I spent many, many years in a self-imposed isolation. I felt I had no choice because I believed I was severely ill. Having spent over 20 years on the planet crippled by severe panic attacks and the depression that came along with it, hanging out with friends was something I just couldn’t do. Heck, standing in line at the grocery store was torture. A casual chat at the grocery store? Impossible! I am not kidding when I tell you I used to pray for cancer instead. I am also not being dramatic, this is the truth.
Technically, I was what they call “functional” — modern medicine saw to that! While I am grateful for medication–don’t misunderstand me–without it, I would have been completely agoraphobic. But because doctors didn’t really know much about what was ailing me, more often than not, I was over or under-medicated. Often severely. And even with medication, I had break through panic attacks.
With medication I could socialize, go to work, and be a soccer mom, but it was in a semi-coma, zombie-like state. True, I was having my severe panic attacks only occasionally, but I was pretty much only present in body. The medicine took me far away. I slept 12 dreamless hours a night and took naps every day. This was the side effects of my medication. Also, I was unable to cry. My inability to shed tears hurt actually. I went through the deaths of my 2 beloved grandfathers and could not mourn in the usual way.
I decided to wean off Klonopin
I decided a few months ago that I wanted live a better life. I wanted my emotions back. I really wanted to be awake and alert for my loved ones, but more importantly for myself. This is my life after all, not some dress rehearsal. Panic attacks or not, I wanted to start getting off my 
medications. My choice today is to wean off my Klonopin.
I was able to find a primary care physician who listened to me–no easy task 
— and he supported my decision to wean off my medications under his care.
Medication withdrawal is very serious business, and requires being under a physician’s care. Over the years, I had tried to wean off my anti-anxiety and depression meds by myself. Big No-No! Two years ago, when I tried to wean off Prozac, I had terrible side effects: I felt like I was being shocked or electrocuted, and I couldn’t stop crying. My sleep was all messed up. Worst of all, I didn’t realize how badly I was doing until my dear friend pointed it out to me.
She couldn’t believe I went cold turkey on my Prozac after being on it for 18 years. Certainly I knew better but I wasn’t thinking clearly. With my history of suffering through my childhood, teenage, and young adult years, I just figured it was my job to endure whatever life handed to me. It was no different with this disturbing Prozac withdrawal. Clearly my self esteem needed some serious adjusting as well– which is something I continue to work on in my 12 Step Recovery Program (I’ve been going to Al-Anon for 10 years).
But let’s fast forward to my most recent medication withdrawal under the care of my doctor. This was the big one for me, my Klonopin. I have been on Klonopin (I won’t say the dose, but it is very high) since 1988, when I was first diagnosed with panic disorder. My doctor gave me a suggested schedule for weaning off the Klonopin, and stressed that I was free to go as slowly as I needed to, and STOP the weaning at any time. Also I was to call him if I was in any trouble, symptom-wise.
My Klonopin withdrawal symptoms were quite severe, even with the very gradual weaning schedule I was following. I woke up in literal puddles 
of cold sweat every night, and had to change my pajamas and lay on towels to “sleep”, if you could call it that. I didn’t get a sound night’s sleep for over 30 days, often awakening 3 hours after bedtime and then not being able to fall asleep again (this is called terminal insomnia). Since my body was relearning to fall asleep, I wasn’t allowed to take any sleep medications to help me with that.
The worst side effect of my Klonopin withdrawal was that my severe panic attacks returned. Here is an example of one. Even with all my book knowledge and years of therapy behind me, I was immediately freaked out again, and started to wonder if this was going to be my life again. Panic attacks are HELL on earth, plain and simple.
One day at a time, I am doing it
With the grace of my God, the care of my doctor, the support of my family and friends, and through living my life by learning to face my fears and wait for the panic to pass without retreating, my life is 50% Klonopin-free today. I see with my own eyes, and it is undistorted. Maybe a little blurry because of time, but it is real life, and it is beautiful. The smells, sounds, and things of this world are truly miraculous to me. I actually think I must sound like I’m a bit loony today because I’m so happy today for the small things. I guess it’s just that I really don’t take much for granted. Anyone who has lived life on heavy meds and successfully weaned off them knows what I’m talking about.
