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Lengthy clonazipam withdrawls
Was on clonazipam for 3 weeks. Had short term memory issues. Stopped cold turkey, was fine for 1 week and had a severe panic attack. Went back on for 1 week at .125 each day. Suffered every imaginable withdrawal symptom. Severe anxiety, panic attacks, heart papulations etc.. Got over it. 2 weeks later(after stopping .125 ml) symptoms are back after a night out with GF. Head was all numb for 4 days, vertigo, enxiety, feeling like im loosing control. Today numbness went away feel burning sensation in back of my head accompanied by depression.
Went to ER on 8-24-08 had CT scan everything came back normal. Doc said it's anxiety. Went to Neorologist today to see if enything is wrong with me. Got nowhere with her, she seemed to be more concerned with my childhood history then what it going on with me. Overall got same thing out of her saying it's anxiety.
Either way the question is. After 3 week use on clonazipam is it still possible to have withdrawal symptoms last well into 3 weeks?
Went to ER on 8-24-08 had CT scan everything came back normal. Doc said it's anxiety. Went to Neorologist today to see if enything is wrong with me. Got nowhere with her, she seemed to be more concerned with my childhood history then what it going on with me. Overall got same thing out of her saying it's anxiety.
Either way the question is. After 3 week use on clonazipam is it still possible to have withdrawal symptoms last well into 3 weeks?
Yes, that is actually a fairly common symptom, and of course it varies in location and severity.
You really should start noticing an improvement soon if it has been 3 weeks. If you're not feeling significantly better in another week or two...get back to the doc.
I applaud you for taking control of things...and certainly does sound like you don't tolerate too many meds well....which is understandable why you'd want to try to give it a go on your own.
Just be sure you keep addressing your anxiety in some way...therapy, meditation exercise...find something that really works for you. People with social anxiety have done very well with CBT and regular "talk" therapy....with role playing of certain situations that would be anxiety producing for you.
Best of luck....hang in there, you're most likely through the worst of it. Let us know how you're doing!
You really should start noticing an improvement soon if it has been 3 weeks. If you're not feeling significantly better in another week or two...get back to the doc.
I applaud you for taking control of things...and certainly does sound like you don't tolerate too many meds well....which is understandable why you'd want to try to give it a go on your own.
Just be sure you keep addressing your anxiety in some way...therapy, meditation exercise...find something that really works for you. People with social anxiety have done very well with CBT and regular "talk" therapy....with role playing of certain situations that would be anxiety producing for you.
Best of luck....hang in there, you're most likely through the worst of it. Let us know how you're doing!
Nursegirl, it has been 3 weeks since I've taken the last dose of Clonazipam. I was on at .25 in the morning and .25 at night.
Is numbing and burning sensation (now it's mostly back left side of the head, size of a quarter) normal for benzos withdrawal?
Main reason for my discontinuation is I've just decided to deal my social anxiety issues on my own rather then mask them with medicine. Besides after being on Clonazipam for three weeks, i realized it is really not in my best interest to pop pills everyday. Me anxiety was also limited to social situations, and it wasn't all that bad. Just restricted me from having a normal social life.
I tend to be more sensitive to drugs then most people. Was on Paxil for 3 days, became suicidal, experienced panic attacks. Got switched to Celexa. Was on it for 2 days, became numb in the head experienced no feelings at all, that too freaked me out. So after being on Those 2 meds for the total of 5 days out of a 2 1/2 week period I've had withdraws last for 2 weeks after. 3 Weeks after Celexa i was put on Clonazipam.
Is numbing and burning sensation (now it's mostly back left side of the head, size of a quarter) normal for benzos withdrawal?
Main reason for my discontinuation is I've just decided to deal my social anxiety issues on my own rather then mask them with medicine. Besides after being on Clonazipam for three weeks, i realized it is really not in my best interest to pop pills everyday. Me anxiety was also limited to social situations, and it wasn't all that bad. Just restricted me from having a normal social life.
I tend to be more sensitive to drugs then most people. Was on Paxil for 3 days, became suicidal, experienced panic attacks. Got switched to Celexa. Was on it for 2 days, became numb in the head experienced no feelings at all, that too freaked me out. So after being on Those 2 meds for the total of 5 days out of a 2 1/2 week period I've had withdraws last for 2 weeks after. 3 Weeks after Celexa i was put on Clonazipam.
Hi;
"After 3 week use on clonazipam is it still possible to have withdrawal symptoms last well into 3 weeks?"
Yes, for some...
Russ
"After 3 week use on clonazipam is it still possible to have withdrawal symptoms last well into 3 weeks?"
Yes, for some...
Russ
Like cj said, please do not adjust dosages, or stop ANY medication without first consulting with the prescribing doc. Most likely, you are experiencing w/d's, as is pretty common with these types of meds. Your symptoms sound pretty typical of a discontinuation syndrome. The fact that you were on it for a short period of time is a good thing. It should mean that the symptoms shouldn't last TOO too long.
