Posted by Dave001 on September 27, 2004, at 14:13:39
In reply to Clonazepam - Really hard to get off it?, posted by zuzu80 on September 25, 2004, at 12:55:20
> Hello everyone,
>
> I been experimenting with Clonazepam for my Social Anxiety and it looks like 1 to 1.5 or even 0.5 mg a day can do wonders to me! However I am worried about the withdrawal when I decide to get off it.
>
> I am considering taking it daily and for a period from 6 months to a year or more. But I get discouraged by the HORROR stories of Clonazepam withdrawal. Is it true that one can never stop taking it ?!
>
> From medical/scientific litterature it looks optimistic. One can discontinue taking it if withdrawal is done VERY gradually. Like going down 0.125 mg every 2-4 weeks. I am prepared for that but not to be forced to continue taking it for the rest of my life (I am just 22).
>
> Please share your experiences and ideas...
>
> Hugs,
> ChristineHi Christine,
There are horror stories all over the Internet concerning nearly every medication. What you have to keep in mind is that the people who don't experience any dramatic problems discontinuing aren't going to spend time creating anti-drug web sites and complaining endlessly on message boards, so what you are reading is really coming from a very vocal minority. The degree of withdrawal is directly proportional to the rate at which it is withdrawn. I doubt anyone whom has reduced their dosage by 0.01 mg/day has experienced any withdrawal effects. Sure, that's an extreme, but it illustrates my point. It also helps to switch to an equipotent dose of Valium prior to discontinuation, because it is extremely long acting. Some places that cite its duration don't take into account its active metabolite, nordiazepam, which has an even longer half-life than its parent compound.
Dave
poster:Dave001
thread:394870
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040927/msgs/395812.html