From my reading on the topic, which include peer reviewed publications the idea behind tapering down Clonazepam intake instead of stopping cold turkey is to avoid the most severe and life threatening withdrawals symptoms (seizures...) and deal with more manageable and less dangerous symptoms over a longer period of time. Knowing that the acute phase symptoms picks between 7 to 14 days and start subsides around the 3rd week, each down transition should last at least 3-4 weeks (or until you feel comfortable, symptomatic free and confident enough to start the next step down). A decrease of 1/4 of the dosage at each daily intake seems to be effective (one just need a good pill cutter). Keep in mind that each transition will promote withdrawals symptoms, which also bring a lot of apprehension and anxiety. It seems that the most recurrent symptom is the one for which the drug was prescribed for, with insomnia and many others more or less easy to deal with... The idea is to stick to a functional plan ideally established with a competent health care provider (unfortunately not always easy to find). Nutrition, supplements (sleep aids, GABA enhancers (Valerian roots...), vitamins, minerals etc...) physical activity, supportive social environment make a huge difference in the symptomatic phases (all of which are easier to list than to actually get). Push through because it gets better even though many of the lengthy symptoms tends to make us feel otherwise.
I was prescribe Clonazepam for severe anxiety by my Dr. at 0.5mg twice a day. Because I am aware of the side effects of Benzodiazepines, I asked for no refill please. However, we have tens of vials of 0.5mg pills at home, because this drug is prescribed to my mother in-law for anxiety resulting from 2 severe strokes, which left her without speech, and entirely paralyzed on the right side. She is been living with us for 4 years now, and my wife, her care giver, is giving her the medicine only at about 0.5mg/week only when she becomes symptomatic. Consequently, the vials have been pilling up for years without use by any of us...
I stopped taking the 2x0.5mg pills/day after 6 weeks of use. Because of the relatively short time of use and low dosage I decided to stop all at once, knowing that the risk of life threatening symptoms were unlikely, and shortening thereby the time of exposure which was my priority to prevent addiction and dependence. I had an onset of symptoms picking up at 11 days, with insomnia, anxiety being the most predominant. I honestly admit that the acute phase was very difficult to deal with, but the symptoms progressively subsided after. I suppose that my symptoms were greater or similar in intensity than the ones experienced during some of the tapering transitions. Fortunately, I didn't develop any addiction and I actually find this medicine pretty repulsive so I leave these pills we have at home alone. I still have anxiety exploring alternative ways to manage it... I suppose that some patients really need this medicine to manage their disease and I don't see any wrong as long as it's used with appropriate awareness.
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