(Ryan)Klonopin Taper near end

Hi Ryan,

For the first time today I read your responses to others posting about Klonopin taper/withdrawal.  I have taken the same dose .5 twice a day for almost 20 years for anxiety and social anxiety.   I have made huge progress over the years and through CBT no longer need it.  Also, I don' think it does anything anymore except to avoid withdraw.  Although, I am happy I had it because it did help me live a normal life and at times I took a little more on rare occasions (PRN).   I was at 2-3 times daily, but I always pretty much kept it at 2 times.

So here is my question.  I have seen you recommending people taper off it with 3 times per day dosing.  

Well, back in March I began cutting 1/4 tablets out(.125) in morning.  I would wait anywhere between 4 weeks and longer depending on my schedule ( work, etc) to cut another 1/4 after that in the evening dose.  I am currently at .25 in PM and .125 in AM.  It is now Sept 26 and my last cut was 4 weeks ago.  I am doing pretty good with this, but now it's getting a little more challenging as I reach the end ( I tried to tape twice before and it was horrendous!!!  I did it in 3 months - no wonder).

What should I do about the 3 times a day at this point?  Should I move what I have sideways: .125 X 3 times.  If so how long to I wait to cut again?

Thanks,

Tony

[TonyJames]

Ryan,

I just saw on your profile...  I assume b.i.d. is twice daily..  you wrote " For b.i.d. dosing, the morning dose should be tapered first, rotating between the morning and night doses every four weeks."

Thanks!

[whereismike]

Hello Tony,
I was taking .5 mg of Klonopin each morning.. with 100mg of bupropion.  I stopped both about 10 days ago and have been feeling the withdrawals. I was taking .25 for a week prior to stopping.  I like your technique of supertapering off and wished I'd done that.  I have been getting headaches and feeling hyper anxious in public.  Klonopin really works and is missed when stopped.  How have you been lately?

[TonyJames]

Well., I just cut another .125 yesterday..  so I can fell it a little., but it is ok.  Nothing like when I treid this a few years ago and did it way too fast.

I also just got my Dr to phone in .125 Klonopin Wafers ( there are generic out too) and CVS will have them today.  So I won't have to split pills.   I will take those in AM and PM for a while and if I want to go slower than Ryan suggests I can always take a 1/2 of those for a while.  I think the ket is NOT to pressure yourself and give yourself permission to take a little more once ina while if need be.   When I get down to Zero., I will allow myself to take a little now and then, but..  I know just knowing that I will prbably not need to.  Then I will try and work through with CBT from there.

Beware of the Website in the UK!!  those people are extremists.  Getting of Klonopin is not easy., but done correctly it is fine.    Klonopin has helped many people.  Are the drugs companies out for profit?  OF course, but you could say that about just about anything including antibiotics.  Just be resposible and use common sense.

Best - I see your from Boston . . Go Pats!

[TonyJames]

Now it is 10 weeks later.   I just cut another .125 so now I am only taking .125 TOTAL!   THisis in the PM.  After the Hoildays I will stop  taking it completely.   I may still take a little from time to time "PRN" ( as needed)., but once I get to that point I can work on using the CBT skill I have now.

I never thought I would get to this point and feel ok!    I iwll post again as things change.. probably in 2 months if not sooner.

[cal7902]

I am also tapering off of Klonopin.  Thanks for your post because it gives me some hope that I can do this too.  Right now, I am at .125mg in the morning and .25 at night.  This is down from .5mg BID.  I began tapering in August and every time I cut the dose it seems to be different.  The cut  which took me to .25mg BID, did not seem to affect me very much at all.  I am 4 days into the cut that got me to where I am now, and it has been very noticible.  I can't wait to get this stuff out of my body.  How long did you go through CBT?