1 week off Suboxone - can I epxect delayed WD's?

[Whenwillitend]

I took Subuxone (below Dr suggestestios for a week -- 5 days has passed, all was well -- I slipped with 7 vics 2 nights ago - and I feel I'm in full WD. This doesn't make sense since my 3 week abstense of vics -- I'm guessing it it suboxone.

Anynone have WD xp from suboxone? The first few days were a breezes, but I feel them coming now - and anticipaiting 'em more than ever. Am I in for a long ride, ir is it just a delayed kick in the @ss. I'f that's the case, and I find out day 3 is acutally 1 -- at least I have a baseline.

Just curious - what I'm up against.

[eze73]

I was on Suboxone for almost 8 months total.  I had 'planned' on 2-3 mos at most, but it worked out  just right, I think.  Get some distance from using so your mind & body get used to re-alinging.  Be patient.  Listen to your doctor and better yet, other recovered addicts.  Accept this thing is much stronger than you.  THEN you can do it.  After years of Heroin addiction and no way I could stop on my own,  the Suboxone saved my life for sure.  It was very hard to taper down, but very manageable.  A lot of weird discomfort(s), but your mind can't figure out why,  and I think of myself as pretty smart...  Aren't most addicts?  Using is the last thing from your mind, once you figure out using doesn't work because of the "blocking" effect.  And yes you're still dependant on an opiate, but it's manageable... You're not getting high.  I started on 16 mg, (maybe 4mg too much for my case, I found,) for a week or two.. and DID W/D from the Heroin big time... But still able to work, and reality, normal functions came back w/in a week.  Then settled on 12 mg.  A lot of side effects, (mania foremost,  does anyone else have this?)  Then I found 8 mg was about 'perfect.'  (for me) Did that for a couple months.  The hardest step was 8mg to 6.  A LOT of w/ds.  But not the same as Heroin.  Not anything close to it.  Then when I got to 4 mg, (about 4mos,) it was a lot easier.  I recommend EXERCISE if you're w/d ing.  I went on long hikes w/ a 50 -lb backpack whenever I tapered.  I didn't feel anything, & it's GOOD for you.  You sweat out and re-adjust.  Laying around, you get that rigor and fatigue, muscle-flexing, kicking, etc.  Then at 2mg, I no longer felt 'noticeable' w/ds, I was just so used to them, & so mild.  2 more months it was really more of a 'hassle' to take it in the morning.  Or I'd feel bad or lethargic and not be able to figure out why.  Again, using is the farthest thing from your mind.   Then 1 mg, then 1/2 a mg, crumbs, and almost 3 weeks ago, I told myself I'm just not taking it today and I'll be alright.   Beautiful, it was like coming out of the water.  I didn't think I'd feel any different after taking 'crumbs' for 2-3 wks, but I really did.  There was a significant week there that was odd & uncomfortable but strangely felt good instead of bad.  Some body adjustment that I'm still going through but seems 'normal' after opiates in my system for so long.  Digestive trouble, diarreah, sleep patterns a lot shorter, a little restless; but increasingly more energy, eyes and miosis (pupils) better, and as the days go on less and less of that muscle ache and 'stretching,' writhing. Growing clarity and acceptance of the immediate world around me.  My body is still adjusting after 17 days, I didn't think it would take that long.  But every day it's less and less of those synapsis not firing right, and better and better and more 'solid' feeling in my mind.  It's a wonderful drug if you're trying to get out of this.  And it's possible.  Much, much stronger than full agonists than you think, and does 'get' in your bones and 'nerves...'  That's the point.  It fools you, just stay on course and you'll be just fine.  Taper slowly, feel good about yourself.  Now that I'm totally free, every day is a gift.  Life, even the simple things, are just so beautiful.    

[JESI44]

I CUT DOWN TO 1 MG FROM 8MG.  I'VE BEEN ON SUBS FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.  I STOPPED 8 DAYS AGO AND THE WD'S KEEPS ON GETTING WORSE.   HOW LONG AM I IN FOR.  I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD TO TAKE CARE OF.  I FORGOT MY DR'S APPT BUT WAS GOING TO GET OFF ANYWAY, HE KNEW.  I'M AFRAID TO CALL HIM TO SEE IF HE CAN HELP W THIS.  I'VE BEEN EATING VALIUM LIKE CRAZY SO I ONLY SLEEP FOR AN HR AT A TIME.   WHAT SHOULD I DO?????

[worried878]

This is an older post...but when u r switching up meds like u r it is hard to tell which one is causing the problems...could even be a combo..as a rule 1 week of sub at low dose would not be habit forming/as a rule...as we r all different...using again after quitting can cause mental wds for many...it like wakes up everything it seems but it shouldnt last long..mentally it is a big setback.....be safe

[Dog55]

It's weird, but it seems like I have a different reaction that everyone else on sub w/d. I have been on them off and on (between hydro prescriptions) since May. I quickly reduced my dosage to 2 mg, then  1 mg. When I quit taking them, I don't get the same w'ds that come with hyros. Instead, it's massive fatigue; not able to get out of bed and do anything. As bad as the w'ds were with vicodin, I'm not sure which is worse, because I just can't function with the heavy fatigue. Anyone else have this experience?

