Can I take 0.5 mgs of Clonazepam daily for a few weeks without becoming addicted? I'm considering doing this in order to get off of my SSRI 30 mgs of Paxil that I've been on for about 12 years. Obviously consulting my doctor on this but wanted to see if anyone else had tried this.
Is there other options to get through the weaning process like gabapentin? Or what about Buspar?
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Jump to repliesHi I just wanted to tell you my experience of going off Paxil. I was on it for about 8 yrs and it really worked well. Finally I felt the anxiety was coming back and it was not helping. I talked to my dr and got the ok to go off it. Well, it was a nightmare, I had more anxiety, bursts of anger, I was a different person. Withdrawal was horrible. Finally it ended and I was put on Luvox. I've been on it for years now, no relief but my dr. gave up his practice and no replacements to be had. I still take 2mg of ativan daily. No side effects but still dealing with anxiety. I never took clonazapam so can't comment. I wish you luck
Do you almost wish you had just stayed on Paxil? I hope buspar helps so I can lower Paxil. I figure I might as well lower it if it’s no longer seeming to be effective.
I took Buspar but it did nothing. I thought of going back on paxil but if no help I'd have to go through the withdrawal again....NOT
also, what dosage were you taking of Paxil for the 8 years and how quick did you go off of it?
I can't remember the dosage, it was a pink pill. I went off it slowly cutting it down over a two wk period. It was odd that it just stopped working. Now I only take the ativan and luvox and live with anxiety almost daily. ...if you call this living. I go to a therapist now, she helps me to attempt to think my situation in a logical way but fear is stronger sadly
In my opinion, 2 weeks is way too quick. That's why you felt worse than before. You should do a slow taper. It's what all the newer research has been suggesting now for a few years. I tried to get off of it over the course of a couple weeks about 5 years ago too and it didn't work. Ended up right back on it after a couple months of other failed med trials.
If I had it to do over I'd go much slower. I just wish we could control anxiety. I think I have tried everything my therapist suggests to no avail. I guess its just day by day now. I hope it all goes good for you.
also it's possible that clonazepam would be more helpful than Ativan for you. Maybe worth a try.
I am no doctor but I used to take clonazepam. It can help with anxiety - short term. But high doses and taking it long term caused extreme depression in me that led to hospitalization. That's my experience. If your doctor gives you a temporary low dose it might work - only be very careful with it. Good luck to you.
Good to know. How much were you taking?
I took different doses over the 20 years I was taking it. I stopped about 6 years ago and, although my anxiety is pretty bad nowadays, it was still the best thing I have done. It causes depression which leads to more anxiety. A vicious cycle - At least for me.
Interesting. It’s been a life saver for me for situational anxiety/panic.
I take Buspar and it's very mild but I couldn't get past the side effects of Paxil .. If your doctor recommends you take the Benzo I would take it. I have alprazolam for anxiety / insomnia that I use occasionally ... plus I do relaxation exercises and have a talk therapist. Good Luck!
thanks so much! That’s good to know. What do you mean by buspar is mild? The side effects of it are mild?
It doesn't help a whole lot with anxiety but I still use it as there's minimal side effects... sometimes it makes me a little dizzy but that's it but it's not a miracle cure either... try it and see
i will. It’s got good reviews online. Did you try upping the dosage? Usually it’s anywhere from 10 mgs - 60 mgs daily.
I think buspar is non addictive. I’m on buspar atomoxetine, and escitalopram. I was addicted to trinellix. Though it helped quite a bit, if I skipped more than one dose, I was a b**** and had horrible headaches. Citalopram does well with me too.
I’ve heard lots of great things about escitalopram. I might try a cross taper with my Paxil so I can switch to that with a lessening of withdrawals/side effects. Would be tricky though so I’m trying buspar with my Paxil first I think.
Severe anxiety/tension following coming off SSRI and benzos after 8 years. 
Anxiety worsens during menstration
Having severe anxiety!
Looking to LEARN about anti depressants and elderly
