[southernwonder]

Hi,
I have taken clonazepam 1 mg four times daily for about 4-5 years. My psychiatrist told me to take it down to 1mg three times daily to start weaning me off. I initially took 3.5 pills each day for the first three days and then started taking only 3 pills daily.

The withdrawal has been awful. I had a panic attack last night when I was out with friends and someone had to drive me home. My last panic attack before that was years ago. I also have a headache, severe insomnia, flu-like symptoms and irritability.

Has anyone gone through this? My friends dont understand. One even suggested a "mind over matter" approach. Hah!

Southernwonder

[jlmass]

Why are you weaning off ? Are you trying to switch to another med like zoloft ?

[Travelinglady]

Do you think you might be weaning off too fast? I want to get off of it, too, but I already take a low dosage...

Could you work with your therapist (I assume you have one) with other ways to reduce anxiety while weaning of the med? That's what I hope to do....

[needahug]

Hey just thought I would share that I am on that med as well. Clonazepam is highly addictive. You have to work down in much smaller incremates than you are. You go down in 1/8 of a pill sizes and you wait two weeks before you go down again. Going down any faster, as you know is hell. IF you would like to talk further. let me know!

Originally Posted by southernwonder

Hi,
I have taken clonazepam 1 mg four times daily for about 4-5 years. My psychiatrist told me to take it down to 1mg three times daily to start weaning me off. I initially took 3.5 pills each day for the first three days and then started taking only 3 pills daily.

The withdrawal has been awful. I had a panic attack last night when I was out with friends and someone had to drive me home. My last panic attack before that was years ago. I also have a headache, severe insomnia, flu-like symptoms and irritability.

Has anyone gone through this? My friends dont understand. One even suggested a "mind over matter" approach. Hah!

Southernwonder

[Hope1212]

I haven't been on clonazepam, but I have had significant withdrawal effects when coming off medication. It literally took over 3 months for me to better. Also experienced flu-like symptoms, headaches, stomaches, dizziness, and basically felt like I was in a fog all day long. It does get better though. It just may take some time. Will you be going on a different medication or are you completely going off meds? Sometimes a doctor can start new meds to help with the withdrawal effects and to help reduce anxiety symptoms. Definitely check with your doctor first though.

[hamster-bamster]

I weaned off Clonazepam almost cold turkey without any ill effects, but I have a non-addictive personality. You might have become addicted to it and need a slower schedule, as has been pointed out.