Cold-Turkey clonazepam (Klonopin)

I went on an 8-day forced withdrawal (cold turkey) off of clonazepam. It was living heck!!!!!!! By the 6th day, I was desperate and ready to slit my wrist again. I couldn't handle the mental OR the physical. It was sooooooooooooooo bad.

I called my doctor's office and left messages 3 times...I'm getting low on my pills, I'm getting lower, I'm completely out. After over 2 years of regular use. I would speak with the secretary, but the doc never returned my calls. He only works in the daytime during the summer, and I can NOT get in during the daytime.

Finally I got a drive on the 8th day, and I told him how long it had been. He said, "And you're not feeling very well right now." Understatement of the year. I was jerking and twitching and spasming and the fear was through the roof, just among a FEW things happening. Apparently, he HAD received my messages and called in a refill to my pharmacy. He called them, and I guess they had never taken the message off their machine and thus never filled it yet. And I was suicidal! Can't the doctor report that pharmacy?? It's not the first time that particular pharmacy has messed up on my orders.

The doctor had no problem writing me a new prescription...basically whatever I wanted....and was sorry I was going through this. It never should have happened.

I'm about 80% better now, but my brain isn't quite right yet. I can't remember things, or I'll phone someone...forget about it...and phone them later. Sheesh! I have no idea what day it is or what days things happened on. I can't even remember my whole mailing address. The FEAR is gone, but I still get nervous. I've got some of my appetite and strength back. But I could still just sit there and stare at nothing. I still can't read because the words are so blurry.

I hate not having all my brain back. But I just went back on clonazepam (12mg daily) on Friday, so it will take time. I would not have made it through last weekend. A friend basically threatened me on Wednesday night when I couldn't take it anymore....either I put my daughter on the phone so she could know what I was going through, or he was going to get me help RIGHT NOW. Argh! I fought over that for a long time because my daughter is only 15-years old. But....I just couldn't go to the hospital. I just couldn't. I was at the end of my rope. I had reached my breaking point. There were so many more symptoms that I haven't mentioned to you, and I just couldn't deal anymore. But he made me get through the night and SOMEHOW get a plan in action. I owe my life to this man.

Does anyone know how much long to get back in balance again? I'm also on Effexor XR (375mg), and Lopressor SR (100mg).

Never, ever do this at home, kids! Lol. Take it from one who knows and is STILL suffering after 4 days of being back on the benzo.

Wishing you all a happy day in this MUCH milder weather! Phew!

God bless,

Sandy

Oh Sandy, I'm so sorry you had to go through that! I'm glad to hear you're on the mend, though.

I went cold turkey from Clonazepam last month -- just for a few weeks. I only normally take 1 or 0.5 mg per day; I can only imagine what you went through being without the larger dose. I found that I was having a lot of sensory overload -- lights too bright, noises too loud, too much motion around me making me nauseous. I was originally put on it for symptoms of vertigo from my inner ear problems, so not having that "filter" that Clonazepam provides was quite overwhelming. I'm back on 0.5 as needed now. I was fortunate not to have any discernable psychological side effects (that I know of), but it's probably because my dose is so low.

Hope you continue making improvements. Maybe FIVE days back on the benzo will be the day when you start feeling okay again... hope so.