Klonopin taper -- need help please!

Hi All,

I have been tapering off of Clonazepam (Klonopin) for about 4 months now.  After reading many of the informative posts on here I decided to go verly slowly.  I have cut from .50mg BID to .125 BID.  Every time I have cut the dosage, I have noticed slight discomfort around the 4th or 5th day after I make the cut.  However, this time has been quite different.  Yesterday, which was the 5th day after cutting, I suffered unbearably with tightness in my neck and throat.  I had trouble swallowing and terrible unsteadiness when walking.  But most of all I had this overwhelming anxious feeling.  The worst I have ever felt.

I believe I have had panic attacks in the past (the reason I am taking the Clonazepam) and they go away after about 30-45.  This anxiety did not go away for about 3 hours and I feel like the effects of the episode are still hanging with me.  Is this normal for a Klonopin taper even though I have been going very slowly?  Anything that will help?

I want off this stuff so badly, but I am really struggling here.

[JSGeare]

One person's normal is another person's abnormal, so it is hard to say. I hope you'll ask your doctor about this, especially if there is something that can help you over the rough spots. Please let us know what your doc tells you.

[cj29]

I tapered off of Klonopin about three years ago after being on it about 4 months.  If you are concerned about this, ensure you talk to your doctor about tapering slower if you have too.  My anxiety did return a little, but I was also talking to a therapist at the time to deal with everything.  Everyone is a little different, just ensure you are confering with the right people when you do this.

[cal7902]

I have been thinking about talking to a therapist to help me through the last bit of this taper.  The original doctor that put me on the Clonozapem was a cardiologist who specializes in dysautonomia.  I had been feeling better back in October and he told me that I could start trying to wean off.  He said to cut about .125 every two weeks, but after some of the posts on here I decided to go more slowly.  Just feel like I hit a wall this time.

[cj29]

I have been tapering off of ativan for awhile now. (Went from 1.5 a day down to .5 over the last month) and some days it actually made me feel anxious both psychologically and physicallyeven though I was not on a high dose.  Just remember that this is going to happen.  I know it is REALLY hard sometimes. When we have anxiety on top of withdrawal, we can hit a wall, but remember, you are so much stronger than you think.  Keep me posted!

[cal7902]

Yes, it's been hard mentally knowing that I was on a low dose and have tapered so slowly, yet still hit such a rough patch.  You are right on about battling through it though.  Deep down, I know that is what I must do, but sometimes the frustration with the whole anxiety thing just wears you down.  I was able to get an appt next Tues so hopefully the doc will be able to help.  Thanks for the encouraging words.