klonopin taper

[lynn57]

I have my panic disorder under control.  Originally took klonopin and I must have built up a tolerance to it! (1 1/2 mg per day) Anxiety was coming back and panic attacka.  Now on celexa(40mg) Buspar(20mg) and neurontin at night(600mg) I stayed on the klonopin until I was stable.  My doctor added these drugs instead of adding the celexa to the klonopin because he hates benzos.  I have to begin tapering off the klonopin and cannot use the water or valium transfer.  What would be a good tapering schedule?  Anyone know?  I was going to try to drop an eighth of a mg every four days.  Is this reasonable.  I have to work so side-effects are not good.  Don't tell me to work w/ my doc because ha just wants me off.  No plan, though.  Help!!! Just thinking about going off klonopin is causing me anxiety.LOL

[lynn57]

My doctor says the only way to get off klonopin is to slowly lower the dose.  I know that!  I need an actual tapering schedule in amounts so that I don't have side-effects.(or am I going to get those anyway?)  My doctor acts like it's no big deal.  Klonopin has been all I have taken for the last 3 years to control my panic disorder.  It worked for the insomnia, also.  I tapered down to 1 1/2 mgs a day from 2, a short time ago. I had a set back acouple of months ago and instead of going back to 2mgs, my doctor wanted me to get off klonopin so I'm taking the other meds to take it's place.  I felt better taking just one med, but there's not much I can do. I suppose he's right  about long-term benzo use.

[JSGeare]

Personally, I'd be as nervous about a doctor who won't consider a med because he hates it, as I would be about a waiter who won't give me onion rings because he doesn't like them. Yeah, so what? Will it work or not -THAT is the question.

I confess to some curiosity regarding what your doctor says about the tapering -did you get an opinion on that.

If it is true, really true, that your doc acts because of likes and dislikes as opposed to an objective assessment about YOU -time for another doc. Think about it, anyway. And, whatever you do, please don't assume that anyone on this forum is qualified to express a medical opinion.