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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gadchik on May 8, 2012, at 16:51:47
I couldnt go another day tapering Klonopin.The feeling is so surreal and I just couldnt handle it at this time.But I didnt get anxious,just felt so out of it,and bad dizziness.I'll keep trying,maybe in winter when Im not going to graduations,dealing with moving teens,or yard work.Well,you know,something will always come up and give me a reason to stay on K.
Posted by ron1953 on May 8, 2012, at 17:10:40
In reply to Ive Bailed Out :(, posted by gadchik on May 8, 2012, at 16:51:47
> I couldnt go another day tapering Klonopin.The feeling is so surreal and I just couldnt handle it at this time.But I didnt get anxious,just felt so out of it,and bad dizziness.I'll keep trying,maybe in winter when Im not going to graduations,dealing with moving teens,or yard work.Well,you know,something will always come up and give me a reason to stay on K.
Absolutely understand and sympathize. From what I've read and experienced, it seems that a lot of folks have to put up with an extended period of suffering to be completely rid of benzos. Even after getting over the initial period of severe withdrawal, a week or so, it was months until I "normalized" - and sometimes I wonder if I ever got back to where I was before I ever took Klonopin.
You'll do it if and when you're ready. And when you do, I can almost guarantee it'll suck bigtime. But....there is the other side, eventually.
Posted by Phillipa on May 8, 2012, at 17:44:08
In reply to Re: Ive Bailed Out :(, posted by ron1953 on May 8, 2012, at 17:10:40
Sorry it didn't work out. Now I remember after my third child wanted to be med free cold turkeyed valium then 5mg three times a day for two weeks. I lay on the couch for two weeks as she was in the hospital. When I stood up felt like on a moving ship. At two weeks when she was ready for release from hospital went back on 5mg and it worked better. I'm thinking now that I did manage to cut dose down. But during times of stress so what if you take it. Remember you got off the ad? Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on May 8, 2012, at 18:01:22
In reply to Re: Ive Bailed Out :(, posted by ron1953 on May 8, 2012, at 17:10:40
yes, an extended time of suffering is the order of the day when tapering benzos!Some have no trouble,wow,how nice that would be.And yes,when Im really ready to go down that road,the benzo free one,I must be prepared to suffer it.
Posted by gadchik on May 8, 2012, at 18:05:31
In reply to Re: Ive Bailed Out :(, posted by Phillipa on May 8, 2012, at 17:44:08
Phillipa,good you decreased your dose.Id be happy with that.Yes,I was able to taper zoloft,and remeron,so that I will remember!However,I was so motivated to lose weight,I just did it.I need to find a good time in my life,and something that will motivate me to taper K.Every night,when I swallow that pill,Im just reinforcing my brain to think that I need it to sleep and be calm.
Posted by SLS on May 8, 2012, at 18:56:01
In reply to Ive Bailed Out :(, posted by gadchik on May 8, 2012, at 16:51:47
> I couldnt go another day tapering Klonopin.
I had to discontinue Klonopin after being on it for over a year. It was pretty rough. I had brain zaps that seemed like lightning bolts going off in my head.
> The feeling is so surreal and I just couldnt handle it at this time. But I didnt get anxious,just felt so out of it,and bad dizziness.
Yes. I recall experiencing this also.
You might want to look into using Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) to help minimize the withdrawal syndrome. It is an anticonvulsant that is being studied for both benzodiazepine and alcohol discontinuation (detoxification). Trileptal is usually very well tolerated. It is a "clean" version of Tegretol.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18821451
Another alternative is to use Valium (diazepam) as a surrogate to substitute for Klonopin and to taper afterwards.
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm#s5
- Scott
Posted by gadchik on May 8, 2012, at 19:05:49
In reply to Re: Ive Bailed Out :( » gadchik, posted by SLS on May 8, 2012, at 18:56:01
I will write down these suggestions.One may be the answer for me.When you try and fail at something,it makes it that much harder to try again.And I havent really discussed it in depth with my pdoc.However,it seems to me that she doesnt think tapering a benzo is difficult.I dont know what her protocol would be.I imagine it would be much too fast for me...so I wont bring it up just yet.
