Klonopin withdrawal and insomnia

[dvskitty]

I have been taking Klonopin for the past eight months.  I was up to 1 mg at bedtime, but have weaned down to ½ of a 0.5 mg (cutting down ¼ of a pill every week).  I am currently trying to take a ¼ of a 0.5 mg tablet, but am not having any success just taking the ¼ of the 0.5 mg tablet.  Last week, I didn’t sleep for two three nights, so I started taking ½ of a 0.5 mg tablet again, thinking that I needed an extra week for my body to adjust.  Again, this week I tried again, and on the third day of taking the ¼ of a 0.5 mg tablet, I didn’t sleep and haven’t slept for the past two nights.  I either just lie awake and toss and turn, or as I’m trying to fall asleep, I have these muscle jerks/jolts that wake me up.  I am currently seeing an acupuncturist and she gave me some natural pellets for stress reduction, so I take that an hour before bedtime and about 15 minutes before I take this chamomile/melatonin spray I bought at the health food store and spray the suggested amount at that time. I even have a CD for sleep that I listen to which seemed to help a week ago, but is not helping now.  I don’t know what else to do.  I was so desperate last night that I caved and got up and took another ¼ of a 0.5 mg of Clonazepam.  I need to get up early to go to work and I’m at a loss as to what else to do aside from taking a Tylenol PM, which several doctors have told me is not good to take.  I also am taking Zoloft 50 mg in the morning for anxiety/depression.  Is what I’m experiencing now withdrawals from the Klonopin and will it go away?  What else can I take to help me sleep while I’m trying to wean off this horrible med?

[spage7777]

Here's some info on Benzo Withdrawal Syndrome:  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine_withdrawal_syndrome

[DSB1]

I reduced clonazepam by 1/4 milligram and a week later by 1/4 milligram. This resulted in a sleep problem, insomnia, that lasted for maybe four months as severe as when I first reduced it, but I think as time passed the feeling I had when out of bed and in bed as well got even worse, with the accumulation of time, perhaps. When I increased in back to where it was at first, 1/2 milligram more, the sleep improved, but even after many months, is not as good as what it was before the reduction.

[Rooster2001]

I am up right now and have been up all night with klonopin withdraw. It has been 4 weeks since I stopped. I didn't wean off. I stopped cold turkey. I didn't know that it was dangerous to just stop. I was on klonopin for 5 years, following the death of my mother and my husband having cancer, as well as the loss of my father. I found myself with unbearable fear and anxiety. A psychiatrist, whom I trusted put me in 1mg 2xs a day. After about 2 years, that didn't work anymore. I ended up on a total of 4mg a day. By this time I had been told I had "chronic fatigue" but, no, it was the klonopin. It made me sleep all the time for hours, I couldn't remember anything, and I was on the road to losing my job. When I finally realized that I didn't have chronic fatigue and that the klonopin was doing this to me, I just stopped one day, very determined to quit. I was no longer going to take this medicine but I had no idea my body was now chemically dependent upon klonopin. When I stopped, I ended up hospitalized with seizures, but by this point, I had already been off of the klonopin for 5 days, so I still didn't take one. I have been very strong willed about this. I am now on my 4th week of withdraw. It has been pure hell. The worst symptoms have been heightened hypersensitivity to touch, smell, and sight. I have has terrible numbness in my face (especially my lips, tongue,cheeks), my lower arms and hands, and the bottoms of my feet. I have had HORRIBLE MUSCULAR CONVULSIONS that would go on for 20 or 30 minutes, and I now have muscle jerks that keep me from sleeping because they wake me up. I think a good description of this would be like having restless leg syndrome but all over the body. But... The symptoms have gotten better and I have complete faith that they will go away. I just keep on going with this. I was unable to work or drive for the first 2 & 1/2 weeks. I had wonderful, supportive family who helped me however they could. They, like me, can't wait to see the "real me" again. The "me" who is not taking klonopin. If I had only known What this drug was capable of doing to me, I would've never ever taken it. I have lost 5 years, a lot of which I don't remember - even when looking at photos. I am no longer in a job I love, and I want the time back. I was prescribed this medicine by a doctor who is greatly respected across my state. I drove 3 hours to see him because of his good reputation. But, he never told me the dangers, just about how it would help my severe anxiety. I never abused klonopin, and I did have a medical necessity and some type of help was warranted, but my body became chemically dependent and now I have suffered through the absolute worst thing my body has ever gone thru. But, I just keep telling myself that I will get thru this and will come out on the other side alive, happy, and energetic. The main thing that helps is that I am a Christian and I know Gods love covers all wrongdoing and that He is there to love me and help me thru this, and maybe thru this experience, I might help someone else. If you are withdrawing from klonopin, don't give up. Stay strong and you will make it thru. It will take time. I am still in the process, but I will write about this to help others, and if I stop someone from taking the first pill, it is worth it. I wish I had done my own research or that someone had told me how terrible this drug was... I would have many memories that I lost and would probably still have the job I loved. Life is hard enough - none of us need extra trouble. Do not take klonopin. I have never regretted anything more in my life, and I was just uneducated about the drug and used it innocently. May God bless those of you going thru withdraw. Don't give up! It will get better with time. Google "the Ashton Manual" for some truly good info on withdrawing from benzodiazepines.

