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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mildred on April 13, 2005, at 21:22:19
I started weaning off of klonopin this week. I was on 10 mg/day for a couple of years - mostly to help me sleep and get through a difficult time in my life. My pdoc told me to start taking 10 mg one day and 5 mg the next day, etc. Today was the second 5mg day for me, and this afternoon I started experiencing . . . well, not sure how to describe it . . . brain zaps? I will forget what I'm saying, gasp, body parts jerk - dropped a load of laundry tonight. Can't keep a thought in my head. Can't remember what I'm doing.
I guess the taper off of the klonopin is too drastic - after all, that is a 50% decrease every other day. Probably shocking my system - I am extremely sensitive to medication changes.
My questions:
Has anybody else experienced this? Can I expect these nasty episodes to stop soon? Can anybody suggest an easier taper method?
Thank you in advance -
Posted by Mildred on April 14, 2005, at 5:13:18
In reply to klonopin, posted by Mildred on April 13, 2005, at 21:22:19
1mg and .5mg, not 10 mg and 5 mg . . .
Posted by mattw84 on April 14, 2005, at 17:25:28
In reply to klonopin, posted by Mildred on April 13, 2005, at 21:22:19
Going from 1mg to .5mg shouldn't be too drastic of a change. However if you are suffering withdrawal of the severity you describe you may try taking .25mg 3x (total .75mg) as a first step down -- for 1 - 2 weeks before you go to .25mg 2x daily.
Another option is to switch to an even longer acting preparation such as valium, and using that to taper down. This is one you should really discuss with your doctor...
Also, if you are on any other medications -- or starting anything new it may be manifesting the symptoms or magnifying them.
Regards,
Matt
Posted by Mildred on April 14, 2005, at 20:15:50
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by mattw84 on April 14, 2005, at 17:25:28
Thanks, Matt - I did call my pdoc today and found out that Klonopin does come in .5 mg tablets. So I will go to .75 and switch to a 3 times per day regimen. Wonder why my doctor didn't recommend that -
When you say that it may be manifesting or magnigying the symptoms, do you mean that the Klonopin might have been masking side effects from (an)other medication(s)? I am on Wellbutrin and Lexapro.
Thank you so much for your help!
Posted by mattw84 on April 15, 2005, at 13:01:39
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by Mildred on April 14, 2005, at 20:15:50
Good to hear you are getting a better taper schedule. The reason I asked if you were on any other medications is not necessarily to say that Klonopin masks the side effects of them -- rather that some may increases the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms.
In your case I would recommend avoiding the Wellbutrin or in the least decreasing your dosage dependent on what your current dosage is. (ie, 150mg instead of 300mg per day) This is because Wellbutrin decreases one's seizure threshold, and that in combination discontinuing klonopin only further decreases that threshold. Which can manifest preliminary symptoms such as you first described. Fortunately you are now on a more gradual taper, and this may be a non-issue -- but if your withdrawal symptoms become bothersome again it may be worth discussing with your doctor.
As for the lexapro... There shouldn't be any complications as a result of it.
Keep in mind that it is nearly impossible to completely avoid all withdrawal symptoms from any benzo. Your dose is low enough that you may be one of the few who are able to however. Best of luck!
Regards,
Matt
Posted by Mildred on April 16, 2005, at 19:40:23
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by Mildred on April 14, 2005, at 20:15:50
Thanks so much for your help, Matt. So far so good . . .
Posted by mattw84 on April 16, 2005, at 21:23:58
In reply to Re: klonopin » Mildred, posted by Mildred on April 16, 2005, at 19:40:23
Good to hear Mildred! Don't forget that there is no such thing as "too slow" when it comes to tapering off of benzos.
As I mentioned in a latter post on this board, I highly advocate using an even longer lasting substitute such as diazepam. While clonazepam may have a half-life somewhere between 20 an 40 hours, that is nothing compared to diazepam's often >100 hour half-life. The longer it takes for the plasma levels to drop - the more subtly the drug exits the system. Again... don't harrass the doc BTW =D... but this is a topic to discuss with your physician. Chances are he/she will be reluctant but push the half-life issue, it's nearly impossible to argue with that fact. =D
Keep us posted and feel free to babble me if you need any advice quickly.
Regards,
Matt
Posted by Maxime on April 30, 2005, at 16:14:55
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by Mildred on April 14, 2005, at 20:15:50
They also come in .25 mg.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on May 1, 2005, at 13:15:54
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by mattw84 on April 16, 2005, at 21:23:58
Matt i am assuming you used the withdrawal schedules from benzo.org.uk
How long did it take you get off the Klonopin and what dosage were you taking? How hard was it to come off the Valium?
Maxime
> Good to hear Mildred! Don't forget that there is no such thing as "too slow" when it comes to tapering off of benzos.
>
> As I mentioned in a latter post on this board, I highly advocate using an even longer lasting substitute such as diazepam. While clonazepam may have a half-life somewhere between 20 an 40 hours, that is nothing compared to diazepam's often >100 hour half-life. The longer it takes for the plasma levels to drop - the more subtly the drug exits the system. Again... don't harrass the doc BTW =D... but this is a topic to discuss with your physician. Chances are he/she will be reluctant but push the half-life issue, it's nearly impossible to argue with that fact. =D
>
> Keep us posted and feel free to babble me if you need any advice quickly.
>
> Regards,
>
> Matt
This is the end of the thread.
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