KLONOPIN WITHDRAWL/ANXIETY

[LCPI]

I USED TO  HAVE ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS MAYBE ONCE A YEAR. FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, I HAVE THEM DAILY. IT STARTED ON VACATION WHEN I WAS RELAXED AND HAVING A GOOD TIME. I STARTED SEEING A PSYCHIATRIST, WHO ENDED UP NOT DOING  A THING FOR ME, AND HE PUT ME ON DIFFERNT MEDS THAT DIDNT WORK. THEY MADE ME FEEL VERY STRANGE. HE THEN PUT ME ON KLONOPIN. I BELIEVE I WAS ON THAT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND WAS TAKING 1/2 MG- 1 MG DAILY. I DIDNT LIKE HOW IT MADE ME FEEL AND I STILL HAD TO TAKE A .25 XANAX FOR BREAKTHROUGH ANXIETY ATTACKS. XANAX SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY THING THAT WORKED AND I DIDNT HAVE TO TAKE IT OFTEN.
I STARTED TO WEEN MY SELF OFF THE KOLOPIN. I TOOK 1/2 MG UNTIL THE RX WAS GONE AND THAT WAS IT.
2 WEEKS WENT BY AND I HAD THE WORST ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS EVER! FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND. I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG WITH ME. I WENT TO THE DR AND SHE STATED I WAS PROBABLY GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWL FROM THE KLONOPIN. IT HAS NOW BEEN 4 WEEKS AND I STILL FEEL OUT OF SORTS, IN A DAZE AND JUST NOT "WHOLE". I HOPE THAT MAKES SENSE.
FOR HOW LONG CAN YOU GO THROUGH THESE FEELINGS? IS IT STILL WITHDRAWLS? CAN SOMEONE RECOMMEND A GOOD ANTI ANXIETY NON-ADDICTING PILL? I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING.
I HAD A HORRIBLE REACTION TO PAXIL SO THAT IS DEFINITELY OUT.
THANK YOU!!

[fearfactor]

Yes, I think it could still be withdrawal. Benzodiazepines can cause bad withdrawal - I know because I've been through it with Xanax.  If it is too bad, you might want to talk to your doctor about going back on a small dose and then tapering down much more slowly.  Or you could just ride it out.  I don't take SSRIs, either because of bad experiences with them.  I hear that Buspar is good for anxiety, though.  Good luck, I know how hard withdrawal can be!

[LCPI]

I REALLY NEED TO KNOW HOW LONG THE WITHDRAWL CAN TAKE? I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK ON IT, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. I DID THINK ABOUT IT THOUGH AND MY PRIMARY DR DIDNT THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA.
HOW LING DID IT TAKE YOUR WITHDRAWL. I DO TAKE XANAX AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. MY CONCERN NOW IS THAT I AM TAKING IT MORE TO WORK THROUGH THIS. MY GOD! DON'T TELL ME THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I USED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ONE A YEAR IF NECESSARY.
CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY INSIGHT ON THE TIMELINE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
ALSO, HOW ARE YOU HANDLING YOUR PANIC/ANXIETY? I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO NOT TAKE PILLS, ESPECIALLY ADDICTING ONES.
THANKS

[RCA7591]

You can minimize or eliminate Klonopin withdrawal by crossing over to Valium (who's metabolites have a very long half-life).

1/2 mg of Klonopin is equal to 10 mg of Valium. You can nearly avoid any type of withdrawal by cutting 1 mg of Valium every two weeks until the drug is removed (total of 20 weeks).

Ask your doctor to switch you to Valium, and to set up a tapering plan such as that described above. Start with 10 mg daily (in divided doses), and cut 1 mg off of the dose every two weeks. The taper will be extremely smooth.

-Ryan

[LCPI]

is the valium like xanax or does it work better for this withdrawl process?
Does anyone know how long this is going to last? An estimate.
I feel like I am losing my mind sometimes.

[RCA7591]

Valium is long acting, with a long half-life. It has a longer onset of action when compared to Xanax, and is milder, more subtle. It is best suited for use in a taper regimen, rather than being used in place of the Klonopin.

If you quit the Klonopin cold turkey, the withdrawal could last for the duration of time you were using the drug (ie: if you used it six months, the withdrawal could take six months or longer). You shouldn't abruptly stop taking any Benzodiazepine, as there are risks involved.

Crossing to Valium and tapering slowly will minimize or eliminate any withdrawal. Without some form of taper regimen, the withdrawal will be brutal. You can also taper directly from the Klonopin, but it is more difficult to do (cut 0.125 mg, or 1/4 of a 0.5 mg tablet every four weeks until the drug is removed). 0.125 mg is equal to 2.5 mg of Valium (you can see how potent Klonopin is).

-Ryan

[OZ1939]

hi all,

i have been on konopin for about 9 yeras. i have fibromyalgia and anxiety. my dr put me on xanax time relase, along w/short term xanax. i was told by doc and pharmacist that the two drugs are very similiar, which i know.  my doc said i could just quit taking klonopin and start w/xanax.  my goal is to get off xanax also.  however iam having withdrawal symptoms.  it has been over a week now that i have been off of klonopin.  i feel out of it, but feel better each day. but im not out of the woods yet... any feedback greatly apprecitiated.....

thanks
kurt