Yesterday I had lunch and a fun afternoon with my friend. I’ll admit I was nervous at first because I felt naked without the backup pharmacological courage of Klonopin to stave off any panic. But my friend knows my deal and she was fine with it. I trust and love her tremendously. Eventually I simmered down. Before I knew it, we had been in the restaurant for 3 hours. It was sober and wonderful, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Thank you Sarah. Oh, and food was delicious too 
So for today, being off half my usual dose of Klonopin is working for me. This is the choice I make every night before I go to bed. I really like reality and living in the world without that hazy drugged feeling. I really like sleeping naturally and waking up naturally. My life is a blessing and a constant challenge, and I am truly grateful.
However, I am not setting my expectations too high. If my panic attacks increase in frequency, or I find myself avoiding trigger situations instead of facing them, then I know I need medication again. In short, if my life starts to go back to hell, I’m going back on my meds– no shame, no guilt.
I share this with you because it is my hope that you can learn to live happily too — despite panic disorder, panic attacks, or social anxiety disorder –whether you’re 
on meds, not on meds, or somewhere in between. In this blog, I share with you my tips and resources that have helped my in coping with panic attacks and all the stuff that goes with it.
Do you have any experience weaning off Klonopin or other medications for anxiety and panic attacks?
I wish you peace,
Jill G.
ps- Edit: since I first wrote this post, I found a book that can help: How to Get Off Psychiatric Drugs Safely – 2010 Edition: There is Hope. There is a Solution. This book comes highly recommended. “Here’s an essential handbook on how to safely and more easily wean yourself (under medical supervision) off the heavily over-prescribed psychotropic medications. I have used the program with my patients and it works!” Hyla Cass M.D.
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i think this post is really effective and useful for everyone since panic situation comes in life anytime. thanks for sharing such a nice post
Thank you, you are very kind. Panic attacks affect so many people, awareness is hugely important
Thank you for the kind comment
Thank you so much. I need hope. I have also been a long term Klonopin user. I had no idea many years ago when this was prescribed for insomnia that I would be where I am today. The Klonopin has stopped working and causing depression, fear & extreme panic attacks. I am scheduled to see a psychiatrist to help me through the weaning off process. I am scared but need my life back. Thanks you so much for your encouraging post!
You are doing everything right. When you and the doctor come up with a withdrawal schedule, remember to GO SLOW. Take months or years if you have to, but go as slow as you need to. Please watch this video, it will also give you hope and encouragement:
http://panicfreeme.com/789/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-treatment-guidelines-video/
Good luck and ((hugs)),
Jill
Thank you for providing such a positive post. So much regarding this topic is negative and angry, it’s refreshing to hear someone speak with hope. I too am weaning off Klonopin, after finally deciding “enough is enough”. I want my life back, my family deserves the best version of me-I deserve it, and that is NOT the version taking Klonopin. It’s harder than I imagined, but it is a choice everyday and I’m getting through it. Thanks again. God Bless.
Good for you Nina. It is hard, that’s for sure, especially the rebound anxiety and poor sleep. How wonderful that your family is so supportive. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you and very glad you are getting through it!
Take care and many blessings,
Jill
I am on 2.75mg of Klonopin & I was on 6mg. I am on .75mg in the morning & 2mg at night. My doctor is not trying to wean me completely off of my morning dose & then finally my evening. I got off the afternoon dose – no problem- I tried to wean down to .5mg May 1st & started having panic attacks so I am back to .75mg. I feel like I am going to die but know b/c I have faith in God, he will get me off of this. I want to be medication free & if I have to be ON a medication, I do not want to be on a Benzo. I want to go the natural route.
