tracerb
Board Addict
Reged: 03/21/03
Posts: 322
Loc: USA
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I have to admit after taking klonopin for 4 years straight I have no idea what it's like to come off it. I have no idea how long the physical symptoms last which is what I'm most concerned with. I've heard they can last weeks. I guess I would be interesteding knowing how long the acute symptoms last. When I inquired about using other benzos to get off, I was not saying using them all the time, but only when thing got very rough with Klonopin.
Here is my story. Through some rather nasty set of circumstances as I was trying to get help for some "problems" (yea drug problems...I know people hate that term but that is the only thing that describes it in my case), I was stuck into a "detox" cell at the County jail. Suffice it to say that to date it was the worst 24 hours of my life but I am not off Hydro though still acute, but I'm also pretty much off Klonopin. Getting off that drug has been nemesis for me for a long time now. I am presribed it theraputically but as I pointed out in other threads have abused it to the limit.
I guess I would like to know first hand from people who've had similar experiences (been on it a long time and now free of it) share them if they would. PM is fine with me if you don't want to share here. I took a 1 mg of diazepam this morning and though my body is still suffering some lingering effects of hydro detoxification (I was taking 400 mg a day...via a method DB would not want me to name here), I feel now as though my ordeal in a cell detoxing on cement blocks is at a point where I COULD get off klonopin. I've had no PAs thus far and as far a lingering mental effects, I am very emotional, if only because my experience made grateful for smallest things in life such as a BED.
I cannot beging to describe the horrific conditions in that cell. A toilet you not use for no. 2 because it was flooded and the staff would nothing for it (they don't give a Best if kept off the board). It's no wonder the Vermont prision system is under heavy scrutiny from the human rights commission.
Any experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 320
Loc: Midwest
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Thank you for your candor and GOOD LUCK!!!   
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If it's not immediate, it's not gratification.
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Skylark
Member
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 114
Loc: California
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Congrats to you for such strength through a tough time!!
I can relate - somewhat. From 1990-1993 I took Klonopin, 1 mg per day in the evening for sleep. I remember just stopping it (cold turkey) and being naive abot any withdrawal...well, I didn't experience much w/d except for mild anxiety!! I don't know why I didn't have any other symptoms, but maybe that was just me....
I take Klonopin now along with Zyprexa for Bipolar Disorder and Panic Attacks. I taper every now and again off the Klonopin, but as I said before the Zyprexa makes me so sedated, I don't get w/d.....and my psych told me I wouldn't feel "any w/d" (whatever that means!!) because of it.
Me - I don't know why my body reacts differently to medications - Goddess knows because of the BP disorder I have tried most meds out there!!
Good luck!! 
Hugs,
Skylark
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"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"....-E. Roosevelt
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rex
Enthusiast
Reged: 01/29/03
Posts: 219
Loc: U.S.
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Tracerb - Sorry to hear about your problems. I have been taking Klonopin 2mg at bedtime for insomnia for 4 years (my primary care doctor actually prescribes it!)
About 2 years into my Klonopin usage, I let my script run out and did not bother calling the doctor to get a new one (I had no idea how dangerous this was). So I went from 2mg Klonpin per day to 0mg Klonopin per day in one day. I was "sick" (i.e. mainly very weak) for about 10 days. I am so dumb that I did not even realize at the time I was going through serious benzo withdrawls , otherwise I would have quickly gotten some more Klonopin.
Hope that helps, and PM me if I cn be of more help.
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AFI
Member
Reged: 04/05/02
Posts: 122
Loc: West Coast
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I have been taken Klonopin 1mg twice a day for anxiety/panic disorder for 2 years. Be VERY careful stopping cold turkey! This is how you get an ambulance ride to the ER! Even if you've never had a siezure before, your chances go up ten fold just by stopping your Klonopin cold turkey! If you do stop taking Klonopin make sure you taper really, really slowly. And if you have no chance, and need to stop cold turkey, Make sure you have some Valium, Xanax, ect. on hand to taper off. Klonopin is a great drug for anxiety/Panic disorders, but is really dangerous to stop or run out without tapering. Hope this helps. - AFI
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Spinerval
Member
Reged: 04/20/02
Posts: 192
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Brain Talk Communities at Massachusettes General Hospital I hope that link works. I am trying to get you to the MGH Brain Talk site. They have both an Addiction site w/an expert (Fred) and a Chronic Pain site, with numerous experts. Fred can provide you w/assistance in tapering off klonopin (very slowly). He'll do it by using an alarm clock and having you take your Klonopin at intervals further and further apart. Anyway, I've found this site to be invaluable. If I screwed up the link, I'd appreciate some technical assistance from ye' grand computer wizards.
S
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Spinerval
Member
Reged: 04/20/02
Posts: 192
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http://www.benzo.org.uk/
Here's a great link for benzo info, crossover, and wd. Benzo.org
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Sky_Queen
Fly Girl
Reged: 12/03/02
Posts: 1962
Loc: Texas
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I'm afraid I don't have any experiences to share with you, but I wanted to offer my support and tell you to hang in there, we're all here for you!
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