For Benzo users who have stopped. How?

Good Afternoon all,
Recently I told myself that I need to get off of Clonazepam. Unfortunately that is going to be along process. I have been on it for over 3 years. This past week I somehow managed to get down to my last few. I am prescribed 2 a day and got my refill today.

Anyways I only had 5 last Sunday going into last week. I had to space them out and go without them for the past nights and 2 and a half days being the longest I didn't take any of them. I swear I was having "withdrawal effects". But all of the sudden as soon as I picked them up today , everything just stopped, I am hear typing this right now completely fine. But if it were yesterday, I would of been miserable and said it was withdrawal.

I don't know exactly if I literally made up symptoms and my brain followed and made me feel that way or what happened. I have not taken any for the past 2 days and I feel fine right now. It may just be the feeling of knowing I have it there if I need it.

I have been on this medication way too long. But it has helped me I think. I am going to be finding a real "head" doctor. A Psychiatrist. My previous doctor was good and was a MD but thinking back on it, I was in a college town and I really believe that apart of it was the Dr, just wanted the returning patients. Thus being prescribed the clonazepam in the dosage and amount I am.

I know never to stop this cold turkey, but for those who have stopped Benzos like that, how did you do it? And if you were on them a while and tapered off them ? How is it now knowing that you don't have them in your dresser door for that next anxiety attack?

Thanks for the help

What are your withdrawal effects?I also take clonazepam and I try to wean myself as well. I also have lyme so I'm not sure if my constant throbbing headache in the back of my head is from that or me trying to withdrawal from clonazepam.

Hi

Weaning of a Benzo is hard and should be done as slow as possible and never cold turkey as that can cause all kinds of problems some of which are serious.

It has always taken me a couple of months the wean of a benzo and slow and steady is the best policy.

Hibee

Humble59 said...
Anyways I only had 5 last Sunday going into last week. I had to space them out and go without them for the past nights and 2 and a half days being the longest I didn't take any of them. I swear I was having "withdrawal effects". But all of the sudden as soon as I picked them up today , everything just stopped, I am hear typing this right now completely fine. But if it were yesterday, I would of been miserable and said it was withdrawal.

What you were experiencing probably wasn't withdrawal symptoms.

I am not a Dr. but have some experience with this. Even if you don't take Clonazepam as prescribed you know it's there if you need it.

When you are almost out of your prescription then anxiety and panic can set in and your negative thoughts kicks in. All of those possible scenarios where you might need Clonazepam and what happens if you run out or not enough to get you through the anxiety/panic.

This is really quite common and normal.

The fact that everything you experienced went away after picking up your prescription gives even more credence to what I think happened. Just having that new prescription took away those fears and concerns about what might happen.

It's okay. If you want to try again to tapper off of Clonazepam then do so knowing you have plenty in case you need it.

You are exactly right!

Go with your doctor's weaning advice, and don't Google...

(...remember, people tend to post negative experiences...not positive ones!)

You will do just fine.

We will be here cheering you on!

S.C.