CrazyRedhead Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 So, as I've posted before, my pdoc thinks my clonazepam dose is "huge" (3mg a day)......He wants to now eliminate my morning dose of 1mg, and just keep me on the 2 mg I take at bedtime.....He says I'm getting older (50's), and older people eliminate drugs more slowly from their system. His plan is to reduce .25 mg every 2 weeks from my morning dose, until I don't take any in the morning.....I feel uncomfortable doing this, but what can I do?...Many pdocs are thinking benzos are the bad guy now.....**SIGH**. He doesn't have any ideas about what to replace my morning dose of clonazepam with....Anyone have any ideas?......The problem is, I've tried just about everything... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basuraeuropea Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 this wasn't as terrible as i thought it wasn't going to be going from 4mg/day to 2mg/day, but that's not to say it wasn't terrible. i was definitely prepared to switch doctors, however, and i had a backup supply (and still do) in the event that i needed/need to use it when switching doctors as i'm going to have to do this in a few months time. i've also had doctors try to pull the benzodiazepine out from under me in the past and i did not agree because i felt it would immediately destabilize me, so i have switched doctors for this reason alone. one idea is to agree to his taper but not at the rate that he is proposing. so compromise in that you will *try* to reduce but if it proves to be too physically taxing and renders you non-functional, then report back. now, i know it's a bit dishonest, but i've agreed to do this in the past and have not reduced at all, reported a negative reaction and was subsequently placed back on the 'original' dosage. i'm not saying that you should do this, but at the time that it was proposed to me i was not on board and i was positive that the outcome would not be great, so i didn't do it but reported that i did. 3mg/day is not a huge amount, imo. oh, and i wouldn't suggest taking no klonopin in the morning. if you are going to reduce, then split the 2mg you take at bedtime somehow so that you are taking some in the morning to avoid interdose withdrawal. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basuraeuropea Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 oh, and pregabalin is a lot stronger than gabapentin, so that might be an option. it has more side effects than clonazepam, or at least it did at higher dosages for me. but it might work. some other really sedating antiepileptics might also work. on the brief time i was on topiramate, it sedated the hell out of me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted July 27, 2022 Author Share Posted July 27, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, basuraeuropea said: one idea is to agree to his taper but not at the rate that he is proposing. so compromise in that you will *try* to reduce but if it proves to be too physically taxing and renders you non-functional, then report back. oh, and i wouldn't suggest taking no klonopin in the morning. if you are going to reduce, then split the 2mg you take at bedtime somehow so that you are taking some in the morning to avoid interdose withdrawal. Yes, I'm going to agree to try, but will definitely let him know if gets bad. I know it's not good to totally give up a morning dose.....But I need 2mg with my trazodone at night to go to sleep....I have tried only 1mg at night, and it just doesn't work for my sleep. 1 hour ago, basuraeuropea said: oh, and pregabalin is a lot stronger than gabapentin, so that might be an option. it has more side effects than clonazepam, or at least it did at higher dosages for me. but it might work. some other really sedating antiepileptics might also work. on the brief time i was on topiramate, it sedated the hell out of me. Is pregabalin a control.?......I think it is, but I'm not sure.......I've never tried topiramate, but I will mention both to him at next appointment. Thanks so much for your input....It is greatly appreciated......I am supposed to start tapering tomorrow....**Sigh** Edited July 27, 2022 by CrazyRedhead 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basuraeuropea Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 10 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said: Yes, I'm going to agree to try, but will definitely let him know if gets bad. I know it's not good to totally give up a morning dose.....But I need 2mg with my trazodone at night to go to sleep....I have tried only 1mg at night, and it just doesn't work for my sleep. I found that tapering .25mg every two weeks was much too quick, so you may want to agree to compromise and agree on reducing every month or until withdrawal symptoms subside. You don’t have to take a full milligram in the morning, but something just to avoid potential interdose withdrawal. Even .25mg in the morning may help. 18 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said: Is pregabalin a control.?......I think it is, but I’m not sure… It is. It’s C-V. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted July 27, 2022 Author Share Posted July 27, 2022 1 minute ago, basuraeuropea said: I found that tapering .25mg every two weeks was much too quick, so you may want to agree to compromise and agree on reducing every month or until withdrawal symptoms subside. Yes, I think I would be more comfortable reducing it once a month--I'm going to contact him, and let him know that I feel I can't reduce more than once a month...........He'll probably agree, and let me reduce more gradually, as long as i'm reducing. 8 minutes ago, basuraeuropea said: It is. It’s C-V. Thanks....!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basuraeuropea Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 Good luck! Let him know if you are too greatly distressed! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted July 27, 2022 Author Share Posted July 27, 2022 (edited) 56 minutes ago, basuraeuropea said: Good luck! Let him know if you are too greatly distressed! Thank you...!!.....I have already contacted his office , and he is supposed to call me back by tomorrow.....I am going to let him know I would feel more comfortable waiting at least a month between dosage reductions......I will definitely let him know if I find it too stressful. Edited July 27, 2022 by CrazyRedhead 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogMan Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 Good luck CRH I don't have anything helpful. But have known several people who's doctors did similar, and apparently it is not enjoyable (Often gets better with tiime, but not always) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 Hope the conversation today goes well CRH! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted July 28, 2022 Author Share Posted July 28, 2022 Update.....Talked to pdoc today and he agreed that I can reduce .25 every 4 weeks instead of 2 weeks...Whew..!! Started reduction today, and I feel a little more anxious, but so far not terrible...I have heard that due to the longer half-life of clonazepam, it can take up to 3 days to "feel" a reduction.....I guess we'll see.... Thank you @basuraeuropea, @DogMan, and @jarn for your support...!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 Hoping it goes smoothly. I'm glad he agreed to 4 weeks!!!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted July 28, 2022 Author Share Posted July 28, 2022 1 minute ago, jarn said: Hoping it goes smoothly. I'm glad he agreed to 4 weeks!!!!!!! Yes, I'm soooo relieved that I only have to reduce every 4 weeks......!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogMan Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 Is that 4 weeks and then assess the situation, or just 4 weeks regardless of circumstances you reduce again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted July 28, 2022 Author Share Posted July 28, 2022 35 minutes ago, DogMan said: Is that 4 weeks and then assess the situation, or just 4 weeks regardless of circumstances you reduce again? He said that before the next reduction in August, we will evaluate how I'm feeling and functioning....So that's good... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basuraeuropea Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 28 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said: He said that before the next reduction in August, we will evaluate how I'm feeling and functioning....So that's good... i'm glad he agreed to the four-week reduction schedule and not two! yes, i believe that when you are in control of your own taper rate that there is a much greater chance of success, so the taper should be contingent upon when/if you feel ready to reduce further rather than some scripted, generic timeline. i'm wishing you well! ❤️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeschmee Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 I'm glad to hear your Dr agreed to a much slower taper. I know how extremely difficult tapering off meds can be... please keep us updated 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyRedhead Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 (edited) Update:.....I am now on .5 clonazepam in morning and 2mg clonazepam at night.....I don't feel that I can go any lower (at least for now)....Pdoc has agreed to keep me on this dosage. Edited September 12, 2022 by CrazyRedhead 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basuraeuropea Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 1 hour ago, CrazyRedhead said: Update:.....I am now on .5 clonazepam in morning and 2mg clonazepam at night.....I don't feel that I can go any lower (at least for now)....Pdoc has agreed to keep me on this dosage. i'm glad that you communicated that to your doctor and that he/she agreed to hold until you feel as though you can reduce and if you don't feel that's in your best interest, then insist that the medication is doing you more good, the amount taken isn't excessive, and that you'd wish to remain on it. medication changes are SO tough for me and so many others, so i hope that you aren't suffering too badly. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeschmee Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 One resource I found very helpful is Surviving antidepressants. Lots of really great info and support. Wishing things go smoothly for you 💜 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basuraeuropea Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 3 hours ago, deeschmee said: One resource I found very helpful is Surviving antidepressants. Lots of really great info and support. i didn't like the moderators there at all. the founder of the site, altostrata, is very antipsychiatry. it's all in our minds and if we wean off medication slowly enough, all will be well according to her and many of the members there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeschmee Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 (edited) 9 hours ago, basuraeuropea said: i didn't like the moderators there at all. the founder of the site, altostrata, is very antipsychiatry. it's all in our minds and if we wean off medication slowly enough, all will be well according to her and many of the members there. Yes I did have a similar experience. However I just sort of fashioned a taper schedule for myself based on much of what I read there. But you are correct they are very set in their ways and if you veer from what they advise you to do some get very angry and upset. I just sort of collected info. My p-doc had no clue whatsoever about tapering very slowly, or withdrawal effects lasting so long. I also learned that you can dilute some meds in water ( don't know about clonazepam) to make the taper even slower. This is actually how I stopped venlafexine. Edited September 13, 2022 by deeschmee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basuraeuropea Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 2 hours ago, deeschmee said: Yes I did have a similar experience. However I just sort of fashioned a taper schedule for myself based on much of what I read there. But you are correct they are very set in their ways and if you veer from what they advise you to do some get very angry and upset. I just sort of collected info. My p-doc had no clue whatsoever about tapering very slowly, or withdrawal effects lasting so long. I also learned that you can dilute some meds in water ( don't know about clonazepam) to make the taper even slower. This is actually how I stopped venlafexine. another useful resource for tapering is benzobuddies. it's specific to benzodiazepines, but they are really savvy on how to make smaller and smaller cuts so that the withdrawal process isn't as miserable. they are not against psychiatric treatment when warranted and were very kind when i explained my particular situation. at the time and even now, i'm hypersensitive to even online criticism which can send me into a whirlwind of negative thoughts and anxiety. it's a problematic trait for sure. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeschmee Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 That is a good resource for sure ☺ thank you for sharing 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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