Posted by Rick on January 19, 2002, at 3:36:36
In reply to Klonopin is great, but how do you get off it?, posted by AnneL on January 18, 2002, at 23:58:22
I guess everyone's different. I also take 1 mg, but all in the a.m. I've been taking it for two and a half years, starting at 3 mg, and have found I need less over time. One day a few months ago I went on an overnight trip and managed to leave my Klonopin back home (not smart). I ended up going about 42 hours between doses. The only result was a moderate rebound of my social anxiety during the latter part of that period.
Based the incident you related, my suggestion would be that, as long as you're on Klonopin, you should deny yourself the special-occasion booze. Or take just a very small amount of Klonopin on those nights, e.g. 1/4 mg, which should be safe even if it's potentiated by a factor of four. Then take more the next morning or afternoon if you feel any withdrawal symptoms.
Other things to consider: See if you can get by on less (but with S-L-O-W taper). If your insomnia stems from anxiety, then Klonopin doesn't need to be sedating to help you get to sleep and stay asleep. It just needs to keep anxiety in check. Even though I take it all in the a.m., and don't find it sedating unless I take more than usual, it still relieves the insomnia I used to have.
Rick
> I have been on Klonopin 1 mg. at bedtime for almost one year now, first as an anti-anxiety agent to get me through the start-up of Effexor and then as a sleep agent. I find it extremely sedating which is great for sleep.
>
> But, I haven't heard anyone talk about how it feels to miss a dose. I have not taken it on 2 or 3 ocassions when I have indulged in 3 or more alcoholic beverages, the last time being New Year's Eve. By 4AM, I was in the midst of a severe Klonopin withdrawal. I really feel for those who are addicted to drugs like heroin, etc.
> The only thing that took away the body twitching, extreme anxiety, etc., was a dose of Klonopin at 4:30 AM. It was a living hell for 30 minutes and I dread the day when I taper off of this drug. Any comments?
poster:Rick
thread:89412
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020116/msgs/90747.html