Anyone ever taken Clonidine or Lorazepam for help with Detox?

[kberrier]

So, I am on day 5 of being clean off of oxy's.  I am still having a few detox symtoms like RSL, anxiety, and no sleep.  I went to the DR today and came clean with my addiction.  What a relief.  She prescribed me Clonidine and Lorazepam to help relieve some of the left over of the detox symtoms that I've been having.  Has anyone ever taken these meds before.  I know that Lorazepam is kinda like a valium.  I'm just a bit scared of taking more meds at this time.  I know this is supposed to help me, but it's a bit scary for me right now.  I am going to therapy on Thursday so I know that will help with my mental state.  Help anyone?  Just want to know if anyone has ever taken these meds and how did it help them.  Again!  I appreciate everyones help!  You are all the best!
Kristi

[carpediem0303]

I have been on the clonidine now for four days comming off methadone withdrawal.  It helps calm your nerves and the shakes from the withdrawal, but it is not addicting at all, it's not like Xanax there is no way to get addicted.  It defently helped me.  Hang in there I'm in the same boat...I know u can do it!

[08lucy]

The Clonodine/Lorazepam detox is the best one I ever had. I had never even heard of it. They always detox usingwith an opiate replacement. And when they use methadone (which is extremely common) they never mention the fact that methadone has a halflife, and once you're off you will have symptoms, which could last from a few days to weeks.
When I did the Clonodine/Lorazepam detox I thought it was a brilliant idea, going "cold turkey" with no symptoms. Every minor symptom one may have is taken care of, muscle aches? Ibuprofen for the pain and neurontin for cramps. Sleeplessness? Trazodone, which is not only a sleep aid but also helps with the depression one gets during and the year after.I recommend this detox for anyone on opiates. I have a friend who asked her psychiatrist for prescriptions, with the correct dosage and instructions given to her (from a detox). As she couldn't afford the outpatient hospital care, she did it that way.
The best way is to go to a detox and do it properly, but if you can't afford it, there are ways. without the benefit of a program and the additional prescriptions, all non narcotic and non addictive.
As you can see, I am all for this, I did this treatment over 7 years ago and have been clean ever since. I thank that program and whoever came up with this incredible non-narcotic treatment that clears up your physical addiction in mere days, painlessly. I can't say enough about it. So, check it out if you're ready to stop.

[jojo218]

My husband is going finishing up day 5 of sub  w/d. He isn't doing to we'll. but very determined to be off of them for good. He was only taking slivers at a time. One 5 mg paper thing would last home 3 days. He's still detoxing terrible. Dr. Gave him catapres and Ativan for w/d and he doesn't want to take them either.  How is he going to be. I don't do drugs or drink so I don't know what he's going through.

[r2recov]

I took about a 16 chlondine  throughout one day because my friend told me it would help my withdrawls and being an addict it not helping right away cause me to take more and more untill they were gone and I dont remember two whole days. I've recently been prescribed ativan which is a life savor for opiate w/d thank god doctors are more understanding with w/d cause I know I couldn't do it cold turkey you should be extremely proud of yourself

[r2recov]

I took about a 16 chlondine  throughout one day because my friend told me it would help my withdrawls and being an addict it not helping right away cause me to take more and more untill they were gone and I dont remember two whole days. I've recently been prescribed ativan which is a life savor for opiate w/d thank god doctors are more understanding with w/d cause I know I couldn't do it cold turkey you should be extremely proud of yourself

[ThaLost1]

Just started the Ativan 1 mg 3* daily and clonidine .2 2* as needed. I'm on day 12 now from 3 years of hell, a G a day for H for about 4 Months, then to the clinic for the remaining time and 12 days ago quit going to the clinic. It'll be nice to live without a crutch again! The Ativan is working wonders for the restlestness I still have but I took 2mg and its a bit over the top for me. Havin a hard time typin ATM so I'd reccomend staying with the reg dose. And the clonidine had been working well for my wife who is in the same boat.
   Just an extra word of advice out there for every addict like myself. The methadone/suboxone clinics are the governments way to get their hands on the market. They will not focus on getting you better, you are walking paycheck to them. I would have rather quit my G a day H habit ANYTIME over this **** here. You will not be able to avoid withdrawal and are just switchin to another dope man, one that is much more of an *** (pardon my french) If you want it bad enough get to the ER, tell em whats goin on and with some support you'll be crutch free b4 you know it. Keep your heads up and congrats to everyone out there battling their demons. I have a ton of respect for all of u.

