HELP??

[STARR71]

Hello everyone, Ive been reading this forum since March 2007. I had a pretty bad addiction to hydrocodone and Tussionex for 2 years. I decided in March after some legal troubles to go CT.
I was in hell for 10 days and then still didnt feel quite normal for months afterwards. Then I found myself in a situation where I needed emergency surgery and could not avoid pain meds again.
So here I am once again CT for the last 3 days after restaring the opiates for 1 month. My W/D
are worse this time then before. Can anyone tell me why its worse this time? Im miserable and I know it will eventually subside but Im just in misery and was looking for someone who understands what Im going through .............????????? Thanks.

[goingdown]

I'm doing good on the Sub, thanks for asking.  I'm feeling a lot better than the first two days I took it.  I go back to the doctor today.  Glad to hear you got some sleep!  I'm so glad you are starting to feel better!  Day 6 for ya!  Have a great day!!!

[STARR71]

Hello, sorry I didnt get back to you yesterday had a very tough day at work. im feeling better not
100% but better, finally slept for a about 6 hours last night so hopefully Im on my way.
How are doing with the Sub? I hope you have a great day and thank you so much for checking
in with me, I appreciate that very much.

[goingdown]

How is day 5 going, starr71?

[goingdown]

Have a good night, tomorrow will be day 5!  I'm counting with you, and praying for you!

[STARR71]

Ambien is a non-narcotic sleep aid but I know that it can be addictive if taken for long periods of time. Ive been taking it off and on for years and it has always worked very well for me but not during w/d i guess. anyway, maybe your body will adjust to this weird feeling your describing? did you ask the doctor about it? Know that Im praying everything works out for you, as well as myself..LOL!
yes today is day 4 and i know things will get better but things pretty much suck right now as far as the sleep thing goes. Anyway, I hope you have a great day and keep me posted about how things are going for you!

[goingdown]

Not quite sure what happened with that last entry.......
Anyway, I am on the Sub.  I was in and out of the doctor's office in an hour.  Some routine questions, such as prior addictions, am I taking anything else, etc.  No drug testing.  I did get an ekg, chest x-rays and a breathing test.  He gave me 5 of the 8 mg. pills and I go back on Thursday for more.  I take 1/2 in the a.m. and 1/2 in the p.m.  What a relief from the withdrawal, but I'm feeling odd.  Like I took a whole bunch of oxys and I don't understand this at all.  I told my doctor I did not want to trade one addiction for another.  I just now got so sick because I feel like I've taken a whole bunch of painkillers for the very first time.
You are doing great and you are going to be fine, don't give up!  Day 4, right?  It should be getting better soon, from what I remember from the last time.  The no sleep thing just sucks, wears you down.  I have never tried the Ambien CR, or anything like that.  Hopefully you will get some good sleep soon.

[STARR71]

I feel much better, however I cannot sleep, its terrible, my eyes are so red and tired and scratchy but when I lay down, I cant fall asleep for more then 2 hours a night, even with Ambien CR!!!
Hopefully this will subside soon, my body just has to give out sooner or later..LOL....
how was your doctor's appointment? did you start the Sub?

[goingdown]

How are you doing today???

[moms1]

It is different for everyone.  No one person can say a certain amount of time on suboxone is the right amount.  This is what i cut and pasted from the suboxone website.

The length of your SUBOXONE treatment depends on what your doctor, you, and, possibly, your counselor or therapist decide is best for your needs. Although short-term treatment may be an effective option for some, for others it may not allow enough time to address the psychological and behavioral aspects of their condition. The chance of relapsing can be higher with short-term treatment because patients have less time to learn the skills needed to maintain an opioid-free lifestyle.
In general, suppressing cravings with SUBOXONE (for as long as necessary), together with counseling, offers the best likelihood for treatment success.

Discontinuing SUBOXONE abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms, so when you are ready, your doctor will gradually taper your SUBOXONE dose. You should be aware of signs of relapse or withdrawal symptoms. Discard any leftover pills to ensure that they aren't used by anyone else.

Just use your own judgement.  I have read for the patient to decide the amount of time.  If someone is forced off it they have a greater chance at a relapse.  Got luck....

[FLaddict]

If you want the pro and cons of sub use I did some pretty intense research into patients experiences on it and after they got off of it.  HIt me up if you are interested,my email is in my profile I can send you the Sub FAQ that a patient wrote that i can across and found to be very true from what I read. I used it but only for 10 days, I had read that longer use than 21 days to a month can produce physical dependence on the med itself. and read many stories of people going through withdrawals from it even at 2mgs. I think its a great med when used for the physical side of addiction and the withdrawals, but when used for the mental like trying to keep from having cravings it can come back and bite people in the rear. It has its place.

[moms1]

Hi Starr,  I can only elaborate on my son.  He has been on suboxone for six months.  He is down to 2mg a day.  To me being on the outside and looking in...it has saved his life.  He is now working full time and going to school two nights a week.  He is happy.  I mean really happy in life.  He was addicted to percs and oxy's.  I caught him and gave him a ultimatum.  I think he was ready to quit anyways.  He went to this wonderful doctor and was put on it 48 hrs into withdrawl.  He only pays eight dollars for his two week prescription through his insurance.  He is very lucky.  Now I know everyone is different but you were asking for opinions.  We have only great things to say about it.  

[goingdown]

I'm at work also.  Waiting for my husband to pick me up.  You can do this, you are already three days past it!  I'm worried about the Suboxone and wish I could find somebody that is HONEST about how it works, etc.  I guess I will find out at 3:30!  Thanks for your encouraging words and I'll keep you posted.

[tzt2lady]

I have heard that addiction is progressive.   This means that each time we start up using again, it takes us down quicker and harder.    Some say the wds get tougher.    Others would argue this.  Personally, I had worse wds after returning to opiates following major surgery.   I also abused the hek outta the opiates and took way more than I should have.   I used it as a reason to have a field day, with the drugs while healing from surgery.  

I dont know if it would have been as bad if I had used as prescribed after the surgery or not.

[STARR71]

Unfortunately Im going through all of this at work and am unable to take off work! its pure hell
but im trying to stay positive knowing that I made it 3 days and I dont want to go on suboxone, as i know I will have to withdrawl of that as well.  I just know that I will never ever ever take any pain meds again! Its very unfortunate that we both didnt "learn" our lesson the first time but I know sometimes it takes falling off the horse 1 or 2 times before us addicts get it right...LOL.......
good luck to you and thanks for your response. keep me posted.

[goingdown]

I'm right with you.  I took my last pills 16 hours ago.  The hot/cold set in first, then the bowels loosened, now I'm sitting on a heating pad.  Leg cramps aren't so bad yet.  I'm not sure why it is worse for you this time.  I withdrew from vicodin, oxycontin, and fentanyl patches 3 years ago and swore I would never get to this point again, but I did.
This time, I made an appointment to see a doctor to go on Suboxone - due there at 3:30.  I'm not sure I want to do this but my husband isn't giving me much of a choice this time.  However, I'm terrified because I just read a post that somebody put on here that doctors won't treat addicts who also use pot - using pot to try and mellow out a little bit.