I am an opiate addict. Was taking 20 or more oxy's a day before treatment. I stayed in treatment 7 days, going home with a script of seboxone. Had been on seboxone for 4 months. I have been off suboxone now for 6 days with the help of clonidine. I am paranoid about what I am able to take along with clonidine. I know doctors who write people scripts for clonidine and valium, but then I look on drugs.com and do the drug interactions, and it says it is not good to take any of my meds with clonidine. I take lithium for bipolar, atarax for anxiety, trazadone for sleep as needed. I just want to know if anyone else out here has to take other meds along with clonidine and how it has worked out. I am a little afraid right now!
Hi Lorraine, I want to welcome you to the forum. I wish I had an answer for you but I don't. My own experience with psychiatric meds was bad. Very bad. I don't use any meds for anxiety, depression, or sleep. They would always ultimately bring me down. But I am no doctor and would never suggest that anyone stop taking their prescribed medications. there are some people who post on this forum who may have experience with suboxone. I hope someone comes along who can help you. I have been as terrified as you are now. I found an answer to my fears in the 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous. Going to meetings, finding a good sponsor and working the steps have worked a miracle in my life. I use to hide in bed all day long. Not having the energy or desire to move. I remember how when the sun shine through my window and the birds would begin to chirp, my stomach would tie up in a knot, my palms would sweat, and I would be paralyzed by fear. I couldn't stand the thought of facing another day. I hated myself and wanted to die. That was then, and this is now. NA has freed me from the isolation and self loathing that used to characterize my existence. No matter what else you choose to do. Please, give yourself a break. Go to a meeting. it may be the best choice you ever make. God bless you and keep coming back to let us know how you are doing.
Hi Lorraine,Welcome to MIP! wE DO NOT GIVE ADVICE ON MEDICATIONS,THAT REALLY IS AN AREA FOR MEDICAL PEOPLE TO DECIDE.i WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST LOCATING A MEETING PLACE(CAN GOOGLE IN YOUR AREA) NA CAN HELP YOU GET FREE OF YOUR ADDICTION AND DEAL WITH MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL AREAS OF OUR DISEASE BUT ONLY A DOCTOR ,(PREFERRABLY A DOCToR VERSED IN ADDICTION)SHOULD MAKE THE MEDS CALL. MY son,24 is a heroin addict ,on 125mg's of methadone,taking,anxiety meds,and has been on all the meds you are describing,TRIED SUBOXONE BEFORE METHADONE AND DIDNT WORK FOR HIM. The mixture of meds he was taking,really had him out of sync,He is diagnosed with severe OCD.Manic Depression,AHDD,ANGER ISSUES AND ANIETY DISORDER..We DONT AGREE ON how we address our individual addictions but WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN RECOVERY.Keep coming back.let us know how your doing...God keep you well and moving toward the "solution".
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
How many doctors are involved? Does each know what the other is doing? Do all know about your addiction and co-occurring mental issues?
Dangerous game, if not.
If all is as it should be, you should be able to talk ASAP with your doc (or docs) and get a straight answer about all this stuff you are on, why he or she thinks you must be on these combinations, and how it should be managed medically, IN THE CONTEXT of recovery from addiction.
Ideally, find a practicioner who is trained in co-occurring disorders--many psych docs don't know enough about addiction and can unwittingly undermine our recovery.
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From dying and surviving to living and thriving. LeeU
LeeU wrote:Ideally, find a practicioner who is trained in co-occurring disorders--many psych docs don't know enough about addiction and can unwittingly undermine our recovery.
That is an understatement! It can be very difficult to find physicians who really understand addiction, unless they are an addict themselves. Yet it is very important as recovering addicts we cover our butts and ask questions of our doctors, find out if they fully understand how perilous and deadly our disease is.
No I am not a doctor. Yet as far as opiate specific addiction goes I am well versed. Substituting one drug for another does not work for this addict. Tried many times many ways with and without medical "help". Until I found the NA Way nothing worked. Honestly I don't give a rip about drugs that will supposedly make kicking opiates easier. And yes I know exactly what cold turkeying opiates is like, been there done that. And by the Grace of God as I understand him through the Power of NA I stay clean one day at a time and never have to go through that hell again. I have a choice today. As addicts we want an easier softer way, doesn't exist as far as freedom from addiction goes for this addict.
If you want what we have to offer, freedom from addictive addiction, and are willing to make the effort to get it give yourself a break. Go to 90 NA meetings in 90 days and you too may be well on your way to discovering a better way of life.
There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using. The NA Program is simple, it is as hard or easy as you choose to make it. You have to want it, I want it like it's my last breath and it works.
-- Edited by Mike M on Saturday 1st of January 2011 10:00:37 PM
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Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
I am an opiate addict. Was taking 20 or more oxy's a day before treatment. I stayed in treatment 7 days, going home with a script of seboxone. Had been on seboxone for 4 months. I have been off suboxone now for 6 days with the help of clonidine. I am paranoid about what I am able to take along with clonidine. I know doctors who write people scripts for clonidine and valium, but then I look on drugs.com and do the drug interactions, and it says it is not good to take any of my meds with clonidine. I take lithium for bipolar, atarax for anxiety, trazadone for sleep as needed. I just want to know if anyone else out here has to take other meds along with clonidine and how it has worked out. I am a little afraid right now!
Hi there. I too am bipolar and an addict. I went into detox and rehab at the end of September through early October. Congrats on being off the Suboxone and of course, the Oxys. From personal experience, I know that I can take Clonidine with my bipolar meds. Do not rely on the internet....ask your doctor instead and tell your doctor your concerns. Don't rely on internet advice.....CALL YOUR DOCTOR
