Katrina Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi everyone! I've just found this thread and I'm so happy I did. I'm 27 and have been taking klonopin 1.5mg daily for about four years. Last month I started seeing a new doctor and she put me on Zoloft with the hopes of tapering the klonopin. I took 25mg for the first week, 50 mg for the following 3 weeks and now have been on 100mg for the past 3 days. This medication is making me feel insane. On 50mg I felt more depressed. Now that I upped the dose I'm constantly anxious so I've been taking more klonopin. I'm dizzy, my eyes just start shutting constantly, nauseous, can't stop yawning (and the yawns make me sick to my stomach). Has anyone had similar symptoms? Did they go away? My doctor said to give it a few more days and if this persists we'll lower the dose. I honestly just want to stop the medication. Also, I haven't been able to sleep at night. It's pure hell. Someone please tell me I'm not the only one struggling with this. Has anyone stopped the medication after this amount of time and had minimal side effects? Because now I feel as if I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Medication symptoms or withdrawal symptoms. Thanks in advance! Klonopin 1.5 mg since 2012 Zoloft 25mg from 2/3/16-2/9/16 50mg from 2/9/16-2/24/16 100mg from 2/25/16-2/7/16 Now back on 50mg starting 2/28/16 due to side effects Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted February 27, 2016 Moderator Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi Katrina-- Welcome to the group, I'm so glad you found us. Many doctors would see your reaction to the drug as "normal" and tell you to just push through. We have a lot of members here who did just that and regret the decision. You're not too badly stuck though, but you will probably get some WD symptoms. These are pretty typical startup issues, but they indicate that your body doesn't like what you're doing to it. For some people they do go away and they can continue on the drug, but for many they just get worse. The best thing is to remove the source of the problem. Every member here is struggling with this in some form or other, but you are in a very good position to get the upper hand and take control of the situation. You've only been on the 100mg for three days so dropping back to the 50 should be fairly easy in one straight cut. Your body is still in the throws of adjusting to the larger dose so the drop back will just confuse it for a few more days. Any dose change up or down takes four days to become steady state in the blood, during which time it can make you feel all sorts of different sensations. Once it's steady state the symptoms can settle out and "normalize". So Once you're back to the 50mg you will have to let things settle out for a few weeks. I really hate to suggest a 10% taper for some one who has been on for such a short time. Once you're stable on 50mg I would try decreasing by 10mg every three weeks and see how you tolerate that. Then we can adjust as we need to. You will need to keep the klonopin at a steady dose through out and once you're off the Zoloft we can address that issue. 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SkyBlue Posted February 27, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi Katrina (I love your name), Could you go to 75 then 50, using the 50 mg tablets? Like Brassmonkey said, you've been on it such a short time and that's good news. (Can I ask a related question here? I started Zoloft as a cross-taper w/Paxil. I've been on it about less than a year. I want to get off Zoloft and Paxil. I'm thinking of holding on Paxil because it is giving me a lot of trouble this far down (only 1.2 mg.). So I thought I would start tapering the Zoloft. Since I've been on it less than a year, wondering if it sounds reasonable to go from 100 to 75, then do 10% from there. I don't want to do 10% unless I NEED to.) 2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever. 2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds. 2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better. Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.) "You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa Link to comment
Katrina Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi Katrina-- Welcome to the group, I'm so glad you found us. Many doctors would see your reaction to the drug as "normal" and tell you to just push through. We have a lot of members here who did just that and regret the decision. You're not too badly stuck though, but you will probably get some WD symptoms. These are pretty typical startup issues, but they indicate that your body doesn't like what you're doing to it. For some people they do go away and they can continue on the drug, but for many they just get worse. The best thing is to remove the source of the problem. Every member here is struggling with this in some form or other, but you are in a very good position to get the upper hand and take control of the situation. You've only been on the 100mg for three days so dropping back to the 50 should be fairly easy in one straight cut. Your body is still in the throws of adjusting to the larger dose so the drop back will just confuse it for a few more days. Any dose change up or down takes four days to become steady state in the blood, during which time it can make you feel all sorts of different sensations. Once it's steady state the symptoms can settle out and "normalize". So Once you're back to the 50mg you will have to let things settle out for a few weeks. I really hate to suggest a 10% taper for some one who has been on for such a short time. Once you're stable on 50mg I would try decreasing by 10mg every three weeks and see how you tolerate that. Then we can adjust as we need to. You will need to keep the klonopin at a steady dose through out and once you're off the Zoloft we can address that issue. Klonopin 1.5 mg since 2012 Zoloft 25mg from 2/3/16-2/9/16 50mg from 2/9/16-2/24/16 100mg from 2/25/16-2/7/16 Now back on 50mg starting 2/28/16 due to side effects Link to comment
