Question: Hi,

I recently had what my doctor's believe to have been West Nile Virus/Fever. It was several weeks ago- a fever that lasted around 5 days. On top of it, I've been tapering off Klonopin after 10 years of taking it. I think we've been tapering pretty quickly. Over 2 months I've gone from 3.5mg to 1.5 mg. Which is pretty fast from what I've read online. And my psychiatrist said that we should go at the pace I can handle. Friday I had one of the worst panic attacks I've had in years. I was driving and had to pull over in fear of passing out.

On Thursday night, before the panic attack, I woke up with hives on my hands, left knee, and elbows. No fever.

Friday morning hands were swollen with hives, knee and elbows were better.

As I got up and moving things seemed to improve a bit. But when Friday night rolled around, my hands became hit with hives again along with my left and right knees. I took benadryl and fell asleep. The hives persisted through the night and in the morning. My hands weren't swollen to the point I couldn't make a fist, but it was enough it was really annoying.

Saturday during the day, it was off and on with my hands. I took benadryl and rested. Oddly, it seemed the more I was on my couch the worse my hives were- which could be totally coincidence. Saturday night, hands swelled.

Sunday hands were swollen in the morning and I put hydrocortisone on them and took antihistamine. Everything was fine during the day. I had a sinus headache most of the day. But the hives didn't really recur during the day at all. Then night came and the hives hit on my left hand and right hand. I put hydrocortisone on them and took allergy pill. And I woke up this morning with pretty minimal swelling. Seemed to have subsided quite a bit.

I have an appointment with my doctor. Which seems obvious. But I'm wondering if this is all stress related. From being sick, to weaning off Klonopin (which is no picnic), to major stress at work, then having hives (which I've had in the past when I've undergone major stress). I also wonder if it could be allergies given my sinus headaches. I also found it odd that it is worse if I fell asleep on my couch as opposed to my bed.

Just weird. Any thoughts before my doctor appointment?

Thank you for your response. I agree, I've had a really hard time differentiating withdrawal symptoms from being sick in general. Such as not being able to sleep, body aches, fatigue, etc. I've read all kinds of bizarre side effects from Klonopin withdrawal.

I have an appt with my psychiatrist on wed morning and I'm going to suggest I go back up to 1.75mg for another month, and then try again back to 1.5 for another month. I think I've been overly ambitious in trying to wean off and I'm just now starting to feel the effects. Hopefully the hives will subside tonight. I haven't had any problems yet today.

Thank you again.