I think I'm dependant on Klonopin after 4 weeks...HELP!

[Jules1963]

I've been taking klonopin since the end of January (only about 1 month) for panic attacks/ anxiety. I also have been on Remeron 30mg for about the samen time. My doc wants me to come off the klonopin, so I've been trying to reduce the dose. I only took 0.5 for a few days then 0.25 for a fe more days then gradualy took 1/4 of a pill (0.125mg), then an 1/8 for a few days. Then I stopped last Tuesday, over the last 4 days my tremors have got worse, painful aching muscles, nausea. I'm so confused I don't think the remeron is working either as I don't feel any better from when I started it. The doc thought it would help with sleep and appetite. It helped the first couple of weeks for sleep, but now not so much. Last night I slep about 3 hours and woke up so tense and shaky. I had to cave in and take 1/8 pill of klonopin at 6am, which really upset me as I really want off this stuff.
I'm not sure what to do as I can't go on feeling so bad. I don't see my doc until next Friday, but I'm debating whether to put a call out to him this weekend.   Sorry for the long post, but I just want to feel better. I know it can take a while sometimes to find the right meds, but it just scares me.

[Jules1963]

So I am trying to kick the Klonopin and I didn't take any for 4 days the symptoms got pretty uncomfortable so I took another 0.125mg yesterday morning. Will that put me back at square one? I want to tough it out as I want to get off it. Has anyone had experience coming off after 4 weeks?

[2sungo]

Hi Jules,
I am in a similar boat, but I wont go off klonopin for a few months based on my past experience one the antidepressant starts working.  Trouble for me is the lexapro is now at max dose 20 as of 4 days ago and my anxiety in the morning is bad, only an extra .25 klonopin can control it.  Before this latest lex raise I was taking 1 mg K in total per day.  I'm not even sure if the lex is doing much this time, but I know the klonopin at least kills the anxiety, though not depression. Your dose of klonopin is very low, and I would not be in a rush to get off of it till you are comfortable with your antidepressant and then lower it very gradually over several weeks.  You might not have even developed a true dependency on it given the amount and time youve taken if for, but then again maybe the remeron isnt fully doing its job yet.  Might want to go over this with your doc, good luck.

[Jules1963]

My doctor said that because remeron has sedating properties that I shouldn't need the Klonopin, so he wants me to taper off

[insights]

I'm not sure what to do as I can't go on feeling so bad. I don't see my doc until next Friday, but I'm debating whether to put a call out to him this weekend.

I don't think you are dependent on Klonopin. IMHO, your problem is that the Remeron is doing nothing positive, just maybe producing side-effects so Klonopin is carrying the full load, even at the tiny doses you've been taking, and when you stopped it you were hit by the full force of your anxiety as the last of the Klonopin dropped out of your system.

IMHO, it is time to ditch the Remeron and try something else. I don't know why doctors keep prescribing it for anxiety. If you have very severe depression then it is the drug most likely to pull you back from the abyss, but its record as an anti anxiety drug is patchy at best.

Ian

[Jules1963]

I have a feeling that it's not working too, but I was determined to give it a good try (4 weeks). I was just concerned about tapering off that at the same same im coming off the klonopin. How would the doc introduce another med? Would I need to taper the remeron while they start another med. I'm trying to hang in there with the withdrawal feelings which are pretty bad today. Very jittery, tense muscles neck pain etc. At this point I don't know if its withdrawal or remeron side effects. Im just so miserable

[insights]

Would I need to taper the remeron while they start another med.

You should be able to taper off it while tapering onto something else.

Ian

[Jules1963]

I"ve been feeling like I may have a mild case of seratonin syndrome. Have you ever heard of it?. All my symptoms seem to fit. I think I've been taking the klonopin to deal with those same symptoms. Tense muscles, hyper relexia, tachycardia, tremors. I think I have to stop the remeron, maybe go to the ER I just can't relax

[insights]

I"ve been feeling like I may have a mild case of seratonin syndrome. Have you ever heard of it?.

Yes, and it is highly unlikely, indeed almost impossible for you to have it. The number of true cases of serotonin syndrome are much rarer than most think. Even with SSRIs is it uncommon unless another serotonergic drug or supplement is being taken.

OTOH, most of your symptoms can be produced by anxiety.

Ian