Clonazapem reconsidered.

[deerwalk]

Anxiety is truly a bane- I am speaking of the intrusive, consuming anxiety that is truly disruptive to one's life and thoughts rather than the occasional moment of discomfort or unease. There are many kinds of chemical assistance available and my choice was clonazapem, the generic klonopin. There are often times when I feel I can no longer live with the nervousness and sadness that seemingly pervade my mind and days. Weaning off clonazapem was one of the most frightening experiences I have ever had- I felt I was losing control. I experienced such a sense of non- reality for such a length of time, that I began to adjust to the idea that feeling grounded again was quite possibly out of the question. I suspect my doctor tapered me off far too quickly. I am angry about the entire experience. I have been through my share of unpleasant situations, however synthetic brain chemicals splicing my daily reality into a nightmare jigsaw that I can't piece together is NOT something that fares well with me... I have begun to drink again as a way of coping with my fears. I have also been pursuing meditation a bit... it's a long slow road, and I do consider going back to a much smaller dose of clonazapem until I quit drinking entirely again, it's a real conflict. Maybe if I do it right this time it'll go well... At this point I am unsure as to whether I am truly capable of change. I heard once that once you reach 30, you are who you are.

[Astro]

Originally Posted by deerwalk

At this point I am unsure as to whether I am truly capable of change. I heard once that once you reach 30, you are who you are.

No experience with clonaz, deer, but wanted to send out a hug for you

As far as change though, I believe we're always capable. I came into recovery at 41, and I can tell you for certain that I'm nothing like the person I was four years ago. The mental hospital, the meds, prayer & meditation, and 12-Step recovery have all had profound effects on the person I am and the life I lead.

[Rowan]

I understand anxiety, Amber. I ended up in the psych ward for 3 days recently because of it. I was taken cold turkey off my meds and went a little berserk. They offered me ativan at the hospital to calm me down but I declined - the old me would have been all over them. I came off a high dose very nearly cold-turkey 6 years ago and I won't EVER forget the withdrawals. I also sponsor a woman who suffers from acute anxiety. She just joined a support group and literally forces herself to AA meetings. She has been going to meetings since she was 17 - she's 34 now. She's never put more than a couple of weeks together, but she's got 7 months today. She never believed she could overcome the anxiety and/or get sober - but she did. I'm 41 and I'll never stop believing in the power of change, the power to improve my life and my outlook.

[otterbearcat]

Originally Posted by deerwalk

I suspect my doctor tapered me off far too quickly. I am angry about the entire experience. I have been through my share of unpleasant situations, however synthetic brain chemicals splicing my daily reality into a nightmare jigsaw that I can't piece together is NOT something that fares well with me... I have begun to drink again as a way of coping with my fears. I have also been pursuing meditation a bit... it's a long slow road, and I do consider going back to a much smaller dose of clonazapem until I quit drinking entirely again, it's a real conflict. Maybe if I do it right this time it'll go well... At this point I am unsure as to whether I am truly capable of change. I heard once that once you reach 30, you are who you are.

DW,

I have heard alot of horror stories about coming off benzos. And now you are drinking again to deal. Is this true? If you really think you got tapered off to fast, please try to find another DR and explain the situation. Tell them about quitting drinking etc... I was always anxious in my life but I did have 'withdrawls' when I first quit, one of them being anxiety, I took ativan, I took ambien. I still take these on occasion, because it helps. But I have never/ will never take them everyday. If you were taking them everyday and then got off them too fast it would be a reasonable explanation for the increased anxiety.

I have always believed that I am/will be in a constant state of change and growth.

But it hasnt been until recently that I have actually felt myself changing towards something positive and real. I am 32.

[Puddy]

You are suffering from protracted withdrawal syndrome from weaning off of benzodiazepine drugs too quickly. I am as well. It takes awhile, but my counselor at treatment is a benzo survivor as well, and I've talked to her and several others. It takes around two years, but you do get slowly better.

You probably started drinking again because benzos like Clonazepam, in fact all benzos stimulate the same receptors in the brain that alcohol does. I haven't drank in 8 years but all I've wanted to do since kicking benzos is drink. I'm one year in, and the idea of doing another year like this sucks. I truly understand.

I highly, highly recommend you get the DVD "Kundalini Yoga to Detox and De Stress" by Maya Fiennes. It is a very gentle form of yoga involving stretching, breathing, and chanting. Anyone can do it. It really helps in benzo detox.

You can make it. I have other helpful info for you, if you like. Just PM me.

[verarose]

It takes 2 years to get off benzos?
Verarose

[deerwalk]

Cool, Puddy thanks for the input. Those are definitely things to consider. I miss the clonazapem, and I am struggling at the moment as my doctor refuses to prescribe it now. I have friends much older than I who swear by it and think that meds are just the greatest thing ever invented.

[scotteh88]

deer, it sounds like you are going through some issues right now but what i can tell you is follow your heart with this one and what you think is best for you in this situation. some people just don't understand how well klonopin can work

[overcomer32]

It takes around two years, but you do get slowly better.

