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Question about tapering off klonopin now on zoloft
Looking for some advice. I have been on zoloft 50 mg for 3 weeks and have been seeing some improvement finally after a few really rough weeks when starting snd switching from lexapro. I am currently taking 0.25mg of klonopin also at night (actually a little less like 0.23ish). I am really trying to figure out if I feel like this because the zoloft is finally working, or if the klonopin is the only thing working I've been taking this dose of kpin for a bout 3 months now and am afraid if I stop I'll have terrible withdrawls but I heard the zoloft should counter act that. Any suggestions are greatly apprecited thank you. Also my doc wants me to go up to 100mg Zoloft EVENTuALLY So We Will SEE.
I think what is driving me crazy is not knowing if I am feeling better because the 50mg zoloft is actually working or if it is the 0.25mgish klonopin I take at night. I'm terrified to stop the klonopin but really want off of it. Do u think I can cut the 0.25mg to .125mg for a few days then every other day and see how it goes ? Also my pdoc said that he wants to eventually have me at 100mg zoloft so I'm just in a bad situation right now not knowing what to do and want off the klonopin any suggestions are incredibly helpful. Thank you
I think what is driving me crazy is not knowing if I am feeling better because the 50mg zoloft is actually working or if it is the 0.25mgish klonopin I take at night. I'm terrified to stop the klonopin but really want off of it. Do u think I can cut the 0.25mg to .125mg for a few days then every other day and see how it goes ? Also my pdoc said that he wants to eventually have me at 100mg zoloft so I'm just in a bad situation right now not knowing what to do and want off the klonopin any suggestions are incredibly helpful. Thank you
Hello Crystal I'm sorry I am responding so late I just saw this! It has been a journey for sure. It has been about 8 days since upping my Zoloft to 100mg. I have to say I have felt good this past week and have been happy. Yesterday and today not so much. Yesterday I felt as if I had post nasal drip and my throat was killing me. And today I am so so so nauseas with no appetite, having a lot of bowel movements and stomach discomfort. I am wondering if this can be from upping the Zoloft a week after? I feel like I would have felt it earlier, or my body is adjusting. OR if it can be from slowly tapering off the klonopin. I have gone from .25mg a night to about .187mg a night (1/4 of a pill and a scrape more. What would you think? I appreciate the help in advance!
I have taken Klonipin on and off. They key is to taper off slowly and your pdoc will tell you how. You are on a very low dose so you shouldn't have a problem. The only way you will know which med is doing what is to go off the klonipin with your pdoc's help. The fact that you were already on a very low dose of klonipin and then started the Zoloft and started to feel better could mean the combination of the two drugs are working together to make you feel better. On the other hand Zoloft may be the only med you need. The less meds the better.
I am very surprised your pdoc has a plan to increase your Zoloft. You start with a low dose and see how you feel and you only increase to the next level dose if you need to. Only you will know how you feel and if you need a increase. A dr shouldn't assume you need to work up to 100mg without knowing what the lower doses are doing for you.
This type of practice is so common, it's wrong. They commonly prescribe larger doses than necessary right off the bat or they raise dosages when not necessary. Not everyone needs that. Yes there are guidelines these dr's use but they are only guidelines. I have learned this from my own experiences. The less medicine the better. Only you will know what dose is working for you.
You are the one in charge of your body and mind and you are the only one who knows how you feel and what works for you. Down the road you may find that you need a different med due to unbearable side effects or you were at the highest dose safe and it was not working or it stopped working. There are many meds out there. Research any med you take so you will be knowledgable about that med. You will find the info very easy on the Internet. Everyone is different. Advocate for yourself.
I am glad you are starting to feel better. Some meds take 4-6 weeks for their full effect. Give any med you take a chance before increasing. And of course always tell you pdoc honestly how you are feeling and about any side effects you are having. Some side effects can be unbearable in which case you would want to change meds. You and your pdoc work together.
I am very surprised your pdoc has a plan to increase your Zoloft. You start with a low dose and see how you feel and you only increase to the next level dose if you need to. Only you will know how you feel and if you need a increase. A dr shouldn't assume you need to work up to 100mg without knowing what the lower doses are doing for you.
This type of practice is so common, it's wrong. They commonly prescribe larger doses than necessary right off the bat or they raise dosages when not necessary. Not everyone needs that. Yes there are guidelines these dr's use but they are only guidelines. I have learned this from my own experiences. The less medicine the better. Only you will know what dose is working for you.
You are the one in charge of your body and mind and you are the only one who knows how you feel and what works for you. Down the road you may find that you need a different med due to unbearable side effects or you were at the highest dose safe and it was not working or it stopped working. There are many meds out there. Research any med you take so you will be knowledgable about that med. You will find the info very easy on the Internet. Everyone is different. Advocate for yourself.
I am glad you are starting to feel better. Some meds take 4-6 weeks for their full effect. Give any med you take a chance before increasing. And of course always tell you pdoc honestly how you are feeling and about any side effects you are having. Some side effects can be unbearable in which case you would want to change meds. You and your pdoc work together.
What you take is up to you. You make the decisions. How you do it is to play it as safe as possible. You're on a very small dose of klonopin, so it shouldn't go too badly, but don't stop abruptly. Your psychiatrist should be able to both help you taper off it properly and to advise you whether or not it's a good idea, but again, you make the decisions, not your doctors.
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Thank you Paxiled, I know its not a big dose and I might stay on it until I stabilize on the Zoloft and then come off of it.
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