Benzos Klonopin - what is "normal" withdrawal

[jdnyc74]

Hi folks. Been reading the posts here for a few weeks getting ready to come off Kpin. I've been on "low" once daily dose for about a year. 1mg for a while, then .5, and most recently .25 for sleep. I took my last .25 about 8 or 9 days ago. Felt absolutely fine for a week, but 3 days ago started to feel like I had a cold (I don't) and general cloudy feeling. Lethargic, sweating like crazy, etc. I realize the half life of the drug probably kept me going for a while, but now it's withdrawing and hence the symptoms. I'm pretty sensitive to meds and stuff, so I'm not surprised I'm feeling this way, just want to know if it's in line to pass soon

I am still able to get out and squeeze a workout in, run for a few miles - but in general I'm feeling pretty gross.

Question: Is this a normal feeling 8 days after last dose. Can I expect it to get worse from here? I drink tons of water and try to stay active. I'm in recovery from other stuff (non opiate/benzo) for about 11 years, so can't really take anything to cut this.


Any responses are appreciated.

J.

 

[jamesBrown]

Yea the half life of klonopin is one of the reasons its my favorite benzo... but it can also cause problems as a result. In my opinion, it's very possible the effects your feeling could get worse. And it's also very possible that you will be feeling shitty(WD) for a while longer(exactly how long is hard to say and depends on a lot of personal factors).

It's best, when stopping a benzo regimen, to taper.... so as to prevent any avoidable side effects such as common WD pain/symptoms, seizures(although unlikely at your low dose), etc.. IMO it would be best to find some kind of benzo(Klonopin, Xanax, Alprazolam, Ativan, etc.) to help you taper down to no benzos... over the course of a week at least. Doing this should prevent you from having to deal with any moderate to severe/dangerous WD side effects.

If you have absolutely no way of getting any benzos to help you taper, then, to be honest, I can't remember exactly what other easily accessible medications/OTC drugs could help you(although I'm sure there are at least a few things that could benefit you that I'm just not remembering at the moment [I'm currently "feelin' good" from a high dose of kpins which is more that likely limiting my cognitive functions]). Hopefully someone else will chime in with more helpful information.
Good Luck.