Hi Kelly,
I’m down to .5 mg right now. I too was on 6 mg at one point. Make sure you go as slow as you need to with your wean. Even if it takes a few years. When I first started this, I decreased the Klonopin too fast. Even though my doctor said it I could make a .5mg decrease every 2 weeks, that was too fast for my body. The side effects and rebound panic and anxiety were too much. I learned a lot from this 3 minute video by Dr. C. Heather Ashton, the leading expert on benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine withdrawal. Here is the link: http://panicfreeme.com/789/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-treatment-guidelines-video/
I’m sorry you are feeling so bad. Please know that you are not alone, listen to your doctor, go slow, and press on, if that is your desire.
((Hugs)) and many blessings to you,
Jill
I am on 2.75mg of Klonopin & I was on 6mg. I am on .75mg in the morning & 2mg at night. My doctor is not trying to wean me completely off of my morning dose & then finally my evening. I got off the afternoon dose – no problem- I tried to wean down to .5mg May 1st & started having panic attacks so I am back to .75mg. I feel like I am going to die but know b/c I have faith in God, he will get me off of this. I want to be medication free & if I have to be ON a medication, I do not want to be on a Benzo. I want to go the natural route.
I am back up to 3mg of Klonopin & my doctor wants to add Abilify. I want for a 2nd opinion and she said she hates benzo’s (psychiatrist) & she wants to add Buspar & Depakote (so I don’t have a seizure) and she will have me off of Klonopin in one month. I have to wean each week though at her tapering route. I have looked into drug facilitlites who wean you off too & just don’t know what to do. My psychiatrist (that wants to prescribe Abilify) said I do as he says or he drops my medical leave. My medical leave is up May 30th. I have a high paying flexible job I have worked at for 14 years and do not want to lose it. I am now just praying for a miracle from God.
You are in my prayers Kelly. Please read this post: http://panicfreeme.com/520/coping-with-anxiety-progress-and-setbacks/
Hi Kelly, I have been off klonopin for almost 3 years now and have gone through serious withdrawals. When I started to not trust doctors and trust my own research is when I started getting better. These doctors are educated idiots when it comes to mental meds because they trust the drug reps too much instead of doing their own independent research. If you ever have any questions or want some feedback just email me. I would be glad to help you. I have helped others get off meds and they are much happier now.
Jerry:
I am still on 4 MG Klonopin. I basically know what not todo to wean off this drug,
but really do not know how to do it.
Did you dry cut?
Can you email me at junco66@verizon.net
Thank you,
Carol
help i am 51 been on klonnopinn for 5 months anywhere from1 to 2mg tried ssri’s didnt work having internal trembling i asked dr to try to switch to valium like the ashton method she says thats to slow im having horrible time she got me back 1st day to.25 mg kl morn and .50 night im having terrible anxiety panic attacks she replace it with 5mg val at 5pm is this to quick i hate this medicine can you recoomend anything thanks mel
Mel I’m sorry you’re having a hard time. I can recommend prayer, yoga, self-hypnosis, meditation, a support group or forum, cut out caffeine from your diet if you can, try to have a daily routine and stick to it. There are so many things we can do for ourselves when we are in a crisis situation. Here is a post I wrote that can help http://panicfreeme.com/645/self-help-for-panic-attacks/
Best of luck to you, hang in there
Jerry,
Hi, my name is Jared and I have been taking Klonopin for 31/2 to 4 yrs. now and I see no end in sight. I am writing to you for advice because I completely agree that the doctors who are prescribing these medicines have no idea what they are getting their patients into. They will tell you to only take as needed all the while not knowing that the need will only get worse and worse. I have overcome 2 yrs. of smoking methamphetamine, about a year of chronic painkiller abuse (lorc 10/650), I have totaled 3 vehicles under the influence of alcohol, one of which earned me a DWI, and for some reason I cannot see an end to the benzo Clonazepam. I have beat all of these other extremely addictive drugs but Clonazepam almost seems impossible to me. There is nothing more in this world I want and need than to get off of this drug. I have tried many times with no success as of yet. Any help and advise would be most appreciated considering this is not really me and I would like to be the person that I once was.
