Withdrawing from Clonazepam!

@rosexthorn Said

Ok! My therapist put me on 4mgs of Clonazepam over 10 years ago. At that time I didn't even think of checking this drug up and reviewing it and all it's negative effects of long term or even short term use.

I have decided to wean myself off because for all these years I've been having 'hallucinations' to which I didn't even know they were hallucinations.

Now comes the hard part: The weaning off this drug. It comes with a high price and is very hard to get off completely. .05mgs of Clonazepam equals 10mgs of Valium so weaning or cutting off cold turkey is very, very mind f***ing thing to do to say the least.

Why do MD's nonchalantly put you on prescribed drugs and then just leave it without a care to the long term effects of their patients I haven't a clue.

My question is if anyone has any pertinent information that will help in my quest to wean off this drug I would greatly appreciate the support and advice. If not, then I will continue to cross this bridge by myself and learn as I go..

Thanks to anyone that can provide me with some helpful tips and advice on experiences or knowledge of what I am really in for or just the moral support because God knows there's no help out there for someone who wants to wean off a prescribed drug.

I'm already noticing the major headaches, the dizziness daily, the mental focus which is almost nil and the feeling of having no emotions. Anything to support would be greatly appreciated.

@Bukwis Said

Talk to your pharmacist. He has more knowledge of the drug than your therapist does. He'll be able to tell you the best way to come off it.

It might also be a good idea to see if there is an alternative that can achieve the same results without the side effects.

Good luck with getting it sorted, I sympathize with your struggle, I am a recovering addict myself, and withdrawal can be nasty.

@Bukwis Said

Talk to your pharmacist. He has more knowledge of the drug than your therapist does. He'll be able to tell you the best way to come off it.

It might also be a good idea to see if there is an alternative that can achieve the same results without the side effects.

Good luck with getting it sorted, I sympathize with your struggle, I am a recovering addict myself, and withdrawal can be nasty.

@plebian_angel Said

Horrible advice! The poster should talk to their doctor!

@treebee Said

To be fair if its the same doctor that put her on it in the first place then he/she is likely to tell her just to carry on taking it.

A second opinion definitely. Pharmacists are good for advice. But could not give rehab support.

@rosexthorn Said

I am weaning by .05 every month and have gotten to 1.025mgs if that makes any sense. I do feel the withdrawals very strong but am wondering if I should go any lower of stay right here. I'm so confused and talking to the doc will be to no avail..

@plebian_angel Said

Then you go to a second doctor. Pharmacists are not allowed to prescribe medicine.

@treebee Said

true, they cannot prescribe.

Like I say they are good for advice but no good for rehab.

In the UK pharmacists do medication reviews and do make suggestions on lowering doses of long-term medication or replacing medication. Ultimatley it is the decision of the prescriber.

I do not think asking a pharmacist is horrible advice.