Bad withdrawal from klonopin

:( I know exactly how you feel, been there, done that, for the nth time with Klonopin and I can't seem to functiom without it. To think I'm down to !/4 a pill once a day for my seizures with a combination of topiromate of 500 mgs everyday. But its that 1/4 tablet that still gets to my system and affects my life and makes me so miserable. I can't function, I get depressed, I get violent though that seemed to have tapered off when they lowered the dosage of klonopin but the 1/4 pill still gets me in that rambo mood once in a blue moon. It has ruined my life, my ability to be a normal person, taken away my confidence, before all this, I used to have a life...now I just am trying to cope and finding ways to rid myself of the last 1/4 pill. Every effort I've tried ends up having me with the worse grand mal seizure. And so far, I don't want to risk that since my seizures have been pretty much controlled. This pill is a nightmare, it ruins not only the life of the person taking it, but the people around that person who each day has to live and deal with the symptoms and side effects that person has to go through, while these people , parents, husbands, wives, children, sisters, or brothers watch with either pain, anger, horror, bitterness and most of all helplessness because there is nothing they can do but be as supportive as they can be, to some extent.

For what its worth; I have been taking Klonopin for approx five years with a few one or two month breaks. For me tapering down doesnt seem to work - although I understand why others do it. I just resign myself to two nights sleep lost - the second night (after 48 hours without) is terrifying!
Around 72 hours it gets better, and after a week I seem to be ok.
I would advise everyone to get off thios stuff, if you are able - I think in the long run youll be healthier for it.

I had been taking Klonopin for about 9 months and about 3 months ago I stopped cold turkey. The withdrawal symptoms I have are not as severe that many of you describe. The only problem I have is increased anxiety and reactivation of my OCD. What I feel has helped me avert some of the extreme withdrawal symptoms many of you are describing is that I exercise regularly and meditate. I started meditation about 2 months ago and I've seen my anxiety go greatly down. It hasn't helped my OCD but I am alot better off and hope to have the OCD back to pre-Klonopin levels by not taking the drug anymore. Hope this helps!

I have had the exact same experience with Neurontin. I came off it too quickly and now I am back on it and can't seem to find the dose that will take away all my symptoms such as breathing difficulties and stomach problems. I will see a neurologist on Thursday. Have you been dealing with a doctor regarding getting off?

Hello all,
I too had a terrible time getting off Klonopin after 8 yrs. of use for sleeping. I was taking 1 mg. The only way I succeeded was my Dr. gave me an RX for the dissolvable pills in a smaller dose, I kept cutting them down. It still took 3 months. I really feel that if it had not been for the dissolvable pills I would not have succeeded this time as I had tried before and had always had to go back due to the horrible withdrawal symptoms you all describe. I am not really sure what it was about this form of the meds but they seemed easier to wean off of? You just really have to work at this and go through the H---. Now I am going through the same thing with Trazadone.
Good Luck you can do it!!!

I have been on 2mg of Klonopin for a about a year for anxiety, and have been tapering off of it. I started by reducing by half every 2-3 weeks. I didn't have much trouble in the tapering off process until now. I was at .5 mg on Monday and talked to my doctor about getting off. She said it's such a low dose for me and that I should be fine just stopping now.

As of now, I don't feel like myself. I feel dizzy, my nose is numb, my memory is worse, I have increased anxiety and irritability, I am barely sleeping, and my muscles feel tense. Did I taper off too quick? Do you think I would be better off halfing the dose until it's very low or just stick it out? When do the withdrawal symptoms get the worst, hit their peak and start to get better?

My doctor got me on Ambien CR to help me sleep. I believe this is in the same Benzoi family as Klonopin. From your experience, do you think this is a bad idea? I get the impression my doctor doesn't know how hard it is to ween off of this which doesn't help. She did say not to take the Ambien everyday, only when I need it. Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.

I don't know what everyone else has been subscribed Klonopin for, but mine was for panic attacks and anxiety. I don't know what I would have done not being perscribed this medication. I too tried to stop taking it at one time and had the same withdrawl symptoms that are being described. An increase in anxiety, suffocating feeling, someone said they felt like their brain twitched, but hard to describe, had it. Also hot flashes, pretty much thought I was going to die. But my doctor said to me you need to weigh the options of taking it verses not taking it. So I opted to keep taking it, but only on an as needed basis. So I don't take it everyday, just when I feel like I need to. It's working quite well for me. I hope everyone can find a middle out there somewhere. A comfortable place. Good luck!

