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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 28, 2005, at 1:20:04
In reply to Terrible withdrawals from Clonozopam, posted by canadianmom on March 24, 2005, at 0:18:03
Redirected from Psychobabble meds board
>I am a 38 yr old female that has been on chlonozopam for over 3 yrs. I was on it because I had terrible sleeping problems and insomnia. I switched doctors about 3 yrs ago and that is when she put me on the drug. I did not realize what kind of medication this was until she took me off of it cold turkey.
>
> I went into see my doc a week ago. When I asked for another prescription for clonozopam she looked at my chart. Then she told me she was going to give me something else. She said she should have taken me off of it a long time ago. However she did not and now I am paying the price. I have uncontrollable facial tics and other muscle spasm in all areas of my body. I can't think straight, I am not sleeping well if at all, I am so anxious, jittery and very irratible. I can't take this much longer. I almost feel like I am depressed and I have never been depressed in my life. I get these horrible rush of nervous tension in my stomach at least 20 times a day. I have no appetite and just the smell of food makes me sick. I have such a terrible headache that it feels like my head is going to explode. Needless to say I feel like a wreck.
>
>
> I need help and advice from anyone who has anything to offer.
>
> It is a week today that she took me off of this medication. From everything I read it should have been a very slow taper instead of going cold turkey. Should I go back and see her and tell her she needs to taper this medication instead of my body going through these terrible withdrawal symptoms.
>
> I would like to stay off of it once it does clear my system( if that ever happens). I did not realize how it affected my memory, how I felt during the day (always tired), and I never had any get up and go on this drug either. My memory is so bad right now I can't even remember what I did 20 minutes ago. Very scarey experience that is for sure.
>
> Thanks everyone,
>
> Tammy aka Canadianmom
Posted by SLS on March 28, 2005, at 9:29:19
In reply to Terrible withdrawals from Clonozopam » canadianmom, posted by gardenergirl on March 28, 2005, at 1:20:04
Hi.
I am very, VERY sorry to hear how bad you are doing. I feel that it is irresponsible for a doctor to ask you to abruptly discontinue Klonopin. A taper of some sort is much more prudent. I don't know what to suggest to you at this point. What if things were to get better starting today? It might not serve to restart the drug. However, if things get worse instead of better, I would restart Klonopin or cross over to another benzodiazepine and taper from there.
Do you have any Klonopin left? Even if you have just a few pills, you might be able to soften the ride until you talk to your doctor. I would split the Klonopin into very small pieces and try to take as little as is necessary to reduce the severity of symptoms for 8-12 hours. You shouldn't have to suffer.
You don't happen to have any Depakote, do you? I don't have any ideas as to what to recommend to ease the withdrawal symptoms.
Do what you think is right. Call your doctor if that is your inclination and be assertive.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 28, 2005, at 9:57:43
In reply to Re: Terrible withdrawals from Clonozopam » gardenergirl, posted by SLS on March 28, 2005, at 9:29:19
Posted by Ritch on March 28, 2005, at 11:13:52
In reply to Terrible withdrawals from Clonozopam » canadianmom, posted by gardenergirl on March 28, 2005, at 1:20:04
> Redirected from Psychobabble meds board
>
> >I am a 38 yr old female that has been on chlonozopam for over 3 yrs. I was on it because I had terrible sleeping problems and insomnia. I switched doctors about 3 yrs ago and that is when she put me on the drug. I did not realize what kind of medication this was until she took me off of it cold turkey.
> >
> > I went into see my doc a week ago. When I asked for another prescription for clonozopam she looked at my chart. Then she told me she was going to give me something else. She said she should have taken me off of it a long time ago. However she did not and now I am paying the price. I have uncontrollable facial tics and other muscle spasm in all areas of my body. I can't think straight, I am not sleeping well if at all, I am so anxious, jittery and very irratible. I can't take this much longer. I almost feel like I am depressed and I have never been depressed in my life. I get these horrible rush of nervous tension in my stomach at least 20 times a day. I have no appetite and just the smell of food makes me sick. I have such a terrible headache that it feels like my head is going to explode. Needless to say I feel like a wreck.
> >
> >
> > I need help and advice from anyone who has anything to offer.
> >
> > It is a week today that she took me off of this medication. From everything I read it should have been a very slow taper instead of going cold turkey. Should I go back and see her and tell her she needs to taper this medication instead of my body going through these terrible withdrawal symptoms.
