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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ursala on July 7, 2004, at 20:13:59
Hi all,
I'm a new poster, but have visited this board off and on for many years now.
Anyway, I've really screwed myself up this time. I am currently (or am supposed to be) taking .5mg klonopin am and pm and 20mg prozac. My problem is that I failed to get a refill on my klonopin and my pdoc has recently gone into permanent retirement.
I have kind of tapered myself off anyway, but I'm afraid rather abruptly. Is the small amount I've been taking really that much to worry about as far as dangerous withdrawal symptoms (ie seizures)?
Also, I have some buspar laying around from previous trials. Should I perhaps start on a low dose of this until I can get in to see a new pdoc?
I suffer from dysthymia and mild anxiety btw. And yes, I know, I tend to be rather self-defeating when it comes to compliance w/ my meds!
Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer some advice.
ursala
Posted by Glydin on July 7, 2004, at 21:32:09
In reply to tapering off klonopin--not by choice, posted by ursala on July 7, 2004, at 20:13:59
.5 mgs per day is a pretty small dose. Several factors may determine if a fast taper is going to work out alright for you:
What did you dose down from as your highest dosing?
How fast did you actually wean down?
How long have you been on .5 mgs per day?
How long have you been on Klonopin routinely?
How long have you "gone without"?
Do you have a seizure history?From what I understand seizures from abrupt discontinuing tend to show themselves rather quickly. Other withdrawal symptoms can become apparent quickly or over time. I'm no expert, but I did look deeply into information on weaning and discontinuation symptoms as I weaned off Klonopin several months ago.
Do you plan to resume Klonopin if you find a doc to prescribe? I ask curiously.
Posted by ursala on July 7, 2004, at 22:09:15
In reply to Re: tapering off klonopin--not by choice, posted by Glydin on July 7, 2004, at 21:32:09
Hi Glydin,
> .5 mgs per day is a pretty small dose. Several factors may determine if a fast taper is going to work out alright for you:
>
> What did you dose down from as your highest dosing?
I was never on more than the .5mgs in the morning and .5-1.0mg at night (1mg on an "as neeeded" basis)> How fast did you actually wean down?
That's a little hard to guess...the more I put off calling a new pdoc, the more I started tapering...I was taking like .5mg every other dosing time, things like that> How long have you been on .5 mgs per day?
> How long have you been on Klonopin routinely?
I've been taking the same dose for around 1 1/2 years now> How long have you "gone without"?
Yesterday evening I had 0.25 mg, that was my last pill> Do you have a seizure history?
No history>
> From what I understand seizures from abrupt discontinuing tend to show themselves rather quickly. Other withdrawal symptoms can become apparent quickly or over time. I'm no expert, but I did look deeply into information on weaning and discontinuation symptoms as I weaned off Klonopin several months ago.
>
> Do you plan to resume Klonopin if you find a doc to prescribe? I ask curiously.Yes, I would like to stay on the Klonopin. I'm open to new ideas, but really this combo has worked relatively well for me.
Thanks!
Posted by Glydin on July 7, 2004, at 22:42:04
In reply to Re: tapering off klonopin--not by choice, posted by ursala on July 7, 2004, at 22:09:15
> Yes, I would like to stay on the Klonopin. I'm open to new ideas, but really this combo has worked relatively well for me.
>
> Thanks!
>
Hi back to you, Ursala,My opinion (which means nothing, BTW) is you will be fine. Your low maintenance dosing and already in a bit of a weaning mode would, to me, mean you would not be at high risk for a seizure due to discontinuing for now.
Klonopin was a great med for me and I would not be at all reluctant to be on it again if my situation merited it.
I hope you can line up a new doc soon and get back to a routine that worked for you.
Good Luck!
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