New Medication

Hi Maria. I have been on this drug for 5 weeks now. I started off with a quarter tablet twice a day and am now on half a tablet twice a day. The brand name I have is Catapres but it is the same drug Clonidine. I was getting hot flushes between every 20 to every 40 mins. They are annoying during the day but really noticeable at night and I was beside myself for lack of sleep as I was only getting catches of sleep here and there. Since starting Clonidine I am still tired and am still getting the flushes and waking between 4-6 times a night but it is better than before. But I am not sure if it is the Clonidine or not. It could be that the pain medication I am on because I recently injured my knees is allowing me to have better sleep or it may because I am just getting used to the hot flushes, or it may be the Clonidine - I don't know.  My GP seemed to think that not many women get relief on Clonidine. The other drug she recommend had the brand name Effexor - an anti depressant - but I am allergic to this and couldn't have it. According to my GP Effexor works better than Clonidine for hot flushes but it can cause severe headaches, vision problems and is hard for some people to get off.

Good luck with it - I know how hard it is to get through everything when you get such little sleep. It makes me realise how sleep deprivation can be an effective form of torture!!! 

Take care, Nadine