Medical problems masked by Klonopin use?

Since my rapid detox from Klonopin (6-7 years) almost 4 months ago, I find that I'm having some medical issues that are propping up.

 

Since the detox, I have neck pain - MRI shows disc problems that are causing pressure there.

 

I feel dizzy and have numb lips and tingling in tongue - MRI shows a meningioma (benign tumor) in brain near ear.

 

I have weakness in legs with tingling in feet - Nerve conductivity test shows nerve damage in each leg

 

My question is - how is it that all these problems only came up after Klonopin was discontinued? Could it be that the Klonopin was somehow masking these problems? Does anyone share similar experiences?

 

I would appreciate some feedback since I'm really worried and don't know what to think.

 

Thanks

That is such a tough one and it is hard to know what to think.  I would be interested to know how conclusive the test results are, such as because of your pain did they look and look until they found something that maybe could be the cause and rest their theory on that?  Or perhaps while you had all of these things and still do, they're not the actual cause of what you are experiencing?  I don't know, but wish you the best.

I'm not sure and I don't think that all my problems are resolved yet.

 

I am just wondering whether these issues were there now for a while and while I was on Klonopin and having a paradox reaction and feeling so ill and suicidal from that - these other symptoms might have been ignored or "masked" and now that I am off the Klonopin, my body is adjusting back to "normal" and these symptoms are manifesting now.

 

I know that many symptoms are just from pure withdrawal. I understand that.  I have major anxiety, insomnia, no attention span, dizzy, weak..etc.

 

I also have swelling all over my body.  Is this from withdrawal?

 

I have numbness and tingling in hands, feet, lips and tongue.  It seems like this is a withdrawal symptom but when i had the nerve conductivity test done, it showed nerve damage. and when I had the brain MRI it showed a growth which could explain the numbness and tingling in lips and tongue.

 

I'm just saying it's so hard to differentiate what is due to withdrawal and what is a real medical problem? 

 

I feel like I'm falling apart.

 

 

 

 

Hard to know Piroshka.  I'm sorry you are suffering with these problems now.  My best guess is that some of these problems may have been masked by klonopin while it is also possible that going off the klonopin might cause some reactions in your nervous system as well.  The klonopin could have calmed the nerves and when it is removed, rebound reactions can sometimes come back more strongly.  Depending on how rapidly you came off the benzo, tinnitus, dizziness, agitation, insomnia, various kinds of nerve tingling... can be early "withdrawal" s/x for the first  weeks to several months off the benzo, sometimes longer.  That being said, many of us took the benzo for a reason and the pre benzo problems one had can not be ignored either.  Plus, it is possible that there may have been undiagnosed problems before or that new ones developed during the months or years that one was taking the benzo.  I hope you find some solutions in the coming days, Piroshka.  It can be frustrating to not know the cause of one's medical issues.  Sometimes with time, it can get sorted if you have good doctors.  Also, it's sometimes helpful to get second and third opinions.

 

Hang in there,

 

Vertigo

Thank you so much Vertigo for your calming reply.  At a time when it feels like everything is falling apart, it is so nice to be heard

and taken seriously.  I really appreciate it!

 

Like others have said it here many times, it is such a hard tome - the withdrawal period - because such strange symptoms come out and

at times, it's hard to tell if they have an organic basis (besides the brain adjusting back from Benzos) and (most) doctors have no clue at all about Benzo withdrawal.

 

Could swelling in most of the body also be a w/d symptom?

 

Thanks for all the replies.  Each one helps me out.

Thank you so much Vertigo for your calming reply.  At a time when it feels like everything is falling apart, it is so nice to be heard

and taken seriously.  I really appreciate it!

 

Like others have said it here many times, it is such a hard tome - the withdrawal period - because such strange symptoms come out and

at times, it's hard to tell if they have an organic basis (besides the brain adjusting back from Benzos) and (most) doctors have no clue at all about Benzo withdrawal.

 

Could swelling in most of the body also be a w/d symptom?

 

Thanks for all the replies.  Each one helps me out.

 

Hi piroshka,

 

Yes, edema or tissue swelling is a benzodiazepine w/d symptom, as well as is numbness and tingling all throughout the body, especially the hands, fingers and feet. Keep in mind that many people have been wrongly diagnosed by specialist as having MS, chronic fatigue, fibro and other conditions due to benzodiazepine withdrawal. It's very possible that a nerve test might show a nerve(s) not performing during a test, since the numbness and  tingling (neuropathy) could be related to our temporarily impaired CNS and these are very real feelings we get and very likely from very real nerve conduction loss all be it temporary. Allopathic doctors do not recognize or have any knowledge of withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepine, with possible exception to a very few stereotypical ones in the acute stage.  I would not lose all hope with some of your newly found "medical issues". It's not over until it's over!

 

I wish you the best!

 

OTM

Thank you - on the mend.

 

I guess I should just sit back and wait it out?  Not an easy thing to do but, what else can one do?  I see that this is a long tough road ahead.

 

The 31 day detox/rehab 4 months ago to get off the Klonopin was murder but, it was one month.  These w/d symptoms can last a real long time.  There is no easy way out of this.

When I withdrew from klonopin - 15 years of taking it, I began to develop symptoms that have continued even after reinstating.  It turns out I have nerve damage too (nerve biopsy from leg) that shows peripheral small fiber neuropathy, and I also have elevated bilirubin.  I have parathesias (unpleasant skin sensations).  Is that continued withdrawal or is it the unmasking of symptoms I would have had but the 15 years of klonopin covered it up?  The rheumatologist I saw today thinks it's the latter.  He has started me on Neurontin and I'm going to maintain on klonopin for a while to see if I can get some reduction in my current symptoms.  Then I'll consider withdrawing again.