u/bella_da_ball

I’ve been taking up to 3mg of klonopin, and Fioricet (which has the barbiturate in it) I need to come off Fioricet and baclofen, I’m also prescribed gabapentin. So when I go to rehab and they rip me off klonopin and put me on phenobarbital should I stay off benzos when I get out or would reinstating a benzo to taper down be encouraged or ill-advised? I’ve been on klonopin for 20 years. I just need to get off of this stuff and now family members are kind of forcing me. I want to get off klonopin I just want advice as to what will make me most successful. Like should I come out and ask my doctor for 0.5-1mg to taper down?

Hi again… I’ve been taking between 1-2mg of klonopin for 19 years and between 2-3mg the last years. I think I failed to mention I’m prescribed gabapentin (don’t abuse) and baclofen for sciatica/muscle spasms and Fioricet (which I take a pill more occasionally but it has created GERD and GI issues.) I’ve been told not to taper multiple substances at once but my life is falling apart. I wish it was as simple as only tapering one or maybe 2. My job is beyond stressful and my boyfriend can’t do this anymore if I keep going this way. I miss more work because I’m too tired or depressed.
But I’m miserable even without the job or relationship stress.
I just don’t know if I’m capable of keeping my life “together,” I’ll be left with nothing. I found a rehab that will keep you on phenobarbital longer depending on how your feeling as well as gabapentin/baclofen if there is no evidence of abusing them. I did manage to pretty painlessly taper my gabapentin from600mg 4x a day to 600 1.5 or 2x a day.
But the truth is I will lose my job because I can’t function mentally and lose my relationship because I forget everything and how to actually be a loving human being.
Please I need to hear someone tell me they were able to get through rehab and eventually continued to stay off and get better. I know a slow taper is ideal—but I find myself failing every time.
Are there any rehab success stories out there?
Thank you.

I spoke to a doctor that uses the Ashton manual for a long gradual taper. I understand it’s best practice for getting through tapering with mild withdrawal, etc. but when I asked him if I could just go to rehab and come back and do a taper from a small amount of benzo he said that every time you go through a that type of taper of benzos it could cause brain damage. I don’t know if he was saying that so I’d stay with him, paying $350 a month. But honestly I don’t have the patience or discipline to do a prolonged taper. I’m taking 3mg of klonopin for the last year. I started take a small dose for GAD, OCD about 19 years ago and the dose gradually went up. I went to rehab 3 times. Never really for benzos but opioids. And would end up coming out feeling better over but my nerves a bit frayed. I told myself I’d always need klonopin. But I don’t want to risk hurting my brain further and worst case scenario I could come out and take a small amount of Valium or a lesser evil and taper off that?
I’m ready to be sober of benzos.
I just don’t know what to do. I’ve tried tapering on my own but my job is so stressful I always go back to 3mg. I’m miserable and desperate. I’m ready to be clear headed and have my life back! I have a high stress job and need to get certification soon.

Please, any advice, suggestions, personal experiences are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading.

EDIT: I’ve decided to taper with my psychiatrist (not the one mentioned above). I appreciate the support but if you have nothing helpful/insightful to share I would really appreciate it if people didn’t post negative/rude comments.
If you read my post I was anxiety ridden and desperate to get back to my old self and I’ve chosen to have patience and faith in my self and God.

I spoke to a doctor that uses the Ashton manual for a long gradual taper. I understand it’s best practice for getting through tapering with mild withdrawal, etc. but when I asked him if I could just go to rehab and come back and do a taper from a small amount of benzo he said that every time you go through a that type of taper of benzos it could cause brain damage. I don’t know if he was saying that so I’d stay with him, paying $350 a month. But honestly I don’t have the patience or discipline to do a prolonged taper. I’m taking 3mg of klonopin for the last year. I started take a small dose for GAD, OCD about 19 years ago and the dose gradually went up. I went to rehab 3 times. Never really for benzos but opioids. And would end up coming out feeling better over but my nerves a bit frayed. I told myself I’d always need klonopin. But I don’t want to risk hurting my brain further and worst case scenario I could come out and take a small amount of Valium or a lesser evil and taper off that?
I’m ready to be sober of benzos.
I just don’t know what to do. I’ve tried tapering on my own but my job is so stressful I always go back to 3mg. I’m miserable and desperate. I’m ready to be clear headed and have my life back!

Please, any advice, suggestions, personal experiences are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading.