Klonipin

[Guest guest]

Has anyone taken Klonipin and had withdrawel from it? I'm only

taking .125 mg once a day to sleep, but I tried to stop taking it and

was so shaky the next day. I don't think I can get any lower dose,

it's 1/4 of 1 pill. Do I just have to tough it out and put up with

the shakiness?

Kathy

[Guest guest]

yes there are withdrawal symptoms, I was on Kolonopin for 4

months and was tapering the whole time...

when I finally went off I got very sick again-- worse infact than I

was originally-- I rode it out, it was brutal but incredibly worth it..

my doctor said that I would need the drug the rest of my life...

I showed him-- its been over a month now, I stopped the lexapro

two weeks ago and I'm dealing with those withdrawal symptoms

which are different but just as intense, they're almost completely

gone -- I'm struggling with my underlying condition- depression

and anxiety- but I'm learning to deal without drugs and making

incredible strides....

I'm alert, animated and happy and my sex drive came back

the withdrawal is scary but believe me its temporary and is

preferable to a life of drug dependency...

you can do it, don't fear the shakes and all the other symptoms,

they will go away

don't be a slave to Big Pharma

I'm sending you my best wishes....

-A

> Has anyone taken Klonipin and had withdrawel from it? I'm

only

> taking .125 mg once a day to sleep, but I tried to stop taking it

and

> was so shaky the next day. I don't think I can get any lower

dose,

> it's 1/4 of 1 pill. Do I just have to tough it out and put up with

> the shakiness?

>

> Kathy

[Guest guest]

Sounds like Klonopin might do you some good given the description

of your symptoms. It's just the stopping part that might be hard

for you, but maybe not. Since you are going to switch to Flexeril,

you might be OK. I think a lot of docs put people on Klonopin (or

valium) and if they are doing good on it then the doc just keeps

on prescribing it. If you need something to calm your CNS, seems to

me that it is better to 'rotate' drugs than to stay w/ the same

thing long term. BTW, I didn't like Trazadone. I have a bunch

left, only took one or two.

Mike (I only take K for sleep, my CNS isn't bad-I still work)

> Hi Mike,

> I was instructed to take .5mg morning and night of Klonipin for

> sleep and to reduce CNS overactivation then either Flexeril (5mg

> moving up to 10mg after 30 days) at night for sleep and FM pains OR

> Trazadone (50mg moving up to 100mg) for sleep.

>

> These seem like low doses to me but I am not a big fan of

> pharmaceuticals so I really don't know.

>

> I am not sure if I know what normal CNS is since I got sick. You

> tend to forget what normal is like. I am very jumpy sometimes and

> startle easily. I have myoclonus before sleep and sometimes during

> day (not often). My adrenaline cycle is broken and when I get an

> adrenaline rush, it can take days to come back normal (actually, I

> crash, then sleep for two days) then I am normal. These are the

> things I associate with overactive CNS (plus sleeping and circadian

> rythym being off).

>

> Do you know what makes your CNS more normal? Are you taking

> Klonipin?

>

> Marti

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Sounds like Klonopin might do you some good given the description

> of your symptoms. It's just the stopping part that might be hard

> for you, but maybe not. Since you are going to switch to Flexeril,

> you might be OK. I think a lot of docs put people on Klonopin (or

> valium) and if they are doing good on it then the doc just keeps

> on prescribing it. If you need something to calm your CNS, seems

to

> me that it is better to 'rotate' drugs than to stay w/ the same

> thing long term. BTW, I didn't like Trazadone. I have a bunch

> left, only took one or two.

>

> Mike (I only take K for sleep, my CNS isn't bad-I still work)

Hi Mike,

I wasn't very clear - Dr. Baraniuk wants me to take two drugs, one

is Klonipin and the other is either Flexeril OR Trazadone. I

haven't researched either one and will probably not take either of

these but I was open to the Klonipin due to the glutamate/brain

protection theories of Cheney.

1 mg per day doesn't sound like much to me but the bad withdrawal

sounds terrible (poked around in archives a little).

The Flexeril is supposed to be for sleep and for FM pain but I seem

to be doing okay with FM pain with Malic Acid, Magnesium and

Tramadol. I do really great with baking soda and water but nervous

about having low to no stomach acid already and having that make it

worse.

I would like to get off the Tramadol and am considering a TENS unit.

Not everything can be replaced by natural stuff but I am trying to

keep it to a minimum.

