Tapering clonidine after quitting opioids

[cleopatra35]

I finally managed to quit the opioids,and clonidine helped so much.But now I need to taper it,so it does not spike my blood pressure,and avoid the sweating that I get when I forget a dose.I'm taking 800 mg a day,200 mg /6hrs.
Thanks for any help!!

[cleopatra35]

I'm taking clonidine  for about 3 monthts..Now i'm out of opioids,but still having terrible sweats..at night are worst..soaking one pijama every 2 hrs.But here in Brazil people dont have experience in opiods quitting,since here we dont have heroin,only pain meds,that are very seldom prescribed.i had such a good time tapering the opioids,but now cant stop the clonidine.I have both,the 0.1 and the 0.2.Clonidine here is sold without prescriptions.Monday went to my pain doc,to talk about it,but she said "she wasnt familiar with this".Thats crazy,how can a doc that prescribs opioids dont know about stopping them.But that money talking,she lost a patient,that no longer will pay her US$ 350 a month!Unfortunatelly here we dont have farmacist to dispense the meds.We buy closed boxes,wuth 20/30 pills.And the people that work at the pharmacys,are not pharmacists..I'm trying to find a doc that has some experience,but its almost impossible!!!

[MsHelper]

Hi Cleo. I'm in similar situation as you. I stopped hydros 5 days ago & began taking either, prescribed, clonidine .1mg, Ativan 1mg prn, or Mirapex for rls. I'm on day 5 of wd & still have some anxiety,  restless legs, & insomnia,  so I'm continuing to take something.  It makes me nervous because I have no idea how I will ever fall asleep without taking something.  I've had sleep issues long time, pain meds just helped w that some. Ughh...Off one pill but still have another to conquer.

[vicki595]

Hi there- It's against the forum guidelines to discuss taper schedules or drug dosages. This is for your own protection. Perhaps you could consult a pharmacist. Good luck!

[Lilly1955]

That seems like an amazing amount of clon iodine. I am on .1 mg just cut down to 5 times a day. I would taper with a doctors guidance.

[Runecano]

My doc gave me clonidine too but only a 0.1mg dosage. Are you sure yours aren't 0.2mg?
How long have you been taking them? My doc said as long as I didn't take them for more than 2 weeks I shouldn't have to taper off. He only gave me a script for 10 days.

I'm glad to hear that the clonidine helped you get off opioids. I give me hope!

[cleopatra35]

My problem is that Im doing it on my own..so no doc to help it...Thanks

[cleopatra35]

Thanks for the advice.I thought I could do it in 4,6 days ..But now I can take it slow..Here I can buy the pills cheap,and in lower doses,so,will make the same plan that done with the methadone..

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome, this is something you need to discuss with your prescribing physician. Have him/her put you on a good taper schedule and take you down properly.