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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by misterd on June 9, 2008, at 16:23:03
Hi All!
I have been using klonopin for over 5 years for social anxiety. Currenty using .5 tid for a total of 1.5mg each day. I have never raised the dose during this time. On average over the years it has worked at a 4 out of a scale of 10. I am now experiencing tolerance withdrawal. It is creating cog fog, memory problems, depression, anxiety, amotivation, becomming sensitive to stimulants. My dilemma is should i bite the bullet and try to withdraw? I have already tried 4 times but could not tolerate the withdrawal symptoms while working at the same time. I feel that I will have to quite my job to be able to get off. Another option is to increase my dose. I have tried prozac and lexapro. Prozac worked fairly well for awhile then actually increased my anxiety. Lexapro at less then 1mg gave me to many side effects (mainly anxiety and inner nerviousness) that I could not tolerate it and quit after 2 weeks at this tiny dose. I am concerned that if I am successful at withdrawal that I will be in a worse situation than before. Has anyone here been on klonopin for over 5 years and been able to function "normally" with or without increasing the dose? I know all about the ashton manual and am in mind frame of attempting a very slow withdrawal of 2 to 5% for each cut. I just feel that I will need something to help with the social anxiety besides excersise, proper diet, CT, meditation, etc... Any thoughts, comments or recommendations are hugely appreciated!!!
Posted by NewHampshireGuy on June 9, 2008, at 18:53:00
In reply to Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety, posted by misterd on June 9, 2008, at 16:23:03
I have been on 1.5 mg for about 5 years and am wondering the same thing. I think Lamitical might be working curb my mania/aniexty
I would google withdrawal and somehow make a schedule to very slowly taper your dose. even if it means cutting your pills into quarters, and only going down a quarter pill every week or even two weeks
I am pretty sure a slow taper is key. I would consult yout pdoc before upping anything else though
Posted by misterd on June 9, 2008, at 21:32:30
In reply to Re: Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety, posted by NewHampshireGuy on June 9, 2008, at 18:53:00
> I have been on 1.5 mg for about 5 years and am wondering the same thing. I think Lamitical might be working curb my mania/aniexty
>
> I would google withdrawal and somehow make a schedule to very slowly taper your dose. even if it means cutting your pills into quarters, and only going down a quarter pill every week or even two weeks
>
> I am pretty sure a slow taper is key. I would consult yout pdoc before upping anything else though
Thanks for your response. It sounds like you are experiencing the same things from long term Klonopin usage. Are you taking Klonopin for social anxiety?Also for anyone elese reading this post, have any of you experienced these side effects after long term usage?
Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2008, at 23:49:41
In reply to Re: Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety, posted by misterd on June 9, 2008, at 21:32:30
Is there a substitute for benzos? I remember a long time ago my pdoc saying if it stops working switch to a different one. Anyone tried this? Phillipa
Posted by misterd on June 10, 2008, at 0:56:28
In reply to Re: Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety » misterd, posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2008, at 23:49:41
> Is there a substitute for benzos? I remember a long time ago my pdoc saying if it stops working switch to a different one. Anyone tried this? Phillipa
Great question. I was on xanax for a while prn. It seemed to lose it's affect within 6 months or so. Klonopin has worked for me for about 4 years at the same dose. I wonder if valium with it's long half life would be an option for social anxiety??
Posted by NewHampshireGuy on June 10, 2008, at 8:05:48
In reply to Re: Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety, posted by misterd on June 10, 2008, at 0:56:28
unfortunately Klonopin is the benzo that you develope a tolerance to the slowest
I developed a tolerance for xanex within a couple months and with Ativan about a year
Klonopin lasted about 4-5 years too, but I am not getting the affect anymore, so I am going to begin tapering soon since. I did not have social anxiety, just bipolar/GAD/depression
I am going to do a 3 month taper, going down a 1/4 of a 1 mg tablet each week I think. I am not expecting any troubles as I came off Ativan cold turkey (stupidly) after about a year of being on it and had no problems
as far as switching benzos, I think you may be out of luck. they all very much dull/build tolerance at the Gaba receptors I believe, but I could be wrong
good luck
Posted by NewHampshireGuy on June 10, 2008, at 8:07:08
In reply to Re: Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety, posted by misterd on June 10, 2008, at 0:56:28
unfortunately Klonopin is the benzo that you develope a tolerance to the slowest
I developed a tolerance for xanex within a couple months and with Ativan about a year
Klonopin lasted about 4-5 years too, but I am not getting the affect anymore, so I am going to begin tapering soon since. I did not have social anxiety, just bipolar/GAD/depression
I am going to do a 3 month taper, going down a 1/4 of a 1 mg tablet each week I think. I am not expecting any troubles as I came off Ativan cold turkey (stupidly) after about a year of being on it and had no problems
as far as switching benzos, I think you may be out of luck. they all very much dull/build tolerance at the Gaba receptors I believe, but I could be wrong
do you smoke pot? just trying to rule potential causes out. have you tried CBT which helps you cope and gives you ways of dealing with social situations? therapy can be just affective as a pill
good luck
Posted by Marty on June 10, 2008, at 11:00:14
In reply to Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety, posted by misterd on June 9, 2008, at 16:23:03
I feel there's not easy way from that hell.
