Has anyone here ever suffered through clonazepam withdrawal symptoms that took a long time to go away?

Question

What did you do? Did the symptoms finally go away?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Withdrawal symptoms-
Anxiety, irritability, insomnia
Panic attacks, tremor
Seizures similar to delirium tremens (with long-term use of excessive doses)
100% of individuals treated on a long-term basis develop a form of dependence known as "low-dose dependence", as was shown in one double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 34 therapeutic low-dose benzodiazepine users—physiological dependence was demonstrated via flumazenil-precipitated withdrawal.[13] Use of alcohol or other CNS depressants while taking clonazepam greatly intensifies the effects (and side effects) of the drug. Side effects of the drug itself are generally benign, but sudden withdrawal after long-term use can cause severe, even fatal, symptoms.
Protracted withdrawal
10–15% of individuals treated with clonazepam on a long-term basis (in excess of 30 days of continuous use) develop a protracted withdrawal syndrome. Protracted withdrawal lasts for months, years, or a lifetime after clonazepam is discontinued. Protracted withdrawal results from structural brain damage, which is often irreversible.[14] Common protracted withdrawal symptoms include:[15]

Anxiety
Insomnia
Depression
Tinnitus
Tingling and numbness in limbs
Muscle pain and tension
Weakness
Cramps
Tremors
Irritable bowel
Cognitive dysfunction
Occasionally the withdrawalsymptoms last very long.

Source(s):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonazepam

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Asker's Comment:

I read many of the phrases you used in your answer on various web sites, but for the trouble you went through you definitely get the best answer. Thanks.

Answer 2

They put me on clonazepam in order to get me OFF of xanax. Then I tapered off the clonazepam very gradually. Seems like I had bad headaches for a couple (or few) weeks but I made it. Some quack had given me the xanax several years before and told me to take them every day ! BIG MISTAKE. I had no idea they were so addictive.

Answer 3

They generally use that to help another med . work better. Only time I ever had any symptoms from it was the last time I decided it was time to end it all. I'm still here. Did do some time. ( not one of the brightest moves I ever made ) But , I am glad I can look back on it. My Doctor , tended to have a cold turkey approach to getting you off things. Never seem to effect me to any great extent.