Hi, I have been taking 2mgs. of Klonopin for about twenty years. I take 1 in the morning, 1 before bed. About a year and a half ago I had a severe breakdown, marked by extreme anxiety/agitation. I am diagnosed bipolar; my p-doc called the absolutely awful feelings I was experiencing a "mixed-state dysphoric mania". In other words, feeling euphoric/depressed/EXTREMELY anxious/agitated/frantically worried-crippling sense of dread/irritable - and so on, pretty much all at the same time. I have been on so many med combinations it's not even worth mentioning them all.

Now, here's why I'm asking for input:
When I got hooked up with consistent healthcare a year ago I had the goal of very slowly weaning myself off Klonopin. I am physically extremely addicted to the stuff and the physical addiction is of great concern to me. I had big hopes for a psychiatrist who would help me plan a program to eventually stop taking the Klonopin.

Currently I am taking Seroquel, Inderal (which has been surprisingly helpful for the terrible anxiety), a tiny dose of Lexapro, and the Klonopin.

Seroquel helps me sleep and it offers a mild mood stabilizing effect, as well as some help with calming the dysphoric mania (although Seroquel is by no means miraculously helpful. Its effects are quite mild.) My p-doc has halved my original dosage of Seroquel because it has caused me to gain too much weight, but hasn't been of amazing benefit. Instead, she has suggested that I increase my Klonopin to 3mg/day. with the goal of getting off the Seroquel after a while. Her assertion is that while it's frustrating to have a physical addiction to Klonopin, the Klonopin is excellent for treating severe anxiety/agitation, does help stabilize mood, and is much, much less dangerous than Seroquel is (Seroquel being a medication that causes extreme weight gain and can eventually cause cardio-vascular problems and/or diabetes, among other health issues that are very concerning).

But, I am terrified of benzo (Klonopin) withdrawal syndrome, because I've experienced it when I tried to come off the Klonopin some years ago. Benzo w/d syndrome is just about as awful as life can be...it is no joke.

Yet, I understand my p-doc's logic regarding the helpfulness of Klonopin. Over and above any other medication, Klonopin has been immensely helpful for me. It has definitely caused some cognitive (memory and connection) issues for me, but basically the side effects (as long as I don't try to come off the Klonopin) are very, very mild.

For those of you who have experience with Klonopin, what are your thoughts on this issue I'm dealing with? Should I stop concerning myself so much with my fear of taking more Klonopin, thus being even more dependent on the medication? Should I say "No way, I'm not increasing my Klonopin dose"?

Thanks in advance.