HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Weaning off klonopin while taking Paxil - Feeling TERRIBLE!

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/20/2011 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. I've been taking Paxil 40mg/day for 12 years. I've always had the klonopin to take on an as needed basis, but really hadn't taken any up until a few months ago. I was going through some stress, and I got into the habit of taking 1 mg of klonopin every night before bed. Recently, I read a few things about benzo addiction...so I started tapering my klonopin. I went pretty quickly, cutting back over about 2 weeks time. I am now only taking .25 mg at night.

I feel terrible. I'm having the old anxiety, obsessing thoughts, dread, fear, etc. coming back. I feel like the Paxil is still working...but just barely. I'm wondering if the return of anxious symptoms is klonopin withdrawal? If it is, do I just wait it out? Will I get to feeling better again soon?

I've been on an emotional roller coaster for a few days now, and I just want to go back to feeling OK again...without the klonopin. I've gone the past 12 years without the stuff. I know I can do it now. Any help or insight would be very much appreciated!
Posted 2/21/2011 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
scleme1
Hello ! Have you continued to take the Paxil at 40/mg per day. In clinical trials the effectiveness of PAXIL was demonstrated in patients dosed in a range of 20 to 50 mg/day. Perhaps you should talk with your Dr. re the dose of Paxil as it may need to be increased. There is no body of evidence available to answer the question of how long the patient treated with PAXIL should remain on it. Although the efficacy of PAXIL beyond 12 weeks of dosing has not been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials as far as I know.

I am just wondering if you have had Klonopin for 12 years but not taking it until a few months ago if the medication was outdated ?

I would kindly suggest talking to your physician to help sort out your meds. Talk therapy is another good way to deal with the increased anxiety.

Take care and keep on talking with us.

Kindly,
Kitt
Posted 2/21/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
hello. kitt. you have responded to a couple of my other posts, and i wanted to thank you for taking the time to reply. your help is much appreciated.

to answer your question, yes...i have been taking my paxil very regularly. i wouldn't even consider stopping the paxil at this point. i've read all of the horro stories about withdrawal...don't need that right now.

the klonopin is a new prescription. my p-doc wants me to continue taking it, but i really don't want to be dependant on another med, besides the paxil.

i have been placed on the waiting list at an anxiety disorder clinic here in town, but the wait is 8-10 weeks. i am looking forward to treatment. i'm tired of relying only on meds, and want to have some coping skills in place for when the anxiety breaks through occasionally.

thanks again for your support! ac.

Posted 2/21/2011 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
If you really want off the Klonopin, now is the time. You've only been on it a few months so your cessation should be much easier than it is for some people. You're still going too fast, though. One milligram is a strong dose. Two weeks isn't nearly enough time to taper down to just .25 mg. Since you haven't been using it long, I'd think you could taper faster than usual, but I don't know what your schedule should be. I'd speak with your doctor about that.

Anyway, this is probably the reason you feel like crap.
Posted 2/21/2011 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm

I copied the schedule for Valium withdrawal and sent it to my Pdoc prior to my next appointment so she would have a chance to review it and she approved the schedule so that was how I decreased to 8 mg per day. As I was on a high dose of Valium it took me a long time to decrease but no bad withdrawal symptoms at all.

I am glad you are on the waiting list for the anxiety clinic as that is very proactive of you and with your great attitude I suspect you will do well.

Remember to take care of yourself and keep on talking with us here in the forum.

Thank you for the very kind comment, it put a smile on my face.

Kindly,
Kitt
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply