Clonidine for withdrawals

[slseem]

I have been taking about 40mg of roxicet for 2 years due to hip pain. My doc recently advised me that I need to get off of the roxicet and gave me some clonidine and ativan to help with the withdrawals. Will these two drugs actually help or do I need to go to a detox center?

[marycarmel]

Just wanted to say I get a lot of relief with my hip on an elliptical machine.  Granted, first day I could only do 2 minutes, but I eventually worked up to 45 minutes to an hour.  I had tried a treadmill but found it made the hip pain much worse for some reason.  When I'm on the elliptical, it can hurt a little but the rest of the day is much, much better.  Good luck with your detox.

[slseem]

I am on day 4 of my detox. I woke up this morning actually feeling pretty normal except being somewhat weak and woozy. I took .2mg of clonidine 3 times a day and 2mg of ativan 3 times a day and I slept throught most of the past 3 days.  I woke up this moring with no withdrawal symtoms and minor craving for the roxicet. I went to see my doc and he wants me to continue taking the conidine and ativan but to reduce the clonidine to .1 for two days, then 05 for a day then stop it. He advised just to take the avtivan at night until I can fall alseep on my own. He also gave me some roxicet and told me to take 3 today, 2 tomorrow and one the next day. He claims this will help me with cravings until I get into rehab where I can get something tradition for the craving...I start rehab on Monday and it lasts 5 weeks.........My only concern is about what will I do when the hip pain returns and it will return.  I had a kidney transplant and they cant give me the normal medicals they give for hip pain becaue they are toxic to the kidney...I was able to get a steriod shot that helped but I had to beg and sign some papers saying it wasnt their fault if something happened to the kidney....Someone suggested that I ride a bike or walk the dog alot to keep that area limber which would keep the pain down..I have arthritis in my left hip and they say it isnt bad enough to replace yet, but they cant treat it with the tradition drugs because of the transplant and we already know the results of painkillers...any suggestions would be most welcome....Lastly, will rehab actually do anything for me or will I be wasting my time??

[lulu747]

I hear you on the neck pain.  Am on day 7 and in agony.  Can't sleep for the life of me.  I am good in the am but by 2 pm I feel like I'm back at day 4):  I gotta go try to catch some sleep....Take good care of yourself and maybe try tiger balm for the muscle pain-it's helping me some.

[lulu747]

I answered on your other post but Xanax is one of the most addictive benzos and hard to get off.  I use oxazepam-it's great for sleep and anxiety and has the longest half life.  Look it up or talk to your doc about it.  It has the lowest abuse rate.  I was tapering off of it before detox and plan to start the taper again once I get some sleep(:

[GA_need_help]

Lulu
Thanks because my anxiety is about send me to the funny farm.  Its suppose to work the opposite way!  Thanks!

Should I take this Dr. up on extended relief xanax--if I am using it very disciplined.  It would allow me to handle my discomfort better, right?

[justme1119]

I'm on day 10.  My neck is what hurts the worse and it's never really hurt like this before.  I've had knots in it.  I've been to massage.  The knots don't go away.  Its at the back on the right side.  I hope it's not lymph nodes.  I have lymphedema in my legs.  I'm gonna have the doctor look at it when I finally go.

[lulu747]

I know.  There is a serious problem in the medical community with responsible prescribing.  It really, really bothers me.  But what I've learned is you have to be in the drivers seat (or have a good advocate) For years I just took what my docs told me to because I was so freaking sick and just wanted my life back.  The drugs have wreaked more havoc on my life than the disease.  I don't know what day of your detox you're on-but at the worst time (say 48-72 hrs) the clonidine will help you the most.  Do you have a BP machine at home?  90/60 is the bottom of where most people should be.  Hang in there-it slowly gets better I promise.  I am at a week and I even made it out to the grocery store and did house work.....You got this(:

[justme1119]

I'm having the opposite problem, BP spikes, while on clonodine.  In the middle of switching doctors because mine became a hospital doc and my pain doc doesn't want to deal with it.  Irritating, but the nurse at pain doc said 159/95 wasn't unusual for someone my age.  She doesn't know that for years it's been like 110/60.  I'm not sure what's going on but trying to get in to see another PCP.  And I've been on Lyrica too.  I absolutely hated it and it was nasty to get off of, but doable.

[slseem]

The doc first tried weaning me off of the roxicet and that didnt go too well, so he just cut me off. I had to go to the ER yesterday because my blood pressure got too low from taking the clonidine. They lowered the dose from 0.3 to 0.2 and added neurontin and ambian (sp?). What makes me mad is that the docs put me on the painkillers but I am not getting much help getting off of them.

[lulu747]

Hey Marie

I just read that you are trying lyrica?  I just wanted to let you know that I recently met someone who is having a HORRIFIC time with this drug and she can't get off of it.  Her panic is sending her to the ER on a weekly basis.  I know everyone's brain chemistry and tolerance is different-just wanted to let you know.  Hugs(:

[GA_need_help]

Hi,
My NP gave me a way low dose for clonidine, so I am not feeling the benefits. I was prescribed.1 to be taken at night.  I have read that that dose needs to be 3 times a day!  So I hope it will be more effective for you than it is for me.
  I really just wanted to reach out, to tell you that you are not alone. I am currently tapering as I write this.  I am tapering from 40 mg Opana 3 times a day.  I was able to do 25 mg Opana 3 times a day yesterday.  Today hasn't been as great for me.  But, I am finding the key is patience with yourself, when your body won't do what you want it to do.  This isn't possible if you
are not in control of your tapering.  Some people cannot handle controlling their taper.  It's too tempting.
    I got off clonazapam and soma about 7 months ago.  These were the mood-altering drugs.  Opana ER isn't mood altering.  But, I have become pretty frightened of how much I am on, and how vulnerable it makes me.
   The question is always how will I handle my pain issue after getting off Opana ER.   I don't know yet.  Do you have a pain issue?  And, have you found any other alternative solutions?  I am trying Lyyrica and Savella.  I don't see that anything really helps.  I am depending on my Lord, Jesus Christ to bring me an answer.  He has to show me the way!! Because I don't see it yet, but I trudge on through.
   Anyway, WE CAN DO THIS!  If we step out on faith, He won't let us down.

Please keep in touch.
Big hug.
Marie

[lulu747]

Clonidine and clonazapam have made my detox bearable.  It's horrible no doubt about it but I ct'd a couple years back without anything and it was much much worst.  Just make sure you get a BP machine (pharmacy) Everyone's blood pressure is different (mine is low naturally) I've been taking clonidine for awhile-I was doing a slow wean and taking it at night ensured that I slept through without needing to take breakthrough pain meds.  I increased my dose when I decided the wean wasn't fast enough and I stopped taking 100 mg of Oxycontin.  The clonidine saves you from the worst of the diarrhea and helps with the sweating and excelerated heart beat.  The vitamins and supplements are key as well-check out the Thomas Recipe.  Good Luck(:

[micheleTX]

did he quit giving you the roxi right off? are you off it completely? thats a long time to be on something and not wean a bit IMO.  you will have some withdrawals from just stopping, it is so doable but not gonna be fun after taking that for so long.  keep posting ok? great luck to you!  michele

[Beautynthebeast]

Clonidine has absolutely been helping with me! I havnt taken ativan, but I'm taking neurontin along with the clonidine..they both make you sleepy, so just watch for that.I wish you well:-)