I HAVE BEEN TAKING KLONOPIN FOR 6 YEARS NOW. I AM UP TO 4 MG A DAY! I HAVE TRIED TAPERING, COLD TURKEY ETC. NEITHER OF WHICH WORKED. QUICKLY WENT BACK ON. PRESCRIBED INITIALLY FOR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME, SEVERE ANXIETY, INABILITY TO SLEEP, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM SINCE THE AGE OF 10 AND AM NOW 40! I READ THE STORIES OF TAPERING AND IT WOULD TAKE ME A YEAR OR MORE. I WENT 17 DAYS OF PURE HELL WITHOUT IT. I AM A THIN PERSON SO IT IS STORED IN MY MUSCLES, THE TWITCHING IS UNBEARABLE, I FEEL UNLIKE MYSELF, HALLUCINATE, CANNOT SLEEP, EAT, VOMIT, MY BODY GOES INTO HIGH SPEED MODE, TROUBLE SPEAKING PROPERLY, LOOSE BOWEL MOVEMENTS, HEAR THINGS, CANNOT DRIVE OR EVEN WALK PROPERLY, SEE THINGS THAT DON'T EXIST ETC. IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO GET OFF THIS STUFF WITHOUT TAPERING? PHYSICIANS SHOULD NOT BE ALOUD TO WRITE SCRIPS WITHOUT TELLING YOU THE PURE HELL YOU GO THROUGH! MY BRAIN FEELS ODD COMING OFF AS WELL. HARD TO DESCRIBE - THE WIRING IS ENTIRELY MESSED UP AND I FEEL NOTHING LIKE MYSELF. SHAKES, CRYING, ANGER, MORE ANXIETY, ALMOST LIKE A TINGLING IN MY BRAIN, NOT STABLE, RUN INTO WALLS, TRIP EASILY, THERE HAS TO BE SOMEWAY TO HELP BESIDES TAPERING! THIS IS AN OLD DRUG, I WISH EVERY DOC THAT PRESCRIBED IT TOOK IT FOR A FEW YEARS, BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE WITHDRAWALS, WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE THEM. AFTER MY 17 DAY COLD TURKEY I TOLD MY DAUGHTER TO TAKE ME TO THE HOSPITAL, COULD NOT TAKE IT ANY MORE, UNABLE TO GET OUT OF BED EVEN. THE HOSPITAL DOC SAID HE ALSO WORKED AT A REHAB AND I COULD EITHER STAY ON IT FOR LIFE OR CLIMB THE WALLS FOR ANOTHER 2 MONTHS. HE SAID IT IS MUCH HARDER THAN HEROIN TO COME OFF OF! WELL, OF COURSE I WENT RIGHT BACK ON IT! NEVER TRIED HEROIN, EXPERIMENTED WITH DRUGS IN HIGH SCHOOL, THAT'S IT! HAVE SEEN PEOPLE TAKE KLONOPIN AND DRINK, MY DAUGHTER AND HER AUNT AND UNCLE STOLE SOME FROM MY BOTTLE, MY DAUGHTER WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL, SCREAMING, HAD TO BE GIVEN AN ANTI PSYCHOTIC ALMOST DIED! I HAVE AN ADDED PROBLEM I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES, DON'T KNOW IF THIS MAKES THEM WORSE, ALSO TAKE TWO ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AND HAVE TRIED COLD TURKEY WITH THOSE TOO, NO LUCK. OK THIS IS VERY LONG, SORRY, PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!
GOD BLESS,
MISY

Oh my Gosh!! I am taking just 0.5 twice a day and let me tell you even on that low of a dose I tried to stop taking it cold turkey..and no way never again!!! I thought I was going to die I would shake really bad and cry on the bathroom floor while a friend would try to calm me down:( its horrible I wish to God I never started taking it. Just even thinking that I am down to a few pills befor my next refill causes severe anxiety. I am so mad that the FDA even came out with such an addicting drug. Its kinda sad to say but most drugs for anxiety (that work) are addictive. I have to say that exercise does really help. I am a dance teacher now and love that it helps with all my emotions. God bless all of you and its so cool knowing I am not alone. :-D

I have been on klonipin or some kind of benzo for years to help me with my sleep and anxiety. At my last dr. appt., my dr. forgot to write "take at night for sleep and as needed for anxiety" so i ended up with 30 2 mg pills instead a few extra for the as needed part, and ended up running out early. I have been off of it completely for about 3 days now. I haven't had problems with sleep b.c I also take Ambien CR and seroquel and have just increased my seroquel dose by 100 mg to compensate. However, the first day was horrible. I was really jittery and extremely tired. The second day was worse (I am guessing due to the half life of this drug). I had chest pains, I was shaking even more, I had horrible vertigo and was still extremely tired. I was extremely agitated and irritable but was still able to be in control. I knew I was going through withdrawal so I just tried to keep breathing and not let my emotions take over and it was fine. Today, day 3 has been very mixed. I woke up at 5 am ready to go to work when I don't get up until 8. At 8, I had no problem waking up and was actually somewhat "excited" to go to work, which is definitely strange because my job is alright but not something any sane person would be excited about. On the other hand, I had extreme vertigo this morning and my hands are shaking so much that I struggle to type this out. I shake anyways because I have extreme anxiety so I don't know if I am experiencing my "normal" nonbenzoed life or if it also withdrawal. Probably both. My mood is so much better though. I am seriously contemplating not going back onto of this drug when I am able to get the script filled if the shaking goes back to something more managable. I think that Klonipin may have made my depression worse than it already was. Either that, or I am having a random fluke good day that I wouldn't expect given the circumstances of my life right now and the fact that I am not taking Klonipin. I also am a smoker but have been kind of grossed out by smoking since I have been off the stuff.

