Withdrawal form low doses of Klonopin

[SBoat]

I was given Klonopin for anxiety with panic 3 months ago. It worked fine (sedated at times) at .25mg twice a day for 3 months. At the 2 month mark I started with chest pain and loads of discomfort in neck and shoulder area. I also started to feel not really like myself, slightly depressed, and basically like I was not functioning very well memory and thought process wise. I attempted to reduce to .25mg just at night. I did OK with that until day 6, with return of anxious feelings and extreme discomfort in neck and shoulders. A cardiac stress test was negative for problems. I went back to previous dosing. I am now trying to dose down once more, with basically taking a "sliver" - 1/2 of a 1/2 (.125mg) during the day and .25mg at night. I do tend to feel a little jittery at times and continue to have neck and shoulder pain, particularly in the evenings. The night sweats I was having are sometimes apparent also. I really would like to try to discontinue Klonopin. I really don't care to use anti depressants, as I've had terrible side effects in the past. Can you give me some insight into if I could be experiencing withdrawal symptoms or am I simply experiencing the part and parcel of anxiety symptoms? I would also like information as to how I proceed with the tapering process. I see a therapist so I am working on behavior modification and other techniques to combat this problem. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It does not sound like withdrawal symptoms, it is much more like the return of the remaining portion of your anxiety symptoms. First of all you should be doing this under medical supervision so talk to your doctor about staying on this very small dose for about another month and then reduce that by taking the same dose fevery other day for a week, and then every third day for second w eek, and then off.

[SBoat]

Just to clarify, my dosage changes were with my doctor's OK. I appreciate the information.

[dudefixx]

You know, I started having chest pains and back pain about 1 month into the Klonopin.  I was on .5 mg three times per day (see the dudefixx question).  Dr. Gould (moderator for this forum) said to taper off in two weeks, my psychiatrist said take 8 weeks, and my internest (who's my regular Dr. I go to for normal aches and pains) gave me a 4 week schedule.  I, too, don't like the anti-depressants, and wondered if the klonpin could cause chest or other pain.  It's interesting the extreme differences in opinion on the taper...

[dudefixx]

Oh, ya...and the depression that the klonopin was causing was not worth it.  I am week one into taper, and so far so good.  I wasn't feeling like myself, either.  Your not alone!  There appear to be a lot of us that benefit from the medications for a short period of time...then it's like our body says "that's it"....

[SBoat]

Thanks so much for your comments. I am on day 5 on the lower dose. It's going ok. I certainly feel more alert, less "flat" and clearer thinking. I agree it's hard to decide the best way to go with this weaning process. Initially, my doc wanted me to remain on the Klonopin for 6 mths. I hope the tapering goes well for both of us.... Thanks for the support. Good Luck !!!

[dudefixx]

So, how are you coming off the Klonopin...what's your taper schedule that your using?

[SBoat]

I go to see my doc on Monday. We'll have a discussion about it. Right now, I guess I'm looking at this lower dosing as working for what I need right at this moment. The lower dosing in the morning has really helped. I still have some moments, brief thankfully, I feel are "breakthrough" anxious symptoms or med adjustment issues (Forum MD stated he thought they were more related to initial anxiety). I'm still very much working on "other" parts of my self care I need to address. So, right now, I'm going to see how this dosing goes... That's today's opinion, tomorrow I may be ready to flush the med down the drain !!! (small smile) ...I do want to get off the med as soon as I can. I will say the down dosing (so far) has helped with a lot of the stuff I experienced that concerned me about taking it. Do want to be able to live a life without it at some point. I hope that sorta answered your question...

[dudefixx]

Sure, I understand.  I can tell already the hardest part for me will be giving up the med...not because I don't think I can tough it out (any withdrawal after slow tapering), but because I'm afraid "what do I do if I have another unusually anxiety provoking moment.  My pschic also let me start St. John's Wort, which will take a little while to take effect, but I used it 4 years ago for mild depression...and it worked great.  AND you can stop taking it without withdrawal. Good luck at your Dr. visit...I see mine Friday, too.  Maybe I'll get back w/you then and we'll stay in touch and get through it okay.  It always helps to talk with someone who knows EXACTLY what your going through...

[SBoat]

Sounds like a good plan to me... I also appreciate knowing I'm not alone in these "issues".

[dudefixx]

You know, you try to build an image of someone in your mind...I'll give you some details, and if you want to share, you can.  If not, not a big deal.

I'm a 32 year old male married in the Information Technology Industry.  Lot's of stress there right now.  Four kids cause stress, and so does my boss!  Sometimes I wonder how much your job really causes a lot of these problems.  How about you?

[SBoat]

Could we figure a way to communicate to as not to be so "exposed" ?? I think we could be of support to one another.

[dudefixx]

You can e-mail me a ***@****   Then you can give me your e-mail at my e-mail address.

I won't post anything further here until I here from you at my e-mail.

[bipo_yankee]

Hey Guys - I just came across this site, and viewed your postings, and thought I'll share with you that I came off low a low dose of Klonopin over a 6 week period, about 2 months ago (I was on .5mg every night). I did have anxiety for the first week, primarily the anxiety of having withdrawal symptoms. Strangely, I have encountered neck and shoulder pain at times, but never associated it with Klonopin! Not being on it doesn't bother me any more, especially since I've a small supply and with my doctor's approval, I'm allowed to take .5mg if I ever need it for anxiety or help with sleep. (I haven't had to). Good luck to both of you...Sam.

[dopedup]

I've been on klonopin (.5mg) for couple of years. The doctor prescribed it to improve sleep and calm irritable bowl syndrome.
Each time I'be tried to discontinue its use I experience sleeplessness, chest pain that radiate through the back and anger. What else can you take to help you sleep and how long would the chest pains go on while you detox.
P.S.  Every time I go back to taking .5mg I feel high as a kite.

[dopedup]

I've noticed when I was taking cypro for an ear infection I didn't need the klonopin to help me sleep and there weren't any immeadiate withdrawal symptoms.  About 15 days after I stopped taking cypro,  withdrawal symptoms hit fast and furious.  I can't figure out the correlation.