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Suboxone Detox (off a 5 year use)
I am a 27 year old female who has decided once and for all to face my worst fear of Suboxone withdrawals and not be controlled by a substance any longer.
I met some bad friends when I was younger who introduced me to heroine when I was 20. I was on and off (only smoking) it for about 6 months in total without first learning of the deathly addictive side of the drug. So you can imagine I was in for quite a surprise when I tried to get off it. Anyway I eventually learned of the Suboxone program. From what I read from the experiences of others, you American folks have a different system to us here in Australia. We have clinics provided by the government which take around $40 AUD per week for as much Suboxone as you need.
So I got on to the program and fast forward to now.
I have been at university for the past 5 years getting my life together again and developing every other aspect of my life other than my health. Now I am happy with where I am in life for once and I feel more than ready to free myself from the controlling substance.
I just wanted to document my experience here in case it can help someone else. I have found it very helpful reading other people's posts as they reassured me that it will all get better eventually.
I started off on 8mg daily, and have reduced down to 4mg for the past 3 years. 6 weeks ago I decided to stop going to my dosing clinic as I have just moved out with my boyfriend of 3 years and it was cutting into our rent money. I have been wanting to taper off for the past year but only now did I feel the motivation to take action. So I cut down 0.25mg every 4 days, and am currently on 1mg for 2 more days after today. I feel exactly the same as when I was on 4mg, which made me regret so much not cutting down earlier to ease the withdrawals.
I have also just got a job and luckily I got my first shift for this Thursday (I am taking the last dose on Wednesday) which I will still be feeling fine, and my next shift will be the Thursday after that. Therefore I will have exactly 7 days to heal the worst of the withdrawal symptoms and hopefully work will take my mind off the depression etc. I have also booked in for a psychologist appointment for next week (my first one ever).
I went to the doctors last week to ask for a sleeping aid. He prescribed me Temazepam. I will post updates on here as much as I can. Please feel free to leave me advice or questions. I am going to make the most out of my last 2 days of comfort for a while- watch some movies get the housework and errands done. I am going back to my parents place on Thursday after work as my boyfriend works full time and will not be able to take care of me as much as my parents can.
Have hope.
I met some bad friends when I was younger who introduced me to heroine when I was 20. I was on and off (only smoking) it for about 6 months in total without first learning of the deathly addictive side of the drug. So you can imagine I was in for quite a surprise when I tried to get off it. Anyway I eventually learned of the Suboxone program. From what I read from the experiences of others, you American folks have a different system to us here in Australia. We have clinics provided by the government which take around $40 AUD per week for as much Suboxone as you need.
So I got on to the program and fast forward to now.
I have been at university for the past 5 years getting my life together again and developing every other aspect of my life other than my health. Now I am happy with where I am in life for once and I feel more than ready to free myself from the controlling substance.
I just wanted to document my experience here in case it can help someone else. I have found it very helpful reading other people's posts as they reassured me that it will all get better eventually.
I started off on 8mg daily, and have reduced down to 4mg for the past 3 years. 6 weeks ago I decided to stop going to my dosing clinic as I have just moved out with my boyfriend of 3 years and it was cutting into our rent money. I have been wanting to taper off for the past year but only now did I feel the motivation to take action. So I cut down 0.25mg every 4 days, and am currently on 1mg for 2 more days after today. I feel exactly the same as when I was on 4mg, which made me regret so much not cutting down earlier to ease the withdrawals.
I have also just got a job and luckily I got my first shift for this Thursday (I am taking the last dose on Wednesday) which I will still be feeling fine, and my next shift will be the Thursday after that. Therefore I will have exactly 7 days to heal the worst of the withdrawal symptoms and hopefully work will take my mind off the depression etc. I have also booked in for a psychologist appointment for next week (my first one ever).
I went to the doctors last week to ask for a sleeping aid. He prescribed me Temazepam. I will post updates on here as much as I can. Please feel free to leave me advice or questions. I am going to make the most out of my last 2 days of comfort for a while- watch some movies get the housework and errands done. I am going back to my parents place on Thursday after work as my boyfriend works full time and will not be able to take care of me as much as my parents can.
