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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 17:35:42
I was on .50 clonazepam for a little over 4 weeks this time, and quit it this Sunday.
I was prescribed enough clonazepam to take up to 1.0 daily, but I was starting to take more and more. I was also becoming forgetful and 'dumb,' basically.
I have tapered off clonazepam before and expected to feel extra nervous on days 4 and 5. I guess it came a day early. Spent the whole day feeling trembly and ragged, finally left work early when I was struck with sudden nausea and headache.
I expect this to continue to a crescendo of anxiety in the next day or so, after which it will get better. I do have a Buspar prescription to get me through. Feels lousy though.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 9, 2012, at 17:49:29
In reply to 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 17:35:42
Take a 0.5mg tablet now, then take 3/4 of a 0.5mg tablet for 3 days, then 1/2 a tablet for 3 days, then 1/4 of a tablet for 3 days, then stop.
That should make it fairly painless
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 17:51:52
In reply to Re: 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 9, 2012, at 17:49:29
> Take a 0.5mg tablet now, then take 3/4 of a 0.5mg tablet for 3 days, then 1/2 a tablet for 3 days, then 1/4 of a tablet for 3 days, then stop.
>
> That should make it fairly painlessWell, I did something a little foolish. I took a 1/2 tablet for a couple of days and then tossed out the rest so that I would not be tempted to go back to them. So I have to ride it out. One plus -- I'm saving money on coffee! Haven't had any all day.
Posted by linkadge on October 9, 2012, at 18:21:52
In reply to 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 17:35:42
I would come down off 1/4 of the 0.5 tablet each week.
Linkadge
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 18:40:04
In reply to Re: 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by linkadge on October 9, 2012, at 18:21:52
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 9, 2012, at 18:51:10
In reply to Re: 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 17:51:52
You were on a fairly low dose, so the withdrawls should pass of fairly quickly.
If it gets too bad, ask your doc for a script for a few 2mg diazepam tablets, and use these to taper.
Posted by Beckett on October 9, 2012, at 20:41:25
In reply to Re: 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 9, 2012, at 18:51:10
I hope this passes quickly. I take it your ssri start up (Effexor?) is not helping or distracting enough.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 21:16:26
In reply to Re: 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by Beckett on October 9, 2012, at 20:41:25
> I hope this passes quickly. I take it your ssri start up (Effexor?) is not helping or distracting enough.
Thanks. It would have been better to wait longer to cease the clonazepam.
Posted by Hugh on October 10, 2012, at 12:28:38
In reply to Re: 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 9, 2012, at 18:51:10
Since you were only on it for four weeks, your withdrawal symptoms shouldn't be too protracted. But if they don't go away fairly soon, Jono's advice is good. Try to get some diazepam (Valium) and taper off of that. A lot of doctors are reluctant to prescribe Valium, so if you can't get any, go back on the clonazepam and taper much more slowly this time. This site has useful information about tapering benzos.
Posted by brynb on October 10, 2012, at 15:35:56
In reply to Re: 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by Hugh on October 10, 2012, at 12:28:38
> Since you were only on it for four weeks, your withdrawal symptoms shouldn't be too protracted. But if they don't go away fairly soon, Jono's advice is good. Try to get some diazepam (Valium) and taper off of that. A lot of doctors are reluctant to prescribe Valium, so if you can't get any, go back on the clonazepam and taper much more slowly this time. This site has useful information about tapering benzos.
>
> http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/I agree with Jono and Hugh. The above site (based on benzo expert Heather Ashton) is like the definitive benzo guide. The best way to taper off of any benzo, including Klonopin, is with Valium. Any psychiatrist who is well-versed in benzo dependence knows to use Valium to taper. It allows for very precise dosing.
Good luck...
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 10, 2012, at 15:41:49
In reply to 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 17:35:42
Woke up feeling just fine today, yesterday must have been the peak of the withdrawal symptoms.
Posted by Beckett on October 10, 2012, at 17:34:31
In reply to Doing much better today, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 10, 2012, at 15:41:49
Wow, that's fast. Good news :)
Posted by Laney on October 11, 2012, at 0:10:12
In reply to Re: Doing much better today » CaffeinePoet, posted by Beckett on October 10, 2012, at 17:34:31
I'm glad your doing better. I've been at the same dose of clonazepam .50 once daily for almost 19 years. I should get off of it but didn't want to deal with withdrawl.
Laney
Posted by phidippus on October 12, 2012, at 17:34:39
In reply to 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 9, 2012, at 17:35:42
>after which it will get better. I do have a Buspar prescription to get me through. Feels lousy though.
All that for a lousy .50 of Klonopin? No bargain there.
Start taking the Buspar. It might help.
Eric
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 13, 2012, at 13:27:29
In reply to Re: 3rd day off .50 clonazepam, feel really sick » CaffeinePoet, posted by phidippus on October 12, 2012, at 17:34:39
> >after which it will get better. I do have a Buspar prescription to get me through. Feels lousy though.
>
> All that for a lousy .50 of Klonopin? No bargain there.
>
> Start taking the Buspar. It might help.
>
> Eric
>
>Yeah, .50 for a month. Now that I'm off I feel MORE even, but feeling buspar side effects. Might be time for an SSRI.
>
This is the end of the thread.
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