I have to wonder how many people really get snared into Benzos, and that their efforts to discontinue lead to PN symptoms.
Back when Benzos were not a controlled drug in the US, they were extremely commonly used. They are now a controlled substance.
I think it is still a fairly common problem. And I have noticed that new members that come here don't always reveal that they are taking these drugs, even after I ask them to tell us details of what is going on in their lives, and what they are taking (or were taking).
I have seen interviews of patients who have expressed what Pamela has shared here. That withdrawing from Benzos, is a lengthy process--often several months long--- and painful.
Clonazepam now comes in large dissolving wafer version of clonazepam, to help with tapers so that the taper can be more accurate. The FDA orange book shows the following dosages available:
A077194 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 0.125MG CLONAZEPAM BARR
A077194 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 0.25MG CLONAZEPAM BARR
A077194 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 0.5MG CLONAZEPAM BARR
A077194 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 1MG CLONAZEPAM BARR
A077194 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 2MG CLONAZEPAM BARR
A077171 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 0.125MG CLONAZEPAM PAR PHARM
A077171 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 0.25MG CLONAZEPAM PAR PHARM
A077171 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 0.5MG CLONAZEPAM PAR PHARM
A077171 AB Yes CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 1MG CLONAZEPAM PAR PHARM
A077171 AB No CLONAZEPAM TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; ORAL 2MG CLONAZEPAM PAR PHARM
These may be easier to break into smaller pieces for a taper.
Photo:
http://www.goodrx.com/klonopin/images?page=2
Six to a card... implies a size that would lend itself to cutting more accurately than the tiny swallow tablets. Cutting the .125mg would extend the taper by a factor of 4.
Clonazepam has a very LONG half life. It stays in the body for about 3-4 days. (half life is 18-50 hrs and longer in the elderly)