Katrina Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Thanks for the input! I was also thinking to go down to 50 starting tomorrow. We'll see how it goes! Klonopin 1.5 mg since 2012 Zoloft 25mg from 2/3/16-2/9/16 50mg from 2/9/16-2/24/16 100mg from 2/25/16-2/7/16 Now back on 50mg starting 2/28/16 due to side effects Link to comment
Katrina Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi Katrina (I love your name), Could you go to 75 then 50, using the 50 mg tablets? Like Brassmonkey said, you've been on it such a short time and that's good news. (Can I ask a related question here? I started Zoloft as a cross-taper w/Paxil. I've been on it about less than a year. I want to get off Zoloft and Paxil. I'm thinking of holding on Paxil because it is giving me a lot of trouble this far down (only 1.2 mg.). So I thought I would start tapering the Zoloft. Since I've been on it less than a year, wondering if it sounds reasonable to go from 100 to 75, then do 10% from there. I don't want to do 10% unless I NEED to.) Klonopin 1.5 mg since 2012 Zoloft 25mg from 2/3/16-2/9/16 50mg from 2/9/16-2/24/16 100mg from 2/25/16-2/7/16 Now back on 50mg starting 2/28/16 due to side effects Link to comment
Katrina Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi SkyBlue, and thank you! I'm just going to go straight back to 50 and take it from there. The side effects of this medication are really taking a toll on me. I'll update on how it goes. Thanks again! Klonopin 1.5 mg since 2012 Zoloft 25mg from 2/3/16-2/9/16 50mg from 2/9/16-2/24/16 100mg from 2/25/16-2/7/16 Now back on 50mg starting 2/28/16 due to side effects Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SkyBlue Posted February 27, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2016 Sounds good. Let us know! 2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever. 2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds. 2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better. Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.) "You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Fresh Posted February 28, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 28, 2016 Hi Katrina , welcome , glad you found us As brassmonkey suggested , to go back to 50 after just 3 days on 75mg is your best bet to stop the anxiety and other symptoms that have developed since increasing. It may take a week or more for your symptoms to settle , but they will. Try to use the minimum extra klonipin . . . it just makes another problem. Please could you fill in your signature with your drug history - it comes up each time you post Please put your withdrawal history in your signature Skyblue , please could you repost your question on your thread. Doing a big cut after 3 days is a whole different thing than when you've been taking something for 12 months. Best wishes , Fresh 1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg 2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months. July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months. Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg. October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive. March 2016 , 21mg Link to comment
Colonial Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Hi Katrina, How are you feeling? Starting ds 2 (12.5 CR'S) = 25 MG PAXIL CR 1/21/15: 1 Pill + 10mg liquid (2 weeks) 2/4: 1 Pill + 9mg Lq (3 weeks) 2/25: 1 Pill + 8 mg lq (1 week) 3/4: 1 Pill + 6 mg lq (2 weeks) 3/18/15 1 Pill + 4 mg lq (2 weeks) 4/1/15 1 Pill + 3 mg lq (2 weeks) 4/14/15 1 Pill + 2 mg lq (2 weeks) 4/29/15 1Pill + 1 mg lq (16 days) 5/15/15 1 12.5 mg Pill ONLY (9 days) 5/24/15 12 mgs liquid (8 days) 6/1/15 11mg lq (12 days) 6/13/15 10 mg. 12/3/15 Drop from 8mg to 7.6 (24 days to) 12/27/15 7.2mgs 8/4/16 6.8mgs, 11/1/16 6.4mgs, 2/5/17 6 mgs 4/3/17 5.6mgs, 4/24/17 5.2mg, 6/13/17 4.8mgs, 9/20/17 4.4mgS, 11/23/17 4 mgs, 1/1/18 3.6 mgs, 2/15/18 3.2 mgs. 4/13/18 2.8mgs, 5/11/18 2.4mgs, 6/10/18 2.0 mgs, 8/4/18 1.6mgs, 9/27/18 1.2mgs, 12/24/18 0.8mg, 3/24/19 0.64 mg,(syringe change issue date?) 4/22/19 0.60 mg, 5/24/19 0.60 mg, 7/7/19 0.52 mgs, 8/4/19 0.44mgs, 11/4/19 0.36mgs, 2/1/20 0.28mgs, 3/1/20 0.24mgs (crash April 6) Compound started 6/28/21: 0.24mgs, 8/29/21: 0.22mgs, 10/31/21: 0.20mgs, 1/03/22: 0.18mgs, 3/5/22: 0.16mgs, 5/5/22: 0.14mgs. Original Wellbutrin Dose: 6 months from 9/14 to 3/2015, 300 XL 3/15/15: Half to 150 XL ( severe symptoms started on day 12) 4/16/15: 125mg for 20 days to: 5/6/15: 100mg for 15 days to: 5/21/15 75mg for 10 days to: 6/1/15: 56.25mg 13 days to: 6/13/15: 37.25mg 7 days to: 6/20/15 28.12mg 14 days to: 7/4/15 18.75mg, 7 days to: 7/11/15; RAISE BACK TO: 28.12 to 8/14/15: 18.75mg 20 days to :9/3/15 : 12.5mg, 8/4/16 9mg 1/9/17: 8.5mg 2/8/17 8mg, 3/9/17: 7.6 4/9/17 7.2 5/27/17 6.4 6/24/17 5.8, 8/1/17 5.0, 8/29/17 4.2mgs, 10/2/17 3.5mgs, 12/28/17 2.5mgs, 2/27/18 1.7mgs, 4/19/18 0.8 mgs, LAST DOSE: 6/11/18: 3 YEARS, 2 MONTHS, 27 DAYS... Link to comment
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