Im very, very familiar with Klonopin and benzo withdrawal and tapering and this is a tragedy! It does not have to take 2 years of hell!! There is a right way to taper gradually off the drug! Please... I dont know if we are allowed to post links but so a search on the "Ashton Manual" and also just any search on "Klonopin+tapering off" or something similar. You cut the dose by .125 every 2 weeks or so and there are zero or almost zero withdrawal symptoms and certainly no 2 YEARS of suffering to follow! I speak from experience! I tapered off this way in 2003 and was a bit jumpy the first month or 2 after but was FINE after that.

I can hardly believe some are accepting as acceptable a period of suffering of 2 entire years when there is a much more excellent way available!

Please search and think about re-instating on the Klonopin at whatever your last, comfortable dose was, and then gradually tapering off using the water titration method. Water titation = grinding pill, mixing pre-set amount of water in it, then extacting pre-set amount of liquid (of pill and water mixture) each day and very slowly tapering off that way. Oh, do a search on "Klonopin+ water titration"... PLEASE! I hate, hate to see anyone suffering so much so needlessly! There is a ton of lack of info and ignorance in the medical community about how to safely come off the benzo class of drugs. I used the water titration method and it worked very well and was not difficult at all!

God bless you!!

Overcomer

[overcomer32]

Also, yes, the benzo does hit the same receptors in the brain as alcohol does. It's best IMO stop stop drinking first, then again, very gradually.... (whats the rush anyway?), taper off that Klonopin. Nice and easy... who cares how long it takes as long as u do wean off, is my opinion. Also try to avoid sweets as much as possible, this will help also avoid craving alcohol at all. It really helps to change your diet but dont want to overwhelm u, either. I find my desires for booze/beer disappear once i cut out sugar from my diet (easier said than done, i realize).

You can do this! Pls PM me for more info if u like.

O

[deerwalk]

Thanks all. Very useful food for thought!

[nandm]

I found this thread quite interesting and noticed at times it bordered on providing medical advice. Just a side note here at SR giving medical advice is against the rules of conduct. I appologize to anyone I may have insulted with that statement.

My experience with Klonopin has been a fairly positive one. I take it as needed and have over the past 3 years. For me as needed is I can not function. To the doctor it means the feelings of mild anxiety. I guess that is why a bottle of 30 has lasted me nearly 6 months. I am also a recovering alcoholic who never had issues with drugs. I realize that there a people who are quite anti-medication for anxiety. I also know my experience is such that without the medication there are times when I can not leave my own home, speak to anyone on the phone or in person, isolate from everyone and everything.

That said, klonopin actually became a problem recently, not because of addiction but because it was knocking me out when I would take enough to resolve/reduce the anxiety. The doctor switched me to ativan as needed. I know this is another big one people take issue with. So far though it has worked well to help reduce the anxiety. Just thought I would play devils advocate and provide a different point of view on the medication.

[jamdls]

I too have been prescribed Klonopin on an as needed basis (and had great results), everything I've ever read about says it should not be prescribed for longer than 2-3 months at a time and I would definetly question any doc that left someone on it longer. I've also been prescribed Zyprexa (another miracle drug for me) at times of severe anxiety and/or panic attacks and again with that it should never be taken for longer than 6-12 weeks. From what I've read neither drug is to be used as a maintenance drug.

[nandm]

There are instances where medications are given for longer periods of time than the manufacturer recommends just as they are sometimes given in higher doses. But it is very important to partner with any doctor on medications and develop a working knowledge of the medications we are on. I am sure that the klonopin is not recommended by the manufacturer for greater than 3 months but I am following my doctors advice and taking the medication as prescribed so I am not concerned about what the recommended dosing/duration might be. I do appreciate your concern though.

[rondfw777]

Hi folks! I have been on xanax for 15 years, 2.5 mg a day. Quit drinking 16 days ago and anxiety has spiked of course. Told my doctor what was going on and he has been my Doc for 20 years.
Here is the deal. all those years xanax kept my anxiety at bay. Now that I quit drinking its even tougher everyday and night. I have not slept in 2 weeks worth a darn and its a real beast. I can't even work among other things. He gave me a prescript of klonopin for one month so I can get some sleep. I have not taken any yet,which would be at bed time and wondering if it will be just like taken xanax or will it have a different affect to help me sleep. I don't want to get hooked on another benzo but I have to get some rest. Alcohol was my sleep med and now I'm paying the price. I have to get my life back under control quickly.

What would you do?
I'm screwed either way!

Ron

[transformyself]

At this point I am unsure as to whether I am truly capable of change. I heard once that once you reach 30, you are who you are.

I've heard your core being is fully in place by age 3. I've heard that women are stupid and shouldn't be allowed to drive (that was my father). I've heard that I am worthless and would never amount to anything.

I"m 45 and over the last three years have changed things about myself I thought I would never be able to release and get rid of--that is until I stopped telling myself I couldn't do it.

We are only limited by our thoughts. Our thoughts and words are Beings. We send them out to do our work.