Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Vesper on March 13, 2000, at 23:29:07
I took 2mg klono a day for 2 years, then for the past year I have been on 1mg a day, with some major overdoses occasionally. I really have no idea how much is in my body. I have no psytx right now, and I want to get off Klonopin anyway. I have been taking .5mg/day since I left the hospital saturday. Last time I went from .5 to zero, I had horrible withdrawals for almost 2 months. I seem to remember that I tried alcohol to help me thru but it didnt help. Is there any other med that can be temporarily used for the w/d symptoms, such as ativan, that won't have the same problem when I stop it? ALso, for those of you who know me, I think the neurontin I was taking may have caused a lot of my recent problems, because I can trace my noncompliance with treatment to soon after I started it, and since I have been off of it, I have felt steadily better. Too bad it's too late, UCLA has already thrown me to the wolves. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to think that they gave up on me because I was acting in a manner which was influenced by the medication THEY gave me...I know I bear the responsibility, but after talking to others about neurontin, I found corroborration of the effect it was having on me, negatively. Sorry for the long post, I really want to know how to get off of klono. If I run out and have w/d as bad as I used to, I will do something stupid, like use illegal drugs or injure myself badly, and at this point I want to avoid that...
Posted by JanetR on March 14, 2000, at 0:41:24
In reply to My Klonopin problem, etc., posted by Vesper on March 13, 2000, at 23:29:07
> I took 2mg klono a day for 2 years, then for the past year I have been on 1mg a day, with some major overdoses occasionally. I really have no idea how much is in my body. I have no psytx right now, and I want to get off Klonopin anyway. I have been taking .5mg/day since I left the hospital saturday. Last time I went from .5 to zero, I had horrible withdrawals for almost 2 months. I seem to remember that I tried alcohol to help me thru but it didnt help. Is there any other med that can be temporarily used for the w/d symptoms, such as ativan, that won't have the same problem when I stop it? ALso, for those of you who know me, I think the neurontin I was taking may have caused a lot of my recent problems, because I can trace my noncompliance with treatment to soon after I started it, and since I have been off of it, I have felt steadily better. Too bad it's too late, UCLA has already thrown me to the wolves. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to think that they gave up on me because I was acting in a manner which was influenced by the medication THEY gave me...I know I bear the responsibility, but after talking to others about neurontin, I found corroborration of the effect it was having on me, negatively. Sorry for the long post, I really want to know how to get off of klono. If I run out and have w/d as bad as I used to, I will do something stupid, like use illegal drugs or injure myself badly, and at this point I want to avoid that...
Dear Vesper, I wish I could help you . Your situation sounds Kafkaesque. I don't understand why your country , which is by far the richest in the world, hasn't got a better health system.All I can do is think of you in my prayers and hope that a solution to your problem appears Take care and good luck Jan
Posted by kellyR. on March 14, 2000, at 18:18:53
In reply to My Klonopin problem, etc., posted by Vesper on March 13, 2000, at 23:29:07
> I took 2mg klono a day for 2 years, then for the past year I have been on 1mg a day, with some major overdoses occasionally. I really have no idea how much is in my body. I have no psytx right now, and I want to get off Klonopin anyway. I have been taking .5mg/day since I left the hospital saturday. Last time I went from .5 to zero, I had horrible withdrawals for almost 2 months. I seem to remember that I tried alcohol to help me thru but it didnt help. Is there any other med that can be temporarily used for the w/d symptoms, such as ativan, that won't have the same problem when I stop it? ALso, for those of you who know me, I think the neurontin I was taking may have caused a lot of my recent problems, because I can trace my noncompliance with treatment to soon after I started it, and since I have been off of it, I have felt steadily better. Too bad it's too late, UCLA has already thrown me to the wolves. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to think that they gave up on me because I was acting in a manner which was influenced by the medication THEY gave me...I know I bear the responsibility, but after talking to others about neurontin, I found corroborration of the effect it was having on me, negatively. Sorry for the long post, I really want to know how to get off of klono. If I run out and have w/d as bad as I used to, I will do something stupid, like use illegal drugs or injure myself badly, and at this point I want to avoid that...
vesper,If there's no way of staying on meds then you can try stopping by taking every other day for a weeek,then every two days for a week & so on.If you think you need meds you can try the health food store maybe something like ST. Johns wort/ I took it for two yrs & it's not that much money.But it did work.Good luck
Posted by PL on March 15, 2000, at 12:03:39
In reply to My Klonopin problem, etc., posted by Vesper on March 13, 2000, at 23:29:07
I read posts in here about taking less and less by cutting the pill in half, then quarters, smaller and smaller pieces, then every other day for a while, then every third until you eventually forget to take it.