Marti

[Guest guest]

I have at least three patient horror stories re Klonopin in my files.

I hasten to add that I could write my own horror story on Lyrica

which is supposed to be safer. It ain't.

Here are the side effects. Please note that my file stories are

exactly like what they call RARE side effects. Please understand that

we are not well and the chance of every side effect being increased

is HUGE. I have never figured why Cheney thinks Klonopin protects the

brain. But then I still have a brain, or I like to think I do.

a Carnes

Side effects

Common:

Drowsiness

Impairment of cognition and judgment

Impaired motor function

Impaired coordination

Impaired balance

Dizziness

Anterograde amnesia (common with higher doses)

Rare:

Paradoxical Disinhibition [1] (Most frequently in children, the

elderly, and in persons with developmental disabilities)

Rage

Excitement

Irritability

Impulsivity

Some users report hangover-like symptoms of being drowsy, having a

headache, being sluggish, and irritable after waking up if the

medication is taken before sleep. This is likely the result of the

medication's long half-life which continues to affect the user after

they wake up as well as its disruption of the REM cycle.

Withdrawal-related:

Anxiety, irritability, insomnia

Panic attacks, tremor

Seizures similar to delirium tremens (With long-term use of excessive

doses)

> HI Marti

> & nbsp;

> Here's some info I gathered on Klonopin

> & nbsp;

> http://phoenix-cfs.org/TrtKlonopinhtm.htm

> & nbsp;

> I'm probably going to try it. & nbsp;

> & nbsp;

> Cort

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

Yep, Lyrica/Klonopin is an experiment in destruction. Just one

example. During the timeframe that a neurologist put me on Lyrica (he

has no clue what is causing my vestibular nerve damage and vertigo) I

developed rapidly growing cataracts in both eyes. Yes, the Lyrica

works amazingly well to calm nerve pain and enduce sleep. But this

comes at the price of damaged eyes. (Please note that cataracts are

a " rare " side effect of Lyrica.) I just don't want to be a human

experiment.

I don't think my post here is off topic! <grin - a sarcastic one>

a Carnes

>

> agree paula, this has been around a while but still experimental

in my opinion and a valid discussion, the benefits while on it are

usually wonderful and side effect somwhat limited, however it is

toxic and just like lyrica/ it is a benzo and difficult to get off.

Especially with us as we have more protracted withdrawls due to slow

detox and brain injury. I wen t through hell getting off ativan, n

ow im on 1mg of klonopin and trying to get off that slowly. .25mg a

moonth or slower. if oyou want to send private message thats fine.

[Guest guest]

>>> Yep, Lyrica/Klonopin is an experiment in destruction. <<<

I do not think it's fair o make such a declarative statement on this list.

particularly when I'm sure you're aware that Klonopin has been used successfully

by many CFS patients over the years to relieve some of the most horrific

symptoms we have.

A different matter is to post known side effects (common or rare), or one's own

individual adverse reaction (mild or severe), as you did re Lyrica. That is very

important information.

Klonopin is a top prescribed medication by Specialists in both CFS and Dystonia,

which I also have. I have seen scores of people's experiences for many many

years in both populations.

The range of results is as wide as the difference between night and day. I also

have personal friends who have had the very best, dramatic success, altering

their lives significnificantly in a positive way, and who've the most terrible

nightmare experiences (mainly in coming off of long term and not-low doses).

My own experience with Klonopin is that many years ago, with less knowledge

about dosing, I began on a " normal " dose. I experienced sedation and depression.

Therefore after a brief trial, I left it for years, never planning to go near it

again.

Due to serious concerns about progression of damage being reported in CFS

brains, and my horrible sensory overload, (plus other patient' positive

results), I re-visited Klonopin.

By then I had learned I am so exquisitely sensitive to drugs, that at miniscule

doses, I have rather immediate results, whether pro or con.

At extremely low dose, (1/4 of a .5, it instantly gave me a tool for the

horrible sensory overload. And an added one for my horrific muscle contractions.

I also have an improvement in cognitive and communicative skills.

Becasue of Dr. Cheney's use of it for Neuroprotection, I began with the same

dose at night, moving to .5 every night. When I skip it, my brain is again

over-firing the next day.

I use the 1/4 sometimes in the day time, and on ocassion a little more, or one

other dose.

I have never had any of the side effects on the list you posted.

Sometimes I would like to try more becasue of brain damage concerns and pain in

my brain.

But I've remained at this very cautious dose for 3 reasons:

A) My previous depression response

My MCS response to nearly everything

C) The horrific time that others have had in going off of it.

I prefer to use non-chemical interventions, so whenever possible I take those

that have worked, in addition or try new things. Blockers of NMDA receptors are

very helpful to me, and other things.

I always recommend that PWCs (or anyone) begin pharmaceuticals at far lower

doses than normally prescribed. Both to accurately monitor and prevent negative

effects, and becasue we often do not need more than minute doses to benefit.

If I know someone on Klonopin who has depression, I make sure to tell them my

experience, and watch for that myself.

a, over the years, you have rather adamantly recommended some

pharmaceuticals that many can not tolerate or which have caused serious damage

to some, even your own self.

I believe it's crucial, especially in such a sensitive and ill population, to

give a fully disclosed and balanced view of treatment results, pro and con,

stressing that individuals vary widely.

If we cannot do that, we should stick simply to *our own* experience, and as

fully disclosed as we are able/aware of.

Katrina

>

> Hey ,

> Yep, Lyrica/Klonopin is an experiment in destruction. Just one

> example. During the timeframe that a neurologist put me on Lyrica (he

> has no clue what is causing my vestibular nerve damage and vertigo) I

> developed rapidly growing cataracts in both eyes. Yes, the Lyrica

> works amazingly well to calm nerve pain and enduce sleep. But this

> comes at the price of damaged eyes. (Please note that cataracts are

> a " rare " side effect of Lyrica.) I just don't want to be a human

> experiment.

>

> I don't think my post here is off topic! <grin - a sarcastic one>

>

> a Carnes

>

>

> >

> > agree paula, this has been around a while but still experimental

> in my opinion and a valid discussion, the benefits while on it are

> usually wonderful and side effect somwhat limited, however it is

> toxic and just like lyrica/ it is a benzo and difficult to get off.

> Especially with us as we have more protracted withdrawls due to slow

> detox and brain injury. I wen t through hell getting off ativan, n

> ow im on 1mg of klonopin and trying to get off that slowly. .25mg a

> moonth or slower. if oyou want to send private message thats fine.

>

[Guest guest]

>>>> I have never figured why Cheney thinks Klonopin protects the brain. But

then I still have a brain, or I like to think I do. <<<<

Could you clarify this statement? Do you mean that you do not have

Neurocognitive brain symptoms, pain, over-firing, exitotoxic, or sensory

overload, found in PWCs?

Or that you have these, but tolerable, and with no progression, or what?

There is alot of documentation of brain problems in PWCs. Have you had any tests

such as SPECT scan , MRI, MRS, Neuropsychological, or other?

Without these symptoms or results, I can see why Klonopin would not be

indicated. Unless it was for Social anxiety or muscle contractions.

Katrina

>

> I have at least three patient horror stories re Klonopin in my files.

> I hasten to add that I could write my own horror story on Lyrica

> which is supposed to be safer. It ain't.

>

> Here are the side effects. Please note that my file stories are

> exactly like what they call RARE side effects. Please understand that

> we are not well and the chance of every side effect being increased

> is HUGE. I have never figured why Cheney thinks Klonopin protects the

> brain. But then I still have a brain, or I like to think I do.

> a Carnes

>

> Side effects

> Common:

>

> Drowsiness

> Impairment of cognition and judgment

> Impaired motor function

> Impaired coordination

> Impaired balance

> Dizziness

> Anterograde amnesia (common with higher doses)

> Rare:

>

> Paradoxical Disinhibition [1] (Most frequently in children, the

> elderly, and in persons with developmental disabilities)

> Rage

> Excitement

> Irritability

> Impulsivity

> Some users report hangover-like symptoms of being drowsy, having a

> headache, being sluggish, and irritable after waking up if the

> medication is taken before sleep. This is likely the result of the

> medication's long half-life which continues to affect the user after

> they wake up as well as its disruption of the REM cycle.

> Withdrawal-related:

>

> Anxiety, irritability, insomnia

> Panic attacks, tremor

> Seizures similar to delirium tremens (With long-term use of excessive

> doses)

>

> > HI Marti

> > & nbsp;

> > Here's some info I gathered on Klonopin

> > & nbsp;

> > http://phoenix-cfs.org/TrtKlonopinhtm.htm

> > & nbsp;

> > I'm probably going to try it. & nbsp;

> > & nbsp;

> > Cort

>