Thank You Jerry,
Jared
Hi Jared,
First of all I would strongly urge you to get into AA or NA if you’re not already. 12 Step programs are an abundant source of support and friendship. I’ve been in Al-Anon for over 10 years.
I am certainly no expert on medications nor am I a doctor, so I can’t give medical advice. I can point you in the direction of some books, however. There is How to Get Off Psychiatric Drugs Safely – 2010 Edition.
Also Stopping Anxiety Medication Workbook is a new one and looks good- it is a workbook and you have to go thru it.
Whatever route you choose- GO SLOW- slower than you think you have to. This will minimize the side effects. Also talk to your doctor who specializes in addiction if possible- could be helpful.
Oh, and lots of prayer helps too.
((Hugs)),
Jill
I have decided to to a facility to get off of Klonopin – I cannot take what this drug is doing to me. My psychiatrist says I am bipolar now which I know is the side effects of the drug. It’s a 30-60 day facility in Mesa, AZ. It’s called River Source. If I go, I will be leaving in less than a week. My psychiatrist is in charge w/ my medical leave and wants me to go on Abilify – added on to the Klonopin. Another psy. wants to add Buspar & Depakote. I want off of this Klonopin and I want help doing it – I liked the way they wean you – you can go to their site. I will check out that site too, thank you.
Any comments? I still haven’t made up my mind. Still on 3mg of Klonopin. Dr. now is insisting I go on Serequel or I give up my medical leave and return to work a mess….or go to the River Source in Mesa, AZ.
Please give me insight & pray.
Honestly, I don’t have any further insight. I wish you the best of luck in your situation.
Hi Kelly:
I am on 4 MG of Klonopin and just went into a panic attack recently thinking about weaning. I am so afraid of the side effects.
But I decided to go slow once I calm down.
I will try dry cutting first. I changed my perscritption to 2 .5 MG tablets. I am going to cut 1/8 of MG a Month. It will take years to get off, but I expect to feel better as I go down.
My comments about your posts:
I had a psychiatrist who also suggested taking other medications. They did not
agree with me and I was left withdrawing from them.
Secondly, I can say with complete certainity that a 30-60 day wean is too fast for 3 MG. You will come out of that resort in withdrawal which you will have to tolerate untill you heal – which you will of course, but it will take time.
Have you visited some other sites on the web. One I would recommend would be
benzowithdrawal.com. They have some suggestions for weaning off benzos and support.
There were a number of posters on that site who went through a facility such as the one in Mesa and came out in not so good a shape. But you could post your questions there. That site has members with quite a bit of experience in this area.
I wish you luck, and God Bless you, I know what you are going through.
Carol
Kelly:
One more thing. I looked up River Source,
Kelly you are not an addict and I doubt that you are bipolar. My pscyhiatrist told me I was bipolar also. But I know that before Klonopin I did not have the mood swings I have now.
Carol
Carol, thank you so much for your comment. My question is this – and it’s complicated. How do did you get a psy. to go along w/ the Ashton Manual? Mine refuses….and he is in charge of my medical leave. Also, how did you get more Klonopin to wean off? I mean, I have seen 3 psychiatrists now and all three want to add on meds – two though I was bipolar (which no one including me thinks I am. My PCP won’t comment anymore and said ‘see a psy’. I have to make a decision by Wed. what I am going to do. Go to Mesa, go on Serequel or do whatever this other psy. doctor says – and return to work. I am just wondering if I tried to go back to work in this condition (something is wrong – I mean, I was diagnosed w/ Syncope & Pots – I don’t know how that it interfering – I feel like a zombie yet when I taper down, I freak out. It’s a mess – my life has become a mess but I have hope in God that he will pull me through. Plus my psy. in charge of my medical leave already labeled me bipolar to my company – which I think sucks. I think I have to go on it b/c he won’t prescribe Klonopin without Serequel – no psy. will. So, again, how did you get someone to do that for you?
My case is so complicated bc this started w/ me fainting & being in the hospital over 10 days for Syncope and then came the panic. I haven’t seen any comments about people going to facilities. The only reason I even considered that was I figured I would be in supportive enviroment. Do you work? Do you drive? I am a medical sales rep. who is trying to save her job. I am literally hoping for a miracle from God to come through before Wednesday. The other psy out of the three wants to put me on Lexipro – I haven’t responded very well to SSRI’s in the past…..maybe I am bipolar but I haven’t acted like this since I have been on this drug – and I am barley functioning. Please advice……please. I am taking your advice about the facility. Anxiety brings on my Syncope so, I wouldn’t want to leave the facility and be fainting.
Kelly:
After I got tired of going on and weaning off the many medications my psychiatrist had me try, I made a list of psychistrists in my area and started making appointments.
I was lucky that the second psychiatrist I saw was very easy going and switched me from 3 MG of Xanax to 4 MG Klonopin.
He actually wanted me on 5 MG Klonopin,
but I would be tapering years. He is also supportive of me going very slow. He like most psychiatrists in the US was hesitant to put me on Valium. Valium has too many metabolites for the liver to process and can have more side affects. He said he saves that for when you are down to a lower dose and are having problems tapering. He has never heard of the Ashton
method and he is an addictions psychiatrist.
I retired early because of the Benzos. I could not take the stress of work. I also have a autoimune disease called Mastocytosis that can be triggered by anxiety. So I am not working.
Try posting on Benzowithdrawal.com.
You will get a lot of support there. Many
there weaned off of klonopin using water titration. They never switched to Valium.
That method is explained on the site. I probably will try that method eventually, but I want to see how I do dry cutting.
I do not respond very well to SSRIs either.
They increase my anxiey 10 fold, also there is the nausea and there is the insomnia. I am more tolerant of TCAs such as doxepin or amtrypaline (spelling).
I have never tried Seroquel. Probably if I had stayed with my first psychiatrist I would have been on it.
Try going to http://www.benzowithdrawal.com and do search for Seroquel and see how other members did with it.
Also can you try this approach with your
Psychiatrist. Come up with a plan for slow withdrawal (no other drugs). And because you are in tolerance (doesn’t sound that 3 MG is working for you) can you raise your dosage .5 or 1 MG. Then after 30 days start tapering. That is sort of saying to the doctor – this is what I would like to try.
There is another website Benzobuddies.org. They will give you a taper plan if you post some information about you current dosage.
Just some suggestions. Gosh you sound so much like me before I found my second psychiatrist. I have not done well on Klonopin though. Lots of side effects, night time and morning adrenalin rushes, still get very anxious, some nausea. Can not think straight, very clumsy. I am praying for the courage to taper.
Carol
Carol, God bless you for making it through it though. I don’t believe you had to retire early from Benzo’s. Well, I am glad you are alive & hear to tell your story. I will read up on water taper. My memory is gone….I just feel like I want God to pick me up & take this away but I am going to have to struggle like all of us – but we will get there. In respect to Serequel, I think I might just go ahead & get on it. I know it knocks you out at night so maybe that would take care of my nighttime dose of Klonopin.
You know oddly, I have heard – not often though – of people weaning of easily with mild discomfort. I am 39….before I fainted on Jan. 22nd, I was a very (super very) energetic bouncy happy girl – I don’t have much support in respect to if I lose my job so I am just going to pray for a miracle and see what happens. I will say a prayer for you though – and thank you for responding to me & giving me all of the advice. Also, thank you for giving advice about the facility – I just though being surrounded by people while they taper me – with other meds to help with the withdrawal symptoms might help. You know, there are facilities that take you off under anesthisia (however you spell it) in the hospital & then put you on Phenobarbetol for days until you are done – and I don’t know if that works or not……It’s a place in Chicago called New Hope. It’s a residential/in patient facility.
