Aa
Klonopin
I would like to know how to safely taper off klonopin (Rivotril).I SHOULD be taking 1mg 3 times a day, but for the last several years i've tripled my dose to 3/1mg 3 times a day.
I was prescribed klonopin 7 yrs ago at the same time as anitdepressants. I've weaned myself off the antideprssants a few months ago. Why was i prescribed klonopin? Was it to optimize the antidepressants? Anyways, i'm feeling much better and all i need is this last step to be completely drug free.
*Note to others who post here*
Why is it that i get this weird feeling that some people seem to think that their posts r less important or enlightning than others? What the heck...? In my humble opinion, and after reading posts here for more than a month...seems to me that every single post, long or short, serious or funny, enlightening or down in the dumps, whatever drug is affecting our lives...ALL THESE POSTS HAVE THEIR PLACE HERE.
Isn't this forum a place for us all to get off any stuff?
Being human...means mistakes...downers...humble acceptance and so many times here...victories...maybe small ones...but victories all the same...but ALL of the time...all of the posts r so very true.So...what ever the name attached to a post...i read every single word..and..however long or short it may be...in some way...it encourages me to get clean.
I'm a working mom with 3 boys ages from 3 to 16. One of my boys has a chronic medical problem. I'm a single parent and after alcohol and pills galore in the familly history, i truly want to get off this stuff. Take care everyone.
I was prescribed klonopin 7 yrs ago at the same time as anitdepressants. I've weaned myself off the antideprssants a few months ago. Why was i prescribed klonopin? Was it to optimize the antidepressants? Anyways, i'm feeling much better and all i need is this last step to be completely drug free.
*Note to others who post here*
Why is it that i get this weird feeling that some people seem to think that their posts r less important or enlightning than others? What the heck...? In my humble opinion, and after reading posts here for more than a month...seems to me that every single post, long or short, serious or funny, enlightening or down in the dumps, whatever drug is affecting our lives...ALL THESE POSTS HAVE THEIR PLACE HERE.
Isn't this forum a place for us all to get off any stuff?
Being human...means mistakes...downers...humble acceptance and so many times here...victories...maybe small ones...but victories all the same...but ALL of the time...all of the posts r so very true.So...what ever the name attached to a post...i read every single word..and..however long or short it may be...in some way...it encourages me to get clean.
I'm a working mom with 3 boys ages from 3 to 16. One of my boys has a chronic medical problem. I'm a single parent and after alcohol and pills galore in the familly history, i truly want to get off this stuff. Take care everyone.
Thanks all for the indepth info about klonopin. Its really got me thinking about when and how to taper. Imma gonna start slowly, following itsadogslife and everyone elses posts. If it gets too tough, i'll taper even slower...but i will taper darn it...even if it does take a whole year!
Yesterday, i didn't take a dose till the evening. During the day, took the boys iceskating. I'm usually real layed back when i take these meds, but yesterday, caught myself losing patience for every tiny thing. Had to apologize to my boyz a couple of times since everything and i mean EVERYTHING got on my nerves. Now, after reading all of your posts about klonopin, i'm putting 2 and 2 together. Yeah, i'm scared. Hope with time, i will get off this stuff.
Last night, could't even stand myself so i took a dose. Felt much calmer afterwards.
Had a heart to heart talk with my 2 older teen sons. My youngest is 3, so he was asleep. Didn't feel it was the right time to tell the boys i was fighting an addiction, but we talked about our familly history for drugs and alcohol. Isn't easy to get any teens attention, but i can tell you that this conversation was really intense. They asked alot of questions about street drugs and script drugs. I tried to answer as best i could and i reminded them that since our familly has a predisposition, they should, throughout thier lives, be very carefull not to fall into the *fix* pattern...whatever the substance.
I even had the courage to admitt to them that i loved the opiate effects when i had back surgery and now IBS and demerol and that i had to be very very carefull not to give in to this great feeling. They were so astonished that thier mom MIGHT have a problem! (I'm a very caring mom and am allways there for them). Geezzzz....kids sometimes think that we parents are saints of something!!!!!!!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyways, i hope our conversation opened an eye for them. Time will tell.
I'll keep reading all of your posts each day. They really do help me...if not down right awaken me...and sometimes...yeah...sometimes...give me a hearty good laugh with the jokes and all...that is the best medicine i know!
Take care everyone and merci!! Whippet:)
Yesterday, i didn't take a dose till the evening. During the day, took the boys iceskating. I'm usually real layed back when i take these meds, but yesterday, caught myself losing patience for every tiny thing. Had to apologize to my boyz a couple of times since everything and i mean EVERYTHING got on my nerves. Now, after reading all of your posts about klonopin, i'm putting 2 and 2 together. Yeah, i'm scared. Hope with time, i will get off this stuff.
Last night, could't even stand myself so i took a dose. Felt much calmer afterwards.
Had a heart to heart talk with my 2 older teen sons. My youngest is 3, so he was asleep. Didn't feel it was the right time to tell the boys i was fighting an addiction, but we talked about our familly history for drugs and alcohol. Isn't easy to get any teens attention, but i can tell you that this conversation was really intense. They asked alot of questions about street drugs and script drugs. I tried to answer as best i could and i reminded them that since our familly has a predisposition, they should, throughout thier lives, be very carefull not to fall into the *fix* pattern...whatever the substance.
