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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CarrotGinger on May 4, 2006, at 11:43:07
Hey,
I've been on Klonopin for over 4 years. My dosage has been from 1mg/day - 5mg/day. I used to use it while I was actively drinking and drugging to help me sleep and ease my anxiety after I became physically dependent on alcohol.
So, I've been sober for 10 months. On my own, I've gone from 3mg to 1mg in the past 10 months. It was just too strong of a dose for me.Last month, my psychiatrist told me to go to 1/2mg for a week and then to none. After three days of none, I wanted to die. I called my psych and he said it was impossible to have such a reaction to such a small amount of Klonopin. It was so much worse than alcohol withdrawal...but I guess I had the Klonopin to help me with that.
I went back on the Klonopin and tried a new psychiatrist. She put me on Campral in addition to my 150mg of Effexor and is slow tapering my Klonopin (1/4 every three weeks). After three weeks on this new regimen, I've had a new problem: I've been sleeping through out most of my days. Went to go see the psychiatrist again. She put me on another med - provigil. I took it yesterday for the first time and felt high. I was grinding my teeth, and got no sleep.
My question is why do I have to go off the Klonopin? Effexor and Klonopin are the best combo for my Panic Disorder and Depression. I am physically and psychologically addicted, but I don't care anymore. It's a low therapeutic dose. I feel okay on the K and Effexor, so why do these psychiatrists have to keep messing with it? Honestly, it's hard enough to stay away from the alcohol.
Posted by James K on May 8, 2006, at 0:47:06
In reply to Klonopin Withdrawal, Campral, Early Sobriety.HELP, posted by CarrotGinger on May 4, 2006, at 11:43:07
I know that once you have an addiction history, they seem to never want you on a benzo again. I disagree with this myself, but am currently in the same boat. I do understand where they are coming from. The amount I drank combined with the klonopin could have killed me at any time. I assume they figure if I go back to drinking, they don't want to help me kill myself. Plus there is a bias against "addictive" medicines. But they are all addictive in some way as far as I'm concerned. The bias really seems to be against meds that make us feel good.
The fast taper was incorrect and insensitive to your health and feelings. The slow taper is better. The campral should help, it helped me with alcohol last year. I was cold turkeyed off of alcohol, klonopin, and ambien 2 months ago in a hospital and I went through hell. I sympathise with what your are going through lately. I know nothing of the other drugs. I hope there is something helpful in this, I don't feel completely sharp yet myself.
and welcome to psychobabble.
James k
This is the end of the thread.
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