Quit a benzo 2 and 1/2 months ago

Hi

I made a decision with my doc to come off of a benzo. I don't want to have to take a drug that is so addictive anymore and these meds can be damaging....

so I tapered off of clonazepam in May after being on it 20 years and it has been pretty rough but I do not regret it. I have the withdrawal syndrome that comes along with that. I have adrenaline rushes in the am. I have insomnia and I am in a bad mood most of the time. Depersonalization and de-realization are also pretty bad.

I joined an online group called benzo-buddies and it has been very supportive and helpful.

I noticed some of you are also coming off of these nasty benzos. How are you doing in your recovery?

I've also been on Klonopin for about 20 years. I am currently doing a very slow taper. So far, so good...I think. But I'm not very far into the taper.

Hi LauraBeth

These meds are so nasty to come off of but it will be well worth it. I can't wait to finally be rid of these awful symptoms. I wish I had known about the withdrawal syndrome that comes with stopping or tapering from a benzo before I agreed to take them. I am still in the acute stage of withdrawal. Some people get protracted symptoms for years after coming off of these drugs. Check out the benzobuddies website if you haven't already. They have helped me out.

I wish you the very best in your slow taper. Are you doing the Ashton Method?

I took Xanax, to excess, for 5 or so years. I actually became pregnant and quit over a period of months, which was very difficult added with the anxiety of being pregnant. I haven't taken Xanax in nearly 3 years now, I've nursed my daughter and that was a good excuse for me not to get back into benzos. I'm really glad I quit but it's still not perfect. If I'm exceptionally nervous I'll quickly drink a beer or two. I also smoke pot, but I still consider both these vices to be pretty insignificant compared to Xanax.

When Klonopin was prescribed for me, there did not seem to be any knowledge of the intense addictiveness of the medication, or of withdrawal syndrome.

Yes, benzobuddies is a helpful site. I need to revisit it.

Is the Ashton Method the one in which the patient is prescribed a different benzo to help come off K-pin?

I really admire those of you coming off a benzo after several years, that take a lot of courage.

I was only on Klonopin for insomnia, for 3 months, and it really was a drug that made me very unwell mentally. I did the two week taper my doctor recommended. It's now been 5 or 6 weeks since my last dose, and I still feel really rough. I'm much better, the first 3 weeks were just hell and I was basically stuck in bed I was so sick.

I'm back on zopiclone, for my insomnia, just started a few days ago. I was addicted to this for 5 years and vowed never to take another prescription sleep medication again. Well, that was 7 years ago, and all the sleep hygeine and CBT has made no difference with my insomnia. I'm not happy being back on a the zopiclone, but I just can't cope with the sleep deprivation any longer.

So I'm adjusting to a new med and still coping with klonipin withdrawal stuff. I count down the hours until bed time. A few tasks, such as two loads of laundry and washing a sink full of dishes and I'm wiped out for the rest of the day.

I'm seeing small gradual improvements, but boy, it's really slow, and I'm getting depressed over how limited I am in functioning.

Thanks for this thread, sideblinded. If felt good just to vent a bit to people who understand how tough it can be. I do have hope things will get better, but it's difficult riding it out.

That sounds rough, Bea Tiscuit. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Perhaps a 2-week taper was too fast?

Feel free to vent as much as you need to.

I've been on klonopin for idk, 3 years maybe and just got off of it 3 weeks ago. My anxiety feels like someone is poking me constantly and it's annoying the hell out of me but I can't do anything about it. I'm impatient as hell and I get annoyed very easily. I get scared easily like I jump when I hear noises and I can't watch scary movies anymore because it just creeps me out too much physically I don't feel good.sometimes I get chest pain. It feels like my brain is swollen my legs and arms shake I feel like a frail old lady.

If I can ask, what dosage were you taking? I have been on it for only a few years but before that I was on lorazepam so I have been on benzos for about 5 years now. After the geodon taper it will be next on my list. For most of the time I was only on 0.5mg a day but am now prescribed 1.5mg but most days I just take 1mg. I am more than a little worried about the effects. I already went through a very painful effexor taper and geodon is getting tough.

Thanks