lawschoolmom: tapering klonapin

[lawschoolmom]

Hey everyone, I have been in a slow taper for about a year and a half from 2mg of Klonapin to .25 for about a month now. When I decreased from .5 to .25 I suffered terrible withdrawal symptoms. I am just starting to feel a little better, but I want to plan for my next decrease and I am having a very difficult time. My Dr has not recommended switching to diazepam and I don't want to make a change since I feel close to the finish line and I just picked up a refill. I am confused about the whole 10% reduction, because none of my dr's have been that specific about the decrease and obviously it will be a challenge with this medication and the small size of what I am working with. Could anyone offer advice on what this final stage should look like? I am not looking for medical advice, just a ballpark idea of how I should approach it. I have seen the mix it at home stuff above, and don't want to do that either. Should I find a compounding pharmacy? Am I as close to being done as I think or is the 10% thing mean I still have a while to go? I have been all over the web and spend considerable time on this forum today as well.

Thanks in advance!

Edited March 5, 2017 by scallywag
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[Ali4]

Welcome to SA ,

 

Your best bet is the benzo forum with your questions, lost of great help and support to get you through. Ali

[Shep]

Hi, lawschoolmom.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants from me, too. 

 

First, I want to ask about your d-Amphetamine salt combo/Adderall that you have listed in your signature.

 

From your signature, you started on Klonopin 5 years ago and stimulants 2.5 years ago. Is that correct? You may want to add dates in your signature (month and year), as that will help clarify.

 

Klonopin (and all benzodiazepines) can cause concentration problems, as well as depression (benzos are central nervous system depressants) and many people get diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, or Major Depression after long-term benzo use. This is not uncommon. 

 

And then a stimulant or antidepressant is added. This complicates things, especially with stimulants because they can cause insomnia, anxiety, and other effects.

 

So when you start decreasing the benzo, the side effects of the stimulants become problematic, including insomnia, anxiety, etc. 

 

You may wish to come off the stimulant first. Here is a great thread that explains this in more detail:

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

And here is some information on tapering Adderall:

 

Tips for tapering off amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) 

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Using a digital scale to measure doses

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

And information on withdrawal syndrome. Although a lot of this is about antidepressant withdrawal, all psychiatric drugs can incur a windows and waves pattern of withdrawal:

 

What is withdrawal syndrome? 

 
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

I'm also going to link some great information on ADD/ADHD. Robert Whitaker is a Pulitzer-nominated journalist and has written extensively about this and other issues in the area of so-called mental illness:

 

Anatomy of an Epidemic - Book

 

 

 

 

Robert Whitaker - Medicating ADHD - Video (42 minutes)

 

In your signature, you state that your ADD was trauma-induced. Many of us are dealing with issues of trauma and find that trauma-sensitive yoga, mindfulness meditation, Tai Chi, and other non-drug treatments work far better than drugs. Here is a list of resources that may be useful:

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

As Ali mentioned, we do have a benzo area:

 

Members-only Benzo Forum

 

Ashton and Beyond in Benzo Tapering

 

This is a lot to read, so perhaps start with the first link on which drug to taper first, and let us know what you think. 

 

This is your thread to post updates and to ask plenty of questions. I'm glad you found us for information and support.