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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...

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Can Klonopin Cause Same ME/CFS Symptoms?

tiredbunni
tiredbunni
I know that Klonopin or (clonazepam) is physically addictive for long term use. I have been on it since 1992 for severe dizziness. It is scary to read (Phoenix Rising) that at the same dose that a person can go into withdrawals. Problem is how can a person tell when the withdrawal symptoms are the same as the illness?

When Medicare decided to take Klonopin and generic form off their list, my neurologist was going to write me another prescription for a new med. However, he never mentioned any weaning or tapering off the Klonopin. I was just to stopped it and start the new. I knew abruptly stopping the drug would cause withdrawal symptoms. I gone through some before when medicine got stolen. What's wrong with him? He would have put me through hell. I chose to pay for the Klonopin and not be taken off it that way. My dad thinks my doctor knows best and just listen blindly to him.

My memory is getting worse, I have weird almost like black-outs but not just weird things. I take 1mg 3 x day. I have not been raised in years but can't remember how long well at least 7 years at the dose. My dosage has been raised up, then down and up again. Discussion has anyone had problems with withdrawal symptoms, dependency with this drug? Have you been weaned off it? I like to hear your experiences.
ZenMaria
ZenMaria
hi tiredbunni! I take klonopin for sleep occasionally. Years ago I took it a few times a day for anxiety and abruptly stopped it on my own (bad idea!). I had a horrible time trying to sleep and heard great whoosing sounds in my ears. It is not a medication you should stop all at once, Your doctor should have told you this! Doctors love to prescribe you things but the reality of dependence and what/how to discontinue it are something some doctors seem in the dark about.
triunfadora
triunfadora
I had a doc do that with gabapentin and I had to find out online what the heck was wrong with me. Duh! I was in withdrawal. I'm sorry your doc didn't tell you that, but I'm glad you were sensible enough to do the right thing anyway.
tiredbunni
tiredbunni
Thank you guys for your reply. I just wondering if they way I'm feeling now is because of withdrawal symptoms and not ME/CFS symptoms. I just don't know and doesn't look like I'll get any help. I don't like being a drug so controlled. It like holding my breath that I will get that med because I know what will happen if I don't. I'm stuck with this neuro and no one else will prescribed it and I doubt they give me another benoz (Valium as taper) to get off it. Like you said they seem to be in the dark... thank goodness I can read and see the light.
ZenMaria
ZenMaria
Good luck to you! I hope your doctor takes these symptoms seriously. Feeling like your blacking out is serious and should not be happening to you. If your doctor says it's nothing maybe a new doctor with fresh eyes can shed new light on your situation.
2097Maris
2097Maris
If I were in your position I would talk with a pharmacist. They know TONS more about these drugs than many doctors do. AFter you get your questions answered from the pharrmacist (hopefully you have one you like and trust), you could bring that information back to your MD. If you are still uncomfortable with how your MD repsonds to you, get another opinion. You've got nothing to lose and you will gain peace of mind. These drugs are very powerful and if you've been on it for years, you will probably need to titrate off (taper) very gradually. It could take a good amount of time, and you should create a plan for how to do that with your MD IF that is what is called for. IF your MD neglected to tell you how to do that, I would seriously consider a new doc! Good luck to you!
Denise
VickiB
VickiB
2097 is absolutely correct. I worked in hospital units and even the docs said that the pharmacists knew more about drugs than they did. One doc I went to prescribed an anti-inflammatory even though I'm allergic to them. I took it to the drug store and the pharmacist asked me if the doc knew I was allergic to these drugs? I said she did.

I've been on Klonopin since 1997. I take it for Burning Mouth Syndrome and to help me sleep. I take a total of 2.5mg a day in 3 doses.
hollie9
hollie9
Do you mean you are getting withdrawal symptoms while taking the same dose? I've been taking 4 mg per night for about 20 years and never have had withdrawal symptoms, I don't think klonopin needs increased dosage to work.

I wouldn't take it during the day personally, it would make me tired and rummy. I take it at night so it can help with sleep. It was originally prescribed for my neurological symptoms like tinnitus, buzzing in my head, etc., not for sleep.

I've tried tapering this med by a sliver of a tab and felt I might jump out of my skin, so I think it must be a hard med to taper or get off of. A doctor that expects you to just stop it will send you to the ER and hospital I hear.

So I'm just staying with this med and dosage, it is working so why get off?
tiredbunni
tiredbunni
@hollie9: why get off? because I don't believe it is working anymore. And if I were to tell my neuro of my symptoms which is seeing how much weaker I become, he'll just bump the dose. Everybody tolerance is different and I'm not trying to convince any of you get off or stay. That is up to you. My starting dose was.5 twice a day in 1994 (got year wrong). I know that 3mg is the equal to 60 of generic Valium. My doctor has me taking through the day as prescribed. It's not for sleep. Yes, it's hard to get off this but I have already experience tolerance, dependence on this drug. I don't want to be harmed anymore.

I don't have pharmacist I know. Rx are mail order. But I can print out the Ashton Manual Schedule for Withdrawal and her credentials as leading expert in the world. I will find a way to get free of this. Thank you all for your input :)
tiredbunni
tiredbunni
I have started tapering of generic klonopin doing dry cuts with a plan schedule and necessary tools that I'll need for very small doses. I'm now at 2.75mg and will stay there for 2-4 weeks depending on withdrawal symptoms. I'm doing this very slowly as been on it a long time and to it make it safe as possible. On support groups on FB and BenzoBuddies.
hollie9
hollie9
Tired bunni, Good luck on the taper and please keep us posted about how it goes. I've been to Ashton site and Benzo Bunnies and they said one should switch to the comparable dosage of valium first which would be a real hassle and learning experience for most doctors. So I hope you can taper without much problem, I tapered off Xanax once and it was no problem but I'm fearful with Klonopin.

I'm now wanting to get off 10 mg of Ambien a night. I think it might be giving me some trouble I haven't been very aware of.

Anyway please keep us posted on this taper, I would really appreciate it.
tiredbunni
tiredbunni
I know trying to use Ashton manual is great if you find a doctor to help. I know mine make me go cold turkey. No Way!

I am on day 4 of tapering. Not really experiencing anything I haven't experience before. I guess that is the good part of having so many symptoms... that I learn to take 1 day or moment at a time. I am getting breathless at rest but that started a couple months ago before tapering.

I am going to switch from dry cut to LT (liquid titration) Sunday as the dose stays the same just removal of liquid changes. The tools for it are easy enough and the process is maybe easier than dry cutting. I have a spreadsheet for dose extraction and will keep journal. I will be back on here to let you all know how it is going.
{gentle hugs} Bunni
hollie9
hollie9
Switching to liquid titration....you must be a chemist! I wouldn't have the foggiest idea how to do that!

So for the last 4 days you cut down by .25? And it sounds like its not really noticeable, that is great news. Isn't the half life of klonopin quite long? Are you planning to keep going down by .25 approx. and how long will you spend on each step down?

Thanks so much for posting on your progress.
evildoer
evildoer
Klonopin withdraw can cause life threatening seizures and all kinds of problems. The drug stays in your system for a month or more so it takes a long time for the serious withdraw to start. Tapering off slowly is a must.