Clonazapem Withdrawal

[Sondra1952]

I don't seem to have much faith in my Dr. anymore, actually I have none, so I'd like to ask you kind folks who understand addictions.  I am new to this site, so please bear with me, as I can't seem to string two thoughts together anymore.  I was put on Valium 31 yrs. ago for agorophobia, then on Xanax to get me off the Valium, then on Klonopin (and clonazapem when that, the generic, came out) to get me off the Xanax.  I've now been on the clonazapem for 25 yrs., and I'm wondering if anyone else has ever gotten off this devil drug successfully, and if so, can you offer me any little ray of hope?  I take 1 mg. 3 times a day, and feel the worst I've ever felt.  Over this 31 year "journey", I've also tried every anti-depressant on the market, but they generally put me into a rage, so I won't even try those anymore.  I've always been a health nut, and never take even an aspirin, so when this started 31 yrs. ago, I hated to take any drugs, but was assured by the professionals that they weren't addictive, and they're still telling me that.  What a crock!  I put myself into our local mental institution in 07/06 for a week, but at over $1000/day, and I had no insurance, I stayed only one week, and all they did was ignore my questions on "could the clonazapem be CAUSING my depression", and wanted me to up the dose and add Lexapro.  After 31 yrs. of this ****, I feel worse than I ever have.  I feel like I'm having a constant "out of body" experience, and don't feel like my mind and body are attached.  I don't sleep, I go between rage and crying, don't sleep, have severe headaches, etc.  I've tried several times to wean myself, .5/mg at a time over a month period, and then another .5/mg, but when I get down to about 2 mg., I start to feel so sick.  I will not go back to any of the Drs. in this town, and couldn't afford to anyway as I have no insurance.  Could someone please throw me a little hope that I can get off of this horrible drug, and some tips on how to do it?  I am such a control freak, yet I feel like I've never had so little control over my life.  HELP, and thanks for listening!

[Sondra1952]

thanks!  I'll keep you posted on how it goes.  Like you said, hopefully I'll find some posts from others who have kicked this drug.  

[ohsosickntired]

all i know is congratulations on finally seeking help....great big step in right direction...not to sure about the w/d from your D O C...but I'm sure if you check the posts you can find some useful info...

[Sondra1952]

Thanks for reading my post.  I've thought about jumping off of a bridge, but I don't have the motivation, and I'm so screwed up on this stuff, I rarely leave the house anymore.  I'm glad you realized what a crappy drug it was and quit taking it.  My son is 30, and getting married in June, and the old me would have been so excited, but I honestly don't know how I'll pull it together to go and act "normal".  Don't even know what that is anymore.  I really am scared to even begin the withdrawal, and I don't dare due it until after the wedding, but I pray I can do it, as what I've been doing for the last years isn't even living!  Thanks for your reply, and I'm glad you didn't jump off a bridge!

[Mikeinthesouth]

Klonopin is a crazy drug. I had a dr writing me that a few years back for two years and I totally abused that and withdrew from that while on opiates so I can't tell you the full withdrawals symptoms, but I can tell you those changed me so much I hate to look at pics of me taken during that time. It was pure chaos with those in my system. Thank God I stopped those when I did they had me so depressed over my situation physically at that time I was ready to jump off a bridge.