Klonopin withdrawal

[swimmy]

For my Video EEG, I saw a different doctor than usual. After I was finally released (6 days), she had me increase the Lamictal 50 mg. in the morning, and had stopped Klonopin while I was in the hospital.
I was down to a very small amount of Klonopin--.25 mg. once daily (noon). I have been taking it for a year or so. I was planning on weaning off, but wanted to wait until the video EEG was over. When she told me to stop the Klonopin I was going to ask about tapering, but honestly feel like it was such a small amount that it probably wouldn't make a difference.
I took my last dose of Klonopin 2 weeks ago today. Since then I've been very moody...snipping at everyone. Depressed, too.
I don't know if the moodiness and depression if from stopping the Klonopin or just from life.
I am planning to keep off the Klonopin regardless...I figure it can't last that much longer...can it???
Anyone have any experience with this?

[Ruth]

Hi swimmy

The doctor tapered me off of Klonopin while I was in the hospital. I am now down to 4 mg a day. Doctor's had tried for years off an on to wean me off of Klonopin. After 3 times of me being rushed to the hospital with seizures, they left me on it.

I am feeling better now that they have taken me off some of it. At first I was real moody and depressed and had all the same symptoms you are having. It depends on your system as to how long or short a time you have these symptoms. I would think it cannot last much longer.

My system does not do well being taken off of meds, even when I was younger.

[swimmy]

Thank you, Feast. It's good (I guess) to know that everything is related to the Klonopin, and hopefully it will be short-lived. Meanwhile I can barely stand myself...and I know my kids are sick of me and my husband is (blessfully) bearing with me.

Best of luck to you with your Klonopin issues. Are you replacing the Klonopin with another medication?

I think one of the good things that has come with my kids growing up watching my struggles is them seeing how much medications affect people--even small amounts.

Thanks again!
Anita

[Ruth]

Hi Anita

Mine is being changed with Keppra. He also wants to take me off of my Neurontin. I am on to many medicines. I just hope he does it right. I am elderly and would have preferred to stay status quo.

Your children will also see the struggles someone has to deal with when other people have to go through illnesses. They will understand it.

Thank you!
Ruth

[stilldancing_98]

It can take a long time to detox once your even off of it. I know I'm getting some counseling now after being taken off of a drug I was allergic to. It was so emotional, and it caused me to be anemic. Have your urine and blood levels checked. I demanded it. Teresa

[Ruth]

Hi stilldancing 98, My doctor urine and blood level checks me to death. I am anemic. Some medicines cause it. I will probably need counseling when they start taking me off of Neurontin. I have been on it for years and years. Plus, I found out that taking the elderly off of medicines lowers the threshold for seizures. Ruth

[Belinda5000]

I've tried coming off Klonopin 3 times and my seizures increase so bad that i can't come off.
Belinda

[stilldancing_98]

I am so sorry. I just got my real first dose of iron today. Well, last night so this is the first day I put make up on again and have some energy. Oh man that is so not fair. I'm praying for you. Teresa

[Ruth]

Belinda, I had the same thing happen to me. That is why my doctor had to wait until I was in the the hospital to take me off of 2 mg. I remember one night in the hospital that I knew I was going to have a seizure. I pressed for my nurse. 2 came in. One told the other not to give me the medicine because it was not on my list. The other nurse got mad and said, "no one is going to die on my shift." She was giving me the medicine while the other one was talking. I and they knew I was ready to go into status and she stopped it. Put me to sleep to. Ruth

[brain]

One thing about Klonopin / Clonazepam is, the titration
of being taken off must be done very slowly. It cannot
be a "quick" process or a weekly process, but a carefully
monitored process (everyone varies to the reaction to
this drug). Being taken off too quickly can actually
provoke seizures as well as other hideous side effects
and can possibly spell trouble as well.

You can do research on this medication. This is one
problem with Klonopin / Clonazepam - is that there is
a "dependency" for it. The body develops a dependency
on it... and it's like weaning the baby off the bottle to
a cup, a slow process. While true, some can go off of
it without too much problems, others it just takes more
time - for want of a better illustration.

[dealde]

I'm on Topamax and it's good as far as keeping the seizures away being that I only have them while I'm sleeping. It has it's good things and bad things about it. It keeps weight off of me and makes me lose weight (when needed) but it takes away a numerous amount of memory also. Does "Klonopin" do the same as far as memory loss?

[Ruth]

Hi dealde

Nice to meet you, welcome. I have never been on Topamax. I think I am the only one who hasn't. My doctor is in the process of weaning me off of Neurontin.

All medicines have caused me to lose memory. Klonpin by itself, I do not Know. I am on about 6 medicines for epilepsy. I am on Keppra, Klonopin, Neurontin, Lamictal, Lorazepam (only if I feel a seizure coming on), and Mysoline.

I have had seizures for about 59 years.

[brain]

I'm on Topamax and it's good as far as keeping the seizures away being that I only have them while I'm sleeping. It has it's good things and bad things about it. It keeps weight off of me and makes me lose weight (when needed) but it takes away a numerous amount of memory also. Does "Klonopin" do the same as far as memory loss?

Dealde!

Welcome to CWE, and you will find a post
that I have in here regarding to medications
over here on this thread:

EPILEPSY 101

And plus you will also learn other information there
as well. Unfortunately everyone is differing so what
applies to one individual does not necessarily mean
it will affect or effect you. For we are all unique and
are like snowflakes, for no two of us are alike.

Hope the above link will be of further assistance!