I am posting this hoping it will help someone in the future. I have recently come off clonazapen/klonopin for anxiety and it wasn't easy but I am successfully off it for almost a month now and I feel so much better. I did it slow under a doctors help and it really helped with withdrawal.

I was on it for four years. Walking really helped with the anxiety withdrawal feelings. It was really bad for 5 days and then it got much better. It was an awful feeling but if you can do self talk and journaling and meditation and progressively relaxation you can do it. It is important to have tools to use to help with withdrawal. I have so much more energy after being off the drug. I was tired for four years and now I feel awake. I also feel less anxious if that makes any sense!k

I was on it for anxiety and I also have fibromyalgia my pain did get a little worse for a week but I got physical therapy, massage and acupuncture to help with the pain. Just remember you can do it, the withdrawal does goes away it is just so important to ween off very slowly with help of a GOOD doctor! When you get down to one pill you should have it for a month then take a quarter for a month then stop it! the slowness of getting off is crucial! I went looking for answers when I was coming off and could not find much helpful information just stuff that made me feel worse so again I hope this information helps you!

I am coming off because I want to have a baby and wanted to try dealing with my anxiety without medication. Also, I did try coming off the klon once before and was unsuccessful so don't beat yourself up if you can't do it. Wait a litte while and then try again. It worked for me the second attempt.

I am still on 20mg of Elavil and 2 mg of zanaflex so I think being on something might help with coming off the Klon.

Besides walking/exercising, journaling and self talk meditation and acupuncture, there is a crucial thing I forgot to mention, Therapy really helped me and having a friend to talk to.

Good luck and remember it can happen it just takes patience and the withdrawal does eventually go away if you can stick in there, and do it slow the slower the better!

Interesting thread. I've been taking 0.5 mg colozapam before bed for three years to relieve restless leg syndrome which it did very effectively. I've slept like a baby during the entire time and had no adverse symptoms except that odd pain outside the hips (3,000 units of vitamin D3 daily cured that) - if you're agoraphopic you certainly aren't getting your sunshine vitamin! Yes, I'm often tired but who isn't these days? I decided to stop taking clonazapam to try a drug more specific to RLS, if necessary. I'm cutting down 0.125 (quarter pill) every two weeks until it's gone and I'm hoping the RLS is gone too. I also take 20 mg of Lexapro daily which is also a great relief from mild depression. Even though I have two teenagers, my life is no longer stressful since I retired and I don't think I need these medications anymore. I'm hoping I won't experience the horrors that I have read about here. If you believe in God, may he bless and console you. If not, just tough it out.

I went to the my regular Dr. I was taking 1 mg. of klonipin in the evening for sleep. Have been doing so for about 2 years. It has worked wonderfully and I have had no complaints. My Dr. decided that I should go off it and try sleeping without it and try lorazepam instead. So no going off slowly just cut off. The lorazepam is not helping and I am having terrible side effects w/o klonipin. My Dr. never mentioned any side effects. I have barely slept. It has been 5 days. My blood pressure which is usually 120's/80's has been in the 160's/90's range. My pulse which is usually about 80 stays over 100. I have headaches and mild to moderate chest pain (like I can't breathe without effort) I have had upset stomach with no appetite and very fatigued. I have been reading people's experiences and other Dr. online saying wean off NEVER go cold turkey. Why has my Dr. just thrown me off the medication?
I don't get it? He's on vacation right now - unreachable.

This is exactly what happened to me. I was crying, shaking uncontrollably and couldn't be left alone. I was having panic attacks, and on the floor just sobbing. I didn't sleep for four nights. I couldn't believe what it did to my body - I really thought I had done permanent damage to my nervous system. I also had severe sensitivity to light and sound so everything that moved freaked me out.



I went back on .5mg a day because after several days I was still experiencing this unbelievable depression as part of the withdrawal. Not just a sadness, but upon awakening this feeling of utter hopelessness and failure.



I knew I was in trouble the first time I took a Klonopin because it felt so good. Everything seemed normal. I wasn't worried, anxious and stressed out. I just felt like the world was right. However, it's not the answer. Eating healthy and exercising is paramount as well as proper treatment with a psychologist. EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Hypnotherapy are fantastic.



Some of us are more sensitive then others, but everyone has stuff they deal with. Life isn't a bed of roses all the time for anyone.

All -

If you haven't already, Google "Heather Ashton" or "benzodiazepine withdrawal". There are a few outstanding support sites for safe benzo withdrawal. Klonopin is a very potent benzodiazepine (1 mg of Klonopin is roughly equal to 20 mg of Valium). A gradual crossover to valium is normally suggested as the half life in valium is longer than klonopin, thus allowing a more steady blood concentration. Once stabilized on valium, a reduction of 10% of your total daily intake is suggested either once a week or once every two weeks. Slow elimination profoundly reduces the risk of "protracted withdrawal symptoms" which may last for 2 years or longer.

Please be careful with these drugs and do your research.

Best of luck to all