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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 Neal on June 15, 2001, at 13:23:36
Any one have any ideas on how to taper down Klonopin? I know to do it in small increments. Any other meds to ease the pain?
Posted by stjames on June 15, 2001, at 13:50:27
In reply to Any tricks to lowering Klonopin?, posted by Neal on June 15, 2001, at 13:23:36
> Any one have any ideas on how to taper down Klonopin? I know to do it in small increments. Any other meds to ease the pain?
James here....
If you lower it slowly enough you will not have "pain" or other problems. If you are having these problems you are tapering too fast.
James
Posted by gheld on June 15, 2001, at 21:02:08
In reply to Any tricks to lowering Klonopin?, posted by Neal on June 15, 2001, at 13:23:36
> Any one have any ideas on how to taper down Klonopin? I know to do it in small increments. Any other meds to ease the pain?
Yes, try Buspar. It relieves GAD and has no withdrawl symptoms. Takes a while to take effect, though.
Posted by Neal on June 18, 2001, at 17:45:17
In reply to Re: Any tricks to lowering Klonopin?, posted by gheld on June 15, 2001, at 21:02:08
Stjames & gheld; Thanks to both of you. St. James, my pdoc said the same thing. I initially dropped from 2mg to .75mg in the space of 4 days and that was a BIG mistake. Klonopin (the lack of it I mean) can kick your ass, including the shakes and nasty depressive symtoms. To anybody: please be cautious should you want to taper Klonopin.
Posted by AC on June 22, 2001, at 13:18:33
In reply to Re: Any tricks to lowering Klonopin?, posted by Neal on June 18, 2001, at 17:45:17
Yeah, I was dependant on Klonopin 3mgs after being on it a year. I had to go to detox! My EKG was off the chart. Nothing helped really once i lowered to lowest dose; I got tremors, shakes, delusions, anxiety, etc. But one smart doctor added Neurontin (Gabapentin) this totally helped me get off this damn med. It stopped the tremors and anxiety. Give it a try.
Posted by Snowie on June 24, 2001, at 10:26:34
In reply to Re: Any tricks to lowering Klonopin?, posted by AC on June 22, 2001, at 13:18:33
Neal,
I agree with AC about Neurontin. For some reason it allowed me to lower my Xanax dose from 3 mg. to 1.5 mg. with no ill effect - in fact, it sometimes worked even better than Xanax. (My pdoc has me on a new drug called Gabitril, but it doesn't work as well for me as Neurontin.) The great thing about Neurontin is that it started working for me right away. However, IMHO there's no shame in being on Klonopin if it allows anyone to have a functional life, as opposed to being without it. Good luck!
Snowie
> Yeah, I was dependant on Klonopin 3mgs after being on it a year. I had to go to detox! My EKG was off the chart. Nothing helped really once i lowered to lowest dose; I got tremors, shakes, delusions, anxiety, etc. But one smart doctor added Neurontin (Gabapentin) this totally helped me get off this damn med. It stopped the tremors and anxiety. Give it a try.
Posted by Neal on June 26, 2001, at 2:26:45
In reply to Re: Any tricks to lowering Klonopin?, posted by Snowie on June 24, 2001, at 10:26:34
Yes, Neurotin helps. At one point I was taking 600mgs every 2 hours when kicking the Klonopin.
Posted by Drew02 on June 26, 2001, at 12:04:56
In reply to Any tricks to lowering Klonopin?, posted by Neal on June 15, 2001, at 13:23:36
One doctor that specializes in benzo dependence advocated switching to a comparable dose of Valium. The idea is that it's much easier to withdrawl from vallium because of it's very long half life. Sudden withdrawl from the short acting benzodiazapine such as ativan or xanax is excruciating. Sudden withdrawl from xanax can even make Vets become violent. Clonazapam has a medium half life. Other things that help are Gabapentin, Vallarian(standardized extract), Kava kava. Caffine in any form should be on your avoid list during this time. Switching to vallium is optional, but definately take your time, cut tablets in forths if nessesary.
Posted by Amy Blue on June 29, 2001, at 21:53:50
In reply to Re: Any tricks to lowering Klonopin?, posted by Neal on June 26, 2001, at 2:26:45
I am tapering off Klonopin by 1/8 mg every 3 weeks. So far, so good. I am down to .5 mgs/ day and should be off early September if I stick to my schedule. TRICK: Take it as scheduled, NOT when you feel you NEED it. Taking it when you feel you need it only facilitates the addiction mentality further.
Avoid all stimulants - sugar, caffeine and simple carbs.
This is the end of the thread.
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