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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brownja on March 8, 2003, at 23:44:02
I have been 'on' Clonazepam .5 mg for years. It was prescribed for restless leg symdrom. Until recently, I was unaware how dependent I was on the contineous use and the addictive nature of Clonazepam. I am going to get an appointment with doctor to discuss the wisdom and possible proceedure/s of 'breaking the habit' but I AM INTERESTED IN OTHER'S EXPERIENCES IN CUTTING 'THE TIE THAT BINDS' TO THIS DOSAGE OF CLONAZEPAM. Inadvertant cutoff from the dossage caused severe sleep deprecation and the onset of depression.
Posted by Simcha on March 9, 2003, at 4:39:12
In reply to Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by brownja on March 8, 2003, at 23:44:02
Ooooh, I know that restless legs thing. I used to take Clonazepam at 1mg per night. I did this for about a year. My current pdoc claimed that the Clonazepam did do the trick at relieving my restless legs and my bruxism but that it interfered with my normal sleep architecture.
Well, he had me switch to Neurontin while tapering down on the Clonazepam slowly. I do have to say that I did not experience any terrible withdrawal. I did have a return of restless legs and bruxism until we got up to the right dosage of Neurontin.
I hope that helps.
> I have been 'on' Clonazepam .5 mg for years. It was prescribed for restless leg symdrom. Until recently, I was unaware how dependent I was on the contineous use and the addictive nature of Clonazepam. I am going to get an appointment with doctor to discuss the wisdom and possible proceedure/s of 'breaking the habit' but I AM INTERESTED IN OTHER'S EXPERIENCES IN CUTTING 'THE TIE THAT BINDS' TO THIS DOSAGE OF CLONAZEPAM. Inadvertant cutoff from the dossage caused severe sleep deprecation and the onset of depression.
>
Posted by brownja on March 9, 2003, at 9:53:44
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by Simcha on March 9, 2003, at 4:39:12
Thanks Simcha for your history with Clonazepam. I need to know other's solutions like yours so that I can research the ideas. I will do some research on Neurontin and its side effects- so as to have ideas to discuss with own doc. Thanks again.
Posted by jay on March 9, 2003, at 11:06:46
In reply to Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by brownja on March 8, 2003, at 23:44:02
> I have been 'on' Clonazepam .5 mg for years. It was prescribed for restless leg symdrom. Until recently, I was unaware how dependent I was on the contineous use and the addictive nature of Clonazepam. I am going to get an appointment with doctor to discuss the wisdom and possible proceedure/s of 'breaking the habit' but I AM INTERESTED IN OTHER'S EXPERIENCES IN CUTTING 'THE TIE THAT BINDS' TO THIS DOSAGE OF CLONAZEPAM. Inadvertant cutoff from the dossage caused severe sleep deprecation and the onset of depression.
>
>I am just curious, has the Clonazepam stopped working for you? If you don't 'crave' it, and no need to up your dose, OR it hasn't caused other problems, there would be no reason to stop it. Yes, stopping right away may cause withdrawl effects, but the same goes for Paxil, Effexor, etc. (Some say those are worse.) I've taken the same dose of a benzo, on and off over 10 years, with no problems. Antidepressants where way harder to withdraw from. People stay on those permanently. Why not Clonazepam?
Of course it is your body...and I mean nothing nasty by saying what I did..honestly. Just using my and many others experiences. If you truly do want to withdraw from Clonazepam beyond what I said, you can break the pill in halves, and get a pill slicer and even break it into quarters.
Best wishes whatever you choose...
Jay
Posted by exbenzouser on March 9, 2003, at 15:43:34
In reply to Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by brownja on March 8, 2003, at 23:44:02
> I have been 'on' Clonazepam .5 mg for years. It was prescribed for restless leg symdrom. Until recently, I was unaware how dependent I was on the contineous use and the addictive nature of Clonazepam. I am going to get an appointment with doctor to discuss the wisdom and possible proceedure/s of 'breaking the habit' but I AM INTERESTED IN OTHER'S EXPERIENCES IN CUTTING 'THE TIE THAT BINDS' TO THIS DOSAGE OF CLONAZEPAM. Inadvertant cutoff from the dossage caused severe sleep deprecation and the onset of depression.
