Thomas cocktail vs Clonidine

[bmac]

I have read that the thomas cocktail does about the same as clonidine.Is this true.I have many clonidine tabs that I used the first 8 days of withdrawing.Can they help me now that I am not w'/ding?I still haven't found the recipe on the net but if clonidine does the same I have a ton.
                                     peace,
                                        bmac

[mrmichael67]

I didn't take your post personally.  I see too many people scared away from methadone when it could be their ticket to sobriety.  A lot of people have bad experiences with it because the doctor who prescribed it doesn't know his ass from his elbow.  I just think people should remember that everyone reacts differently to different meds and not everyone has the same experience associated with them.  As far as me not answering questions, I am not here all of the time.  Do I know you?  No, I don't.  But I did read your post and that is all I needed to know.  And, you admitted that I hit the nail right on the head.  So, what does that question mean?  You said you take your anger out on this board....you shouldn't.

[kell737]

Thought this would help you all.   Hope everyone had a great weekend.  Keep praying!!  

~Kell

........................................
INFORMATION ON CLONIDINE:

In patients who have developed localized contact sensitization to clonidine film, substitution of oral clonidine hydrochloride therapy may be associated with the development of a generalized skin rash.

In patients who develop an allergic reaction from clonidine film that extends beyond the local patch site (such as generalized skin rash, urticaria, or angioedema), oral clonidine hydrochloride substitution may elicit a similar reaction.

As with all antihypertensive therapy, clonidine hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with severe coronary insufficiency, recent myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease or chronic renal failure.


Withdrawal: Patients should be instructed not to discontinue therapy without consulting their physician!

Sudden cessation of clonidine treatment has resulted in subjective symptoms such as nervousness, agitation and headache, accompanied or followed by a rapid rise in blood pressure and elevated catecholamine concentrations in the plasma, but such occurrences have usually been associated with previous administration of high oral doses (exceeding 1.2 mg/day) and/or with continuation of concomitant beta-blocker therapy. Rare instances of hypertensive encephalopathy and death have been reported. When discontinuing therapy with clonidine hydrochloride, the physician should reduce the dose gradually over 2 to 4 days withdrawal symptomatology.

An excessive rise in blood pressure following clonidine hydrochloride discontinuance can be reversed by administration of oral clonidine or by intravenous phentolamine. If therapy is to be discontinued in patients receiving beta-blockers and clonidine concurrently, beta-blockers should be discontinued several days before the gradual withdrawal of clonidine hydrochloride.

Perioperative Use: Administration of clonidine hydrochloride should be continued to within four hours of surgery and resumed as soon as possible thereafter. The blood pressure should be carefully monitored and appropriate measures instituted to control it as necessary.

CAUTION: May be habit forming, DO NOT stop this medication without consulting your doctor.

[bmac]

I don't think mrmike is going to answer any of my questions.
He read one of my posts earlier and took it personally.
I called my PCP and he just returned my call.This is his reply.He said there is no reason to think that herbs will
control the after effects of drug addiction.He said herbs will
help if I continue them for a long period of time.As for the clonidine,he said he prescribed it to me for narcotic w'd's.
After the physical withdrawals stopped to stop the clonidine.
In his opinion going to a shrink is the best after care for
addiction,I did that last week.He put me on wellbutrin.
He told me that yes the placebo effect can be just as effective
as drugs to some people.Clonidine is blood pressure meds.
His basic comment to me was exercise,get out of the house
and to get a life!!!Strong words but I have been telling myself this for a year.So I will exercise,get out more and I will get a life.If that doesn't work atleast I will be opiate free.
I have worried over this for the last month and I can't sit
here and dwell on my past any longer.Either I will get better
or I won't but at least now I am ready to give it a shot.
Thanks guys you where here when I needed someone.
                                Peace,
                                  bmac

[koalabear]

I think we need the advice of MrMike to clarify the Clonidine.

I know it must be weaned off from because it lowers the blood pressure.  When it was prescribed to me, I was told it had some  degree of properties of dependency. I was weaned of f   in 5
days.

Hellbent is right, though.  IMHO, you should always be thorough in researching whatever you are going to attempt.  Thank you for saying that.

Leah

[hellbent]

Clonidine is a high blood pressure med and I do not think it is addictive at all. Klonopin is a benzo and is. Clonodine is given to aid acute withdrawal, as it lowers blood pressure and in this was relieves anxiety. The abuse potential for clonodine is nil or very low: It makes you feel faint, dizzy, and that's about it. As far as a herbal remedy equivalent, I don't think so, unless you are a placebo kind of person.

I wouldn't listen to any medical advice here (including mine), without double checking it yourself against some online white papers...

[koalabear]

One thing to be careful of, and maybe someone can answer this for me.

If you are taking an SSRI (Wellbutrin) you might be careful about the dosing of St. John.  Just keep that in mind.

;)
Leah