How long withdrawal lasts?

Today I had a few depressive attacks that I even have no name for and they were triggered by nothing.

Effexor and Klonopin I take for 2 years and am thinking of quitting cold turkey both of them. Dosage I am taking is 150 mg for Effexor 1X a day and Klonopin 1-3 mg 2X a day.

I am just very pissed of feeling like this and I think tapering from these 2 drugs would take months.

How long would withdrawal symptoms last if i quit cold turkey?

[nora006]

Dear Bosinanworrier,
I would urge you to NOT quit cold turkey any of the two drugs mentioned. Especially not the Klonopin as it in worst case could bring about seizures, which you do not want to happen.

Tapering will take some time, and that you already knew when you started these kind of meds.
The best thing you can do is telling your doctor about this. Klonopin can, to my knowledge, induce depression in some people and that's why you need to speak to a doctor. The two drugs may have an untoward interaction and you need to tell him.

Effexor did NOTHING for me when I tried it years ago. I didn't feel a thing. Honestly. I quit cold turkey after several weeks, didn't know at the time it might have been wise to taper,and nobody told me anyway, but I didn't experience any problems what so ever. But I can't reccomend this route, especially as you're taking several meds at a time.

Please talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Best,
Nora

[cj29]

Never quit cold turkey or on your own.  You need to do this through the advice of your doctor.  Not only is it foolish and will put you through more trouble than it is worth in my opinion, it can be down right dangerous to do this after taking these medications for that long.  That is why there are multiple warnings not to just up and quit these types of meds.  

[bosnianworrier]

What triggered my "depressive attacks" was the reduce of klonopin according to a doctor. I was back at 0.5 mg too fast.

Nora you are probably right. Klonopin can be dangerous. I guess Ill have to taper bit by bit but my biggest fear is I'll get stuck with it forever despite all.

[bosnianworrier]

What triggered my "depressive attacks" was the reduce of klonopin according to a doctor. I was back at 0.5 mg too fast.

Nora you are probably right. Klonopin can be dangerous. I guess Ill have to taper bit by bit but my biggest fear is I'll get stuck with it forever despite all.

[nora006]

Hello again.

I'm not sure what caused your "depressive attacks". From the sounds of it it could even be withdrawal problems if the Klonopin doses were cut down too fast. Sometimes it's hard to tell whether it's wd problems, underlying depression/anxiety that emerges again if the dose is cut or side effects from medication(especially when several drugs are involved).

But whatever you do do NOT quit cold turkey.
Make sure your doctor understand that you're having problems with the medications and that it might need to be adjusted.
Klonopin is not dangerous as long as you taper slowly(and not quit abrubtly) If you for some reason are convinced that there is no use for the drug anymore then do the tapering under your doctor's supervision. But as you already know if you've read some posts on this site, tapering must be tailored to the INDIVIDUAL's needs and not according to som fixed program.

I don't want to question your need for suddenly tapering the Klonopin, though it seems to me that  you're afraid of taking it? and therefore wants to stop taking it because of the fear of being "stuck with it forever "?(forgive me if I've got it all wrong). BUT whatever your reason; consult with your doctor first. I really can't say more than that Bosnianworrier and I really hope you take good care of yourself.


Nora