> -----------------------------------------------For me klonopin is VERY difficult to withdraw from. I got off of it about a year ago and I think it took about six weeks for all of the withdrawal symptoms to go away. After that I meant to only use it on an as needed basis but I went back on it and was never able to quit again untill now. I was succesfully tapering down after being on Nardil for a while but then my blood pressure got very low and I stopped the Nardil. My anxiety went back up and I went back up on the klonopin. After Christmas I made a determined effort to start weaning my self from the klonopin. In about a six week period I went from 1mg daily to zero. At the end I was cutting tablets into tiny peices. It has been almost four weeks now and I'm still not completely over the withdrawal but I'm getting there. I went back on Nardil almost two weeks ago which is helping considerably and I plan to cut my dosage back soon to avoid the problem with low blood pressure that I had last year. I have learned my lesson and this time I plan to stay off of klonopin. It works great for the short term and some people seem to have no problems taking it long term but for me it ends up causing the very symptoms I was taking for in the first place. For more information on benzo withdrawal, check out http://www.benzo.org.uk/ . The FAQ page is a good place to start.
Larry
Posted by brownja on March 9, 2003, at 18:08:08
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise » brownja, posted by jay on March 9, 2003, at 11:06:46
Thanks Jay for your thoughts and info. Restless leg syndrome causes poor sleep and was the 'reason' for going on clonazepam. I now question the concept of putting a person on clonazepam for this purpose. Perhaps there is something as good or better that has no withdrawal symptoms other than getting poorer sleep. It has been almost 15-20 years and med sci does move forward. If I am forced by circumstance to withdraw rapidly, deep depression and suicidal thoughts become central. I'd rather not be under that dagger if something else is available which does not give me that withdrawal. Thanks again for your thoughts.
Posted by brownja on March 9, 2003, at 18:17:01
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by exbenzouser on March 9, 2003, at 15:43:34
Larry, thank you for your history of withdrawal and the pointer to further info. I'll check out that site. Thanks again. Jerry
Posted by exbenzouser on March 9, 2003, at 19:50:29
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise » jay, posted by brownja on March 9, 2003, at 18:08:08
> Thanks Jay for your thoughts and info. Restless leg syndrome causes poor sleep and was the 'reason' for going on clonazepam. I now question the concept of putting a person on clonazepam for this purpose. Perhaps there is something as good or better that has no withdrawal symptoms other than getting poorer sleep. It has been almost 15-20 years and med sci does move forward. If I am forced by circumstance to withdraw rapidly, deep depression and suicidal thoughts become central. I'd rather not be under that dagger if something else is available which does not give me that withdrawal. Thanks again for your thoughts.
> -----------------------------------------------Have you ever tried Sinemet (Carbidopa-Levadopa)? It is a Parkinson's drug that is also used for Restless Leg. While searching for information on this I came across a site you might find helpful http://www.rls.org/
Posted by KrissyP on March 9, 2003, at 20:28:42
In reply to Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by brownja on March 8, 2003, at 23:44:02
Hi brownja,
I only have experience concerning missing 2 doses of the 2mg I take at night (lucky you .5 does the trick for you:-)) I ended up in the ER. Please do talk to your doc so that this doesn't happen to you. It was a freak thing, regarding my pdoc's forgetfullness of not giving me enough to last until I saw her next-that caused me to feel like I was going into a seizure-(as far as I know I never had a seizure disorder)just wanted to post.....
Good luck,
Kristen=========================================================================================== I have been 'on' Clonazepam .5 mg for years. It was prescribed for restless leg symdrom. Until recently, I was unaware how dependent I was on the contineous use and the addictive nature of Clonazepam. I am going to get an appointment with doctor to discuss the wisdom and possible proceedure/s of 'breaking the habit' but I AM INTERESTED IN OTHER'S EXPERIENCES IN CUTTING 'THE TIE THAT BINDS' TO THIS DOSAGE OF CLONAZEPAM. Inadvertant cutoff from the dossage caused severe sleep deprecation and the onset of depression.