You have to taper slow but that makes you stay on it longer – that’s what I don’t like – wicked. Well hopefully someone will stumble upon this & not ever take it. Also, I mentioned tolerance withdrawal to my doctor and he was so irritated – he said there is no such thing as tolerance withdrawal.
Kelly:
The problem with going to a facility to withdraw from a benzo, is that they withdraw you too fast. And the reason you must go slowly is that while you are on the benzo it down regulates you GABA receptors in your brain. These receptors produce GABA which is the chemical that keeps you calm and collected.
By down regulating the GABA receptor I mean that the Benzo takes the place of the GABA and those receptors just stop making this chemical. That is why benzos are so hard to taper from. You have to go slowly so as the amount of benzo goes down in your system, the receptors start producing GABA again on their own. If you taper too fast, the receptors do not have time to catch up and you will feel it with increased anxiety and other symptoms.
Do some research on those Benzo web sites, they have a lot of information.
Those withdrawal facilities can not keep you long enough for that to happen. You would have to live there for a couple of years.
I know you can do this on your own, all you need is a taper process you trust and can manage and tweak to get the least amount of withdrawal symptoms/or none at all. What might help is finding a therapist who will work with you once you start your taper. He/she may have some ways to help calm and encourage you.
I am going to take my own advice and have been looking for one who will help me.
I too feel that I would do better with some help and encouragement along those lines.
Carol
Thanks Carol. I get it now. There is also a facility though called Timber Knolls in Lemont, IL. It’s totally different. I will talk to this new psychiatrist tonight & see what happens.
I just wanted to post that I am down to 1.5mg of Klonopin – we weened very quickly but I am ok. I am having withdrawal symptoms primarily in the morning (now) but they go away as soon as I start getting up & moving. I have pretty bad headaches but I take Advil in the evening. My doctor & I did this taper w/ 14mg of Serequel at night. We are talking today & I believe he is taking me off of the Serequel now. I never used to have this type of anxiety – prior to Klonopin. My biggest concern is having a Syncope event or a seizure coming off but our tapering now will go very slowly. I will speak w/ him today about just being on Klonopin – nothing else – until I am off completely. My BP is swinging pretty low to high but I drink a lot of water. I also pray & believe that God is helping me through this. It is not as bad as I thought it would be. We can all do this!!!!!! Thanks Jill & Carol – and Carol thank you for saving me thousands of dollars from going to a facility b/c you were right, I can do this on my own. Once I am off – we are weaning off completely between June/early July – I will have a testimony to share & like Jill, I will help everyone I can not to take this drug!
God Bless everyone!!!!
Kelly O’Brien
Awesome Kelly,
Hang in there, you’re doing great!
Everyone has to make their own personal decision when it comes to staying on anti anxiety medications long term. I’m not advocating either way– I made the choice to wean off Klonopin *for me*. Others may choose to stay on it. The choice is up to the individual.
((hugs)),
Jill
Jerry, what is your email address? Bravo that you are off of Klonopin – that is amazing!!!!
My email address is kell.yob@hotmail.com
June 28, 2010
I am 40 years old and have been on Klonopin for 2 & half years. I remember telling my Dr. that I did not want anything that I could get addicted to she said I would not unless I popped them all day long. I take 1 mg at night. I am trying to wean myself off because I am so depressed and I have a loving husband and 2 children and I want my life back. I feel so ashamed and angry that I fell into this trap of taking the medicine. I want to be free of meds. Please give me some advice. I do not sleep well and I am suffering from panic that I never have suffered from before. I don’t know what to do. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? What should I be doing?
First of all, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You can get off Klonopin, but you need to do it very gradually, over a long period of time, and under a doctor’s care. See this video about benzodiazepine withdrawal treatment guidelines: http://panicfreeme.com/789/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-treatment-guidelines-video/
You can read more here.
