cold turkey switch from xanax to klonopin today

I'm taking Prestiq, 100mg for about three weeks now, started at 50mg for seven weeks and Psyc increased.  I've been on Xanax consistently since March '09 approx 3 mg/day.  That has grown because I've built a tolerance.  I had appt. today with my Psyc and told him I wanted off Xanax today.  That when I try to take less, I feel sick.  My weekend was devastating, and I went through a lot of Xanax.  He has switched me to Klonopin 1.5 mg/twice daily.  I was feeling some withdrawal today from the Xanax and the Klonopin took that away, however, I'm extremely anxious.  Since my original prescription was for 3mg/day, that is what he has prescribed for the Klonopin.  I'm scared to death of a seizure even though the Klonopin should protect me from that.  But my increase in Xanax is unknown to him, and I'm worried that 3mg/Klonopin per day will not fully protect me from seizure.  I did tell him that I had taken a lot of Xanax over the weekend because of the circumstances.

I don't know Klonopin like I know Xanax.  I've been diagnosed with major depression and anxiety, which happened over-night, totally blind-sided me, and I never saw it coming.  I went from a strong, independent, assertive 40 year old women to a woman that is now in isolation from her children because of my depression and I don't want them to know.  That has lost all interest in life and feel like I'm wandering aimlessly without purpose.  There has been a lot of trauma in my life over the past 2.5 years but I soldiered on.  Suddenly in March I lost all motivation, interest in things I enjoy and I don't know why.  I am in counseling too.  I've had two sessions but shared many e-mails with this therapist.

I'm afraid that the Klonopin prescribed is not enough because of the increase in my Xanax over recent weeks.  I understand Xanax and the difference in the two, but am wondering if I should dose three times a day instead of only two.  He told me to call, and we can adjust as needed, but his intent is to taper me from the Klonopin ASAP and not use long term.  If you need it, you need it.  I asked him what do we do about my anxiety once he tapers which sounds to me like he is going to start in one month.  He said that was a good question.  I feel that I've lost myself and that I will have a nervous breakdown without the help of meds.

Can anyone help?  What is the adjustment period.  I'm am having major anxiety right now.  I read the first three days are the hardest...two weeks to be stable.  Any advice.  I have zero support system except my therapist.  Please help if you can.

[Paxiled]

Over on the Mental Health forum, Dr. Gould recommends a three week taper off benzos with, if there's a risk, an anti-seizure medication the last week.  I've always felt tapering should be as slow as an individual needs, since we all react differently.  I'm also dubious about switching one drug for another -- you don't know that way if you get symptoms whether they're withdrawal from the old or side effects from the new, and no two drugs work exactly the same way.