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how does clonidine help wd??

I was wondering how exactly clonidine helps with withdrawal. WHich sumptoms does it help? I am going to my doc on Monday to talk about it before I take it but didn't know what it helps? ANy feedback would be appreciated.
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Avatar universal
i have taken it for withdrawals for oxy w/d and i found it kept my heart from racing, especially at night.. it takes away cold hot sweats i found really well. you gotta be careful because it slows heart rate so you must follow what the doc says to be effective. i was also told to taper down the med after the major wd is over... because it can make you heart palpitate and so on.. i had no problems with it and found it helped me alot.
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Avatar universal
If your doc does not help you and I think he will  you can get some Valerian and 5HTP and hopefully that will do the same to a point.  Watch your coffee or any caffeine intake as it will get your heart rate back up.. For me, I would drink water water and did I say water or Gatorade..
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Avatar universal
He is helping. It floored me when the 1st thing came out of his mouth was have you ever tried tramadol. I said yes and I had the worst wd in my life and only took them a short time. WHY do DOCTORs not know how dangerous those are. They are worse than the hydro. Unbelievable. I got some hylands rls because I get the arm thing and it drives me nutts. I have never tried it before so hopeing it will help. Why do say valium will prolong it?I have taken valium before , I had a bottle of 20 for a whole year. Only took it when absoulutly nessacery.
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Avatar universal
He should help you!  If he doesn't, he's not a good doctor.  The sweats and chills and skin crawlies were always the worst for me.  Oh, and don't forget the restless arms and legs.  I always had the arm thing!  There are safe meds that CAN help, but steer clear of things like tramadol, ambien, valium (or any benzo).  Those will only prolong and make worse your addiction!  
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Avatar universal
Thank you both for the info. Those are usually the symptoms that are the worst for me. I'm going in the morn to my doc and am very nervous. What if he doesn't help me??????
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Avatar universal
Lowers the bp and heartrate and anxiety. Stops cold sweats. What it does not help is diarrhea, nausea, or fatigue. In fact makes fatigue worse, but it's certainly a trade off!  Those first few days I gladly ook some fatigue over the other!!!  Then I wanted it to go away. I'm such an addict. Never sstisfied!!!!!!  Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Yes I know it is a bp med. My son takes it with adderall for his adhd so I am very educated on what it is and how to use it. I am on nadol and its a bp med used for migraine headaches as a betablocker.
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1047946 tn?1332608029
Not sure if you know it but clonodine is actually a blood pressure med. During withdrawals our heart rate tends to elevate so it helps keep it down which in turn makes a feel a bit better. It can also help with sleep a little. It kinda helps with the overall antsy feeling.

By no means is it a cure all. It does help take the edge off a little bit but it doesn't completely stop any of the symptoms. Clonodine is prescribed all the time for withdrawals so I'm sure your doctor has some experience with it. Maybe try and do a google search on "clonodine and opiate withdrawals" and see what you can find to print off just in case your doctor isn't familiar with it. I'd be very surprised if he/she isn't though.
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