how long do withdrawl symptoms last with klonopin?

Getting off Klonopin has been worse than any symptom I had before getting on it.  How long it takes?  I'm going on the second week and the symptoms are decreasing but still take a toll on my daily activities.  I tapered off the drug. I wonder what it would be like if I hadn't. Can't imagine anything worse than this.  The first three days were the worse.  Insomnia is my worst enemy now and panic attacks.  I try meditation, prayer, and sipping wine.  So far I can manage a form of sanity.  I feel like I should have gone to a cave on some distant mountain because I'm not up to social skills. I feel like a snake needing to shed my skin-my heart wants to jump out my throat-I feel like chocking when I eat or try to swallow-my body feels like it's on fire from the inside.  I don't believe any good I ever got from the drug merits these symptoms of withdrawal.

OK, Guest!!!

I'm going to try a little "tough love" on you right now.  I spent a LOT(!) of time detailing how I got off of clonazepam (aka, Klonopin) so that people such as yourself can do exactly the same thing.  Did you read all of my posts?  They are the ones by "MUSICMAN". 

If you have not read them...READ THEM!  ALL of them!  You do NOT have to go through this misery, but you DO have to take action.  I have detailed very carefully what you need to do.  The MDs have screwed you over.  Now, it is up to you to undo the screwing.

YES, I admit my postings are very long and there are many.  But, there is much to be learned from them, if you take the time to do so.  Go through this post and look for my postings, apply them to your life, and you will be doing much better.  If I could get off of that junk...YOU CAN TOO!

You are not alone.  Keep us all posted on your progress.

Musicman

I just wanted to chime and and offer some hope that not everyone goes through such a rough time. I was taking 1mg of Klonopin twice daily for a year and a half. I ran into a situation where I didn't have insurance anymore and could not get any more perscription. I spoke with my doctor and he had me reduce by .5 every month. I used my remaining refills to ween off. It only took 2-3 months and I didn't notice anything during the weening period - everything was completely normal with no withdrawl symptoms. I even accidentally forget to take doses sometimes for 2 days in a row before remembering without consequence. I got myself in a mental state of not needing them. However, when the time came to go off completely I did notice a 3-5 day period with mild withdrawl symptoms. I was unusually anxious, irritable, had random bruises, felt fatigued and on the verge of cold. This lasted only 3 - 5 days and after that I was totally fine. For me it was on par of having a cold for 3 - 5 days.

Now I do have some very resilient behavior when it comes to dependency and that probably played a role. (IE when I quit smoking cigarettes cold I had no perceivable withdrawl symptoms with the exception of after meal cravings for several weeks).

Best advice is to be very assertive and clear with your doctor about what is acceptable and not acceptable for your treatment. While your doctor is the expert, you need to be in charge of you. You know your body best so use your power to let the doctor know what you want and what you don't want. To those thinking about taking Klonopin, ask your doctors questions, do your research, and ask specific questions. Don't be intimidated by the doctor and any question is ok to ask. If the doctor seems unsure or takes an elitist attitude like you don't know what you're talking about you should strongly consider going to another doctor who will actually work with you and place your comfort and well being as top priority. 


Dcastle

I agree very much with your last paragraph...

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Best advice is to be very assertive and clear with your doctor about what is acceptable and not acceptable for your treatment. While your doctor is the expert, you need to be in charge of you. You know your body best so use your power to let the doctor know what you want and what you don't want. To those thinking about taking Klonopin, ask your doctors questions, do your research, and ask specific questions. Don't be intimidated by the doctor and any question is ok to ask. If the doctor seems unsure or takes an elitist attitude like you don't know what you're talking about you should strongly consider going to another doctor who will actually work with you and place your comfort and well being as top priority. 
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There are some truly elitist doctors with amazing arrogant attitudes, and if any of us run into one...dump him or her immediately.  There are other doctors, usually much better ones, who are not.

For those of us who have had compromised nervous systems (either from working in a highly stressful job or whatever), the dependency to Klonopin (generic:  clonazepam) is raised considerably.  In these situations, it is important that one uses supplementation and proper eating, as I have documented very carefully in my other posts.  By turning ones lifestyle around and eating properly, I believe many of the drugs, including this one, can be avoided altogether.  I'm sure the drug companies and their bottom lines don't want to hear that, but...too bad.

New to this forum, but have a question. I too have been on Klonopin for about 6 years. .5mg twice a day. I talked to my family doctor about getting off them. He said as long as I do it gradually. I started at .5 once a day. Then .25 once a day and finally every other day. Have been completly off for 13 days now. My question is, I feel terrible. Ringing in my ears,blurred vision, light headed. Weak in the knees. I am beginning to wonder if this is a side effect of not taking the drug or if something else is wrong.

Any advice??

Thank you!!!

NWWRICH...

In a word...YES!  These are ALL classic symptoms.  I spent a good deal of time putting together another post that details my experience.  It is long.  I will admit it.  But, it is thorough.  In it, I recommend various nutrients and foods you can eat to reduce and/or eliminate the symptoms.  You doctor should have told you about this, but MDs are not trained in this area.  That is unfortunate, but there are other doctors who do know (nutritionists, etc), and I have provided what I have learned from my doctor.

Good luck to you.  Read and learn:  https://www.steadyhealth.com/Clonazepam_and_Klonopin_Withdrawal___Musicman_Posts_t254306.html#911384

Thank you!! How long can I expect to feel this bad?? What kind of doctor should I be seeing to help me get thru this? Getting very tough to get thru everyday life(work,driving,etc).

