How long can I expect to feel withdrawal effects from clonazepam?

[pwolfe22]

I had been on clonazepam for about 5 years up until a week ago! I started out at .5mg AM & PM and gradual increase until 3 mg (1mg AM and 2mg PM) for about the last 3 years. In October 2010, the gradual decrease started down to .5mg from February 17, 2011 to April 17, 2011. Now, since LAST WEEK, Monday, April 18, I was totally taken off the clonazepam and prescribed divalproax. It has been 7 days today and I am REALLY in a battle within my own body. I do not know how much longer I can continue to fight these INCREDIBLE symptoms (increased heart-rate, intense craving, increased anxiety & fear... LOTS OF FEAR! I have experienced a utter lack of concentration, loss for words when speaking, ringing in ears, diarrhea,  upset stomach, increased trouble sleeping, nightmares, anger, hopelessness and extreme irritability.
Is there any SAFE alternatives or ANYTHING that will help ease these feelings? How long will they last? Am I through the hard part yet? I have never experienced anything like this before and it truly scares me!!!

[Rich99]

Been there,  done that!    It isn't fun.    Klonopin has a long half life making it a long taper process.     The symptoms you describe are a direct result of your brain's chemistry trying to revert back to the way it was prior to building up this drug in your body.     Klonopin and other benzos depress the nervous system and soon take over the brain's natural chemicals that keep us in emotional balance.      When you withdrawal,   you lose the amount of this chemical in your body while your brain takes a while to get the signal that it needs to once again start producing its own natural chemical.    The results are those rough symptoms you're experiencing.    I switched to seroquel to help make the transition but everyone's different.      Some trial and error might be needed to find what might help you.      Best of luck.

[Brooder]

Sorry to hear that you are going through that. I went through withdrawal b4, and it is very unpleasant. Whenever you abruptly stop taking a med, especially something you have taken every day for the length of 5 yrs, you are going to increase the anxiety & panic attack feelings. Your doctor should have tried weening you off, which is much safer than just stopping cold turkey. Is there a reason your doctor took you off? Was clonzepam still effective? Since it has been a week ago today for you, the feelings should calm down within a day or so. If it continues, I would call the doctor, and tell them what's going on.