Klonopin wean- fear of severe withdrawal

[jimmycsayz]

Hi Doc

I have posted on here before.  I was originally diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder/GAD Disorder with and without some Major depression.  I was prescribed all different kinds of meds.  Bottom line is now I am on 150mgs of Wellbutrin, and 2mgs of Klonopin.  Also, the psych prescribed me Strattera for ADD he thinks I may have.

I don't necessarily like that mix, and I'm also learning more and more about Benzos and how addicting they can be and how long term prescription is not ideal.  I've been on Benzos (Xanax for 1 1/2 years and Klonopin for about the same amount of time).  I've been reading up on the internet about how Benzo withdrawals are catostrophic (worst than heroine).  However I don't want to generalize and litterally psych myself out, and I wanted to give you my specific situation.

I want to wean off the Benzo but I'm afraid of what to expect in terms of withdrawal even with a slow wean.  I heard of protractive symptoms, including PTSD which develops and just a very very devistating feeling of being.  My question is, where should I go from here with the wean?  With about 3 1/2 years on Benzo with an average of 2mgs a day (1/2 to 1mg Xanax a year and half ago and 2mg of Klonopin for the last year and a half) should I count on a smooth wean if I go slow enough?  If so, what would be your formula of reduction?  

Also, are what are the available substitutes that can help reduce future withdrawal?  Mood stabalizer?  Another SSRI?

I don't want to goto inpatient rehab as if I was a drug-addict, and lose all hope and I am scared that that withdrawal will be so devestating, and long lasting that I may resort to suicidal means or just simply go crazy!  What am I looking at in the future?  I'm 24 years old now and I want to finish up college.  I am also in Talk Theropy.  I plan on getting into Law Enforcement, and having a record of addiction to this (a lot of my Dr's fault) won't look too good.  



Thanks!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You should also be under the supervision of your doctor for this,but I can give you some guidelines to think about...First of all, you should get off of the xanax while still on klonopin....much,much easier, and do it over a 3 week period, progressively lowering the dose so the last week its the lowest possible dose every third day, then stop...You should not have any problem...then do the same with klonopin while on wellbutrin, but ask your doctor not to add any stimulating medications during this period because they will make you anxious...then, see how you feel with wellbutrin before making any other decisions, and count on, and pay attention to, your talk therapy..the most important part of the program.

[jimmycsayz]

Follow up question on my post-

Would Valium be a good subsitute to begin the weaning process?

[mattie625]

Hey there! I have been on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg, Klonopin 2 mg, Zyprexa 1mg.(antipsychotic), and Remeron 30 mg.(another antidepressant taken at night to help me sleep too). I have been takeing these for about a year 1/2. The Klonopin I take 0.5 in the morning, 0.5 in the afternoon and 1 mg at night before bed. I haven't had an anxiety attack or problem since! I mean I still have anxiety but it is controlled now. Now not suicidal or freakind out all the time.

About a week ago...my doctor all of a suddenly decides to cut my Klonopin in HALF! I was freaking out! So I tried it for about 3 days....I was experiencing severe mood changes! The Zyprexa I take is a mood stablizer too! But anyways I was haveing very light anxiety attacks, severe paranoia, and just constantly worrying! So I went back to takeing what I was takeing! I heard that many people who just stop takeing Klonopin end up going crazy because of the fact it is so addicting! I wish they would have put me on something else...like Buspar (wonderful anxiety med) but thatt takes about a week before kicking in and usually just take twice a day depending on how severe you are. But yes...getting off Klonopin is a MAJOR issue! I am so scared....I want to get off of these drugs, but I don't know what is going to happen! I am in the same boat as you! I am so freaking out! I am gong to see my doctor this next to see what I can do about it. I wish you the best of luck! I haven't known anyone personally that has been on Klonopin this long so I don't know of anyone elses experience on getting off of it. It is a hard drug to get over...I hope I can! I would love to keep in touch, it is nice to see someone else on this drug....I feel so alone here! Plus now I am worried about my liver, even haveing no problems, because of the fact that I have taken these for so lond and once in a while I drink.....

[harleybluz]

I'm hypersensitive of meds so what I do is ask the Doctor what to do and then cut that in half.  They always tell me to get off stuff quicker than my brain can handle.  

And...I have also cut down on Klonopin by half at a time and did well.  I was taking 0.5mg a few times a day and cut the pill in half for one week.  It's a slow method and we have a tendency to want to rush things but I had absolutely NO withdrawal.  Be patient and you probably won't have any withdrawal

Good luck sweetie