Clonazepam (Klonopin) stops my symptoms almost completely

[kushami]

This is a search on clonazepam from the DINET (dysautonomia) forum:
https://www.dinet.org/search/?q=clonazepam&quick=1

You might find some useful information there.

 

[mattie]

There are several threads on this forum regarding improvements / possible benefits from benzos.

I have been on and off Rivotril (= Clonazepam in liquid form) for 8 years now.
It was once prescribed to me by KDM based on Dr. Paul Cheney's protocol.

I never go above 0,6 mg and I always taper back to zero at least once or twice a year and stay off it for a couple of months.
This to prevent dependence.
Tapering down very slowly with 0,01 mg per day (easy with liquid form). So last time, tapering took 60 days,
Never had noticeable withdrawal symptoms using this method. I am aware that this may be different for others.

But: what I have noticed every single time: This dose of clonazepam seriously improves my symptoms:

- Stamina on average doubles when I am on it. My step count confirms this; I have data going back 8 years now. (apple watch)
- Orthostatic intolerance and POTS improve significantly. Walking without feeling faint / dizzy etc. Tachycardia also less.
- Generally feeling better, less sick / flu-like.
- Less PEM

None of the gazillion supplements I have tried over the years has ever helped.
This dose of Rivotril definitely improves my quality of life. A lot.

Be careful with the stuff. Discipline is needed and tolerance and withdrawal have lead many people into benzo-hell and made them permanent members of the
benzobuddies forum. For me it works and for now I will keep using it as described above.

 

[sb4]

@mattie Very interesting. Could you describe your dosage schedule in a bit more detail.
Like say January 1st you start with 0.01mg then 60 days later you reach .6mg and you maintain this until like September 1st were you titrate back down by 0.01 until November 1st were you have 2 months off.

Would you say you feel worse than baseline when tapering down and when completely off?

 

[mattie]

@sb4
I only use the slow tapering schedule when reducing dose to 0.
When I restart the Rivotril I just start by directly taking 0,3 - 0,4 mg per day. (3-4 drops of Rivotril).
After a couple of weeks I hold dose at 0,5 or maximum 0,6.
For me higher dose than that does not add benefits, would be more risky and would take longer to taper down.

After couple of months I start tapering down 0,01 mg per day. (1/10th of a drop of Rivotril, I use a 10 ml syringe for this)
So after 2 months I'll be at 0.
And stay at 0 for maybe 2 months. Sometimes longer.

When tapering down I feel a little bit worse than baseline. And when completely off I will eventually end up with lower baseline.
I do not think this is due to withdrawal symptoms; all my ME symptoms just get worse and will not improve even when I am off
the benzos for 6 months. (have tried that too).
I dont get the typical withdrawal symptoms like agitation, anxiety or added sleep problems.
Just less energy, less stamina, more POTS, more PEM.

 

[Strawberry]

Is this something that has to be taken daily for any benefit? Or is it possible to not take it daily to avoid tolerances?