So I tried to go off Lamictal at 2.5 mg a couple of weeks ago and had some sleepless nights like I wrote about. So I went back on half of it I’ve cut the 1.25 mg in half 3 times now and am truly off all of it now. (just to remind you—I was on 400 mg)
So I have only 2.5 my of Klonopin to go. For those who don’t know .5 mg of Klonopin is the equivalent of 10 mg of Valium. So yeah, I was on the equivalent of 60 mg of Valium daily and sometimes took as much as 6 mg of K or 120 mg of Valium. Klonopin is one hell of a strong benzo. Some people are prescribed 2 mg of Valium and can feel it strongly. Klonopin is meant to knock the shit out of you and no one should ever be on the amount that I’m on. Unfortunately I didn’t know that when I got hooked on it. So yeah, I’ve gotten off many very potent drugs but I may still have a while to go…there is simply no telling.
In any case, I’m officially on only one drug now after coming off of 6 different drugs in a four year period. I’ve been on a total of 37 drugs in my lifetime.
The first .5 mg of Klonopin went really smoothly too. I’d say I didn’t have any noticeable additional withdrawal symptoms. Granted, I’m pretty physically disabled from the whole ordeal of coming off all the other meds, but I’m not having sleeplessness or anxiety and in my experience in all the benzo groups a lot of people do have those sorts of symptoms even from the beginning of a benzo taper.
Anyway. I’m sick of this story but thought I’d check in. Really really, want to get BEYOND MEDS.
I’m waiting for when the title of this blog actually manifests in my life.
I am anxious to see your progress. It is startling to me how the 5-10 mg dosage of Valium I take for anxiety (basically everyday) no longer makes me feel drowsy but makes me feel normal. This in addition to Welburtrin, Lamictal and Ambien (at night)
I am adding you to my blogroll, I just discovered your blog today and look forward to seeing how things work out on your journey to being med free.
Jada
Gianna:
Whoo-pieeeeee! You are down to one drug. That is totally awesome. I know you may or may not have some monster days ahead with this last nasty one, but after what you have shared that you have gone through with the rest, there is no doubt you will shine through with this last one. You are an overcomer, girl!
Oh Gianna! I missed this over the weekend. Congratulations! So much work and I am so beyond impressed. You will get there!
Gianna,
Congrats on getting down to one med! I knew you’d kick lamictal’s butt, and I know you’ll do the same with the K. Hang in there, kid, you’re doing great!
Love,
Jazz
Gianna,
That is wonderful that you are down to one drug. I understand that the one is a big deal to get off but still you are making so much progress. I also understand how frustrated you are with the whole one step forward, two steps back thing but with your determination you are going to get there!
Wow, this is exciting G! Light at the end of the tunnel I believe.
You are doing wonderful – & the good you are doing by spreading this info via your blog is immeasurable…
Hang in there babe, who loves ya? [I do]
thanks all of you…
and Sara, I’m glad someone is really excited about it…I’m so tired I’m just hoping I do get to the point where I have some energy!
your enthusiasm is contagious though…it made me feel good…
This is so exciting, Gianna. I can’t believe you are down to the last drug and looking at the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for sharing this with us. I’m hoping you can kick butt getting off the Klonopin. And then get on a trajectory to increased energy and well being. I’m just betting you can do it. Go girl!
With your last post, I realize much more what you have been going through. I am not too familiar with all the drugs used today because I got off my drugs back in the 70”s. I was one of those people you talk about taking almost no valium, yet have major symtoms. I think I was down to 2 mg a day (I think it was a white pill with a groove). At other times I took several yellow valium, along with a handful of other stuff. I did the single pill for a good while. Then I took half the 2 mg dose for a long time. Still when I stopped taking valium I felt like bugs were crawing under my skin. I stopped alcohol, one day at a time. But valium I had to stop 40 minutes at a time. I kept a pill in my pocket really to take after each class I was teaching left the room. The unbelievable part of this story is that I weighed at least 300 pounds so the single pill was not enough to do anything.
So you have a person here who understands. Keep up the good work. You are giving a lot of people inspiration with your struggle.
Jim S
Hi Gianna,
I used to take Klonipin. I was never hooked on it. My pdoc said, “Klonipin has been good to you.” I had no idea it was so addictive. Ten years ago, I couldn’t afford it anymore and switched to valium. But I couldn’t get up in the morning and I had meetings to go to …so I went down on that dose.
I am sorry you had so many problems with it.
Naturalgal
Froscha,
I hope you start sleeping soon…I actually take a combo of amino acids to help sleep which includes Taurine….
If you decide to take Imovane, be very careful…it’s in a class of drugs that is highly addictive…very occasional use won’t cause addiction, but daily use will…you probably already know that!!
best to you.
I went to my pdoc’s yesterday asking for something I could take on an “as needed” basis to help get my sleep under control. I’ve been sick with a cold all week and having a hellish time getting enough rest, thus extending my illness.
Thursday night I had felt so tired I went to bed at 10:30 pm (early for me), but did not fall asleep until 7 am. Very frustrating stretch, espec. as I had Halloween plans for the first time in years and was upset to miss it after being cooped up in my place all month.
So, after going through his notes on my drug history and writing down all my past prescriptions for me (I haven’t done well at keeping track on my own), he saw I had had some success with Imovane in the past. He wrote me a prescription, believing it would be covered by my drug benefits. Pharmacist says no. So I went to the health store next door and picked up taurine tablets, spending less than I would have paying for Imovane on my own.
I had some limited success with that. Still took too long to fall asleep but 4 am is better than 7 am. I read about using taurine as a sleeping agent on this site, so thanks again!
Looking online today at Imovane (zopiclone), I’m surprised he would prescribe that when I’m now on an anti-convulsant.
Congratulations on kicking Lamictol, Gianna!