Another thing, that goes along with the discontinuation of a benzodiazepine is "rebound anxiety/panic", which you are clearly experiencing. Much like if one had taken a narcotic analgesic for chronic headaches and then abruptly stopped, not only would w/d symptoms be very likely, but also rebound headaches.
The depression is another common symptom when stopping these kids of meds...even when done so gradually. You really should have been safely tapered off the Klonopin, but at this point, you need to focus on how to move ahead and get thru this.
Are you no longer taking ANY Klonopin? If so...how long has it been since you took the last one? If it hasn't been too long (a few days)...then it may be in your benefit to have a pow wow with your doc about possibly re-starting on a low dose and then SLOWLY tapering off of it.
Also, why did you decide to stop taking it? If you are still dealing with anxiety and panic issues...or if the Klonopin was keeping your anxiety at bay....I see no reason to stop taking it. Unlike other benzos, like Xanax and Ativan, that are not appropriate for long-term use, Klonopin CAN be used long term, and can be VERY effective for panic sufferers. I understand that some of the side effects (like the menory issues) can be bothersome...but sometimes it is worth trying to "push" through them, as most times they DO go away after time. Depends on how severe the side effects were for you.
I know that sometimes we get to feeling SO good that we feel we don't "need" the med(s) anymore, only to find out the hard way after stopping them WHY we were feeling so good! I've done this myself with SSRI's (antidepressants) in the past. Feeling so confident...even to the point of feeling "cured", I would decide I didn't "need" the meds anymore...only to have it come back to bite me in the hind end within months of stopping.
My advice to you is to sit down with the doc...discuss your concerns about how you want to address the anxiety...see what other options are out there if you choose not to take the Klonopin anymore. The short term memory issues I'm sure were irritating...but most likely they would have dissipated with continued treatment. You really have to give these meds ample time to work...and to allow any side effects to improve before making drastic decisions. Again, everyone's tolerance to these side effects is different certainly.
Be sure to let us know how you're doing. I know you are feeling awful, but just know that....not only are there options to help you through the w/d's and symptoms of stopping the Klonopin, but also...it won't last forever. I know that is little comfort while you are going through it....but just try to reamin as positive as you can. I know that is no easy task.
Hang in there...and take care!
Another thing, that goes along with the discontinuation of a benzodiazepine is "rebound anxiety/panic", which you are clearly experiencing. Much like if one had taken a narcotic analgesic for chronic headaches and then abruptly stopped, not only would w/d symptoms be very likely, but also rebound headaches.
The depression is another common symptom when stopping these kids of meds...even when done so gradually. You really should have been safely tapered off the Klonopin, but at this point, you need to focus on how to move ahead and get thru this.
Are you no longer taking ANY Klonopin? If so...how long has it been since you took the last one? If it hasn't been too long (a few days)...then it may be in your benefit to have a pow wow with your doc about possibly re-starting on a low dose and then SLOWLY tapering off of it.
Also, why did you decide to stop taking it? If you are still dealing with anxiety and panic issues...or if the Klonopin was keeping your anxiety at bay....I see no reason to stop taking it. Unlike other benzos, like Xanax and Ativan, that are not appropriate for long-term use, Klonopin CAN be used long term, and can be VERY effective for panic sufferers. I understand that some of the side effects (like the menory issues) can be bothersome...but sometimes it is worth trying to "push" through them, as most times they DO go away after time. Depends on how severe the side effects were for you.
I know that sometimes we get to feeling SO good that we feel we don't "need" the med(s) anymore, only to find out the hard way after stopping them WHY we were feeling so good! I've done this myself with SSRI's (antidepressants) in the past. Feeling so confident...even to the point of feeling "cured", I would decide I didn't "need" the meds anymore...only to have it come back to bite me in the hind end within months of stopping.
My advice to you is to sit down with the doc...discuss your concerns about how you want to address the anxiety...see what other options are out there if you choose not to take the Klonopin anymore. The short term memory issues I'm sure were irritating...but most likely they would have dissipated with continued treatment. You really have to give these meds ample time to work...and to allow any side effects to improve before making drastic decisions. Again, everyone's tolerance to these side effects is different certainly.
Be sure to let us know how you're doing. I know you are feeling awful, but just know that....not only are there options to help you through the w/d's and symptoms of stopping the Klonopin, but also...it won't last forever. I know that is little comfort while you are going through it....but just try to reamin as positive as you can. I know that is no easy task.
Hang in there...and take care!
In my opinion you can have withdrawal symptoms in your case. Why did you quit cold turkey? Did your doctor advise you to do this? If you are doing it on your own, stop and seek advice from him/her; it is NEVER a good idea to self medicate or adjust dosage. Also, health anxiety is a real bear and it is really hard to put your trust in the medical community sometimes, but if you get that clean bill of health it may be time to focus on what is causing the anxiety....keep us posted!
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