Have hope.
Day 6 Update:
Hi WaterLily7 and Soulscapex, thanks for your replies! I am so happy for you guys that you have been through this and stayed in the light! I also really admire that you still come on here to help other people after having gone through your detox so long ago. Keep up the good work, it has certainly helped me!
I tossed and turned all night and fell asleep naturally this morning from 5-6 and 6-7am again. I had a doc appointment today to just see how I was doing, I was a little irritable this morning because I was just so tired it made me anxious. My parents are amazing people for what I put them through, and still being so supportive and caring for me.
I also got a two one-hour naps in the day so I'm feeling much better this evening.
I feel my mind clearer, music sounds better and people seem more interesting! Mentally I am at a great place right now and will keep strong to maintain it.
Hi WaterLily7 and Soulscapex, thanks for your replies! I am so happy for you guys that you have been through this and stayed in the light! I also really admire that you still come on here to help other people after having gone through your detox so long ago. Keep up the good work, it has certainly helped me!
I tossed and turned all night and fell asleep naturally this morning from 5-6 and 6-7am again. I had a doc appointment today to just see how I was doing, I was a little irritable this morning because I was just so tired it made me anxious. My parents are amazing people for what I put them through, and still being so supportive and caring for me.
I also got a two one-hour naps in the day so I'm feeling much better this evening.
I feel my mind clearer, music sounds better and people seem more interesting! Mentally I am at a great place right now and will keep strong to maintain it.
Another day down for ya, keep knocking them out, at first i counted hours, then days, then weeks, but im into my months now, i stopped counting awhile back, The energy thing is one of the hardest things, it took all i had to walk to the bathroom some days, but this gets better, keep goin for walks they help get your brain making its own endorphines, once i hit about 40 days i started the gym, and now im a gym nut go 6 days a week, it makes me feel great after a workout, i was on methadone for 9 years, and neglected myself, so this is a huge transformation for me. You wont stop liking your hobbies, such as reading you will find with time , once the drug is completely out of you, you will start to enjoy them even more. Music helped me alot thru my bad days, it gave me the drive to push on . alot of ppl find movies and shows to watch to help distract them, just like waterlilly said. I looked up the temazepam its a benzo , you got to watch taking these as they are highly addictive, i found this part.
Temazepam should be used for only a short time to treat insomnia. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 to 10 nights of treatment, or if this medicine seems to stop working as well in helping you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your insomnia symptoms may also return when you stop using the medicine. Ask your doctor how to safely stop taking temazepam.
After going through this you dont want to find yourself addicted to another drug, benzos require medical detox.
just be carefull, i used natural sleep aids like melatonin.
maybe check into that.
keep posting for support, im praying for ya.
God Speed
Temazepam should be used for only a short time to treat insomnia. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 to 10 nights of treatment, or if this medicine seems to stop working as well in helping you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your insomnia symptoms may also return when you stop using the medicine. Ask your doctor how to safely stop taking temazepam.
After going through this you dont want to find yourself addicted to another drug, benzos require medical detox.
just be carefull, i used natural sleep aids like melatonin.
maybe check into that.
keep posting for support, im praying for ya.
God Speed
1 Comments
P.s. thank you for your research I read about it a bit more too and although it is a very mild benzo it still is a benzo nevertheless. I will not be taking it anymore!
Melatonin sounds good my doctor said it works well in the long term so I will add it to my daily vitamins :)
Melatonin sounds good my doctor said it works well in the long term so I will add it to my daily vitamins :)
Day 5 Update:
First of all, thanks again to Soulscapex for the support! I greatly appreciate your time.
Last night I took 2 Temaze at 10pm, but still tossed and turned until 2am so I just took 3 more and slept til 7am this morning. I was so happy!
Today felt like a big improvement in mood, I went shopping with my mum (sat down to rest now and then and had to run to the bathroom a couple of times) but I came home and took a nap. I still felt tired this morning but once 5pm hit I was energized again and went for a 20 minute run.
The evening was great, I watched a H P Lovecraft documentary and read his book. I thought I would lose all drive to do any activities but it seems I still have it! It is very important to me.
