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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mack12 on November 11, 2003, at 23:38:01
Please let me know how to get off of clonazepam???
Posted by stacia on November 12, 2003, at 0:34:05
In reply to Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by mack12 on November 11, 2003, at 23:38:01
To begin, why do you want to get off the benzo?
Assuming you really want/need to stop taking it:
Talk to the prescribing Dr. Tell him how you feel with and without the drug. To reduce rebound symptoms, wean slowly off over the course of say a month. If it was prescribed for GAD or SP, you may want to look into non-benzo options (certain SSRIs, Buspar, Neurontin, even a low dose of an AAP like Seroquel may be an option). You can be titrating the new drug up as the clonazepam is being weaned out. Just stopping the drug is one option, but the rebound anxiety/insomnia may be too much.It may be a rough road ahead of you, but don't give up. Good luck to you.
Posted by Elle2021 on November 12, 2003, at 0:36:09
In reply to Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by mack12 on November 11, 2003, at 23:38:01
SLOWLY! Never go cold turkey off Clonazepam. I did, and became really sick with the withdrawl symptoms. What I did to wean myself off of it (although I am back on it again 0.5 mg.) was I cut the pills in half and eyed them, then took the larger of the two halves. In addition (NOT AT THE SAME TIME) but later in the day, I took 0.5 mg of Lorazepam, which seemed to help the withdrawl symptoms. It worked for me, but everyone's body is different. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to call your doctor and ask for his/her advice since he/she knows your medical history. I would be happy to answer anymore questions you have. God bless!
Elle
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 12, 2003, at 5:32:19
In reply to Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by mack12 on November 11, 2003, at 23:38:01
> Please let me know how to get off of clonazepam???
You might want to read this thread, and check the link provided in this message:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/277622.htmlOne of the important aspects of of getting off clonazepam is having a good idea what to expect, and the benzo.org site gives all that, and some weaning advice. Basically, you reduce the dose slowly over time, but how slow must be managed by you....how it affects you.
A later post in the same thread discusses the use of Keppra during clonazepam withdrawal, but I don't know much about that.
Good luck,
Lar
Posted by linkadge on November 12, 2003, at 6:31:30
In reply to Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by mack12 on November 11, 2003, at 23:38:01
Take magnesium (200-300mg) as well as Quercetin (500 mg)
You can get both at a health food store. The quercetin is a strong anti anxiety agent. You will build no tollerance to it, it is a protein kinase C inhibitor which sensitizes the brain to its own calming neurosteroids (gaba etc)give it a try
Linkadge
Posted by mack12 on November 12, 2003, at 9:38:58
In reply to Re: Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs? » mack12, posted by Elle2021 on November 12, 2003, at 0:36:09
Thanks Elle. I really appreciate your input! It is going to be hard to cut back from 1.5mg per day to 0mg. I am determined to do this though as my thought process has been slowed with this drug, and it makes me tired all the time. I have started out by cutting back from 1.5mg per day to 1mg per day. I have noticed that I am quite irritable, but it is to be expected. I will fight this until I am off of this powerful drug. I thank you for your support and your input!!! If you have anymore Id love to hear it!!!
> SLOWLY! Never go cold turkey off Clonazepam. I did, and became really sick with the withdrawl symptoms. What I did to wean myself off of it (although I am back on it again 0.5 mg.) was I cut the pills in half and eyed them, then took the larger of the two halves. In addition (NOT AT THE SAME TIME) but later in the day, I took 0.5 mg of Lorazepam, which seemed to help the withdrawl symptoms. It worked for me, but everyone's body is different. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to call your doctor and ask for his/her advice since he/she knows your medical history. I would be happy to answer anymore questions you have. God bless!
> Elle
Posted by KXo on November 12, 2003, at 18:21:20
In reply to Re: Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by mack12 on November 12, 2003, at 9:38:58
Is 0,5mg taken everyday before sleep for 1 year difficult do stop?
KXo
Posted by Marlin on November 12, 2003, at 19:56:16
In reply to Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by mack12 on November 11, 2003, at 23:38:01
> Please let me know how to get off of clonazepam???
Wow, that's one I haven't heard in a while - Klonopin. This was the very first drug that was prescribed to me by a Psychiatrist when I was 22 - I'm now 30. How did I get off it? Cold turkey. I had to because it was too dangerous with all the booze I was consuming. I had a horrible relapse, but then got onto Paxil which helped alot. I know this wasn't much help to you, but I can understand what it's like trying to get off it.
This is my first post... just discovered this site and I think it's wonderful and everyone seems to be so supportive.
Posted by mack12 on November 12, 2003, at 20:13:07
In reply to Re: Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by Marlin on November 12, 2003, at 19:56:16
Thanks I appreciate your help!!!
Posted by Elle2021 on November 13, 2003, at 1:51:32
In reply to Re: Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by mack12 on November 12, 2003, at 9:38:58
You are so welcome! I know what you mean about the Klonopin making you tired, it makes me lethargic and slows down my thing so much (which at time is a good thing because my thoughts race). Irritable is better than throwing up. I vomited when I tried to go off (I guess I was really addicted). But after I started with the Lorazepam, things got much better. God Bless and keep me updated!!!!
Elle> Thanks Elle. I really appreciate your input! It is going to be hard to cut back from 1.5mg per day to 0mg. I am determined to do this though as my thought process has been slowed with this drug, and it makes me tired all the time. I have started out by cutting back from 1.5mg per day to 1mg per day. I have noticed that I am quite irritable, but it is to be expected. I will fight this until I am off of this powerful drug. I thank you for your support and your input!!! If you have anymore Id love to hear it!!!
>
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> > SLOWLY! Never go cold turkey off Clonazepam. I did, and became really sick with the withdrawl symptoms. What I did to wean myself off of it (although I am back on it again 0.5 mg.) was I cut the pills in half and eyed them, then took the larger of the two halves. In addition (NOT AT THE SAME TIME) but later in the day, I took 0.5 mg of Lorazepam, which seemed to help the withdrawl symptoms. It worked for me, but everyone's body is different. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to call your doctor and ask for his/her advice since he/she knows your medical history. I would be happy to answer anymore questions you have. God bless!
> > Elle
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>
Posted by Elle2021 on November 13, 2003, at 1:52:23
In reply to Re: Top 5 ways to get off of prescprition drugs?, posted by KXo on November 12, 2003, at 18:21:20
> Is 0,5mg taken everyday before sleep for 1 year difficult do stop?
> KXoYou would be surprised how easy it is to get addicted to Klonopin.
Elle
This is the end of the thread.
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