Klonopin- scared of withdrawal?

Question

Okay, I took klonopin for 12 days. two days .50 mg and then 8 days, .25, then last two days, .125. Yesterday, had a smashing headache and body pain and chest pains all day. Today, I have stomach cramps like a stomach bug, no headache, but right arm and hand is numb. I was not going to take any more today and sweat out the rest of the withdrawal symptoms. But I am so scared I am going to have a seizure or heart attack or something. Why is my arm numb? It has only been twelve days, but I definately was addicted. Did I need to do a slower taper than this? I did not think so, since the dose was so low to begin with. My doctor said I could just stop it but the chest pains really hurt. Am I safe to quit? Will I have a seizure?

I was prescribed them for a short term crisis, now I feel strong enough to handle. But this chest pain and numb arm hand is really scary to me. Is it okay to just stop?

Okay, so what I guess I am wondering is, was my taper gradual enough or abrupt? Also, shoudl I use ativan to help me get off klonopin?

Answer 1

I have worked with developmentally disabled for about 17 years. Several of the indivduals I've worked with have been on Klonopin/Clonazepam.

Yes, abrupt withdrawal can cause seizure activity to occur. I have not found anything stating that abrupt withdrawal can cause arm numbness or chest pains. I do know that chest pains and arm numbness are signs of heart attack, but they can also be symptoms of a panic attack (I have had a panic attack and thought for sure I was having a heart attack).

I strongly urge you to check with your doctor. You may need to have an EKG to rule out heart problems.

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Withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with barbiturates and alcohol (eg, convulsions, psychosis, hallucinations, behavioral disorder, tremor, abdominal and muscle cramps) have occurred following abrupt discontinuance of clonazepam. The more severe withdrawal symptoms have usually been limited to those patients who received excessive doses over an extended period of time. Generally milder withdrawal symptoms (eg, dysphoria and insomnia) have been reported following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines taken continuously at therapeutic levels for several months. Consequently, after extended therapy, abrupt discontinuation should generally be avoided and a gradual dosage tapering schedule followed (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Addiction-prone individuals (such as drug addicts or alcoholics) should be under careful surveillance when receiving clonazepam or other psychotropic agents because of the predisposition of such patients to habituation and dependence.

Following the short-term treatment of patients with panic disorder in Studies 1 and 2 (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Clinical Trials), patients were gradually withdrawn during a 7-week downward-titration (discontinuance) period. Overall, the discontinuance period was associated with good tolerability and a very modest clinical deterioration, without evidence of a significant rebound phenomenon. However, there are not sufficient data from adequate and well-controlled long-term clonazepam studies in patients with panic disorder to accurately estimate the risks of withdrawal symptoms and dependence that may be associated with such use.
http://www.drugs.com/pro/klonopin.html#section-9

Side effects due to a rapid decrease in dose or abrupt withdrawal from Klonopin may include:
Abdominal and muscle cramps, behavior disorders, convulsions, depressed feeling, hallucinations, restlessness, sleeping difficulties, tremors,
http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/klo1214.htm

Abrupt withdrawal of clonazepam particularly in those patients on long-term, high dose therapy, may precipitate status epilepticus. Therefore, as with any other anticonvulsants, gradual withdrawal is essential when discontinuing clonazepam. While clonazepam is being gradually withdrawn, the simultaneous substitution of incremental doses of another anticonvulsant may be indicated.
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-r04.html

Answer 2

It would be useful to publish a bit more. Your symptoms are those of panic, but also more serious problems, and the risks are a heck of a lot different for a twenty year old than for a forty five year old. Also, if this was your first excursion into benzo's, you're not withdrawing, but if clonazepam was a switch from a previous long-term lorazepam (Ativan) use, you probably are. At any rate, you need to give out more information to get more (GIGO), and you shouldn't online.

Answer 3

'm going to assume you have anxiety attacks? you know how you feel like you might die, or scared? or like you cant breathe? the klonopin will make that feeling go away! what better reason is there??if you take them correctly you'll be fine. at first you'll probably be real sleepy..don't drive. after a few times, you wont feel as tired..just more relaxed. be careful..they are addicting and the feeling is Very pleasant so you might be tempted to take too many. don't! just stick with what the doctor said to take

Answer 4

Oh please, in 12 days you are NOT addicted, although you can see how powerful these drugs are. You can definately stop without any risk of seizures , and .50 mg is a very low dose anyways. I think you are having psycological w.d. and hyping it up in your mind, which is probably why your dr. put you on a benzo in the 1st place...now relax, take a long walk, a hot bath, and learn from this, because real benzo addiction IS brutally difficult and can lead to seizures, etc. you've been reading too much on the internet me thinks.

Answer 5

Is there a chance that the symptoms you are having are from the condition for which you were prescribed klonopin?

The advice given, to see your doctor, is right on.

Answer 6

i am also currently taking klonopin(again).i was taking 0.5 mg at night for 3 years i changed doctors and my doctor refused to prescribe refused to taper...what a withdraw from hell!! i changed doctors!!any doubts go to ER immediately.klonopin withdrawl is serious.

Answer 7

What where you taking them for cause I'm guessing panic attacks so its just you mind ******** with you just relax and you can control it I did there is nothing wrong with you just remember that. I stayed strung out on them for a while nearlly o.d. done some crazy sh'it so believe me when I say your much better off without them

Answer 8

You are scared! See your doctor and explain everything to him/her. Do not hold back. I will not play doctor for you.