Posted by Phil on May 8, 2012, at 19:54:02
In reply to Ive Bailed Out :(, posted by gadchik on May 8, 2012, at 16:51:47
Posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 5:55:52
In reply to Re: Ive Bailed Out :( » gadchik, posted by Phil on May 8, 2012, at 19:54:02
Thanks,Phil,seems that maybe going to valium is the best way to taper.
Posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 7:57:52
In reply to Re: Ive Bailed Out :( » Phil, posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 5:55:52
Well,Im back to my old,new(chemically enhanced) self.Felt esp.good this morn.Hiked 3mi.s,15 pushups,1/2 cup coffee,green tea and dark choc.All the while humming a tune! Ive deliberately kept the k dose low,hoping I might have an easy time of it, should I decide to taper.Well that didnt go so well...
Posted by Phil on May 9, 2012, at 8:23:02
In reply to Feeling Fine!, posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 7:57:52
Sounds like benzo's have heroin beat by a long ways.
It's incredible that even .5mg of Clonazepam can sometimes take a year to get off of. (I read that on Ask A Patient.)I think it would be decent of psychiatrists to say, I think this med will help you long term but if you decide to get off of it you will learn what the term living hell means.
Maybe that's too much to ask.
Posted by Alexei on May 9, 2012, at 13:16:21
In reply to Feeling Fine!, posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 7:57:52
One time I had the brilliant idea to quit klonopin 2.5mg cold turkey. A horrific nightmare for two weeks. Delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, cold and hot sweats, disorientation, night terrors, heart going crazy ... Probably more.
Now I have no problem taking it. It helps me, so I take it, no big deal. I don't even think about stopping.
Alexei
Posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 15:25:50
In reply to Re: Feeling Fine! » gadchik, posted by Alexei on May 9, 2012, at 13:16:21
yes,I had the heart thing too.It seemed to skip a beat or 2,speed up.That,I could not tolerate.I would like to either get off of it,or develop your attitude and just keep taking it,no worries.
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2012, at 19:09:47
In reply to Re: Feeling Fine! » Alexei, posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 15:25:50
Gadchick dose is so low stay on it. What a great morning you have had!!! Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 19:16:18
In reply to Re: Feeling Fine! » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2012, at 19:09:47
But,p,there is a little voice(in my head)that's always fussing about this klonopin thing!I need to put a stop to that,dont I? I hear you eat chocolate too?I have a small square every morning!
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2012, at 20:32:52
In reply to Re: Feeling Fine! » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 19:16:18
Enjoy feeling well the voice will disappear unfortunatly I lost taste and smell supposedly a virus neurons of nose about 9 years ago. I never ever ate sweets. Now I eat significant amounts of Lindtt truffles at night. Phillipa
Posted by Alexei on May 10, 2012, at 14:07:34
In reply to Re: Feeling Fine! » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on May 9, 2012, at 19:16:18
I used to wrestle with myself about klonopin and other meds. I tried to "will" my problems away, lolz. No dice. Drove myself crazy... which created even more anxiety/depression.
And there was no logical reason for me to worry or question taking meds... They helped, and I was just being stubborn. Over time, I just realized my life was a mess, and I did much better while on it. I got rid of the useless guilt.
Good luck with whatever u decide to do!
> But,p,there is a little voice(in my head)that's always fussing about this klonopin thing!I need to put a stop to that,dont I? I hear you eat chocolate too?I have a small square every morning!
Posted by gadchik on May 10, 2012, at 17:12:22
In reply to Re: Feeling Fine! » gadchik, posted by Alexei on May 10, 2012, at 14:07:34
Thanks for the pep talk:)!
This is the end of the thread.
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