Weaning off of clonazapem

[mommaturk]

I have suffered anxiety for quite a long time now.  I have been on Paxil in the past but in the past year I weaned off in order to become pregnant. I became pregnant then unfortunately miscarried.  Shortly after that I began having the anxiety back again.  This time because I wanted to try to get pregnant again I was put in Lexapro 10 and xanax 3 times a day.  The xanax was not helping and I found myself in the emergency room a few times until one doctor prescribed clonazepam. This medicine has helped me tremendously. However I tried to wean off of it a few months ago and the anxiety came back. My doctor upped my Lexapro to 20 milligrans and put me back on the clonazepam 2 times a day at 0.5 mg. I weaned off again slowly 1 month down to 1 then another month down to half. At the half mark I started having anxiety again. Now I am on 30 mg of Lexapro and back on clonazapem 2 times a day. Will I ever be able to wean off of this medicine.  Should I be weaning at a slower pase.  I am afraid that my body has become addicted. Is this common to have withdrawal and reoccuring anxiety like this or do you think the Lexapro at 20 was just not enough. I am afraid I will never be able to come off. Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[ufcfan]

I currently use clonazapem to help with my anxiety and paxill to help with my depression. I'm on a take as needed regimen with the clonezepam and 40mg daily of he paxill as well as 1200mg daily of lithium. It got to a point that I was taking the clonezepam almosst every day and when I tried to wean of I felt a great deal of anxiety along with insomnia. The paxill seems to help with my anxiety for now. The previous suggestions are both good and maybe talking to your doctor about trying a different kind of medication is the best idea. Good Luck.

[SabrinaN]

clonazapem is a GABA agonist which means it has the calming effect on neurtransmitters of your brain. Using this as a long-term anti-depressant may not be suiting you and you should talk to your doctor about a stronger serontonin agonist instead?
I've been on clonazapem for many years, but only as an as-needed basis for high anxiety or insomnia. In the mean time, I take and anti-depressant and a mood stabilizer which together seem to help.
I have to agree with MMahon that speaking to your doctor about your medication and maybe go to an as-needed basis is a great suggestion. It may be that the Lexapro may not be the right med for your needs?

[MMahon]

I always found antidepressants as the overall solution to my anxiety. Tranquillizers would help with the anxiety 'bursts' but the AD's were the long term solution for me.
It may very well be that until the lexapro is at a good theraputic level in your blood you have not yet gotten the full benefit from it.
The symptoms of withdrawal from tranqs are often like the symptoms of anxiety they are meant to help, so it's hard to tell which is which.
Give it some more time.  Perhaps try using the clonazapem on an 'as needed' basis.