As far as your UCLA experience goes, write them a letter just like you did on your post here, explaining what happened with the neurontin. CC it to everyone with some type of authority there and to your state medical board, US medical board, etc. (This project, if you do it, will make you feel better too!)
If you get no results and want to go further, see if you can get a legal aid lawyer to help you. Or perhaps this should be your FIRST step. Revenge is sweet. And anyway they were WRONG to do what they did to you!
Posted by judy on March 16, 2000, at 11:43:27
In reply to My Klonopin problem, etc., posted by Vesper on March 13, 2000, at 23:29:07
Hi,
Klonopin was by far the toughest drug I've ever tapered off. I was up to 8-10mgs/day and went down 10% a week until I got to the 2mgs/day range when things got really tough. JL had a good suggestion with cutting the tabs in 1/4s, etc and giving your body at least a week to adjust to each step. I had help from my pharmacist for some of the drugs I was on- when I got to low doses I crushed them and filled empty capsules with part- maybe he/she can help you with that. I think the insomnia is probably the worst part when you are cutting down such low dosages, which totally colors your mood. Are you on social security yet? If not, I strongly urge you to apply, it sounds like you are having a great deal of difficulty functioning. There has to be some kind of mental health clinic which works on a sliding scale in your area, you really need psychological support now, especially after the way UCLA treated you. I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this. Take care.
Posted by Jynxxx on August 9, 2000, at 17:43:59
In reply to Re: My Klonopin problem, etc., posted by JanetR on March 14, 2000, at 0:41:24
I was just recently given a perscription for Klonopin, and i wasn't told much about it other then it would make me sleepy if i took too much. i was hoping to find some more information on it but i'm having a bit of a hard time doing so. From what I've read so far, it seems to be rather addictive and whatnot so perhaps some of you could tell me of it's good and bad points? any information supplied would be welcome, as well as advice. i'm not sure of the dosage because i cannot read the doctor's hand writting (big surprise there) but i'm sure the pharmacist will read it just fine. I will be sure to check in a couple days from now.
Posted by shar on August 9, 2000, at 23:04:05
In reply to Re: My Klonopin problem, etc., posted by Jynxxx on August 9, 2000, at 17:43:59
I've been using Klonopin (clonazepam) for several years to help me sleep at night. It can also be used for anxiety. If people take it in the daytime they usually take it 2 or 3 times a day, not all at once in the morning.
It's usual use, I believe, is for help in seizure disorders. I started with .5 mg at night. I went up to 1 mg. and have stayed there about 4 years I think. I will take more if I'm wired or something and can't sleep. Occasionally, I have taken .5 mg if I am super anxious and won't be driving anywhere.
It is supposed to be "addictive"--your body gets used to having it, so stopping its use cold turkey can cause negative reactions. Never stop a psych drug cold turkey! Taper off over time.
There is a lot of variation in psych. meds--their effects can be very different for different people. You may want to look at psycho-babble tips or links; or try both generic and brand name searches.
I'm sure more people will reply to this with better info than I have.
Shar
> I was just recently given a perscription for Klonopin, and i wasn't told much about it other then it would make me sleepy if i took too much. i was hoping to find some more information on it but i'm having a bit of a hard time doing so. From what I've read so far, it seems to be rather addictive and whatnot so perhaps some of you could tell me of it's good and bad points? any information supplied would be welcome, as well as advice. i'm not sure of the dosage because i cannot read the doctor's hand writting (big surprise there) but i'm sure the pharmacist will read it just fine. I will be sure to check in a couple days from now.
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