HELP PLEASE! KLONOPIN WITHDRAW AND PAIN IN SHOULDER

[cammy111]

Why won't anyone answer this, I have had posted for 3 days! I was hoping someone had some insight to this question.I have been taking generic klonopin off and on for a few years, and prior to that xanax. Not large doses, about 1mg or 1/2 a day. I have developed off and on very bad shoulder blade pain and it extends down the arm and even under my arm pit. I have strange stabbing pains in my toes and fingers and the pain seems to wax and wain from mildly intence to very painful. I am very frightened and sometimes resort to taking another klonopin to try and recover from my panic.I want to stop taking it all together but since this pain has come upon me, it has been off and on but mostly on for longer periods of time. I had a mammogram done because I really think something is very wrong.  This came back fine.  Has anyone else experienced this type of pain? Sometimes my arm and shoulder blade just make me want to scream. Also, strange dreams and very bad mood swings. Hope some one can help. thanks...

[lynn57]

Sorry you felt abandoned but sometimes it's hard to give advice on a complicated problem.  I have taken Klonopin for a few years.  I presently take 1 mg. per day with Celexa.  I have never had anything but positive results from the Klonopin.  My own experience is that Klonopin is not a fast acting benzo like ativan.  It really has to be brought to a steady state to be effective  in preventing the sypmtoms you are having.  Also an SSRI may help. I have also had rotator cuff surgery and had the pain you are describing before the surgery.  Maybe you are dealing with separate issues. An A/C joint could also cause that pain.  Don't attribute everything to your anxiety or meds.

[Beewoman]

I was so sorry to see that no-one had answered your thread and although I do not know this medication I felt it necessary to do some research to help you.

I googled Klonpin side effects and came up with a whole list of sites that indicate what you are going through.  In fact one site called askapatient was particularly good as it was like a forum all about this drug and how to come off it successfully.  The strange dreams and mood swings were often listed as side effects.

One thing that did come up all the time was about weening yourself off it VERY SLOWLY, about .25 for two weeks, then another .25 for a further 2 weeks while taking Valium to help with the side effects of withdrawal.

I hope you read some of these side effect forums and see that you are not alone and that others suffer like you do.  Talk with your doctor about this and if you do decide to discontinue use of it, then it should be done in conjunction with your doctor so you don't suffer.

I hope that others will also answer this thread and give better advice than I have.

I do send you some positive vibes and believe that there is always a solution to everything.

Good luck and keep us posted.