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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rovers95 on November 13, 2006, at 17:35:37
Hi, hav bin taking klonopin on and off for just over a month now, only take .5 - 1mg, but over the past week i have found myself taking it 6 days out of 7!
I am hoping to come of it once i reach my max results from the lamictal im currently titrating!! But how long will it take to beccome addicted and develop withdrwal symptoms - i am worried!!!
mark
Posted by med_empowered on November 13, 2006, at 23:00:21
In reply to Klonopin - how long to get hooked??, posted by rovers95 on November 13, 2006, at 17:35:37
I think the rule is 2 weeks or more of daily usage=a taper. That doesn't mean you're "hooked"; it just means you'll want to taper off instead of going cold turkey to avoid feeling like crap. These days, docs prefer to do benzos as-needed or daily for a couple weeks to a few months, followed by a taper; longer than that (for example, rx'ing valium for 10years daily use) can cause more side effects and more problems when and if the drug is withdrawn/tapered.
Good luck
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2006, at 23:09:29
In reply to Re: Klonopin - how long to get hooked??, posted by med_empowered on November 13, 2006, at 23:00:21
Med what happens if you've been on a benzo valium for over 30years will it hurt you to stay on it? Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on November 14, 2006, at 14:09:35
In reply to Klonopin - how long to get hooked??, posted by rovers95 on November 13, 2006, at 17:35:37
> Hi, hav bin taking klonopin on and off for just over a month now, only take .5 - 1mg, but over the past week i have found myself taking it 6 days out of 7!
>
> I am hoping to come of it once i reach my max results from the lamictal im currently titrating!! But how long will it take to beccome addicted and develop withdrwal symptoms - i am worried!!!
The word is habituated and not addicted -- you're not "scoring" it off the streets. Also, Klonopin has a greater half life and will be easier to taper than something like Xanax. I would agree a few weeks or a month and you will need to taper, but there's no real concern about that with a benzodiazepine, it will just take longer to get off the medication. They're perfectly safe when taken as directed in reasonable quantities, and right now its parked, and eventually it will leave your garage, so to speak.-- Jay
Posted by yxibow on November 14, 2006, at 14:11:36
In reply to Re: Klonopin - how long to get hooked?? » med_empowered, posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2006, at 23:09:29
> Med what happens if you've been on a benzo valium for over 30years will it hurt you to stay on it? Love Phillipa
Its the amount more than the years I would say -- you take a fairly small amount from what I remember. Still, since you have taken it that long, the taper might be a bit longer than others with that small a dose, but the ideas floating around that it will take you 30 years to forget the medication or something like that is just not sound medicine. So maybe instead of a few weeks, a couple of months.
-- Jay
Posted by bassman on November 14, 2006, at 17:58:06
In reply to Re: Klonopin - how long to get hooked?? » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on November 14, 2006, at 14:11:36
I found I could withdraw from Klonopin by decreasing 1/6 of a 0.5 mg tablet for three days
(break the tab on the scored line, break again on the "nature" thirds due to the design), then 2/6th, etc. so a total of 18 days for 0.5 mg, with no withdrawal symptoms at all. Just a thought.
bassman
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2006, at 19:47:38
In reply to Re: Klonopin - how long to get hooked?? » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on November 14, 2006, at 14:11:36
Jay you must be kidding? I figure I'm on a benzo for the rest of my life. I started at 5mg three times a day. Then cut to 5mg a day through school and nursing. The ativan small doses and then xanax. Until ll years ago just .25 to .125 a day. But that included the beer. Well not always when I was happy I was even alchohol and med free at the same time. Love Phillipa ps 20mg of valium now .5 of xanax new dissolving one my pdoc had samples.
Posted by yxibow on November 15, 2006, at 1:51:44
In reply to Re: Klonopin - how long to get hooked?? » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2006, at 19:47:38
> Jay you must be kidding? I figure I'm on a benzo for the rest of my life. I started at 5mg three times a day. Then cut to 5mg a day through school and nursing. The ativan small doses and then xanax. Until ll years ago just .25 to .125 a day. But that included the beer. Well not always when I was happy I was even alchohol and med free at the same time. Love Phillipa ps 20mg of valium now .5 of xanax new dissolving one my pdoc had samples.
No, I'm not kidding -- you have been on benzodiazepines for many more years than some others have but that doesn't mean that it will take until the end of time to get off of it. Also you well know that the amount you're taking is in the low range of benzodiazepines and so like I said instead of weeks, maybe months. And there is never should be a hurry to get off of them unless you have contracted some liver disease or the like -- they will still be there, and with due caution, they'll eventually be gone.Plus, a tapering program with benzodiazepines, if one is taking them for an anxiety disorder and is withdrawing from them, really should be followed with psychotherapy and techniques for managing things in a medication free setting, if that is what one wishes.
As for the beer, you know that amplifies benzodiazepine effects.
I'm not sure for the reason of two benzodiazepines, unless you mean Xanax PRN for bad days occasionally -- I do that as well.-- tidings
Jay
Posted by bassman on November 15, 2006, at 4:40:56
In reply to Re: Klonopin - how long to get hooked?? » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on November 15, 2006, at 1:51:44
Really good advice about withdrawing from benzos. I always get in the "let's get this over" mode and probably go too fast; although, as I've noted, I don't seem to pay any price for the faster-than-prudent withdrawals. Actually, my main symptom from benzo withdrawal is depression, oddly enough-not severe, just enough to de-energize me from doing anything but perhaps a couple Sudokus and playing with the cat. And exercise during withdrawal seems to really, really help.
Gosh, I hope you weren't saying anything bad about beer. :>} That's always my first question about a new med, "can I have three beers while taking this?"-not, for example, "do you think it will work". I figure I know the beer works, but there's maybe a 30% chance the new med will-so I stay with an old friend. :>}
Posted by erik98225 on November 15, 2006, at 10:23:09
In reply to Re: Klonopin - how long to get hooked??, posted by bassman on November 14, 2006, at 17:58:06
When and if you want to come off klonopin, ask your pdoc for Depakote 1000mg and take this for a few weeks. I've done this and it allowed me to quit klonopin cold turkey after YEARS of continuous use with no withdrawal symptoms.
I am now back on the klonopin, because I determined that it was actually a helpful medication, but it's not "that bad" to quit, esp. with depakote.
Posted by Phillipa on November 15, 2006, at 19:06:57
In reply to Re: Klonopin - how long to get hooked??, posted by bassman on November 15, 2006, at 4:40:56
Yup the beer and it never hurt me on a benzo. I felt good but have been off it for ll years and felt horrible. And no prescription. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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