Been there, done that. I've been for about 4 years on Clonazepam .5mg/day and since I've withdraw from it, 2 years ago, I have a protracted withdrawal syndrome: facial pain/weird sensations.Here's some ideas I would research:
- Gaba supplements (from Natural Source.. cross the blood brain barrier)- Theanine (NOT Theine.. which is just like Caffeine)
- Lyrica (Pregabalin), the successor of Neurontin (Gabapentine) which is pretty good for anxiety in mid/high dose (150mg to 600mg /day). If you're going with it be carefull not abusing, not taking it too long since in MY experience it COULD be addictive somehow. This withdrawal was only second to Clonazepam.
Oh, and before thinking about stoping benzo once for all, you may want to try Xanax or another benzo since Clonazepam IS BY FAR the WORST of the gang when it comes to induces depression and other side effects. Clonazepam somehow plays with the Serotonin system in a bad way in the long term. Xanax is more gentle in that regard.
Good luck,
/\/\arty
Posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2008, at 19:17:31
In reply to Re: Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety » misterd, posted by Marty on June 10, 2008, at 11:00:14
Rotating them has kept me on benzos over 35 years. Now they are not working during the day that is valium. Klonopin is stronger and made me feel suicidal once and wasn't. Got some someone sent me may try one tonight insted of valium. Phillipa
Posted by misterd on June 10, 2008, at 23:02:41
In reply to Re: Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety, posted by NewHampshireGuy on June 10, 2008, at 8:07:08
> unfortunately Klonopin is the benzo that you develope a tolerance to the slowest
>
> I developed a tolerance for xanex within a couple months and with Ativan about a year
>
> Klonopin lasted about 4-5 years too, but I am not getting the affect anymore, so I am going to begin tapering soon since. I did not have social anxiety, just bipolar/GAD/depression
>
> I am going to do a 3 month taper, going down a 1/4 of a 1 mg tablet each week I think. I am not expecting any troubles as I came off Ativan cold turkey (stupidly) after about a year of being on it and had no problems
>
> as far as switching benzos, I think you may be out of luck. they all very much dull/build tolerance at the Gaba receptors I believe, but I could be wrong
>
> do you smoke pot? just trying to rule potential causes out. have you tried CBT which helps you cope and gives you ways of dealing with social situations? therapy can be just affective as a pill
>
> good luckAll, thanks for your response. A couple comments and questions. First I have just started CBT and getting a benefit form it. I don't smoke pot but maybe I should;). I normally have 2 to 3 drinks a night and have cut back on that since it is not helping me in the long run. To NewHampshire guy... very interesting that you were able to quit benzos in the past to easily. It seems like you just hear and read horror stories about benzowithdrawal and it can really screw with you mind. Remember to take it slow. Thanks
Posted by misterd on June 10, 2008, at 23:06:38
In reply to Re: Dilemma w/ longtm klonopin use for Social Anxiety » misterd, posted by Marty on June 10, 2008, at 11:00:14
>
> I feel there's not easy way from that hell.
> Been there, done that. I've been for about 4 years on Clonazepam .5mg/day and since I've withdraw from it, 2 years ago, I have a protracted withdrawal syndrome: facial pain/weird sensations.
>
> Here's some ideas I would research:
>
> - Gaba supplements (from Natural Source.. cross the blood brain barrier)
>
> - Theanine (NOT Theine.. which is just like Caffeine)
>
> - Lyrica (Pregabalin), the successor of Neurontin (Gabapentine) which is pretty good for anxiety in mid/high dose (150mg to 600mg /day). If you're going with it be carefull not abusing, not taking it too long since in MY experience it COULD be addictive somehow. This withdrawal was only second to Clonazepam.
>
>
>
> Oh, and before thinking about stoping benzo once for all, you may want to try Xanax or another benzo since Clonazepam IS BY FAR the WORST of the gang when it comes to induces depression and other side effects. Clonazepam somehow plays with the Serotonin system in a bad way in the long term. Xanax is more gentle in that regard.
>
>
> Good luck,
> /\/\artyMarty,
Thanks for your post. Which kind of taper did you do with Kpin? May I ask why you were taking it. Also did you substitute lyrica, etc for you kpin dose or start using it after your withdrawal. Sorry about all the question. Just really curious and want to make sure I'm making all the right decisions. Thanks!
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