My near weekly p-doc visits have been consumed with trying to get my med combo right to get me stable lately. I haven't wanted to be on a benzo, but my p-doc recently decided to put me on klonopin. I told her I was against being on it. I was a bit hysterical during my appointment, dealing w/ suicidal ideation and other problems, and she gently said that I didn't have to commit to being on it long term but that she thought it would be a really good idea for me to take it right now in conjunction with the other things she was putting me on.

Well, I hate that she was right (not really, I love that she knows what she is doing) but it has done a really good job calming me down. It has given me a chance to mentally rest. I didn't realize how totally exhausted I was and how much anxiety I had from trying to battle this latest episode. Taking it has allowed me to rest and given all the other meds she put me on a chance to do their job. It's been a week and I am already feeling SO much better. I am on a very small dose of the klonopin- just .5 mg once per day.

I know you all aren't doctors and can't give medical advice. But I would like to ask what your experiences have been with regard to coming off klonopin. I know folks that are on it for long periods of time or at high doses have to slowly taper off it. I don't think my p-doc is going to "let me off the hook" for about a month just to be sure I am really through this episode, but after that point, I am wondering how bad/hard it will be to taper it off. I've read plenty of horror stories, which is one reason why I was so hesitant to go on it in the first place. But since it has been a low dose, if she has me half the dose for a bit and then half again for another bit, it should go okay, right? Not every case of coming off klonopin is horrible, is it? I'm going to be asking her, but I have a feeling she is going to be redirecting the conversation for another visit or two until she feels I'm really through this. She's a great p-doc, but I know she doesn't want me to hang my hopes on anything too far in advance.

Could any of you who have been on klonopin / come off it give me an idea what to expect? Do any of you just use it short-term or on an as-needed basis? Thanks in advance! <3