Taper off of Clonazepam

I have been on clonazepam since approximately July 5, 2002 (just over a month and a half).  I was orignally given xanax, but asked for clonazepam because I knew (through my own research) that it had a longer half-life and would be easier to withdraw.  Originally I was having some mild anxiety...but I'm sure now it was related to everyday stress (financial, family, etc).  Now I've realized that I think I've been depressed the whole time.  I asked my family Dr. to see a psychiatrist, and he said it would be a good idea...they had given me zoloft for about a week and I had a terrible reaction (previous to July 5th).  I tested "mildly clinically depressive" on the Beck Inventory.  My psychiatrist (which I like) also gave me a book to read, called "The Anxiety Disease" by Dr. David Sheehan.  To make a long story short, I have realized that I think it's the mild depression that is the problem.  I asked my psychiatrist if I could try St. John's Wort before another ssri, and he agreed.  However, he said after six weeks if the St. John's wort doesn't work, then he wants to put me on Effexor XR.  Here's my real question that I want answered.  I want to taper off (and he agrees) the clonazepam (klonopin) for which I've been on for 1 1/2 months at .5mg 3 times per day.  How would your recommend I do this, since I haven't been on it for "years or months" like others who have trouble coming off of benzodiazapines.  Also, what do you think about Effexor, and since I reacted so negatively to Zoloft (for the week I took it) is Effexor similar, or would I expect the same symptoms?  I understand Effexor is a SSNI, but I'm hoping that the St. John's Wort will work since my depression is mild.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You should ask your psychiatrist about tapering off but in general, you should taper off in a two week period, gradually reducing dose, and ending up the last week with a small dose( about a quarter of what you are taking) every other day.

Effexor is a good medication. Having a bad reaction to zoloft does not predict your reaction to effexor even thought they are in the same broad family of medications.

[NSX]

Can anyone tell me if being on klonapin for 6 years dosage .05 3x a day can be bad?  I have never felt i needed more, but have felt "moody" and forget taking it from time to time.  I have uncomfortable feeling in my neck and back of my head, plus tingling, prickling sometimes burning feeling on my arms and legs.  Is this a sympom fo being on the drug, long term use if the drug or withdrawl (withdrawal) of the drug?

It was prescribed for panic. but i would like to get off it and my doctor suggested slowy tapering off over a one year time frame due being on it for 6 years.

Thanks in advance

[puma]

NSX,

Yes, you will experience withdrawals and those effects you mentioned are a precursor to a possible grand mal seizure. If you do not taper very slowly as suggested you will probably go into the DT'S (Delirium Tremens) and be so disoriented you will not be able to function and may even not rememeber where you are or who you are from time to time. The withdrawals are extremely nasty. I take 8 mg's per day for seizures and aniety and have been for four years. It would take me an eternity to get off of it without suffering intensly. My body always reminds me when my next dosage is due because I begin to feel cranky and spaced out.

I hope this helps.

Chatahan

[djcats]

I have been taking Clonazepam for about 2 years 1 mg/day.  When I first started taking it, I tried a higher dosage which resulted in confusion, so I dropped back to 1 mg.  Now, I am beginning to have problems with confusion.  I am between doctors.  I have an appointment with a new one mid Feb.  I am afraid to keep taking it.  I am afraid of losing my job.  I don't know how to safely get off of it.  I am also taking trileptal, attenelol, HRT, and a small dosage of lexipro.  I don't have anyone in the medical field who I can ask right now.  It seems from reading the posts that it is difficult to get off of it.