Posted by rutt on January 6, 2004, at 16:48:51
In reply to Re: How I tapered off of Klonopin (nm), posted by rutt on January 6, 2004, at 3:03:29
HI everyone,
I've been trying the 10% reduction method mentioned in various sources. The method states that it is reasonable to ween off klonopin(and other benzo's)by reducing the dosage 10% every week or two.
I was originally taking 2mg of klonopin a day, but quickly cut down to 1.5mg a day because I was afraid of becoming dependant. The psychiatrist I was seeing said he was under treating me due to the severity of my panic, and high anxiety. Even though i was suffering tremendously, I was very afraid of the drug because of the things I read about it. Stuff like it causes chemical imbalances, rather then curing one.
Anyway, it's been a long bumby ride- I was having panic attacks and very high anxiety on 1.5mg of klonopin, but I wouldn't increase the dose(I'm either very dumb, or very cautious). Eventually, my panic attacks went away-(took a while)-it's been about a year since the last one. My high level of anxiety has come down quite a bit.
The whole experience was very confusing. My doc told me that I shouldn't have had panic attacks on klonopin. My anxiety seemed to go away with time, so I'm not sure if klonopin helped me at all.
I weened down to .75 from 1.5 and noticed feeling very uncomfortable in sept/oct, so I went back up to 1mg a day. I think I was coming down to fast. It's really hard to shave 1/10ths off a 1mg tab, so I cheated and tried to ween by 1/6 every week(no good for me).
After resting at 1mg for a while, I decided to try again. I'm currently at .5 and I'm starting to feel bad again(weird sensations, anxiety).
I really would like to get off klonopin, but it sure isn't easy. I'm very frightened of experiencing what I went through with panic and very high anxiety at its peak(afraid of it's return) but I want to be drug free.Anyone have any feelings about the desire to be drug free, vs. the fear of mental illness- I would appreiciate it.
poster:rutt
thread:253823
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040105/msgs/297281.html