I am going to bed now as I keep yawning and am so, so exhausted from all the sleeplessness. I am not going to take anything tonight. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow and a therapist on Friday.
I am looking forward to tomorrow!
First of all, thanks again to Soulscapex for the support! I greatly appreciate your time.
Last night I took 2 Temaze at 10pm, but still tossed and turned until 2am so I just took 3 more and slept til 7am this morning. I was so happy!
Today felt like a big improvement in mood, I went shopping with my mum (sat down to rest now and then and had to run to the bathroom a couple of times) but I came home and took a nap. I still felt tired this morning but once 5pm hit I was energized again and went for a 20 minute run.
The evening was great, I watched a H P Lovecraft documentary and read his book. I thought I would lose all drive to do any activities but it seems I still have it! It is very important to me.
I am going to bed now as I keep yawning and am so, so exhausted from all the sleeplessness. I am not going to take anything tonight. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow and a therapist on Friday.
I am looking forward to tomorrow!
1 Comments
hey Friend,
I am so proud of you. You really sound like I did a little over 4 years ago. I never went back, did not relapse once, and I feel you will be the same. You are strong and determined. Do this sister! You sure can!
As far as the PAWS thing, thre are so many opinions. If you ask me, just from my own experience, PAWS just starts after the physical goes away, and then the PAWS will go away too, don't fear it. THe hardest part with my experience was that dreaded anxiety monster that I thought would never leave, but he did.
I existed for weeks on HOUSE reruns, it was the only show that would not get on my nerves. You can find your comfort show too. Pamper yourself right now, you deserve it.
Please keep us updated, and I know you are gonna do this, you will be out here in the light with me soon.
I am so proud of you. You really sound like I did a little over 4 years ago. I never went back, did not relapse once, and I feel you will be the same. You are strong and determined. Do this sister! You sure can!
As far as the PAWS thing, thre are so many opinions. If you ask me, just from my own experience, PAWS just starts after the physical goes away, and then the PAWS will go away too, don't fear it. THe hardest part with my experience was that dreaded anxiety monster that I thought would never leave, but he did.
I existed for weeks on HOUSE reruns, it was the only show that would not get on my nerves. You can find your comfort show too. Pamper yourself right now, you deserve it.
Please keep us updated, and I know you are gonna do this, you will be out here in the light with me soon.
Day 4 Update:
Last night sucked, I was in and out of the bath all night trying to calm my nerves without any luck. I managed to dose off for 20 minutes in the bath though and that was it. The Temaze didn't even put me to sleep.. Today was a bit rough because of my lack of sleep. I kept trying to lie down in the day for naps but I just couldn't get any.
It also didn't help that everyone at home were out today, so I was left with my own thoughts. I tried to go for a drive again with my dog but 5 minutes in I felt my eyes getting tired and I headed back home. I scrolled through Facebook and felt the negative thoughts creeping up on me. I stopped straight away and went for a run. I came home and took a bath and got ready to go to dinner with my family.
I felt alright until I got to the restaurant. They blasted their aircon and it was FREEZING in there, on top of that there was some kind of golf function and it was packed with people winning prizes etc. I felt really uncomfortable being there and came back home. I had another bath and now I'm feeling great again, besides the sleepiness.
I forgot to mention I had a pretty bad case of cold sweats today. I was cold but sweaty, yuck! Then I remembered something I read and took a cold and flu for fevers. It worked wonders and made my uncomfortable body feel somewhat normal again.
The negative thoughts have gone away too. I was so worried it was the depression starting I went online to read about PAWS. Seems like it usually doesn't hit until a few weeks/months into withdrawals, and not everyone gets them.
I really want to know how long the insomnia lasts! I'm thinking of going to the doctors for a valium tomorrow if I still don't get any sleep just for one night to get my body feeling better but if it's not long lasting then I will ride it out..
Last night sucked, I was in and out of the bath all night trying to calm my nerves without any luck. I managed to dose off for 20 minutes in the bath though and that was it. The Temaze didn't even put me to sleep.. Today was a bit rough because of my lack of sleep. I kept trying to lie down in the day for naps but I just couldn't get any.
