Ok about 10/11 weeks ago my doc started me on 20 mg Celexa and 1 mg of Klonopin. Honestly some days i took the klonopin in the morning somedays split it up or somedays take an extra .5 if anxiety was bad(doc said i could). I really didnt realize i need to have a steady stream in my blood til i started looking up help to get off of it! I have spoke with my doc to stop the klonopin now and he said just go ahead and stop or take ,25 for a few days then quit. After reading everything i knew that wasnt a good idea. I tried to taper myself but ended up a mess called doc and all he did was add ambien at night so i could sleep.so now i could really use your help on here for the people who know about it. How do i taper off this stuff. I only have the 1 mg pills. First do i need to stabilize myself at a normal dose? I want off this stuff as quickly as possible but also dont want to feel like i am out of control ( i have 2 kids). Like i said its been about 11 weeks on this. I am still on the celexa and ambien just about every other night. I know norhing about this stuff and really need advice to get off this safely. Thank so much and God bless!!!!!
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BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards
klonopin..What to do now?? advice please
- Thread starter momof2003
- Start date
Well, if you've been taking at least 1 mg daily, you can reduce a little below that right off. Try 0.25 mg (quarter tablet) three times a day for one week, then try 0.25 two times a day for one week, then try jumping off, it should be a little easier. You have been on them for a little under 3 months, so I wouldn't so worried about a seizure if you aren't prone to seizures already. Ambien is just like a benzo (the class of drug which Klonipin belongs to). Ambien is addictive, make no mistakes about it. Honestly, if you want to get off benzos all together, I wouldn't use the Ambien, give it to someone who has a script for it or something. But, you could use the Ambien, though through some of the wd's you may find yourself using it everynight in larger doses than rx'd. And then your sleep is even more screwed up. If you could to just stick to using it as needed, and not every night it could be okay, but that is your choice. Just some advice, your doctor shouldn't have told you to just go off it. That is very irresponsible.
Thanks so you guys so much responding!! When i was tryingto taper myself like i said was a complete disaster my main problem was shakiness. It was bad but i guess i was trying to hurry and get off this stuff. The doc wanted me to take it the celexa kicked in andeverytimei went he would say dont stop the klonopin now give it a little while longer. Well here i am at 11 weeks!! And feel hopless cause of all the bad stories i have read. Besides like i said i know nothing about this stuff and how to stop. Also last night was only the 2ndtime i have used the ambien since i got it last tuesday.
Yes i know thays what i thought! Shakes and jitterness after 2 months but thats what happened when i tried to lower myself but i have always been one of those that meds affect different. As far as diet i do eat pretty healthy although did cut out coffee awhile back
Pjkt2501
Bluelighter
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For me, no, but everyone is different. You may or may not find you can do it, in which case you should prolong / ease your taper a bit further / more.
I'm also a bit used to WD'ing from opiates, so a low-dose benzo WD isn't something I much notice.
I'm also a bit used to WD'ing from opiates, so a low-dose benzo WD isn't something I much notice.
hi momof2003-
just wanted to share my experience with you... i've been a 'lurker' here at bluelight for several years- i read and learn but rarely post- so rarely in fact that i had to re-register a day or so ago...
anyway, my suggestion for you - in addition to tapering your dose, you might try to take your klonopin every other day & see how that feels for you. it has worked pretty well for me over the years. i'm sure someone here can speak to this in a little more detail... 10-12weeks is a relatively short time so that definitely counts in your favor.
hope this helps and things go well - getting off the kpin sooner rather than later is a good idea, but you don't want to rush it too much - the full blown w/d is hell on earth. good luck!
just wanted to share my experience with you... i've been a 'lurker' here at bluelight for several years- i read and learn but rarely post- so rarely in fact that i had to re-register a day or so ago...
anyway, my suggestion for you - in addition to tapering your dose, you might try to take your klonopin every other day & see how that feels for you. it has worked pretty well for me over the years. i'm sure someone here can speak to this in a little more detail... 10-12weeks is a relatively short time so that definitely counts in your favor.
hope this helps and things go well - getting off the kpin sooner rather than later is a good idea, but you don't want to rush it too much - the full blown w/d is hell on earth. good luck!
Thank you! I just want off this stuff! I am also one of these people that you have to show me a taper schedule day by day or i will totally forget and freak out! Can any one help me with this? What should i start at and how long to stay there then go down to what from there?? Should i take it 2 times a day or once? I am totally lost and feel stupid cause i have never been in this situation before and never want to again!!! Thank you guys
Pjkt2501
Bluelighter
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We'll work through this with ya, no worries! It's what we're here for as a harm-reduction / support message board. 
Given that you're at 1mg/day (taken when? .5am, .5pm? 1mg AM and that's it?) we need to work you down by a slow, consistent percentile of dosing.
If you're starting at 1mg/day in the AM, try taking .5 in the AM, and .5 in the PM for 2 days, then .5 in the AM, and .25 in the PM. Day after that do the same. When you reply with your current schedule I'll happily draw you up a quick diagram that ought to help. You will likely end up modifying it slightly, but what good plan isn't twisted a little for every individual?
As an aside - have you heard of, or read, the "Ashton's Manual" (I believe is the title) - I haven't personally read it, but it's commonly mentioned around here as an excellent guide to clinically safe benzo taper (usually regarding patients w/ a greater level of intake than where you are currently).
Given that you're at 1mg/day (taken when? .5am, .5pm? 1mg AM and that's it?) we need to work you down by a slow, consistent percentile of dosing.
If you're starting at 1mg/day in the AM, try taking .5 in the AM, and .5 in the PM for 2 days, then .5 in the AM, and .25 in the PM. Day after that do the same. When you reply with your current schedule I'll happily draw you up a quick diagram that ought to help. You will likely end up modifying it slightly, but what good plan isn't twisted a little for every individual?
As an aside - have you heard of, or read, the "Ashton's Manual" (I believe is the title) - I haven't personally read it, but it's commonly mentioned around here as an excellent guide to clinically safe benzo taper (usually regarding patients w/ a greater level of intake than where you are currently).
Pjkt2501
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2011
- Messages
- 2,879
next I'd recommend taking .5 a few hours later in the morning (instead of 8am, maybe 11-12), and then .25mg at night for a couple days, then .25 morning and evening, then just .25 once per day (in the middle), then every other day (.25) if you're still feeling the need to slowly taper. At that point you should be in the clear to hop off. There will be a few days of discomfort, but nothing you can't handle.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Tripman
Bluelight Crew
Honestly you have nothing to worry about in regards to seizures. You are not at risk. Take this from someone with more Benzo experience than anyone ever needs.
Ok well this is the 3rd day of .5 in morning and pm. Things got really uncomfortable around 1 and i had to take an extra .5 i know there will be some discomfort but does anyone think this will set me back any? Also have not been able to sleep so tonight should i try the ambien the doc gave for when i couldnt sleep? If so do i go ahead and take my .5 tonight withit? This is so confusing!
LSDiesel
Bluelighter
this is probably totally out of line, but what about taking something spiritual akin to acid or mushrooms for a 6 to 12 hour detox self therapy session. I know you have kids so its probably very hard to find that kind of time, let alone the substances, but just a thought
Tripman
Bluelight Crew
I would just like to point out that if you have questions regarding dosing your meds. Talk to your doctor. Don't ask people on the internet.