weaning off Klonopin...help

[elff]

I have been on klonopin for at least three years.  Prescribed qid, .5 milligrams in am, afternoon and two at bedtime along with 15 mg remeron.  I have never taken more than the prescribed but after this long on it I feel a total loss of motivation, appetite lacking, I eat because I know I need to, mood swings, depression, and memory seems shot at times.  I also have graves disease, thryoid eye disease, but those are mostly in check and I think my not feeling well is due to the klonopin.  I am scared to death to try going off of it after reading others stories.  Was told to just drop one pill (be pharmacist) for a week, and then another, then cut the last in half for a week or so.  That seems way too fast for me.  I am fed up with feeling as I do and would like to get off this for good.  Any suggestions for someone just stepping into this?  I suffer from anxiety but now the meds do not seem to keep it in check and I think its the medication itself causing me to feel the way I do.  thank you for any help.  elff

[ZJILLIAN]

It is good to be informed but don't let other people's experiences frighten you. I wd from klonipin twice in my life and both times it was from prescribed doses. I got myself so frightened  the first time I went to detox. AND REALLY IT IS NOT TERRIBLE. It is a different wd then opiates. It is way-overstimulation and it will pass in 10 days with the third being the worst and then it gets better. You need to keep yourself very relaxed and calm and in a low stimulating safe familiar place. Do all the relaxation exercises you know or learn about ( search online). You can control the symptoms of benzo withdrawal. Don't scare yourself and go hour by hour. Good luck. And keep posting!

[avisg]

elff take a look at this site her is one of the most knowaglbe drs around when it comes to benzos and WD and coming off of them her name is DR  Heather Ashton if you have any questions feel free to pm me .

http://www.benzo.org.uk/profash.htm

[mm27]

I really dont have a solid answer for you I have been on klonopin for about 10 years now.  It also has stopped working for me.  I recently tried switching to ativan but I dont know if i am doing any good.  I am trying to slow down the klonopin and ease into the ativan.  even though they are both benzos i am having a hard time slowing down the klonopin.  It is a very strong drug.  I am very inactive and wonder if over the years the klonopin is doing this to me as well.  My dr has told me over the years to monitor the klonopin by taking normal dose one week then slow it down for a week so i dont build up a tolerance.  I would try using it every other day for a week.  See if that helps then after first week every 3rd day.  basically ween off it at your own pace.  I have never had to stop benzos but from reading things on this forum over the past couple of weeks i am starting to hear how bad they are and am going to ask my dr next visit about why people keep saying they are so bad and if he gives me any solid answers i will follow up with you.  good luck