Posted by micro on January 27, 2004, at 8:37:53
In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by kevin40 on January 27, 2004, at 0:01:11
> I read the postings from 13beans and Ryan.
> These are my experiences and thoughts.
> I have intensense dizziness and light-headedness. I started tappering off Klonopin this past fall. I was originally at 3mg/day in Dec. 2000. I went down to 2.5mg/day in 2002. In Sept. of 2003 I started at 2mg/day and went down .25mg every month. I have experienced a host of withdrawl symptoms vey similar to Ryan's. The dizziness and visual problems are intense and the cognitiv numbness is a drag. Anyone that has ideas on how to deal with the dizziness I am open ears!!!
> Klonopin is, in the chemical nomenclature, a part of the opiate family. It and other benzo's are very addictive and withdrawl is very hard. I washed out three times before because I came off too quickly. Persons coming off need lots of unconditional support.
> I too am a recovering alcoholic. Stopping drinking was like a walk in the park compared to this.
> The rebound anxiety may be withdrawl symptoms which are similar the the symptoms the medication was to alleviate in the first place. Some anxiety may be dormant and some may be because the brain is tryiing to readjust.
> I think many pdoc's are book smart but not empathetic or soul smart. If the shoe was on the other foot they would whistle a different tune.
> I do solicit advise, again, from anyone with ideas on helping with the dizziness!! I work out
> x3/week, take suppliments and try and be mellow.
> Thanks.
> Kevin-oh so tired of being dizzy.Kevin,
Please reinstitute a small dose of your klonopin and see if this helps.
You may also try a pill cutter the next time you attempt to dicontinue. Konopin is easy to cut, use an exacto knife if you have to and go very slow. Some people must withdrawl from klonopin over months not weeks and discontinuance symtoms may occur for longer than 4 weeks . You may also request a beta blocker if you have no contraindications to it.
As to your comment on empathy, there is great need for pdocs in general, but it is difficult to attract medical students into this field. Read Mark Gold M.D., He makes a strong case for psychiatry, Biopsychiatry, the art of being a diagnostician as well as a Psychiatrist. There is more to Psychiatry than handing out benzos right and left. With the advent of diagnostic imaging, Psychiatry may be revolutionalized, however, traditional psychiatry is not embracing the concept. Hope this helps. Micro
poster:micro
thread:253823
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040127/msgs/305972.html