Do you get withdrawal from Clonazepam

[soupersuzy]

I have just stopped taking Clonazepam, gradually reducing the dosage, but since have had really bad rls/plmd. Am I getting withdrawal?

[Joolsg]

How long have you been taking clonazepam and was it prescribed for your RLS? Did your GP tell you to come off it?I know from previous posts that you take statins and blood pressure meds and PPIs, all of which worsen RLS.

Are you on any dopamine agonists (Ropinirole, Pramipexole) or Alpha2Delta ligands ( pregabalin/gabapentin) or low dose opioids for the RLS?

Many people take clonazepam for RLS and it helps them so it would make sense that if you reduce it, it will stop controlling your RLS & your symptoms will start up again.

[soupersuzy in reply to Joolsg]

Hello Joolsg thx for your help. Yes started of taking Clonazepam through sleep study in London but due to communication problems between my GP, myself and them, has all gone pear shaped. Felt Clonazepam dose would have to keep being put up so gradually went from .75 to .25, last three nights zero and have had really bad rls/plmd. Unfortunately I have to take the prescribed meds after suffering a TIA and to lower BP, also if I don't take the PPI I suffer bad heartburn.Not been on any dopamine agonists or opioids, I'm very sensitive to medication, any side effects I will get, so having all these meds drives me nuts, am thinking of trying herbal sleep aid instead.

[Joolsg in reply to soupersuzy]

Most people with moderate to severe RLS will need to take meds for life to control RLS. If you've stopped Clonazepam, you no longer have meds to control the RLS.If you want to try the non meds route, your first step is to find alternative mds to the blood pressure/statins etc thay don't worsen RLS, and ensure your serum ferritin and iron levels are above recommended levels for RLS.

Perhaps try probiotics as poor gut absorption can lead to low ferritin/iron.

[Madlegs1]

Simple answer is - Yes.It is highly addictive, and stopping it will create withdrawal symptoms.

[Cowbsky]

_ hi,_ I have long (25 years or more) experience with clonazepam and other life saver benzo's (never more than 0.6 mg clonazepam equivalent); stopped and back to it many, many times. Yes, indeed, at least up to these doses, yetI had typical syntoms of withdrawl they always resolved within some maximum of 20 days, more or less;

_ these days I am on 0.4 mg, which I have found out, is enough for what I need do help on RLS, together with Energy Medicine techniques (in particular, Accupunture Without Needles = EFT). More than 0.4mg (no side effects) brings sides effects; less than does not help;

all the best and good luck

[soupersuzy in reply to Cowbsky]

Thanks Cowbsky if all else fails will try again with Clonazepam but think I'll try the herbal route or change of prescribed meds (if the nhs will allow) first.

[Maximus01]

Clonazaepam is a benzo and if you want to stop taking it, it is important to taper down really slow. I am on Lorazepam 1 mg and have been for years, but have not been able to stop taking it. My doctor told me to lower the dose by 1/4 of a tablet each 2 months. It would therefore take me 8 months. I would love to get off it, but can't think of anything to take its place.

[soupersuzy in reply to Maximus01]

Thx Maximus01 for your advise. I'm still off Clonazepam although I think I probably did it a bit too quickly and have started a herbal sleep aid called Night Time Complex by Hey Nutrition. Bit early to tell but fingers crossed. I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with your meds, 8 months is an awful long time, has your doctor not suggested anything else? I'm lucky as I no longer work so if I'm awake all night I can sometimes catch up with a bit of sleep during the day. I can't imagine having to work with this condition.

[Maximus01 in reply to soupersuzy]

I am still on Lorazepam and I know how to taper, but I am just not ready to do it. There really is nothing natural, like herbal sleep aids, that would help one with tapering. I have tried a lot of those over the years. It will work for some people, and I hope it will work for you. Perhaps the Gabapentin helping me with the PLMD will enable me to get rid of the Lorazepam. Luckily, I am retired now. Not getting any sleep, working or not working, is very difficult for me and affects me emotionally as well.