I am now on 1mg of Klonopin – yes, it’s hard but I just tapered on Friday of this past weekend.
In respect to how I am doing it -I am using the Body Calm & Body Calm Supreme from the program The Road Back – google it – buy the book – it WORKS. The Body Calm Supreme puts me to sleep at night . I have heart palpitations in the morning which is hard but other than that, I am ok. My challenge is my blood pressure is very very low. Do any of you have this problem? My bp is around 91/50 with a heart rate of 60.
I do not know if Klonopin contributes to lowering blood pressure – my doctor says no but then again, he also says that it isn’t addictive. I ended up in the ER on Friday b/c my heart rate was so high & blood pressure was so low – they gave me fluids and sent me home.
I will keep you posted about my taper. It always seems -for me – that the first three to four days after a lowering of medication, I am very ill. It then evens out – and I get used to the new dose – each time I feel like I am dying or I cannot take it. I have weaned down from 6mg though (since Feb.) & each time I do, I think I cannot handle it but I do. So can you!
Wow, that’s amazing Kelly–I hope you are as proud of you as everyone reading this is.
((hugs)),
Jill
Jill, how often do you use Rescue Remedy? Can you talk about that a bit? I need more arsenal to combat anxiety. Second question, does anxiety lower any of your blood pressure?
And thank you very much – it’s not a walk in the Park but everyone’s support gets me through the tough days and hours.
Hi Kelly,
I use it to as a preventative, before I go into a panic triggering situation. Lately I use it about twice or maybe 3x a week. I also like to use it occasionally before bed, for a restful night’s sleep
Anxiety generally raises your blood pressure from what I understand. I haven’t had any low blood pressure myself.
Last question….so it works for you then…the Rescue Remedy?
Yes, but if I use it too much it doesn’t work. That is the case for me at least with any natural remedy.
Sorry for all of the questions but last one….if you use too much? Hmmm…I had bought it, tried it but it wasn’t effective. I cannot find the bottle – I want to give it another shot. So, what else do you use? I think we should all share any natural remedies that might work for us. I am doing kind of a trial and error while I am getting off of Klonopin – I have tried Serenagen – that did not work. Body Calm Supreme is really a miracle for sleeping. Body Calm works but kind of makes me not feel too great. I need another natural remedy b/c once I am off of Klonopin, I will never go on a prescription anti-anxiety medication again – the benefits do not outweigh the risks.
If anyone wants to talk to me personally – my email is: kell.yob@hotmail.com.
So grateful for your site Jill!
Here are the other natural remedies I recommend: http://panicfreeme.com/603/natural-anti-anxiety-relief/
I like Agora Fear Relief because I can put the little tablets under my tongue.
The important thing with any supplement is you have to find what works for you, then don’t over do it.
I have spent a week in the hospital at RUSH in Chicago. They diagnosed me w/ severe Orthostatic Hypotension – I am on Florinef at .1mg plus salt pills & potassium pills – ambien. They want me off Klonopin. They put me back up to 1.50mg in the hospital & I just went straight to 1mg last night – the withdrawal is unreal. I will make it through though – Please God help me hang in there.
Kelly
I am scheduled to be back at work July 22nd and now have all of these problems – I need a miracle from God.
Kelly, if you’re in the hospital, then that’s where you need to be. Keep praying, God hears you.
((hugs))
I am now on 1.25mg of Klonopin – they keep switching it around. They have added Ambien CR bc I cannot sleep – that is addictive too!!!!!! I want to just stop taking it! I have taken it since I was in the hospital and my psy. said I cannot just ‘stop taking it’. I am at a loss and all of my support is going away.
I hope you listen to your doctor and don’t just stop taking it. You can wean off it under your doctor’s care when the time is right. If it’s helping you sleep now, then it’s doing its job.
What do you mean all your support is going away?
