Due to spine injury, I have been prescribed Morphine and I have requested my dr to help me quit, as Morphine has created several problems physically and emotionally.

So my spine dr switched me to Percocet for pain and Clonidine to help with the withdrawals from the Morphine.  This combo has successfully helped me with the pain and minimize withdrawals.

I am not in cycle and have been in remission for 6 years.  However, I did had a rogue kip 4-5 hit last Saturday and a shadow this morning. 

My concern is if I were to get attacked by the beast and if O2 was not available, my alternative abort to O2 is Imitrex injections.  Trex has been known by some to give them heart attacks and am a bit concerned of how the Percocet and/or Clonidine may react if I were to also use Trex. 

Does anybody have knowledge of these drugs and how they would interact with Imitrex?

My preventative cocktail of choice was always Prednisone and Verapamil.   Although Clonidine has been prescribed for my Morphine withdrawals, it is a blood pressure med and so is Verapamil. 

Does anybody have knowledge of how 1. Clonidine and Verapamil or 2. Clonidine and Prednisone would interact with each other?

I realize any feedback is strictly opinion and should not be used in place of a medical doctor's advice.  However, we have all experienced trial/error more than any MD about CH's and I value the advice from those on this board opposed to any MD.

Thanks in advance for anybody who can share knowledge regarding this post.

LV,

Please believe me... there are a few of us who know exactly what you're going through with an addiction to morphine...  and that's a no-$hitter...

Please read the post at the following link: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Read every word...

And when you're done, call me... the number is (703) 906-0701.

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Take care,

V/R, Batch

Questions about drug interactions can be easily researched at: drugs.com

Clonidine could be dropped while you are using Verapamil.

Your statement about Imitrx + heart attacks is much too strong and lop sided. In the absence of a diagnosed heart condition, this class of meds has a very good safety record.
--
Headache. 2004 May;44(5):414-25.Related Articles, Links
Consensus statement: cardiovascular safety profile of triptans (5-HT agonists) in the acute treatment of migraine.

Dodick D, Lipton RB, Martin V, Papademetriou V, Rosamond W, MaassenVanDenBrink A, Loutfi H, Welch KM, Goadsby PJ, Hahn S, Hutchinson S, Matchar D, Silberstein S, Smith TR, Purdy RA, Saiers J; Triptan Cardiovascular Safety Expert Panel.

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.

BACKGROUND: Health care providers frequently cite concerns about cardiovascular safety of the triptans as a barrier to their use. In 2002, the American Headache Society convened the Triptan Cardiovascular Safety Expert Panel to evaluate the evidence on triptan-associated cardiovascular risk and to formulate consensus recommendations for making informed decisions for their use in patients with migraine. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the evidence reviewed by the Triptan Cardiovascular Safety Expert Panel and their recommendations for the use of triptans in clinical practice. PARTICIPANTS: The Triptan Cardiovascular Safety Expert Panel was composed of a multidisciplinary group of experts in neurology, primary care, cardiology, pharmacology, women's health, and epidemiology. EVIDENCE AND CONSENSUS PROCESS: An exhaustive search of the relevant published literature was reviewed by each panel member in preparation for an open roundtable meeting. Pertinent issues (eg, cardiovascular pharmacology of triptans, epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk assessment, migraine) were presented as a prelude to group discussion and formulation of consensus conclusions and recommendations. Follow-up meetings were held by telephone. CONCLUSIONS: (1) MOST OF THE DATA ON TRIPTANS ARE DERIVED FROM PATIENTS WITHOUT KNOWN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE. (2) CHEST SYMPTOMS OCCURRING DURING USE OF TRIPTANS ARE GENERALLY NONSERIOUS AND ARE NOT EXPLAINED BY ISCHEMIA. (3) THE INCIDENCE OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS WITH TRIPTANS IN BOTH CLINICAL TRIALS AND CLINICAL PRACTICE APPEARS TO BE EXTREMELY LOW. (4) THE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-BENEFIT PROFILE OF TRIPTANS FAVORS THEIR USE IN THE ABSENCE OF CONTRAINDICATIONS.

Publication Types:
Consensus Development Conference
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

PMID: 15147249 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

I think at some point I have tried every med known to medical science to tame the beast, including clonodine, though not coupled with verapamil. Clonodine had no effect and verapamil did not work until I went above 480mg/day. Some have gone as high as 960mg. Since you are episodic and not in cycle I would use the time to stock up on energy drinks and get backup O2 to have on hand. Good job trying to get off the morphine. Hang in there and go with God's blessing. lance

I would most definately not use both clonidine and verapamil concurrently, as the probable effect of lowering your blood pressure and heart rate could be profound.