> >
> > I would like to stay off of it once it does clear my system( if that ever happens). I did not realize how it affected my memory, how I felt during the day (always tired), and I never had any get up and go on this drug either. My memory is so bad right now I can't even remember what I did 20 minutes ago. Very scarey experience that is for sure.
> >
> > Thanks everyone,
> >
> > Tammy aka Canadianmom
>
>
I found that Keppra worked rather well as a substitute for clonazepam. But, I think you need to go back on clonazepam at a lower dose before you come off of it.
Posted by mynamehere on March 28, 2005, at 14:19:09
In reply to Terrible withdrawals from Clonozopam » canadianmom, posted by gardenergirl on March 28, 2005, at 1:20:04
I feel your pain. Withdrawing from Klonopin (clonazepam) has been completely debilitating for me. Klonopin withdrawal was even much more difficult than opiates and cocaine for me. The acute phase can last for a couple of weeks and then post accute can take up 18-months!
It doesn't sounds like you were abusing the Klonopin (I was). It's too bad that your doc won't work with you on a tapering schedule. One idea is to tell your doctor that is what you need or you will just go elsewhere..? It sounds drastic, but I know how crippling benzo withdrawal can be. I couldn't work, had insomnia for weeks, no short-term memory, muscle twitches, brain zapping sensations. Horrible. Depending on what dosage you were on - cold turkey can be dangerous (risk of seizures, etc.) Hang in there. It does get better.
> Redirected from Psychobabble meds board
>
> >I am a 38 yr old female that has been on chlonozopam for over 3 yrs. I was on it because I had terrible sleeping problems and insomnia. I switched doctors about 3 yrs ago and that is when she put me on the drug. I did not realize what kind of medication this was until she took me off of it cold turkey.
> >
> > I went into see my doc a week ago. When I asked for another prescription for clonozopam she looked at my chart. Then she told me she was going to give me something else. She said she should have taken me off of it a long time ago. However she did not and now I am paying the price. I have uncontrollable facial tics and other muscle spasm in all areas of my body. I can't think straight, I am not sleeping well if at all, I am so anxious, jittery and very irratible. I can't take this much longer. I almost feel like I am depressed and I have never been depressed in my life. I get these horrible rush of nervous tension in my stomach at least 20 times a day. I have no appetite and just the smell of food makes me sick. I have such a terrible headache that it feels like my head is going to explode. Needless to say I feel like a wreck.
> >
> >
> > I need help and advice from anyone who has anything to offer.
> >
> > It is a week today that she took me off of this medication. From everything I read it should have been a very slow taper instead of going cold turkey. Should I go back and see her and tell her she needs to taper this medication instead of my body going through these terrible withdrawal symptoms.
> >
> > I would like to stay off of it once it does clear my system( if that ever happens). I did not realize how it affected my memory, how I felt during the day (always tired), and I never had any get up and go on this drug either. My memory is so bad right now I can't even remember what I did 20 minutes ago. Very scarey experience that is for sure.
> >
> > Thanks everyone,
> >
> > Tammy aka Canadianmom
>
>
Posted by mynamehere on March 28, 2005, at 14:22:17
In reply to Terrible withdrawals from Clonozopam » canadianmom, posted by gardenergirl on March 28, 2005, at 1:20:04
Tammy,
If you don't mind talking about it, what dosage were you on? Did you take it as prescribed?
Posted by Phillipa on March 28, 2005, at 16:53:48
In reply to Re: What dosage - Klonopin?, posted by mynamehere on March 28, 2005, at 14:22:17
I hate to sound like a broken record, but valium is used all the time to withdraw individuals from all types of meds. Xanax, alchol,etc. At the time I was involved in psych, klonopin was the "drug of choice" for all the pdocs. I don't know what they are using now as I'm no longer working. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Mr.Scott on March 29, 2005, at 8:12:20
In reply to Terrible withdrawals from Clonozopam, posted by canadianmom on March 24, 2005, at 0:18:03
What was the dosage?
If was 1mg or less and you've made it a week, I'd just keep on pushing through the misery. Maybe call the doc and ask for something to help with sleep.
If the dosage was over 1mg, I would definately call the doctor immediately and explain if he/she doesn't already know that its dangerous to come off of clonazepam so abruptly. Ask for a tapering regimen.
scott
This is the end of the thread.
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