clonazepam?

Question

how do i get off it without going cuckoo?

Answer 1

if you go off of it cold turkey the withdrawals will subside in less than a week. the psychological withdrawals will take much longer. i suggest toughing it out and talking to a therapist or support group.

Answer 2

stopping Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril): Discontinuation Effects or Withdrawal Symptoms

It is best to consult a physician before discontinuing benzodiazepines. Unusually for medications used in the area of mental health, these medications can cause physical as well as psychological dependence, and suddenly stopping taking them can cause withdrawal symptoms including:

* seizures
* symptom rebound (the reappearance of symptoms in a form worse than they were before taking the medication) -- especially for symptoms associated with panic disorder
* tremors
* headache
* nervousness
* insomnia
* depression

Answer 3

Talk to a doctor about getting tapered off of this crap. It is important for you to know that it is VERY DANGEROUS to try to do this without professional help. This drug is almost as dangerous as the most addictive drug of all, alcohol. In fact, your brain really can't tell the difference. Getting clean from this nasty stuff requires serious professional help. Withdrawals can be DEADLY. I would also suggest that you plan to investigate and become an active part of Narcotics Anonymous in your local area.

Answer 4

I see by your OTHER questions (no sex from hubby, have a 2 year old newborn) that there are many reasons you should get off it as soon as possible (or should never have been on it)

I hope for the welfare of your child that you didn't breastfeed him, there are several SEVERE potential side effects.


While I am NOT a doctor, there are other anti-epileptics you can take.

Answer 5

Depends how much you are taking and how often. But it needs to be titrated down til you are off of it. And you wont go coo-coo but get direction for a doctor...call on of the dial-a-nurse lines or something- because without knowing the dosage and use...its hard for anyone to tell you ...

Answer 6

You definitely should be under a Dr's care and slowly come off . The Dr should reduce the dosage, Coming off all at once can cause health risks

Answer 7

the trick to coming down off any medication is to slowly reduce the amount you take. also best to ask Dr. how much to reduce dose and how quickly.

Answer 8

You have to go see your Dr. because you need to have a plan to be "weaned" off of it slowly. Please do not try to quit cold turkey on your own....it's very dangerous. I take it too and it's an uphill battle to try and get off the stuff...good luck.

Answer 9

NewsTarget.com printable article
Originally published October 3 2006
Is There A Safe and Comfortable Way To Withdraw From Anti-Depressants, Tranquilizers and Sleeping Pills? (press release)
by NewsTarget

The use of anti-depressants including Celexa, Cymbalta, Effexor, Elavil, Lexapro, Luvox, Pamelor, Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin and Zoloft has soared in recent years. Additionally, the use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills including Ambien, Ativan, BuSpar, Klonopin, Librium, Lunesta, Restoril, Trazadone, Valium and Xanax have become a daily part of life for many people to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.

Current estimates state that at least 50% of the population is taking at least one medication, with women consuming pills at twice the rate of men. The elderly consistently take multiple medications, and because sleep erodes as we age, they often take the most addictive class of tranquilizers, benzodiazepines.

Yet articles are abundantly available that state these classification of drugs are not safe. In spite of the blackbox warnings on many medications, the trends continue to climb. Is it because many cannot withdraw from the medications?

That was certainly the case with Alesandra Rain, co-founder of Label Me Sane. She spent ten years on a cocktail of medications because each time she tried to cut down or quit, the debilitating withdrawals drove her back onto the drugs. “For a decade I truly believed I had an anxiety disorder that just kept getting worse,” states Rain. “It never occurred to me that the drugs themselves were increasing my symptoms. That is exactly why we have a medical advisor and researched how to taper people off safely,” concludes Rain.

This is a common occurrence as the side effects of anti-depressants can lead to increased depression. Additionally, a common side effect of tranquilizers or sleeping pills is increased anxiety and insomnia. Often the withdrawals are misunderstood by family members or members of the medical community and mistakenly viewed as a worsening of mental illness. This may lead to the introduction of yet another medication, or even an abrupt removal of one and introduction of another.

“Many doctors are uncertain how to manage benzodiazepine or anti-depressant withdrawals,” explains Rain. “It is the recognition of the withdrawal syndrome connected to many behavioral drugs that is so essential to ensure people receive the proper care,” insists Rain.

Rain eventually quit the medications cold turkey in a treatment center and suffered months of horrific withdrawals. This drove her to co-found an organization and work with physicians and researchers to develop a program called Point of Return, that could help others through the withdrawals comfortably.

“In the past three years we have helped thousands of people worldwide to taper off the behavioral medications, and do it safely, comfortably, and in their own home,” states Rain. “We are here to help anyone who needs assistance, as I know how horrific the withdrawals can be,” says Rain.

I urge anyone who seeks assistance to withdraw safely from anti-depressants, tranquilizers, sleep pills or anti-anxiety medication, to contact Label Me Sane, toll free at 866.605.2333 or visit www.labelmesane.com.

Answer 10

Are you manic depressive or what? If your are, then you might become more manic if you go off it without asking your doctor. You should ask him first.