Whenever you have questions about drug interactions a pharmacist is your best resource.

I understand Clonidine and Verapamil both lower blood pressure and not to take both at the same time. 

But does Verapamil have the known ability to help with opiate withdrawals as Clonidine does?

I was prescribed low dose clonidine for hot flashes, and the dr explained that is has a "relaxing" effect on blood vessels. IMHO, that may offset your fear of heart issues with triptans. Talk to your dr first.

LasVegas wrote on Aug 12^th, 2011 at 11:27pm:

But does Verapamil have the known ability to help with opiate withdrawals as Clonidine does?

Never heard of it being used for that before. Can't imagine the same receptors are invovled.

I have no health insurance and am not in a financial position to pay for medical on a regular basis.  Last August I was rear ended in a car accident and MedPay insurance coverage has been paying some of the medical bills from the injuries I sustained from this accident.

I have self diagnosed my CH's from this board back in 1999 and self medicated since, so I am not use to doctors treatment plans. 

However, I am fortunate enough to have limited healthcare $ from the above mentioned car accident/spine injury which I am scheduled for a monthly visit to my pain mgmt dr (for injured spine) this Tuesday who has me on Clonidine & Percocet for Morphine withdrawals.

My goal is to now eliminate Percocet and just deal with the pain as I have too many personal issues with pain meds.  Tapering off the Percocets will no doubt require another script for Clonidine or something similar to help with opiate withdrawals.

I will surely inquire how another blood pressure med (Verapamil) will or will not be able to be used in conjunction with Clonidine or how Verapamil may or may not interact with another opiate withdrawal med. 

And I will be sure to ask how Prednisone will interact with Percocet and/or Clonidine or another opiate withdrawal med.

My past experiences have been very positive with a stack of Pred taper as a transitional and Verap as a preventative.  So naturally I stockpiled several of each med.  Considering I do not have health insurance or $ available for trying other transitional/preventative meds that may or may not be effective for me, I want to use Pred and Verap, but don't want to harm myself if there is potential negative interactions with other meds I am prescribed.

Thanks for the replies and helpful reminder that doctors should be consulted about drug interactions.  I am just so used to being my own dr that I forgot they actually exist, lol

See message at the top of this section on sources of assistance to get meds.

Bob Johnson wrote on Aug 15^th, 2011 at 6:26am:

See message at the top of this section on sources of assistance to get meds.

BobJ...great suggestion, never read the financial assistance sources info yet, but certainly will as I have no health insurance and can not afford to pay cash for neurologist visits, CH meds, etc.

Big concern is that the pain mgmt dr I will see this Wednesday to discuss getting off the Percocet most likely is not a headache specialist and will have no clue how to comprehend my inquiry of drug interaction and be reluctant to assist.  She is not the easiest person to speak with and find that if I tell her what I need and that I may know more than her about CH's that she will tell me I have to find another pain mgmt dr.  Especially if I let her know I have stockpiled Verap and Pred and plan to self medicate. Afterall, the Pred and Verap have nothing to do with this car accident claim and Medpay will not cover something unrelated to this car accident/spine pain. 

Las Vegas has more pain mgmt docs than laundromats.  They treat you like cattle, shuffle you in and write the script and shuffle you out.  I am on Medpay for this past car accident and not in a position to find a new dr as I just want off the opiates so I can move on with my life and deal with the back pain.  They piss test me every time I go in to make sure I am not abusing any of the opiates.  They have a policy not to take any meds other than they prescribe or I could be fired as a patient.  If I need to start a Pred taper so I can buildup Verap I just want to make sure that I am not going to create serious harm or death by mixing whatever they prescribe for existing pain (just got off Morphine and am on Percocet) and whatever they prescribe for withdrawals (currently on Clonidine for opiate withdrawals.

We'll see what happens on Wednesday...

My "pain specialist" claimed to be familiar with CH's and when I questioned what preventative and abortive treatments she believed were best, she had no clue.  She said I should see a neurologist.  IMHO, she is only a pill pusher and no better than drug dealer on the street taking orders.  No consultative knowledge!

Anybody residing or visiting Las Vegas, do not waste your time/money at "The Pain Institute of Nevada", at least not for CH's.

At least she confirmed what I read on my own, that Verapamil with Pred taper would not create issues mixed with opiates. 

In process of getting off opiates and just deal with the back pain that hopefully will go away in time with stretching and exercises to strengthen my spine, etc as I am fortunately not a candidate for spine surgery.