I even had the courage to admitt to them that i loved the opiate effects when i had back surgery and now IBS and demerol and that i had to be very very carefull not to give in to this great feeling. They were so astonished that thier mom MIGHT have a problem! (I'm a very caring mom and am allways there for them). Geezzzz....kids sometimes think that we parents are saints of something!!!!!!!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyways, i hope our conversation opened an eye for them. Time will tell.
I'll keep reading all of your posts each day. They really do help me...if not down right awaken me...and sometimes...yeah...sometimes...give me a hearty good laugh with the jokes and all...that is the best medicine i know!
Take care everyone and merci!! Whippet:)
I think that you will find Alanon and Naranon very dissapointing. They lead you to believe that it is you have a disease and need to work AA steps. They take concerned and loving wives and label them as co-dependents. This may or may not be true. The best message to take from Alanon is that you cannot control your partners behavior so take care of yourself.
Read the chapter in the AA big book addressed to wives and families. I think this will give you some good insight. Also, I believe that this type of situation is Dr Horvaths field of expertise. He may be able to give you more help than anyone.
Read the chapter in the AA big book addressed to wives and families. I think this will give you some good insight. Also, I believe that this type of situation is Dr Horvaths field of expertise. He may be able to give you more help than anyone.
Rex1 - Doing good, how's the back!
Everyone - Have a Happy New Year and be safe!
teeitup!
Everyone - Have a Happy New Year and be safe!
teeitup!
Having had a long term benzo addiction, I have done extensive research and posted on a benzo board for some time. That benzo wd is different for everyone is apparently the only truth that applies. There are some general rules of thumb -
Long acting benzos like klonopin or valium are preferred for tapering.
It is easier to make larger cuts in the beginning of the taper than at the end. As the taper progresses go smaller and slower.
Cuts should be no larger than 10% of the total dose. I have personally broken this rule at the beginning with no ill effects.
Two things happen during a taper - rebound symptoms caused by the brain's delay in producing GABA when the drug is removed. These are most likely more intense anxiety, shakes and insomnia. The brain eventually begins to produce GABA again. If that's not bad enough relapse symptoms which are the underlying disorder that the benzo was prescribed for in the first place return as well.
Tapers from benzos take a long time and the symptoms can be bad enough to want to increase the dose to obtain relief. I have found that if done only occassionally like once during a weekly or bimonthly cut, this does not negate the taper. If you are going to beat your head against the wall or shoot your neighbor, I think that it doesn't hurt to have one day of peace from symptoms. But overall, you have to steadily decrease to get to the other side.
It's very difficult to be around other people during this period which again is very long so it's impossible not to be. They will get on your nerves bigtime even by just commenting on the weather.
Many people have tried many different things to deal with symptoms from high protein diets to meditation to exercise. I find exercise helpful. It burns off the excess adrenalin and cortisol that builds up during wd. However, unfortunately, you usually don't want to exercise. I also found B vitamins to be too stimulating. Who knows? What works for one person doesn't for the next. You have to find something that works for you.
Stay away from all stimulants including caffeine.
Some people swear that antidepressants help; others say they're just compounding the problem.
Do not check into any detoxes that promise you'll be off in two weeks. They do exist and countless people have paid the price.
Just remember it's easier in the beginning so get started. You will be making progress and that will help you feel in control.
itsadogslife
Long acting benzos like klonopin or valium are preferred for tapering.
It is easier to make larger cuts in the beginning of the taper than at the end. As the taper progresses go smaller and slower.
Cuts should be no larger than 10% of the total dose. I have personally broken this rule at the beginning with no ill effects.
Two things happen during a taper - rebound symptoms caused by the brain's delay in producing GABA when the drug is removed. These are most likely more intense anxiety, shakes and insomnia. The brain eventually begins to produce GABA again. If that's not bad enough relapse symptoms which are the underlying disorder that the benzo was prescribed for in the first place return as well.
Tapers from benzos take a long time and the symptoms can be bad enough to want to increase the dose to obtain relief. I have found that if done only occassionally like once during a weekly or bimonthly cut, this does not negate the taper. If you are going to beat your head against the wall or shoot your neighbor, I think that it doesn't hurt to have one day of peace from symptoms. But overall, you have to steadily decrease to get to the other side.
It's very difficult to be around other people during this period which again is very long so it's impossible not to be. They will get on your nerves bigtime even by just commenting on the weather.
Many people have tried many different things to deal with symptoms from high protein diets to meditation to exercise. I find exercise helpful. It burns off the excess adrenalin and cortisol that builds up during wd. However, unfortunately, you usually don't want to exercise. I also found B vitamins to be too stimulating. Who knows? What works for one person doesn't for the next. You have to find something that works for you.
Stay away from all stimulants including caffeine.
Some people swear that antidepressants help; others say they're just compounding the problem.
Do not check into any detoxes that promise you'll be off in two weeks. They do exist and countless people have paid the price.
Just remember it's easier in the beginning so get started. You will be making progress and that will help you feel in control.
itsadogslife
How long do you have to be on klonopin before your addicted or get WD from them. I have used it sparingly with the thomas recipe. They do help with the anxiety and the paranoi feeling I still have from WD. Coming off this oxy/ per habit of a year, it is going to be a few more weeks of WD. It is just like meth WD. It is not over in a few weeks. I am working out, going to NA, but do not want to substute another drug with more WDs.
Any body got any answers, alot of you have seen my posts over the last3 weeks.
Strength and Honor
Greg
Any body got any answers, alot of you have seen my posts over the last3 weeks.
Strength and Honor
Greg
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