[dvskitty]

I'm sure it is the withrawals.  When I wasn't on this med (or the zoloft), I had no problem with sleep.   I feel asleep within five minutes and slept soundly all night.  

Yes, I saw online that they have 0.125 mg wafers.  I might ask my pcp for a prescription because it's difficult to cut the pill to a precise amount every time.  

Last night wasn't one of my better nights, but it's weird b/c most sunday nights are my worst nights.  I slept pretty good on Saturday night.  Could it be the anticipation of having to go into work on Monday?  Probably!

[duane172]

If a Dr. were to ween you off Klonopin he couldn't go as low as 1/8mg. I doubt you are having withdrawl associated problems with the Klonopin.

If you have insomnia and was prescribed 1mg Klonopin and it was working why did you stop? What makes you say Klonopin is a "horrible med"?

I'm quite sure many would say Zoloft is a "horrible med". A host of meds could be described that way.

Anyway, i'm sure there is a better choice for a sleep med other than an anti-convulsive med like Klonopin.

[Paxiled]

The melatonin dose is probably too high.  1mg is a good dose.  Melatonin actually works better in studies at lower doses.  And it's not a natural remedy, just a safe one.  It's a pharmaceutical product that has been researched for decades, far more than most prescription medications.  The early tests didn't work, because the dosage was too high, so pharmaceutical companies forgot about it, then university researchers returned to it and found that it worked for people whose body clock needed resetting at lower doses.  And that dose keeps going down.  Also, they've still never found an amount of it that kills a rat, much less harms one.  As for mixing sleep remedies, that's true -- but you're not on a sleep remedy, you're on an anti-anxiety remedy.  If you were on Ambien, I certainly wouldn't recommend melatonin, but then, I wouldn't recommend benadryl then, either.  Remember, a lot of products called "natural" aren't really, they're just more natural than most pharmaceutical products because the body recognizes them, such as melatonin, which, because it is found naturally in the body, is well tolerated and easily used if the body thinks it needs it.  But it's still manufactured completely in a pharmaceutical lab, not extracted from a plant -- and the same is true with tryptophan, another sleep remedy that is found naturally in the body but the stuff we take is synthetically manufactured by pharmaceutical companies.  Now, go and do what suits you best.

[dvskitty]

I really should try meditating and more exercising.  More then one person/doctor has told me that is key.  I think we are too quick these days to run to the bottle when there are other less synthetic options out there.  I am even trying acupuncture and it has helped me relax during the day and it has even helped with some ankle pain I have been dealing with.  So, I would recommend that too.   BTW, acupuncture is NOT painless.  It can hurt a bit, but it only lasts a second or two and the lasting benefits are worth it.  

wish me luck tonight and thanks!

[Merciey]

Sorry I got your name ID mixed up. I'm at work so I just hurry and do a post inbetween the mundane stuff.  

I'm glad last night was better. I heard that Klonopin is difficult to go off, as I was thinking about it too, but I don't need panic attacks or really bad anxiety, so I just take what my Psychiatrist prescribes and we have long talks about the meds and how I am feeling, which helps too having some confidence in the necessity - at least in my life.

I do hope you can get better sleep. Have you tried meditating?

[dvskitty]

I was doing fine tapering down 0.125 mg every 7 days, but once I got to a 1/4 of a 0.5 mg pill, I was having major muscle jerks and insomnia.  I guess since it's such a small dose, my body is really going through withdrawals.  I did well on taking an extra 1/8th of a pill last night, and not taking the Melatonin.  I did take a B complex supplement about an hour before bed, so not sure if that helped too.  

