Waking up with panic attacks.

[1Bad1]

I have been waking up with panic attacks every morning. I take .5mg of Klonopin twice a day. I'm really trying to ween off of the Klonopin but haven't had any success. Any suggestions?

[Fraidycat]

You have described me, and I have the same routine. I understand not wanting to need that, but I am also grateful when it works. You are taking 1 gram a day and that is a reasonable amount. Wish we could call each when we awaken.

You could give yourself a minute to see if the post-sleep panic passes. You could develop the habit if leaving the house soon after waking and walk to the nearest place for getting coffee (or something you like) . Exercise and getting out of the house will help.

[1Bad1 in reply to Fraidycat]

I did get up this 🌄 rning as soon as I woke up instead of lying there tossing and turning for 2 hours. I went to the gym. Not sure how much it helped. Dealing with back problems so limited on exercise. Think I'm also dealing with s ok me depression.

[AnxiousSilver]

First and foremost, welcome to this website.

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Second, I think the obvious/helpful question to ask is who prescribes you your meds? (Is it your doc or psych?)

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For me, I know what it's like to be on benzos. I've been on them for 22+ years.

I know that coming off of meds isn't the easiest thing in the world, (especially benzos) but it can be done.

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First and foremost, whatever you do - please do not try stopping them cold turkey. Unlike other things to stop in life, cold turkey is not the way to go with benzos.

Before I go on, please keep in mind that everybody reacts differently to meds, and this includes coming off of them.

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With all that said, there's usually 3 ways of coming off benzos that are the safest.

1 - Tapering. (I'll get to this in a sec)

2 - Substituting. (This is why I asked you earlier about who prescribes your meds, and he/she will know what to possibly substitute with - which might be a different med for a while, and then you come off of that)

3 - A combo of both above.

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The most common way is tapering, but that needs to be done under your advice supervision of your doc/psych.

If you can't properly taper, then hopefully your doc/psych will be able to substitute with something that you are comfortable doing.

But (again) please do not do it cold turkey, and please follow your doc/psych's advice.

& I wish you nothing but the best.

[AnxiousSilver]

"I have been waking up with panic attacks every morning. I take .5mg of Klonopin twice a day. I'm really trying to ween off of the Klonopin but haven't had any success. Any suggestions?"

*Purposely splitting this into 2 posts*

On a side note.

Is there any particular reason why you want to come off of the Klonopin?

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Because, (without knowing your medical history background) it sounds like you were given it for anxiety in the first place.

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This might be a reason to "substitute" like I said above to a different med, if you come off of the Klonopin, and onto a different med. (if needed)

Either way, I hope that whatever I typed up in either post was helpful, and that you and your doc/psych can come up with a plan that you are comfortable with.

*Again* I know that this isn't easy thing in the world to do, but we are here.

[1Bad1 in reply to AnxiousSilver]

I just do not want to become addicted to Klonopin. I've read the effects of long term use. And, I feel weak having to take anything. I've also been prescribed Proponolol up to 3 times a day as needed but it doesn't seem to do anything. I also take Lexapro at night before bed. A lot going on. All of this started when I started having back issues. And I know not to go cold turkey. I've experienced that.

[1Bad1 in reply to 1Bad1]

And your replies have been very helpful. Anything you could add about being on them for 22 years? Effects/ addiction/ building up a tolerance?

[AnxiousSilver in reply to 1Bad1]

"Anything you could add about being on them for 22 years? Effects/ addiction/ building up a tolerance?"

Everybody reacts differently to medications. Benzos being the same.

Some people can take benzos just fine, some people have issues - or get hooked on them, and some people abuse them.

A lot of this comes down to what your doc/psych and you are comfortable with doing.

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A lot of people usually start benzos with an antidepressant at the same time.

Usually their anxiety is very high, and what happens is that they are on a benzo for apx 2 weeks while the Antidepressant is kicking in.

"The goal" is to hopefully get people calm (with the benzo) and then after apx 2 weeks you can possibly taper off the benzo and go with the antidepressant.

^ Most docs/psychs like doing that, and that is the preferred way for most insurance companies as well.

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But then there's people like me that have a certain "ceiling dosage" with meds, and need to combo with something else (benzo - and in this case Klonopin).

The perfect scenario (when it comes to meds) is a benzo for a short window, and an antidepressant for as long as that's needed too.

[primrose81]

I would recommend The (Heather?) Ashton Manual, my psychiatrist told me to stop taking Lorazapam immediately but after careful consideration I decided on gentle tapering the Ashton way and I am really glad I did. Good luck with what you decide to do.

[Agora1 in reply to primrose81]

Hi primrose81, my psychiatrist also used the Dr. Heather Ashton method in getting me

off 30 years of Benzos.

Worked safely. xx

[bobbyrita]

i have been on it for 25 years. now i take 2mg twice a day. Recently i thought is wasn't working that well so my new psychiatrist switched me to xanax-what a horrible mistake. i also have ibs-c besides post traumatic stress. for over four months have been having the worse ibs flareup even though quickly went back to klonopin. i will stay on it until i die. i never had any side effects. when my former psychiatrist went off medicare, tried two others who would only give antihistamines-what a very sick joke. anxiety went through the roof. I LOVE KLONOPIN.

[barlock]

i had no problem getting off it. i am on zanix now. not as good

they have been trying long term drugs for anxiety but have had too many side affects. I am 78 so i just want to be comfortable and not shake so much. I am going to ask to go back on kloipin. went off cause i thought it was cause of legs swelling. was not the cause i get panic in morns also. i really try to fight through those. they are short. i get anxious because of my breathing. I have serious COPD. they keep trying to give me crap for depression and anxiety. i just want to stay calmer so i can breathe better. do what you feel best. you make your own decisions in regard to your health. Listen to your body.