[S1thari]

I have been on Suboxone for nearly 9 months now, and was able to get down to 2 mg/day. My last visit to doctor, I felt I was ready to go down to 1 mg/day, and when he prescribed me 30 2mg tablets, I found that I had jumped ahead of myself and taking only 1 mg a day wasn't enough. I started taking my regular dose (2mg/day) and obviously ran out very early. I did not want to call my doctor for an early appt, so I didn't take any Subs for nearly 3 days. I went through pretty horrible withdrawals, couldn't go to work and barely slept. Finally, I called my dr and scheduled an appt a few days earlier than normal. After explaining to my doctor what happened, he told me that I should have told him earlier and put me back on 2mg/day. After 3 days of not taking subs, I took 1 mg when I got home and the w/d's melted away. But I also found that later that night, and the next couple of days (this is day 5 of being back on it) I could not feel the Suboxone at all like I used to. I wasn't withdrawling per se, but I also felt like I needed to take a lot more in order to put me straight. Earlier, I took 3.5 mg's, hoping it would finally have it's effect on me as it had only days prior to withdrawaling, and still I cannot feel anything. Why is this? Is it because it needs to get back into my system after not taking anything for 3 days? I do not want to run out again, as it was one of the worst experiences ever, and do not want to ruin my doctor's trust in me by having to make an appt early again. He had been very good to me so far and trusts me, and I just wanted to know how long it will be until I start to feel the suboxone like I did before I ran out before? Thanks in advance for any help, and god bless!

[denny9600]

Thanks so much for your  comment or collium whatever you call them I was wondering about tappering with the SUBS and how long it will take im only 4day into treatment but looking for the end . W/D after tappering sounds like the way too go .GOOD LUCK'

[cleen]

I've been taking suboxone for 8 months now. I started with 8mg a day. 4 mg twice daily. I kept reducing my mg's every week. I'm down to a quarter of a mg per day. It's getting hard to cut the drug down to a small enough portion to take. I've tried to go more then 24 hours without taking my quarter mg and made it 30 hours before I started feeling miled withdrawals. I probably could of have gone longer but didn't want to fight the withdrawals. I'm affraid anyone taking this drug my be on it for at least a year. The secret is to just keep reducing the doseage in small portions so that the body gets just enough but doesn't miss what it's not getting. If you try to drop to much your body will know and will let you know through withdrawals. you have to trick the body. Just give it enough and that's it. Baby Steps. It's worked for me. I've gone form 8 mg to a quarter of a mg. somethings working with this method. good luck and take your time getting off. If you really want off the drug you have to stay faithful and strong. Can't give in or take a higher doseage for the buzz. Take your time and you will get off. Just a small fote note: when you've stopped taking suboxone for the last time, in other words your very last dosage, there will we some discomfort that goes along with that process. I recomend taking 2 or three days off, staying very active as to not think about what your trying to accomplish, keep your mind occupied on other things and in 2 or3 days your body will accept that fact that the party is over and you'll be off for good. take care and good luck. you can do it. I'm living proof. Cleen

[Mis Take]

you are so right.  The doc that put me on suboxone requires that you go to counseling.  I am happy about that.  So much needs to be worked out that happened while we were using.  I truly hope your daughter continues to do well.  good luck and God bless.

[Mis Take]

Could you be having w/d because you took an opiate too soon with the Suboxone still in your system.  I thought taking something while any was in your system would make you sick.  Im not sure about how long they last or exactly when they start but are you seeing a doctor during this phase.  Maybe she/he could put you on the right track.  GOOD LUCK

[kimbie]

my daughter was on suboxone. As you probally already know it is a "blocker" so even if you are doing drugs it will usually have no effect. She was taken suboxone for Heroin addiction. After a week she started shooting up cocaine. I found all of this out. No pill is going to take away the "mental" need & want for whatever drug you are taking. She was going through some withdrawl but her battle was she didn't know how to cope with out the drugs. As everyone is different her doctor told her she will go through delayed withdrawls but to keep taking the suboxone. She had aches, pains, etc. Her doctor told her the mental end is a lifetime!! To seek help mentally. She started to and didn't want to do it. I pray for you that you will. For anyone who is on drugs to seek help & to keep trying is a "huge" step. If you slip keep trying. I can't begin to imagine how hard it is to get off drugs but do know I am living it with my daughter. I pray for you to not give up hope! I wish you only the best & may God bless you & keep you safe.

[ScottQuit021907]

I have read that suboxone has a 37 hour half-life whereas full agonist opiates have a 2-4 hour half life. So if your last dose of sub was 8 mg, you would still have at least 2 mg in your system after 3 days (depending on other recent doses). I have also read that suboxone w/d is worst at about a week and, though milder than normal opiate w/ds, acute w/d will last a few weeks.

All that said, you didn't take the sub for long at all, right?