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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by former poster on March 15, 2012, at 16:19:51
Time to throw in the towel.. I have been on benzo's on and off since the 70's. I slowly tapered down on my Clonazepam and quit about 3 months ago.
Too little sleep, too much anxiety. Scary feeling creeping up on me.. Now I remember why I stayed on the Clonz.
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2012, at 17:50:45
In reply to Going back on Clonazepam, posted by former poster on March 15, 2012, at 16:19:51
FP been on them since 70's also. Still works for you and seems mine don't. Also how did you get off them? What dose. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on March 15, 2012, at 18:49:05
In reply to Going back on Clonazepam, posted by former poster on March 15, 2012, at 16:19:51
Did you have any issues with tolerance?Is that why you tapered the last time?Since Ive only been on klonopin for 3 or 4 yrs now,I'd like to know what type of experience you've had on it over the yrs.Do you feel that it has been a good longterm drug for anxiety/sleep?
Posted by former poster on March 15, 2012, at 18:49:39
In reply to Re: Going back on Clonazepam » former poster, posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2012, at 17:50:45
>>how did you get off them? What dose. Phillipa<<
I started with Valium in the 70's, Xanax in the 80's, Klonopin in the 90's. Unfortunately I'm back on them. I will try to break away again after a few months.
I have always been on medium to minimum dose throughout the decades. Except at times of crisis or extreme anxiety then I took the maximum recommended dose. Currently I'm prescribed 4mg a day since the 90's but usually take 2mg or sometimes 1mg a day.
I found that by removing the main causes of stress in my life:
-Relocate from big city to an extreme low population area.
-Retired at an early age removing the competitive cutthroat stress of working in a big corporation.
-Instead of reaching for Clonazepam, I reach for one or more of the following: Rhodiola Rosea, NAC, Gotu Kola, Ashwagandha, Valerian, Lemon Balm,
-Ezercize.. Bike riding, swimming, skiing, chopping/splitting wood for heating my home.Sadly.. Few people have the freedom to change their environment. My advice; Just hang in there. I NEVER thought I could too, yet I did.
I honestly don't feel benzo's are so much physically addictive as they are psychologically addictive. I look healthy. I'm told I look younger than my real age, could this be a benefit of benzo's? I don't think benzo's have taken much physical toll on me.
Posted by emmanuel98 on March 15, 2012, at 19:19:19
In reply to Re: Going back on Clonazepam » Phillipa, posted by former poster on March 15, 2012, at 18:49:39
Benzo's are physically addictive though. So much so that my insurance company will pay for inpatient benzo withdrawal (due to possibility of life-threatening seizures)but will not pay for inpatient withdrawal from opiates -- also addictive but withdrawal is not life-threatening, just miserable.
Posted by former poster on March 15, 2012, at 19:40:23
In reply to Re: Going back on Clonazepam, posted by gadchik on March 15, 2012, at 18:49:05
>>Did you have any issues with tolerance?Is that why you tapered the last time?<<
Tolerance..? I had no desire or craving to increase my dose.
I remember starting Clonz in the 90's and falling asleep everywhere. That diminished long ago. Clonazepam has actually worked better the longer I have taken it. However, I sometimes feel the 1mg tablet is not the same strength as 1mg. used to be. Is this a sign of tolerance? I remember when my provider switched me from brand name Klonopin to generic Clonazepam. The prescription stated:CLONAZEPAM 2MG(GENERIC)FOR 1MG KLONOPIN
Now my prescription bottle just says 1mg Clonazepam
Have the healthcare providers been slipping us weaker and weaker formulations. I doubt it, but I don't completely dismiss this possiblity.
With you being on Klonopin for 3-4 years, tapering off very slowly should be easy. Of course your anxiety will likely return and may be increased from your pre Klonopin days. It depends on what you were put on Klonopin for? For me, it was extreme anxiety that induced borderline psychosis caused by PTSD and and marijuana induced panic attacks.
Hope I didn't wander too far from your question?
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2012, at 21:48:20
In reply to Re: Going back on Clonazepam » Phillipa, posted by former poster on March 15, 2012, at 18:49:39
We sound like twins. Seriously. 70's 5mg three times a day add mephbromate sp? which I just stopped when felt like didn't need it. No MJ though panic attacks. From there ativan, xanax, klonopin kind of depressed me so back to xanax. And now all those decades later l0mg of valium and .25mg of xanax. So didn't take more either. They say if taking only to relieve symptoms you won't escalate or abuse. I'm also now on generic. Interesting as probably why don't seem to work as dose weaker. Phillipa
Posted by former poster on March 16, 2012, at 1:58:05
In reply to Re: Going back on Clonazepam » former poster, posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2012, at 21:48:20
Yeah.. Laid back 70's.. I miss so much!
Posted by brklyn2311 on March 16, 2012, at 3:05:14
In reply to Going back on Clonazepam, posted by former poster on March 15, 2012, at 16:19:51
Gabpentin most people find sucks alone.However i find that when it is added to a benzo,mainly klonopin,they have a synergy for calm and mood stability.
Have you ever tried to add gabapentin to your klonopin.
This is the end of the thread.
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