" it could be total hell or piece of cake depending how your chemistry is.
Go slower then what wschoops described, his tapering method is extremely fast for a normal person "hes just one of the lucky ones, lol"
The proper taper will be to do a transition over to valium.
Look up "ashtons guide" through a search, and it will give you great detail on how to do this.
You will also have to find a benzo wise Doctor that will stand by you, and let you taper with the appropriete timing that your body needs.
After switching to valium, general rule of thumb for declining your dose is 10% of your original dose down until you are to 1/4-1/5 mg then go slower 5% or so. Every 2-4 weeks
Now you can go slower if you feel it necessary. It all depends on your comfort level.
If done properly, you shouldnt have to much difficulties.
After your dose is at .5-.25 it might get a bit harder, generally Benzo withdraws come in "windows, and waves" you will get waves of minutes/hours/days of different symptoms, then get windows of normality out of nowhere.
People will get setbacks and discouraged when the "waves" of symptoms come but the body is still healing, so dont fret about them, just concentrate on your "windows"
Klonopin has a general first withdraw symptom of anxiety "to a extreme" jitteryness, and all the mental stuff first, then usually turns into mild mental, and then to the physical.
Ive noticed personally from Klonopin that the mornings are the worse because of the Cortisol levels in a humans body is higher during the morning then declining during the day.
Cortisol is the chemical responsible for panic attacks, etc.
If youd like to know more, feel free to hit me up.

[wschoops]

yes i am one of the lucky ones who can go pretty much cold turkey.  it's all about what is right for your body in particular.  i got back down to about 6 mg's a day now and i don't see myself going any lower for a LONG time.  that's where my body hit the wall when coming off it.  again, good luck with yours.