[daystrom]

Oh, sorry, thats 0.1 mg per 50 pounds of body mass bid po x 5 days (twice daily for 5 days)

[daystrom]

Clonidine helps, but rarely at the dosages that your doc will prescribe it for.  It abates the neuroandrenergic storm at your receptors.  Take it at a dosage of about 0.05 micrograms per kilogram of body mass (about 0.1 mg per 50 pounds).  Take care, at these levels your BP will be on the floor.  Also, if you take it longer than 7 days, mind that a condition known as rebound hypertension might occur, so taper down slowly.

The ativan will help a little, personally I would take valium or xanax any day over ativan, but it will provide some relief, especially at night.  Ativan is a poor skeletal muscle relaxant(SMR), and will not help so much with the RLS.  Try Soma for that, or, as I said, use valium which is a good SMR.

All the best.

Ray

[KathyStid]

I am currently on clonidine for ultram w/d.  It is helping very much, as I have tried many times to go cold turkey or taper.  Never could on my own, but clonidine is giving me the edge this time, plus I was ready.  Good luck.  

[mb18]

My doctor perscribed lorazepam (ativan) and clonidine when I went off percocet a few years ago.  I went to check into a rehab facility and because I was dressed like "middle class suburbia" they told me that I shouldn't check in there because I may not "feel comfortable" (the facility & nurse called me several times after I left and told me to come back and apologized).  I did not return to the facility but my doctor had me take a couple of each (lorazepam & clonidine) every 4 hours of so (if I remember correctly).  I slept for a week.  I don't remember anything and I'm sure it was due to "coming out of the fog" of percocet as well as being drugged to sleep and not feel the withdrawal.  I think your gauge should be whether you like to "feel" the way that type of medication makes you feel.  What I mean is....I don't like the "down" or "sleepy" feeling at all, hence, I would not abuse that type of drug.  My ex-husband loves the calming effect from lorazepam, so he would not be a good candidate for that type of medication because he would be more likely to abuse it (I know this because I watched it happen, this was from experience, not opinion).  Use yourself as a gauge...you've already made it through 6 days which is terriffic.  If I had made it to day 6 being off of pain medication, I don't think I would take anything, unless I needed it for sleep.  Lack of sleep, being overscheduled, the pressure of being "all things to all men", etc...In my never to be humble opinion, can cause someone to turn back to addiction, so being well rested is a great thing!  I hope I am on my way to recovery just like you!

[TysonRed]

I have used both medications, clonidine is relatively harmless and does help with opiate withdrawls. That's not to say it something to take too lightly, but even people with normal blood pressure can benefit greatly during your withdrawl period. At first they can make you feel a little drowsy, but after a little bit those side effects go away. As for the ativan, it will for sure help with anxiety and sleep issues, but we must all take benzo's with caution. They can become very addicting with prolonged use, but I wouldtn worry if your only taking them for a short while. Just start small and see what works for you, sounds like your perfectly aware of the caution aspects of lorazepam and thats a good thing. Im currently still taking clonidine more now for my hypertension, but they do have a calming affect. Just be aware with the ativan that you dont want to take it for a long time if you dont need to, but a couple of weeks or month of use during your w/d's shouldnt be a problem. Congrats on being clean of oxycodone, its a hard one to kick, so good job to you. If you have any questions feel free to post more, or if you need to you can always send me a message/note and I'd be glad to try and answer any questions you may have. Take care and Good luck to you.

[worried878]

sometimes we just gotta learn the hard way dont we  ):

[Clamity2]

I was on hydro 6 years and oxy toward the end. I did go to urgent care on my first day for the fear and panic I felt like I wasn't going to make it. I was completly honest and the Dr. gave me valium I think it was 15 5mg tabs to be taken 1 every 8 hours.(no refill !! ) and ambien which is a sleeping pill. I think there were 5 . It did help get me over the hump of the first few days. I used again after 2 weeks however and went back into wds and did ct.  
I hope that helps.  This forum is a great place for addicts to get support. Glad to see you doing so well. Congrats on the 5 days that's huge !!

[worried878]

as prescribed i mean...or as little as need to be comfy!  had to add that..not advocating going on a benzo binge to get off of the narcs...keep posting

[worried878]

i did not use clonidine but i did use a benzo for detox/valium...course u know to be careful with the ativan..take small pieces if u can during the day to help the anxiety,...no rule u have to take the whole pill as they are not time released....clonidine will also make u sleep///sluggish possibly so play it by ear on how u feel..check ur blood pressure first as it lowers blood pressure and basically slows the metablism down...it would help with the runs, anxiety and sleep,,,possibly aggravate depression tho....use these drugs short term to help u make it thru this then get off of them...clondine is not habit forming but if u take it for a while it would need to be tapered off of as well as the ativan...dont be scared to use the drugs to be comfortable ..that is what they are for...use ur head and be safe...u will be fine