Posted by KrissyP on March 9, 2003, at 20:31:02
In reply to Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by brownja on March 8, 2003, at 23:44:02
Another thing:-)I also have the restless leg thingy and it isn't fun. I do know that for me,
coming off of Ativan was a lot easier than Cloazepam. I wish you all the best, Kristen
==================================================================================================I have been 'on' Clonazepam .5 mg for years. It was prescribed for restless leg symdrom. Until recently, I was unaware how dependent I was on the contineous use and the addictive nature of Clonazepam. I am going to get an appointment with doctor to discuss the wisdom and possible proceedure/s of 'breaking the habit' but I AM INTERESTED IN OTHER'S EXPERIENCES IN CUTTING 'THE TIE THAT BINDS' TO THIS DOSAGE OF CLONAZEPAM. Inadvertant cutoff from the dossage caused severe sleep deprecation and the onset of depression.
Posted by KrissyP on March 9, 2003, at 20:33:43
In reply to Re: Restless Leg Syndrome, posted by exbenzouser on March 9, 2003, at 19:50:29
Hi, Just something I wanted to share about restless leg syndrome. When I started back on Effexor-XR in the morning, I got the leg thing BAD at night-it was weird. But, when I started taking Effexor at night and went back on the Lamictal, I haven't had it hardly at all and it decreaases as each day goes by.
Just a thought.....
Kristen
==================================================================================================> > Thanks Jay for your thoughts and info. Restless leg syndrome causes poor sleep and was the 'reason' for going on clonazepam. I now question the concept of putting a person on clonazepam for this purpose. Perhaps there is something as good or better that has no withdrawal symptoms other than getting poorer sleep. It has been almost 15-20 years and med sci does move forward. If I am forced by circumstance to withdraw rapidly, deep depression and suicidal thoughts become central. I'd rather not be under that dagger if something else is available which does not give me that withdrawal. Thanks again for your thoughts.
> > -----------------------------------------------
>
> Have you ever tried Sinemet (Carbidopa-Levadopa)? It is a Parkinson's drug that is also used for Restless Leg. While searching for information on this I came across a site you might find helpful http://www.rls.org/
Posted by HIBA on March 10, 2003, at 23:57:43
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise » brownja, posted by jay on March 9, 2003, at 11:06:46
YES; You are right. I was off prozac for a month and losing all of my hopes to get a substitution to alleviate the hollow feeling it caused as a withdrawal symptom, I went back to the same stuff and now remains on it. Prozac and similar antidepressants whatever their class or age may be are really a life-sentence. It is definitely the medico-politics that plays behind the benzo controversy. No antidepressant is safe from dependence. At least it is my experience.
HIBA
Posted by Jack Smith on March 11, 2003, at 12:21:15
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise » jay, posted by HIBA on March 10, 2003, at 23:57:43
>
> Prozac and similar antidepressants whatever their class or age may be are really a life-sentence.What exactly do you mean by this statement?
Posted by Krissy P on March 11, 2003, at 15:03:05
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise » HIBA, posted by Jack Smith on March 11, 2003, at 12:21:15
Posted by Dr...Not! on August 23, 2003, at 22:03:04
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by Simcha on March 9, 2003, at 4:39:12
Thanks for all the feedback. Here's mine:
I was on Serzone, Clonazepam .5(1am&pm) and Effexor XR 150 (1 am&pm).First I was eased off the Serzone. I don't recall any side effects, but we went slowly.
Then we cut back half the Effexor, at 37.5 less per week. The 4 days after each reduction I experienced intermittent atrial fibrillation, so I finally decided to just stay home for those days.