[Merciey]

Hi, I take 2 mg of Klonopin at night and sleep fine, but if I try to go  off it, I get very anxious. Have you spoken to  your doctor or see a good Psychiatrist about the meds. My pharmacist told me to see an expert as my MD had me on some high powered stuff. Well I didn't go off anything and more was added but I am doing better now - so much better and have been on Klonopin for over one year - for panic attacks and anxiety. The herbal stuff wasn't strong enough for me and my situation. I hope you solve this soon as not sleeping is a "pain" but a good expert should be consulted and might be of some real help.

Mercy

[nursegirl6572]

I agree with Ryan's post 100%.  I think that a slow taper (Ryan can give you very accurate info on the best way to do this...his taper schedules are right on the money, and based on the fact that Klonopin has a looong half life, and builds up in the system.)

I also think that you should give OTC Benadryl a try...like Ryan said...50 mg once at bedtime is a typical dose for insomnia.  We use it in health care settings all the time with quite a good deal of success.

Whatever you do....do not mix several different sleep aids...even if they are OTC and/or natural supplements.  NEVER a good idea for several reasons.  One, there is the possibility of unsafe adverse reactions, and two...using more than one at a time...you will not be able to determine which was was actually effective.  And, just as an FYI...."natural" does not always equate to "safe".

Also, try adding exercise to your schedule in the evenings.  It is usually very helpful in battling insomnia due to the release of natural chemicals.

Best of luck!

[dvskitty]

The melatonin spray shows that the dosage contains 3 mg, but i rarely take the full dosage which is 6 sprays at once.  I usually take about 4 sprays.  I didn't take it last night and took 1/8 more of the klonopin, and I fell right asleep.  I did wake up 5.5 hours later, but I can deal with that more than just laying there initially for hours not being able to fall asleep.   That stresses me out more!  I am on 50 mg of Zoloft and have been taking it the same amount of time, about 8 months.  The thing is that I was on Zoloft before years ago and was on it for two years without any problems.  Not sure if my body has changed and now it's affecting my sleep, but I think it's more the Klonopin doing all the damage.  

Thanks for all your posts.  I think I will try weaning off 1/8 pill at a time.  Perhaps I need an even more gradual tapering schedule.  

[jakegorzen]

Sorry, in my previous post I meant to say "Have you tried JUST melatonin, without the chamomile"
Im asking the same question as Paxil, what is the dose of melatonin in your spray?

ALSO.
YES, that small amount the the poster is taking CAN cause a profound withdraw symptom..I know....My main dose of Klonopin was only about 1mg "0.5 X 2, only for about 3 weeks"
Then MYSELF tapered me "Because the Docs were reading the books, and though NO WAY could I have withdraw.
Well, I tapered all the way down to 1/8 mg once a day "Morning" and when I went CT..WAMMO...withdraw "Yes I know it wasnt my original condition...it was different"

Anycase......sometimes people are more sensitive to benzos "or any drug"..and it dont take much.

I still dont think Atarax would do much for you, and even if it did, its original effect would start to wear off after about a week or 2 of taking it.

[lynn57]

Sometimes insomnia is caused by the SSRI such as Zoloft.  I could not take it for this reason.  If I took an ativan at night I could sleep.  When I tried tapering down with the ativan, the insomnia returned.  The klonopin could have been masking the side effect from the Zoloft.  I would think about trying a different SSRI, with more sedating properties.

[Paxiled]

What's the dose of the melatonin you're taking?  Try 1mg sublingual.  And you might want to try Calm's Forte, a homeopathic remedy.  But yes, you're probably suffering a withdrawal that hopefully will pass with time.  Although ssris like Zoloft can cause insomnia even years after you start taking it, it would be just too coincidental for it to happen at the exact time you're weaning off klonopin.  Don't worry if it's a very slow process, it's a tough med to wean off of, and safety is paramount.

[jakegorzen]

Vistaril "Hydroxyz HCL" will not do anything for sleep after you have taken a benzodiazapine.

If it does....its a placebo effect.
Have you tried Mellatonin yet?

[fltricia]

How long have you been on Zoloft?  It can have some insomnia side effects.

Vistaril can help with sleep while you are weaning off Klonopin. Chamomile tea is great too!