What is Clonidine?

[erika1924]

What is clonidine, and what does it do.  I've read alot about it on these posts.  I'm curious.  Thanks so much.....-erika

[Jade59]

Thanks for thinking of me.  I'll be sure to listen.  I smoked for 33yrs and I think I was sooo ready to quit, it was almost easy.  The smell of smoke on my clothes, going outside every 15mins, even when it was pouring rain and whipping wind, and also the fact that I was using an inhaller to clear my lungs because I couldn't breathe anymore (I don't have asthma!!) all became such a chore that I began to HATE smoking, where as I used to LOVE IT.  I had been thinking of quitting for years every single time I lit up until finally, one day, I just stopped.  I had just bought a carton 2 days before too. Not only can I breathe now(NO INHALER) my pain levels went down by a good 50%.  The only true negative there has been to quitting is my anxiety never goes away now, nor do I sleep much but theonly time I really crave a smoke is when I'm under EXTREME stress.  Like after getting my teeth drilled at the dentist yesterday.  I even used nitrous, but the anxiety pushed through anyway.  I have been very very lucky, I barely think about it.  My husband is happy to say the least.  Listen, I know you have never smoked, so thanks SO MUCH for your support and for listening.  I'm going to click on to youtube now.  Take care!

P.S. I think they should add a "smoking forum".  If there is one, I haven't found it.  Can you tell I need to talk about this? LOL

[Barbarella]

Go to youtube  (www.youtube.com) and type in their search box "Hero Mariah Carey", click on the headline when it comes up and listen to the words.  Anybody who can overcome an addiction is a hero in my book, or overcome a fear etc.  I played that song for my husband many times while he was struggling to quit smoking.  Keep in mind he smoked 3-4 packs a day for 45 yrs.  He is mine and our two kids's hero for overcoming this horrible addiction. Yes, with the help of Welbutrin, but there are people who cannot do it even with the help of meds or they fall off the wagon and go back to smoking.

Listen to the words, there was/is a hero inside of you.

[Jade59]

Thanks for the congrats, you made my day!!!!  No one close to me has ever smoked (other than my mom who never recognizes my accomplishments anyway) so I don't get alot of "Good Jobs" thrown my way.  Congratulations to your husband on the 4year mark.  I'm not sure if it's EVER easy, even after so many years.  I'm sure he's so proud of himself.  

[Barbarella]

My husband was put on Welbutrin when he couldn't quit smoking on his own.  It took him one year on Welbutrin till he finally quit, but still has the urge and dreams about it at times, but so far has not smoked since, that was 4 yrs ago.


CONGRATS to you for quitting two months ago.  I never smoked but do know how HARD it is to quit.

[Jade59]

Well thanks again Barbarella.  I didn't know clonidine was used for nicotine w/d.  I sure could have used THAT 2mos ago when I quit smoking.  I do know someone who wants to quit so I will pass this info on to her.  

[Barbarella]

I have the clonidine patch for high BP, and change it once a week.  Clonidine is for people with high BP, but its not only for high BP, it is also prescribed for people who want to withdraw from either cigarettes or certain drugs and alcohol.  It is also prescribed for women who suffer from hot flashes.