NWWRICH...

About 99% of what I have in that posting link that I gave you, is directly from a board certified nutritionist.  If you take the supplements and eat the foods that I (he) suggested, you will be well on your way to getting through this. 

What has happened is that, via taking the drug, your nervous system has been compromised and, thus, dependent upon it.  You need to replace that drug with the food/nutritional supplements that I suggest in that link (again, yes, I know it is long, but it is worth your time). 

But, to get right to your question, and I just answered it in the first sentence, you need to get with a BOARD CERTIFIED nutritionist.  That board certified designation is more than just a little critical, as almost anyone can hang up a shingle that says "nutritionist".  The board certified nutritionist has gone through rigorous training and certification. 

But...start by reading that post and taking notes.  Believe me, my nervous system was hugely compromised, and what I have on that link is what I did to get through it ... after, I must say, trying it cold turkey the first time six months earlier and failing terribly.

In the end, it is about changing your life style and eating habits.  You would be amazed what a bowl of cooked frozen broccoli first thing in the morning can do to changing your body to an alkaline state and calming your nervous system.

You asked how long you will feel "this bad".  That depends upon how long it takes you to start implementing the process in that posting of mine.  The sooner you do...the sooner you will feel better.  It's really that simple.

Look luck, and keep us all posted on your efforts.  Let me know if you have trouble accessing that link.

Thank you, ordered the vitamins and have 2 doctors appointments this week. Will keep posted on progress.

Excellent!!!

NWWRICH...just make sure those doctors have a professional grasp of nutrition via food and via supplementation.

Keep us posted.

Ok, I have been off the Klonopin since June 1st. I am taking my Guba, and watching my diet. My doctors say it should take about 30 days for the drug to get out of my system. It is now July 11th and I still have the ringing in my ears,still feel dizzy,liteheaded, and blurry vision.I know each person is different, but does anybody know how long this drug stays with you?

NWRICH:

Since I seem to be the only one responding to your requests for information and since you don't want to listen to my advice, I'm really not sure what I can do for you.  You went to a couple doctors.  Great.  Are they MDs?  If so, not so great.  By the way...it's GABA not GUBA.

If you would take the time to really dig in and read my post at (https://www.steadyhealth.com/Clonazepam_and_Klonopin_Withdrawal___Musicman_Posts_t254306.html#911384) as I mentioned previously, you would know that there a many many many more things that you should be doing to get off of this junk.  IT IS A POWERFUL DRUG!!!

"how long does it take for the drug stay with you?" is the wrong question.  The question you should be asking is what do I have to do so that my body has the proper nutrients that my nervous system can be returned to a more natural state.  The MDs are not...repeat...not trained in this.  If either of the two doctors that you spoke with was a board certified nutritionist and all he/she told you to take was GABA, that person is totally unqualified to help you.

I've gone through all of these withdrawal issues.  ALL OF THEM!!!  And, I came out the other side.  The first time when I tried it by myself without the aid of my nutritionist, I FAILED!!!

Now, I am at the point where I am just getting totally ticked off at people such as yourself and others who are, I guess, just too lazy to read what I have written.  If you read it and follow it, you will be fine ... SOONER!!!

As for me, I have done all I can for the people on this site for those suffering from clonazepam/Klonopin withdrawal.  I've had enough of wasting my time.

You and everyone else are on your own.  Good luck.  Sticking with the help of the MDs...you're going to need it.

I  have THOROUGHLY documented what needs to be done and everyone who gets on a Klonopin/clonazepam post asks the same thing, I say the same thing, and yet no one...NO ONE...takes the initiative to read what I have written and to do the hard work.  Guess you all will just have to suffer.  You must enjoy it.

I am exhausted from trying to help people who don't want to be helped.  I won't be back.

Well sir, if you come back and read this,I have read your posts. I have tried some but not all of your advice. Everybody is different. What worked for you may not work with everyone else.Just came here seeking advice.I do what my MD's tell me do first.

I do thank you for your advice.

My wife had the same symptoms (dizziness, light-headedness) while taking Klonopin (once a day). Her real problems began when she tried going off it two weeks. She didn't sleep at all, and had panic attacks all night. She resumed taking the Klonopin again , and we decided that her symptoms with Klonopin were the lesser of two evils. Our doctor agreed. Hope this helps.

You posted over a year ago...so I hope that you are no longer suffering from withdrawal !

I want to tell you about some integrative health treatments that offer the body support while it is finding balance after drug withdrawal. The first is the coffee enema -which helps the liver to detox. This is widely used for integrative therapies for cancer... by well-known and respected physicians such as Nicholas Gonzales, MD. and there are sources of in depth explanations about this therapy and how it works. I also think that Homeopathy, herbal medicine, and acupuncture can help the body in times of crises.

I am currently in a bad withdrawal from Lexapro. I did it too fast. I am experiencing a burning sensation in the bottom of my feel and in my fingertips. also depression. I am looking into a "gemmo- therapy" a new type of herbal product to help me with this.

I have been on Klonopin too... since my post-partum experience, 10 years ago. I would not have survived with out it. I have been afraid to go off of it...after reading your msg...I can see that my concerns are well-founded. I will go very slowly and do all that I can to help to support my body in the process. thanks for writing.