Klonopin Withdrawal Question

[leela323]

Hi.  This is the third time in the past year that I have gone cold turkey off of Klonopin.  Each time the dose that I withdrew from has been less....First time, 3 mg, second time, 2 mg, this time, 1 mg  Each time the first several weeks are agonizing, but the end result lasts for many months at a time.  The only reason I went back on Klonopin at a lower dose, with a doctor, has been major external stressors.  Now, the withdrawal symptoms are much easier to handle than the first few times, but still difficult to get through.  Does anyone have any suggestions for staying off of Klonopin for good without going back to my prescribed dose first?  Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer my question...Anything you have to say is greatly appreciated!

[leela323]

Thanks for the advice so far....=-)...I'm feeling so much better already.  The gorgeous day filled with streaming sunlight doesn't hurt.  I think the night is what brings on the really crazy symptoms.....the insomnia definitely aggravates any remaining withdrawal symptoms....I'm really aiming for staying off of the meds now, and I'm sure I can do it, especially with help from people like you who responded to my post, in this community.  Greatly appreciated!  =-)

[Paxiled]

If they work and you can't function without them, why keep yo-yoing?  Take them until talk therapy helps you figure this out.  Or else stop taking them altogether, and try natural remedies and therapy.  Nobody says meds cure anything, they just control symptoms, and if yours aren't so bad that you absolutely need medication, don't take it.  And why cold turkey?  Three times?  You do know cold turkey off benzos can harm you, it's not just the possibility of withdrawal that's the problem, and that tapering will make it easier, so are you looking for added misery?  

[toejam_muncher]

well my advice is that if a doctor says you can take 1 klonopin three times a day....that doesn't mean you really need to take that many. infact half a tablet may be enough. i don't know how you take your meds but some people assume that since the doctor says you can take it this much...that you should go ahead and take it that much. the lowest effective dose is the best dose with benzo's and it should be used only as needed and no longer than you need it. it saves so much trouble to use it this way as opposed to as a preventative. BUT....that said, i'm not implying that people shouldn't take meds when they need them...just that with benzo's, sometimes less is more, in my opinion. now if you need to take them and use them correctly but end up with a physical addiction...which obviously isn't unusual with a daily dose...then i'd just do a taper. there's no reason to go cold turkey on it if you can avoid it. i would tell your doc you want to quit taking them and ask how to taper off them. cold turkey isn't a good idea with benzo's....although it is a tempting method if you feel you can't limit your dose and would rather just quit all together. anyway....to prevent going back on them i'd learn to recognize your symptoms and research methods other people use to reduce anxiety without meds. try them out on yourself and whatever works best...stick with it and avoid the meds as long as possible using these methods.