Is there any special diet you can go on that will help you get off of Klonopin (Clonazepam)?

Question

I've been taking Benzodiazepines since Febuary of 2003. I first started taking 2 mg of Ativan (Lorazepam). I was on it for 28 months then I met a Psychiatrist that switched me over to Klonopin (Clonazepam) and I've been on it for 14 months. I've built up a complete tolerance and now the only reason I'm taking it is so I won't have withdrawls. I even think I'm having toerance withdrawls now. So, I'm back to square one. I never knew benzos were so addictive or I would have never started taking them in the fist place. I have two options, 1. I can either start taking 3 mgs or 2. I can slowly wean myself off of it. I I definitely want to go with option #2 but would like to know if there's a special diet I can go on or a special vitamin I can take.
I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me out.
Brian

Answer 1

I finally stopped taking ativan after being on it for about 6 yrs. It's been pure hell - to be honest. I, too, tried different diets - anything to make the withdrawal easier. Drinking a lot of water helped me and, when I could, I simply slept more 9tried to...). I took regular vitamins ea. day, along with magnesium, stayed away from coffee, soda, etc. The physical part is over at this stage, but the emotional addiction is still with me (after 5 months). I did this on my own. If possible, you may want or need thereapy. Like you, I had no idea how awful the addiction is or could be. I still wonder if I'll ever completely recover...
I wish you luck.

Answer 2

You don't mention why you were on these medications. I am guessing it was depression.

I am providing the information below for your information only. Please seek professional help. Don't do what I did.

I was on Serzone, Celexa and Ativan. I have been on Anti-depressants since 1993 and mega doses of these drugs. I was unable to leave my home or work.

There came a point when I decided taking 24 pills a day was enough. (I took pills for chronic depression, asthma, diabetes and back pain)

In January 2004 I cut out the serzone. I checked with a pharmasist first who wisely instructed me to talk to a doctor first. I didnot check with my doctor because he would have yelled and screamed and stomped his feet and adimately stated his position. So in April of 2004, I slowly started dropping the doseage of celexa by half a pill per month. This took me to August of 2004. On August 31st, 2004, I took my last half of Celexa.

As for the Ativan. I slowly decreased my pills again by half. However, I did suffer from withdrawl. Know this. After 3 or 4 days, the shakes do disappear. But during that time, going to sleep, eating, even sitting at your computer is severely hampered by the shakes.

Sometimes it takes 2 or more attempts before you succeed. But the shakes, the extreme tiredness, the nausa and headaches are only temporary.

Please be sure this is something you want to do. Are you emotionally and mentally ready to do something like this?

DO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. Doing this alone is not very wise.

BE SURE YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH EMOTIONALLY. You don't want to relapse.

Not all doctors are asses. Which mine was. (he no longer practises and he was a long way away from retirement)

Vitamns and Herb supplements are just ways of prolonging the dependence with the meds. These are medications too. And you would just be substituting one medication for another. And the end result would be the same.

I did what I did without support. That was stupid. There are professionals out there who can help and make it easier. Find one.

It has been almost 2 years since I have been off antidepressants and pain killers. I feel wonderful though there are days. That is something you must accept too. There are good days and bad days. But my end results could have been quite different.

Know too that once off these medications your emotions are going to be different. You will feel things you haven't felt in some time. Until you are off these medications you don't realize this. The meds do a lot to change how you show your emotions. Be prepared.

So be cautious. Take care. And ask for help.