didnt know how bad klonopin is

[just123]

I have been on klonopin for about 4yrs now I have to come off them for the ever changing laws we have for operating heavy equipment, 2 mg a day of klonopin I went right to 1 half,then to 1, then to half milligram a day in three weeks.
since my change I have been experiencing headaches my sleep pattern was off a bit,sleeping only 1 to two hrs. a night..! DIDNT KNOW HOW BAD KLONOPIN WAS TILL I FOUND THIS SITE...! ANYONE WITH SUGGESTIONS IM ALL EARS...........!

[BluCrystal]

Sounds like you have been reading the posts of people who have trouble with this particular drug.  There are many, many more, including myself, who find klonopin to be very helpful to them.  Klonopin is a benzodiazepine which is prescribed for anxiety releif.  All benzos are addictive, and cause depedence in people who don't even misuse them.  Anyone who takes a benzo, and wants off, MUST be tapered off under a doctor's care.  Not every drug will work for every person.  For EXAMPLE, if I were to tell you (which I won't) what I take and suggest you ask your doctor for them and you take them, there is a VERY high chance that doing so will not work for you.  Take this into consideration before you pass judgement, please.  I have taken klonopin for several years, and continue to take them as prescribed.  They help me to stay calm and reasonable because I suffer severe anxiety, among other things.  I, personally, do not react in any negative way to this drug.  I drive, work, run errands, interact with family and friends, all with a rational and aware mind.  If you can do the same thing on this drug, and it is prescribed by your doctor, and you feel that it is helpful, then there should be no reason that you cannot operate heavy machinery while taking it.  Where I live, prescription drugs are allowed at a work site (any) if you bring only the amount you need for the workday, and can prove that you are allowed to take them.  I think that's about all I know.  I hope it's helpful.  Blessings - Blu

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome!

I agree with Blu about the fact that for most people, they don't have issues with doing things like driving, operating heavy equipment while on a med like this, however, I also recognize that many companies will have strict rules about their employees not being permitted to be on something sedating in certain positions (driving, operating machinery, etc).  I'm assuming your company has just put this rule into place?  Is it an official rule that's clearly documented in an employee manual?  What kind of notification did the employees get, and did they know you were taking the Klonopin prior to this?

I think it's reasonable that you do some research into your rights regarding this.  If this is a med that you've been on that helps you, and you've been performing your job for a long period of time with no issues, I think it's fair that your employer at least allow some discussion about perhaps grandfathering you in under the understanding that you were hired prior to this rule being enacted... especially if you've been a good employee with no issues.  If that's the case,  you may be able to continue to take your medication as prescribed.  Often, this is a liability insurance issue.  My recommendation is to talk to a lawyer and find out what your rights are.  Are you in a union?

IF indeed you find out that you have to stop taking the Klonopin to keep your job, then you need to be tapered under a doctor's supervision.  I can tell you that from what you've posted, you're tapering WAY too fast, which is why you feel so bad.  If you taper properly, which is slowly and deliberately with your doc, you can minimize the risks of coming off Klonopin, as well as some of the symptoms.  It won't likely be completely discomfort FREE, but it can be a lot better.

If you don't have an actual addiction issue, where you're using the Klonopin recreationally, or abusing your script, this may be better suited for the anxiety forum.  

Best of luck to you...let us know how you're doing.

[just123]

Thank you so much for your in put..! yes I do interact with family and no I don't abuse them iam prescribed 2mg a day,some times I don't take the full dose.However since these new laws which I dot understand much (cdl laws) there is a increase and focuse on a lot drugs even in he anti depressents. I have been a over the road driver with no incidents for over 6 yrs. if you have any info or where I can get any please keep me posted.i didn't know how bad coming of this drug is.Maybe I stated tapering to fast im currently down to half milligram a day,my sleep pattern is off and getting mood swings now,headaches to a point I was going to take a stroke or heart attack....!

        Any in put would be greatly appreciated....!

[just123]

Thank you Blu' for your input sorry took me a little time to get back to ya.Yes I have been reading this site.im new to here as for the med help site,so far it has been very helpful.As for some of your q&a no im not union and I haven't been drug tested for some time,there fore no they don't know all they know is I come and go to work do my job to its best of my ability.well im looking forward to hearing from you going up my fathers for dinner ttys.....!!!!

[ariley13]

Hi! I just wanted to offer some support and input. My boyfriend is a semi truck driver, so I know about all of this all too well. It is not so much a company issue, it is a federal law that you are not allowed to operate a vehicle while under the influence of any narcotic. They consider it to be a DUI or DWI. Now, if you work as a forklift driver or a spotter it would be an issue of your company's policy. If that is the case it is feasible that you could be grandfathered in, and possibly still take them. It's kind of confusing, but basically OSHA governs the spotters, forklift drivers, and other factory workers. The DOT governs the over the road drivers. They have different sets of rules. I sure hope that you can get this figured out. The benzo withdrawls can be dangerous and cause seizures, which in and of itself can be a safety hazard. Good luck!

[just123]

thank you nusegirl for your response.This ruling is a federal law and how the co. are to be enforcing it is probably up to the insurance and medical examiner this report not only goes to the insurance probably to the federal motor carriers asso. this just not  regular drug screen they will check from a to z the way im reading these new laws even for anti depresents .im trying to find info on this

[VICourageous]

Hi. I just wanted to give you some support. You got some good advise from above. I would check and see where your rights are on this. If you can not stay on it they do need to realize you do need the time to Taper. I went c/t from the Klons with 2 other meds. I have experienced coming off the opiates before but this time was a bit different..I too did not know how serious it could be coming off of a benzo. My anxiety was to the moon. I know for sure to this day that it was mostly because of the benzo. I do know the other 2 meds where tough enough but like I said never considered the benzo w/d.So I would diffidently work with the Dr and do a nice and slow taper. Or maybe you should see if you do have some rights to stay on it if you do need it.This post of yours is very interesting to me.I do wish you the best OK. Keep us updated.
Bless

[nursegirl6572]

Well, unfortunately, if you didn't disclose to them that you were on Klonopin, you may have a harder time "fighting" for the right to take your medicine.

What state do you work from?  I'm not familiar with CDL laws, but they should be fairly easy to look up.  I would imagine they are pretty strict, with very little wiggle room, but it never hurts to look into the laws and your rights, especially since you've never had any issues.  Obviously, if you've been on the Klonopin for 4 years, you haven't been drug tested since before that, correct?  Otherwise, the Klonopin would have come up before now.

I'll see what info I can dig up for you, but you may want to seek out a consultation for a lawyer familiar with employee rights.  Are you off the Klonopin completely?  If so, when did you take your last one?  If it's been a while, slowing down a taper obviously wouldn't be applicable.

Hope you can figure this out.  Have you ever sought therapy for your anxiety?  Taken any other meds?  Where you on the Klonopin for an anxiety disorder?

Enjoy your dinner with Dad!!  :0)

[nursegirl6572]

That makes sense.  With it being a law issue, I doubt there is too much the OP could do.

I can totally understand the need for strict laws when it comes to something like this...just seems like maybe there are a lot of inconsistencies in the enforcement from company to company.

Just the idea that the OP hasn't had a drug test in a while is unnerving to me.  People operating these big rigs certainly have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders.  The companies should be vigilant about making sure their drivers aren't impaired.

[ariley13]

There are a ton of inconsistencies from company to company. It is expensive for the companies to do, and unfortunately a lot of them don't do random drug tests. If you have an accident, or 'incident' the first thing they do is take you for a drug test. For over the road drivers, the DOT sometimes sets up mobile testing at scale houses, etc. There are a lot of laws, but unfortunately not a lot of enforcement from companies. It's really kind of scary to think about considering these drivers are pulling a vehicle/trailer that weighs 80,000 pounds!

[just123]

thanks ariley13 for your in put and support it is a confusing law I have and still see drivers who are prescribed Percocet,from what they tell me is if you have a script it is legal..! on the other hand you have fmsca saying the other" just confused....!do you have to be in the parameters of your dose every day another words not exceeding the level you are prescribed I don't know I have seen someone who is on a cocktail of anti depresents and pass a 10 panel test....!

               Thanks Everyone For Help And Input...!

[ariley13]

It is very confusing. I do know of drivers who have had to take pain meds for injuries, and basically it's ok to take them as long as you aren't driving. You can take them on your 10 hour break, just the same as drinking a beer, or whatever. I don't think they can keep you from taking antidepressants. Those don't really alter your reaction time, or judgement. Who knows though. You can't drive if you are an insulin dependent diabetic. I would see if you can find the exact law, so that you know for sure. Or you could call an occupational health doctor. They do the DOT physicals and would know all of the ins and outs of the laws.

[just123]

it is indeed confusing I have been around this business for 21yrs and I haven't been through any scenarios that you have mentioned I go coast to coast mexico,canada and never had a issue and the way im reading some of these new rulings you have to be under a doctors care and a driver would need a written letter from your doctor stating it would be ok for this driver to be prescribed this medication then up to a co. medical examiner and I cant see someone getting a dwi if your in the parameters of youd prescribed dosage.Another words not abusing your meds...as for the 80,000 lbs and be scary I don't rally agree with our federal gvt. This is legally prescribed and not abused..This means it will put put a lot of drivers out of work............!

[ariley13]

I agree that there are people such as yourself that really need the meds and function well while on them. I have been on the road with him for 2 years and have only seen one DOT testing in progress. I think that the government puts all of these laws into place and then is unclear with the drivers and companies as to what they mean. As for the putting drivers out of work... the government seems to be trying to do that in many areas. It's very hard to make any money out on the road these days with all of the new laws and regulations in place. I know that some are for safety purposes, but some are just ridiculous. And they keep on changing them! Like the new law about only doing a reset every 100 whatever hours. Silly! I wish you the best of luck. Be safe out there on the road!

[just123]

Yes this is the reason why im going stop taking them is this up to a company?i was a owner operator then worked for a small firm with the rising cost of medical and all the other good things as far exspences im going to go with a bigger company for better health care

      Thanks for the in put you have very helpful.!

[just123]

You are so correct I just cant believe our gvt. when they come out with these new laws they are not so narrow written to understand them better they the gvt leave a broad spectrum of un answered question and laws that can be interpreted in various ways it is either yes or no not a bunch of mumbo jumbo....Leave up tp our wonderful gvt. to screw up a one act circus and stop wasting our paper we do pay for that paper lol

                    thanks so much for your help and support glad I have found this site...............

[nursegirl6572]

Great info.  I would love to find out if there is any wiggle room with something like Klonopin.  I mean, to be fair, yes, it does act on the CNS and is sedating, but a person taking it for a while could be perfectly fine.

What you described too about being able to take pain killers on a break, but not while driving is kind of funny too....like the med would be gone by the end of the break.  Sheesh.