Would like to get off of Lexapro and Klonopin

[Jeepgrl]

i’ve Been on lexapro for more than 10 years now (I’m 28). I’m only on 5mg. I tried upping my dose but I always get awful side effects and still have anxiety, so I figured there is no point in being on it. I would love to see what it feels like to be free of medication. I also take approx. .5mg of klonopin daily, I would love to take it as needed rather than daily as well. My doctor is aware of this and I am under his care, I was just looking for those who have been through the weening process of an SSRI and the easiest/least side effect way possible. Thank you!

[designguy]

Hello Ashvic, I recently tapered off of Klonopin without any major issues. I was on a low dose also (.5mg). I am currently on zoloft and buspar and am in the process of tapering off of them. For me the meds helped get some clarity and to be able to feel what "normal" was like but they did not eliminate the anxiety. I've found that the combination of both the meds and therapy was required along with educating myself about anxiety and understanding why and how i developed it in order to recover. I would recommend still doing a slow, gradual tapering off of the meds in order to give your body and mind the ability to adjust and reset.

[Jeepgrl in reply to designguy]

Hi designguy, thank you for your response :). I’m so glad to know you were able to taper off klonopin without any issues. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you taper?

[designguy in reply to Jeepgrl]

I cut it in half and took that for two weeks and then cut the half into quarters and took that for two weeks. I decided to get off the klonopin first because it was an "enhancement" med and is supposedly the more challenging one to get off of.

[designguy in reply to Jeepgrl]

Hi Ashvic, I forgot to mention that one of the things I did initially in tapering off the Klonopin before I started cutting up the pills was I took it every other day for about a week and then I skipped two days. I then decided to start cutting up the pills and tapering that way since it was a lot easier to keep track of. But by skipping the days, it gave me the confidence to know that I could do it and I would have minimal issues.

I also was taking natural supplements, Taurine, Magnesium, B6 and Zinc because they are good for naturally reducing anxiety. Taurine especially is good for reducing the ruminating of anxiety. I had been working with a functional medicine practitioner for digestive, thyroid and adrenal fatigue issues, all of which can physically contribute to anxiety issues. If you haven't already, you might want to meet with a naturopath or functional medicine practitioner to get those checked out for yourself. Avoid a conventional physician unless they have a broader, more knowledgeable practice because you want tests and information that is more than just basic ones. For instance, a thyroid test should be more than just the standard TSH test it should be a full panel test for TSH, T3, T4, uptakes, totals, Vit. B12, etc...