Clonazepam Withdrawal

[oogie1985]

I have been slowly weaning off of Clonazepam by .125mg over a 4 wk period each time I decrease. This last decrease from .75mg per day to .625 I've started having an irregular heartbeat (skipping beats).  It's gotten progressively worse, so I just went back up to .75mg daily, and the irregular heartbeat has been curbed but it still feels off, not skipping anymore but speeding up then down.  Is this a withdrawal symptom?

[philip304]

I have been on clonazepam for  20 years.   I completely stopped taking it for 21 days until I started feeling like  nothing seemed right .I felt like I was loosing my mind, nothing seemed "real", and I did not know who I was so I freaked out and got back on it.  I have now been back on it for about a month.  Some days I feel okay, but most days I feel the same.  Does this sound like symptoms that anyone has had?  If so did they ever go away?  I felt normal before I stopped taking the clonazepam.  If anyone knows anything please let me know.  

[oogie1985]

I have been working with my Neuro bec. my psych wasn't willing to help me taper off of it - he just told me I'd have to go on something else if I got off the Clonazepam, but neither me or my neuro agreed. We'll cross that bridge when we get there and re-evaluate.  I was at 1.5 mg daily to start off my tapering!!  But it hasn't been until this last drop that I have experienced irreg. heartbeats.  So I have been spooked and am back up from the drop to .75mg daily.  I don't feel anxious except for this heart skipping thing! They are like flutters in my stomach then the skipping starts. It's totally random, doesn't depend on what I'm doing or my stress or anything.  Anyway, we'll see if they go away after a few wks at .75 then try to go back down again. I am just amazed at the potency of this med if this is what's causing it.  How do you know that this is possible, have you experienced it?  I sure hope i haven't screwed up my CNS permanently.  This isn't fun! But I will prevail somehow!  Thanks for your comments!

[Brenndy]

Absolutely it is possible.  It's a benzo, and with any benzo there is risk of injury to the CNS, the autonomic, involuntary happenings in the body; heart rate, respiration.  

I have to commend you on your taper formula.  Did your physician devise that scheme or do you get the credit where credit is due.  Excellent job.  Prevail.