Posted by chemist on July 31, 2004, at 21:00:10
In reply to Re: Klonopin use » anxiety_free, posted by Lilly4 on July 31, 2004, at 20:34:19
hello there, chemist here...i will warn you first off that i am a fan of benzos, and will try to offer an objective bit here. first of all, you have by now realized that the time period for the taper must be extended, and that you will more than likely go down the path of re-upping the dose as you continue to taper from the drug. my opinion and experience: take only as much as you need to function properly. thus, your doctor's back-up and your own willingness to do so are in line with this approach. second, i cannot help but wonder if, after terminating the use of the drug, that some anxiety might resurface later, and you will find yourself back in the same place. third, why were you taking klonopin in the first place? if it was indeed for a problem with anxiety, then it was appropriate (or for sleep, perhaps, but there are more appropriate meds for that). i have been up and down the road you are on - and countless others, too - and have come to accept that i will need medication for the long-haul. i do realize that minimizing the amount of meds one is taking is a goal for many of us, but what happens if lexapro does not cut it, or ``poops-out,'' as many people have experienced (including myself) over time. what i am getting to is that you might want to set your sights on a small dose of klonopin - perhaps 0.5 mg/day - and see if your meds cocktail keeps you stable for a solid 6-8 weeks, minimum. if this is the case, then you can work away the remaining bit of klonopin. of course, consult with your doctor, and if your body responds in a negative way during the taper, by all means repeat your tactives outlined herein....all the best, chemist
> I've been taking 1.5 mg./day of Klonopin for about a year (in addition to Lexapro for depression). My doctor advised me in June that I taper the Klonopin, eventually ridding it of my system over a 4 week period. After 3 weeks I was experiencing depression, heart palpitations, & general anxiety. I started researching the drug, previously unaware of the withdrawal symptoms. Since my doctor has been out of town, I was advised by her back-up person to work myself up to the original dose of Klonopin until she is back in town (which I did...& she's back next week). I want to get off of this drug for good but I am very anxious & afraid of experiencing withdrawal symptoms again once I begin to start tapering off the Klonopin. Does anyone have any suggestions or words of advice or comfort?
poster:chemist
thread:361106
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040730/msgs/372760.html