Expert: Crystal - 10/6/2007

Question
QUESTION: Doc. i was on opium from 5 yrs. Now since last 12 days i hav left it just for my Girlfriend whom i want to marry after3 months. I am now on protiens & CLONIDINE Tablets.
I want to know how soon can i leave these tablets and get healthy? Please answer me my doctor is telling me nothing.PLZ PLZ PLZ help me?

ANSWER: Navi,

You sound like you are getting confused. Who put you on the clonidine and the protein? You need to tell me a lot first of all, how many do you take daily? Are you experiencing any side effects from not taking them? How are you functioning? Lets start there?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i am put on the tablets by a Doctor.
i am taking 2tab.in the morning & 2tab. in evening.
when i get up i am very healthy & fresh but when i take medicine i get very tired its even hard to pick up my legs hard to walk?
On not taking the medicines i feel very cold and get sudden hot and cold feelings.
I want to know its 15 days since  i had last Opium i want to leave the medicines i want to leave the medicines only then will i feel taht i am healthy.
plz help me out.?
I am so so very thankful that you took up my question seriously.
Hope to get a reply further.  

Answer
Navi,
Clonidine is used for blood pressure and is commonly used for withdrawal from narcotics, which is what Opium is obviously. Now remember I am not a doctor; with that being said, I would buy a blood pressure machine from the pharmacy, they are usually $30.00 and check it in the morning before taking the medications and then check it two hours after taking the meds and see how much of a difference you get. If your blood pressure is too low then that is why you are feeling tired and then you can ask your doctor if you can back off by a pill at each time. Make sense? But don't back off until you ask the doctor and you can explain it over the phone to his nurse and tell them you have checked your blood pressure and what your results were. You are done withdrawing from the Narcotics obviously and now you need to focus on getting healthy and in shape. You will notice a change in the way you look and feel because you will begin to feel alot better now that you are off the narcotics. Eat right and get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of water each day. It will help to balance you out.