My friends have stopped supporting me – some of them call it ‘drama’. I have Orthostatic Hypotension too – and one of my friends was just like (a best friend) – “I have lost hope in you getting better, I will provide fluids, drinks but I cannot be around you. People have been putting up w/ me lying in bed for 6 months, in and out of hospitals – my family just doesn’t handle this well so it’s best not to be around them. My friends though are scared out of their minds and feel hopeless and tired of my struggles.
I will keep taking it although w/ Klonopin, it makes me feel groggy. It is addictive and caused dizziness, grogginess and just is bad for you (Ambien) – I feel like I am adding on to my addictions here. I despise what Klonopin has done to me. It’s a vicious cycle of my blood pressure affecting my anxiety & my anxiety affecting my blood pressure. My PCP told me that Ambien WILL lower blood pressure. My psy. just takes me on & off meds. I feel hopeless but I am trying to surrender to God. I just know I am in a condo I cannot afford but assesments are so high – I cannot sell – I am stuck all the way around – I pray that Christ shows me the way out of this.
I imagine it is hard for your family and friends. Heck it’s hard for you and your doctors. You are in a dilemma to be sure. Keep praying, the answers will come.
My doctor took me off Klonopin 1.25mg and put me on Xanaz XR 1.5mg . Have any of you ever heard of such a thing? So, I am officially off Klonopin but now on Xanaz XR
Yes, I’ve not only heard of it, I’ve been on Xanax XR. Glad you are finally off the Klonopin Kelly!
Jill, how did you do on Xanax XR? I am having burning skin, burning face, chills, etc. It’s only been a couple of days but I don’t like it. Please tell me your experience….maybe it’s still Klonopin withdrawal – my doctor said it’s already out of my system. Hmmmmm….now he wants to put me on Cymbalta but I am saying NO MORE MEDICATIONS – and I want off the Xanax XR – I am having either an allergic reaction or the Klonopin & Xanax XR are crossing over one another – something is happening though to my body and I don’t like it.
Please email me if you don’t want to post on board – kell.yob@hotmail.com
I did fine on the Xanax XR, I didn’t have any reactions. The med wasn’t bad for me, except that it made me tired. That was back in 2007. I don’t take it anymore.
Well that is good – that is great Jill! I am attempting to figure out of I am just anxious, have a mood disorder (psy. thinks so since I have been on Klonopin)….or just out of control panic disorder.
I am going to lean on Christ – and pray He guides me.
Did you have challenges coming off of if?
No, it wasn’t hard for me at all. I was only on it for about 4 months.
Well that is amazing! He is taking me off of it in 3 days – now switching me in the morning to Xanax (Xanax XR tonight). I landed in the ER today – my body is freaking out – it’s shaking, my speech is slurring. I am sup. to have a work meeting tomorrow. I am going to have faith that God will pull me through this. I told the psy. he is moving to fast and he said no he isn’t. Doesn’t days seem wayyyy to fast?????
I am scared for my brain…..all the damage done. Please pray. I will pray for all of us.
I just left The River Source in Mesa, Az. I arrived on Xanax Aug. 1st, put back on 1.50mg of Klonopin upon arrival & taken off in less than a week. I am off of benzo’s – staying at a friend’s in Scottsdale, Az. – the withdrawal is unbearable & scary – but I am still here, alive & fighting for recovery. I hope the withdrawal ends soon. No more benzo’s for me….now I will heal although painful….one day I will recover. Thank you for all of the support.
Wow, I have posted a lot on here. Question – and we can discuss this in a positive light b/c Jill’s blog is to be positive which is important (0: Are any of you off Klonopin, experiencing extreme head pain – I had it everytime I would wean off Klonopin & now that I am fully off, it’s unbearable. I know it will get better though – I pray everyday & hope in the Lord.
Kelly you’ve had quite a journey- I’m sorry about the headaches, but congratulations on getting off Klonopin. Personally, I got more migraines when weaning down my dose- especially around my period. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Thank you so much Jill….so have you. I long for the day that this head pain goes away – and my body returns to a new normal – keep the faith (0: