Severe withdrawls from klonopin and ambien

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wm1980

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I really need help getting off this horrific medications. I have been off 1mg of klonopin off and on for 3 years now. I have been off it for about a week now cold turkey and have been having severe withdrawl symptoms. I have replaced it with taking half of a 10mg arabien in the morning and another in the evening. I don't know whats in it, but it helps take the edge off and it does not make me tired. It actually makes me feel completely anxiety free. I tried to stop taking the arabien and have had even worse withdrawl symptoms. They include pounding headaches, sweating, heart racing, foggy thinking, very depressed, restless, nervous. It has been hell. I have no more left of either medication and know that this is just the beginning of a dark hole. Can anyone help or offer suggestions. I have been to the point of considering going to the ER. I don't want to have to do this. I HATE these pills and will do anything to be free of them.
 
Have you tried over-the-counter Benadryl? It would at least help you to sleep at night.

Sorry, best advice I can offer. Good luck with your struggles.
 
You are experiencing benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome and it is very similar to alcohol withdrawal syndrome and just as dangerous. I'm not sure how much you were taking but it is never safe to discontinue a benzodiazepine abruptly after you have developed a long term physical dependance. The list of withdrawal symptoms is long and includes seizures, coma and death. You should be on a tapering withdrawal method under the supervision of a physician. Please proceed to the closest ER and they will refill your prescription. Then find a primary care physician or whoever prescribed them to you to help you with a weaning/tapering schedule. What you are doing is very dangerous.
 
Going cold turkey from Klonopin can be very dangerous! It is a drug that you REALLY need to taper off of. It took me about 2 months to taper down from 1.5 mg/day and I still had some bad withdrawal days. You should talk to your physician immediately. You need to taper about 10% a week or two with Klonopin and other benzodiazepines.

Why are you taking arabien for the withdrawals? Arabien is for insomnia.
 
I am not sure what is in arabien. It almost does the opposite for me. It keeps me awake and takes the edge off of anxiety. I found this out when I took it for sleep one night and stayed awake and felt anxiety free. I am not sure if anyone has had this same experience with Arabien. The end goal is still the same, I want to be pill free asap. I have a dr apt to try to get a refill for my Klonopin script to taper off. I don't really trust this Dr, and I don't think he really trusts me. If I am unable to get the script, I may have to head into the ER to slowly taper off this medication. I wouldn't know the first thing to say to ER why I am there....
 
The posts in reply to your concerns are very valid. Klonopin withdrawal is very serious and depending on the level of damage it has done to you it can take a very long time to taper and then recover.
 
I almost died from coming off of xanax without a dr's supervision. I had two grand-mal seizures back to back. I was only taking 1 mg a day for about a month too! Don't do this alone! You have to taper
 
I am not surprised. Few doctors are aware of the severity of risk with these drugs.
 
I am not a physician but I have been advised by one to never go "cold turkey" with Klonopin. It may cause seizures. You're playing Russian Roulette by discontinuing and resuming the medication.

I take both Klonopin (.75 mg) and Arabien CR (10mg) and am experiencing heart palpitations and excruciating headaches. I'm going to discuss these side effects with the prescribing physician TODAY.

My best advice to you is to consult ANOTHER physician, one you trust, or go to the ER especially before increasing,decreasing or discontinuing your medication. Also, discuss the matter with your pharmacist who can discuss contraindications. Perhaps there are other medications you can take for anxiety.

I'm pulling for you. Mistymiztee
 
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