[ajsouthpaw]

I'm writing this because I'm basically hooked to Klonopin for sleep. The maximum dosage is 8 mgs of Klonopin and that is what i now need to take. I want to go off the Klonopin and all Benzos. I tried going off of Klonopin when I was at this dose, two years ago using phenobarbitol to replace the klonopin and taper down for a whole year. In the end I was such a mess, with the taper almost finished and not sleeping for days, I begged to go back on the Klonopin, which I swore I'd never do, just to get some sleep! Sleep meds don't seem to work for me and I think I've tried them all. Klonopin is ruining my life. I need it, the Klonopin, to end so I can be human again. And I have a great PDoc. We just got caught in a nasty cycle. Any help or ideas or support or stories would be greatly appreciated.

[gayleggg]

I'm on .5mg of klonopin three times a day for anxiety. Your story is rather scary to me. I've heard it's hard to get off of. I'm sorry it has given you such a hard time. Keep trying, don't give up. You'll beat it eventually.

Can you ask to go inpatient? A hospital might be able to help you detox effectively. Although it's controversial, if you are sufficiently desperate, an option might be the Flumazenil detoxificiation method, which can be done inpatient. Something to discuss with your pdoc perhaps.

[ajsouthpaw]

Originally Posted by psychehedone

Can you ask to go inpatient? A hospital might be able to help you detox effectively. Although it's controversial, if you are sufficiently desperate, an option might be the Flumazenil detoxificiation method, which can be done inpatient. Something to discuss with your pdoc perhaps.

What is the Flumazenil detoxification method and is it medical inpatient or psych ward inpatient because beds are very limited in my area. Thank you for your info too.

[Lauliza]

I also take Klonopin to sleep and am probably dependent too, but I only take 1-1.5mg a day. If you need 8mg to sleep you need to talk to your Pdoc. Inpatient might be best in your case - 8mg a day is a lot abd you might need more help and medical supervision to come off.

[ajsouthpaw]

Originally Posted by ajsouthpaw

What is the Flumazenil detoxification method and is it medical inpatient or psych ward inpatient because beds are very limited in my area. Thank you for your info too.

I read about the method and it sounds pretty harsh. I've been through this once before and would go that route again if necessary, using the phenobarbitol which works in a similar manner but you taper that. But the benzos are out of you asap. Thanks for your advice though.

[cybermember]

Originally Posted by ajsouthpaw

I've been through this once before and would go that route again if necessary, using the phenobarbitol which works in a similar manner but you taper that. But the benzos are out of you asap.

... if necessary? Do you think it's now necessary to come off klonopin being that you are on such a high dose? I think the time is now. You've done it before, you can do it again but this time you must stay committed in following through that you'll totally come off.

[ajsouthpaw]

Originally Posted by cybermember

... if necessary? Do you think it's now necessary to come off klonopin being that you are on such a high dose? I think the time is now. You've done it before, you can do it again but this time you must stay committed in following through that you'll totally come off.

Oh, I'm coming off of them. I just meant the phenobarbitol route, if necessary, if there are no other options. Thanks for your support!

[sewerrats]

You have SCHIZOAFFECTIVE disorder , I life long bad mental illness, PTSA , and G A D , now anyone with G A D may be on 2 -3mg of klonopin a day , so 8MG for your condition is not out of this world. And it works so why do you want off, If your profile diagnosis is a mental health hospital diagnosis you will need some pretty hardcore meds for life . Detoxing Klonopin will need to make way for another hard hitting drug . When your klonopin don't work then think of plan B don't throw yourself into a detox if it will make you worse , you may end up with the same meds back, and you went through hell to find out. Different dose for different patient. , yours is high for G A D, but not for schizoaffective disorder.