Now we're trying to reduce the Clonazepam, and I'm having my first depression symptoms. I was told that it is VERY physically addictive, and that we would proceed VERY slowly or else there was the risk of seizures. I was told to reduce my am dose by half, and keep it at that level for 3 weeks. Well, after 3-4 days, I couldn't get out of bed except to feed the dogs! I'd just lie there and think about how miserable life was. So, after the 1st week, I increased the dose to 3/4 of a tablet in the am, for a week. I did better with 3/4 than with 1/2. I drank lots of water, and kept praying. This is the 3rd week, and I reduced the pm dose to 3/4, also. So far, I am functioning well, getting out of bed and taking care of business. If teeny-weeny reductions are all my body can handle, we'll just take as much time as we need.
Re: Restless leg - I found an over-the-counter pill called Legatrin that worked well. Then someone told me to just wait until it started and get up and take an ibuprofen. That's what I do now, and it works fine.
Posted by HIBA on August 24, 2003, at 1:44:05
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise » HIBA, posted by Jack Smith on March 11, 2003, at 12:21:15
Life-sentence means once you are accustomed to these kind of medicines, there is no possible come back. That's all.
HIBA
Posted by Lyndie on October 16, 2003, at 7:51:28
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by exbenzouser on March 9, 2003, at 15:43:34
Oh this is great!! I thought I was only haveing problems with the effexor xr, but I stopped taking my klonopin too....I have only taken this stuff for about 6 weeks, and it quit working so 2 days ago I quit the effexor xr and only took one klonopin .5 mg yesterday and have no intentions of taking anything today. I feel drunk and my brain seems to move around, dont know if that is how I should explain it,,,,so I thought I would only have problems with the effexor xr, had no idea I will have problems with the klonopin to...Wish me luck!! Lyn
Posted by Elle2021 on October 17, 2003, at 4:20:59
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise, posted by Lyndie on October 16, 2003, at 7:51:28
I have also been taking Klonopin (Clonazepam) and I would like to advise you not to quit cold turkey. I tried to and experienced terrible withdrawls. Be really careful with Klonopin, it's a strong drug. -Elle
Posted by hockeygirlcanada on October 20, 2003, at 15:33:32
In reply to Re: Clonazepam withdrawal sucesses/otherwise » brownja, posted by jay on March 9, 2003, at 11:06:46
> > I have been 'on' Clonazepam .5 mg for years. It was prescribed for restless leg symdrom. Until recently, I was unaware how dependent I was on the contineous use and the addictive nature of Clonazepam. I am going to get an appointment with doctor to discuss the wisdom and possible proceedure/s of 'breaking the habit' but I AM INTERESTED IN OTHER'S EXPERIENCES IN CUTTING 'THE TIE THAT BINDS' TO THIS DOSAGE OF CLONAZEPAM. Inadvertant cutoff from the dossage caused severe sleep deprecation and the onset of depression.
> >
> >
>
> I am just curious, has the Clonazepam stopped working for you? If you don't 'crave' it, and no need to up your dose, OR it hasn't caused other problems, there would be no reason to stop it. Yes, stopping right away may cause withdrawl effects, but the same goes for Paxil, Effexor, etc. (Some say those are worse.) I've taken the same dose of a benzo, on and off over 10 years, with no problems. Antidepressants where way harder to withdraw from. People stay on those permanently. Why not Clonazepam?
>
> Of course it is your body...and I mean nothing nasty by saying what I did..honestly. Just using my and many others experiences. If you truly do want to withdraw from Clonazepam beyond what I said, you can break the pill in halves, and get a pill slicer and even break it into quarters.
>
> Best wishes whatever you choose...
> Jay
>
>
I have to go with Jay on this one, I have been on clonazepam for years, same dose, sometimes less, depending on the day, and was told by my docs that I may need it for the rest of my life, but to weigh taking the med vs. not, the obvious advantages (for myself) are to take it if needed.
Epileptics use it for life as it is an anti convulsant. I have gone off it, but my quality of life suffers.
Jill
This is the end of the thread.
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