Doctor told me I could cold turkey off Klonopin after 5 years?

[Crista128]

Hi Everyone,

I suffer from panic disorder with agoraphobia and separation anxiety.
I have been on Klonopin for 6 years. The first year they played with my dose a bit, and then for the past 5 years I have been on 1mg at in the morning and then again in the late afternoon. The script is for up to 4 times a day, but I can count on my two hands the number of times I've taken an "extra" (over two) in the past five years.

We decided that since I've been on the same dose for so long, it's probably not even doing much for me. We were going to take me off the scheduled doses and use it as needed.
I had an appointment yesterday and that's when we decided this. He told me I could just stop taking it.

I didn't take yesterdays afternoon dose, or this mornings dose.
Then I was feeling shaky and kinda "bugged out" for lack of a better term. I looked it up on the computer and freaked out with all the "Do NOT stop taking benzos without weaning off them, you can have seizures, etc etc etc".

So I took one at 11am.

Has anyone come off of Klonopin that can suggest a weaning schedule?

Again, I was taking 1 mg 2x a day.

Should I go to 1mg once a day? or 1/2 2x a day? And for how long before I step down again to either  1/2 mg once a day ?

Any suggestions or advice?

Thank you SO much.

-Crista

[mammo]

You definitely need to taper off this medication, and since your doctor is unaware of this, I would find a psychiatrist to help you. Your doctor's advice is a big red flag that he doesn't have a clue, where psychiatrists are most knowledgable with these types of medications and can best assist you.  Good luck and be patient with yourself.

[CanuckGuy42]

I was lucky enough to get referred to a psychiatrist from my GP and now I will be transferring all my anxiety care and medication monitoring to the psychiatrist... frankly I don't trust my GP with this anymore.. psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in anxiety and depression and are also licensed to dispense meds and have better training in monitoring patients on them..... so I would consider that option as well..... I'll keep by GP for sore throats and sprained ankles... stuff they are good for....

[lynn57]

Can't believe any doctor would tell you to just stop the Klonopin.  It took me almost a year to taper off 2 mgs. a day.  I had some discomfort but it was minimal.  Some doctors like to go faster and get it over quickly with no mind to your feelings.  If you can't get him to help you with a taper schedule, find a new doctor.  When looking for a GP, always set up an interview or "meet and greet".  Ask up front if they are comfortable treating anxiety and prescribing any meds that are involved.  Many doctors will admit that they are not comfortable with things like depression and anxiety.  Good luck.

[RubyWitch]

While there is no question getting off benzos and antidepressants can be a bit, well, unpleasant, if done correctly, that unpleasantness can be greatly minimized. For this to happen, you need to be under the care and supervision of someone who really understands these meds. That immediately rules out 99.9% of GPs. (For those who wish to disagree, there is no doubt that a very small minority of GPs DO understand how to taper and if yours is one, you're VERY lucky)
I personally, and strongly, advocate for Psychiatric Medication Managers. You may have to search far and wide for one, but it's worth the effort. These folks are not psychiatrists, so you don't see them for your fear of farms or noodles...........you see them ONLY to deal with medication issues. They can put you on medication and they can take you off medication and when they take you off, they know HOW to do that and they work very closely with you the entire time. They totally understand that everyone is different, that there is no "one size fits all" taper and they listen. If you're struggling, they will alter the taper so that you feel better, But, they aren't magicians and there is virtually no way to withdraw from these meds without SOME discomfort. But if you accept that this discomfort is temporary, which it is, then hopefully that will give you the motivation to stick it out.
As for Stevie Nicks almost dying from her withdrawal from Klonopin, there is really only one way that could possibly happen. If she was on a high dose, had been for a substantial amount of time and tried to cold turkey. THAT method will almost guarantee a trip to the ER. It's really better to not get your medical information from the National Inquirer
Any taper from any med can be "wicked" if not done correctly, but that does not make the drug itself "wicked."
Peace
Greenlydia

[meme313]

i am struggling with the klonopin myself and it isnt pretty that drug is wicked to get off of i was on 1 mg now i have winged myself down to .o5 good luck, stevie nicks said one time in a interview she almost died from this,trying to stop klonopin like i said its a wicked drug

[RubyWitch]

Yes, we both agree you need a taper schedule and since your doctor doesn't, be aware that his lack of knowledge will send you into a living nightmare. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but you only skipped 2 doses and look at how you felt. Trust me, it would get 100X worse if you continued to cold turkey it.
And it's not just the two of us that KNOW you need a taper plan. Anybody who has been on ADs or AAs will tell you exactly the same.
If your doctor disagrees, find another doctor! Or tell him to read the literature and THEN call you back with a taper plan!
Let us know what he has to say. I am VERY interested!
Peace
Greenlydia

[Crista128]

Thank you both for your advice.

I will not ask for a taper schedule on here, but you both agree that I need one?

I just emailed my doctor.

Thank you.

[RubyWitch]

Klonopin, as with any benzo, must be tapered slowly, at YOUR pace, under the care and supervision of a doctor knowledgeable about withdrawal, or a PMM. (Psychiactric Medication Manager) Especially since you've been on it for 6 years. Please be safe and don't do this on your own.

As for telling you HOW to taper, there is not a single person on this forum who is qualified to instruct you about tapering. If anybody does, you need to report it to one of the CLs immediately. Also, if anybody PMs you with advice about specific tapering information, please report this as well.  

I wish you the best with your taper.
Peace
Greenlydia

[CanuckGuy42]

My suggestion is you get a doctor to help you with this. A weaning off schedule needs to be personalized and monitored... And if your current doctor is unaware of the need for a weaning off of these types of meds - get another doctor. It's common knowledge that you need to wean off any benzo or SSRI drug... can't imagine why he would tell you just to stop after the length of time you have been on it....