clonazepam withdraw

[philip304]

I have been taking clonazepam (less than 0.5 mg a day) for 20 years.  I tried to cold turkey it, and was off the med. for 21 days.  I began to have weird feelings like I was not me.  I felt like I did not know who I was, I was very confussed, my mind wondered w/ uncontrolable thoughts, nothing that I looked at seemed normal or right.  I did not have any of this before I stopped the med.  Does this seem like normal withdraws, and if so should they not have stopped by now?  I have now been back on the med. for about a month.  I feel somewhat better but not like I used to.  If you know anything about this please let me know.  Thanks
  

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The comment below is a good one...when you talk to your doctor ask him about switching you to a low dose of klonopin to replace the xanax, then work out a withdrawal plan.   That is a very low dose but there must have been some brain chemistry accomodation to the drug. if that doesn't work, you may have to consult a rehab program.

[Jaquta]

Hi.
I'm not sure about the symptoms, but it seems likely that they are in response to withdrawing.  20 years is a long time to take a medication and then just stop suddenly.
I think you needed a longer taper period.

The advice usually given is to never stop a medication without medical supervision.
I think you should discuss this with your doctor.

J

p.s.  I would definitely not try stopping this medication again without first consulting a doctor.