It also didn't help that everyone at home were out today, so I was left with my own thoughts. I tried to go for a drive again with my dog but 5 minutes in I felt my eyes getting tired and I headed back home. I scrolled through Facebook and felt the negative thoughts creeping up on me. I stopped straight away and went for a run. I came home and took a bath and got ready to go to dinner with my family.
I felt alright until I got to the restaurant. They blasted their aircon and it was FREEZING in there, on top of that there was some kind of golf function and it was packed with people winning prizes etc. I felt really uncomfortable being there and came back home. I had another bath and now I'm feeling great again, besides the sleepiness.
I forgot to mention I had a pretty bad case of cold sweats today. I was cold but sweaty, yuck! Then I remembered something I read and took a cold and flu for fevers. It worked wonders and made my uncomfortable body feel somewhat normal again.
The negative thoughts have gone away too. I was so worried it was the depression starting I went online to read about PAWS. Seems like it usually doesn't hit until a few weeks/months into withdrawals, and not everyone gets them.
I really want to know how long the insomnia lasts! I'm thinking of going to the doctors for a valium tomorrow if I still don't get any sleep just for one night to get my body feeling better but if it's not long lasting then I will ride it out..
1 Comments
Your doin great , here is a huge tip, dont read into any of this, let the process just happen, PAWS may never happen, im over 7 months clean off of methadone, and i never in one of those days felt depressed , i keep my head up and keep those thoughts at bay, it may help for you to talk to a therapist , it worked wonders for me, and as for the sleep thing i didnt have any issues sleeping thru my detox, dont fight it, your body will let you sleep when its ready, the valium isnt really goin to help you . no sleep is part of the process. some get it some dont. YOU got this. keep it up
Day 3 Update:
Today was nowhere near as bad as I had dreaded. I have experienced heroin withdrawal before and it was 100 times worse than this, the non stop cold sweats, restless legs, fatigue and most scariest of all, the depression. I didn't experience depression at all this time. My pharmacist friend said it might be because I was on such a low dose (I was taking 4mg daily for the past 3-4 years, 4 times a day which mean I was taking 1mg each time only, therefore we think only a little bit of my receptors were blocked and I am still able to produce some normal chemicals naturally). I did experience depression when I was first placed on Suboxone for a few months, so maybe it's past now yay!
Although I experienced terrible sleep again last night, this morning felt a tiny bit better than yesterday. I took a bath and felt great, slept from 9pm to 11pm last night after my first Temaze pill, then I tossed and turned all night until 4am this morning. I took another Temaze, hopped into the bath for about 10 minutes and slept til 7am. I got up and started my day.
I felt great this morning and went back home to see my boyfriend. He was hungover from a work Xmas party so we just ate and watched some movies. I still can't keep food down and have very limited appetite, having to go to the toilet after everything I eat but that is not a huge concern for me. I am drinking lots of Powerade and keeping hydrated. I felt a bit anxious at one stage and went for a really short run. It helped a little.
Anyway, if tomorrow continues to improve then I have truly experienced a miracle. I have dreaded this day for years, thinking it would be the end of me because I felt it before and it was hell.
Fingers crossed!
Today was nowhere near as bad as I had dreaded. I have experienced heroin withdrawal before and it was 100 times worse than this, the non stop cold sweats, restless legs, fatigue and most scariest of all, the depression. I didn't experience depression at all this time. My pharmacist friend said it might be because I was on such a low dose (I was taking 4mg daily for the past 3-4 years, 4 times a day which mean I was taking 1mg each time only, therefore we think only a little bit of my receptors were blocked and I am still able to produce some normal chemicals naturally). I did experience depression when I was first placed on Suboxone for a few months, so maybe it's past now yay!
Although I experienced terrible sleep again last night, this morning felt a tiny bit better than yesterday. I took a bath and felt great, slept from 9pm to 11pm last night after my first Temaze pill, then I tossed and turned all night until 4am this morning. I took another Temaze, hopped into the bath for about 10 minutes and slept til 7am. I got up and started my day.
I felt great this morning and went back home to see my boyfriend. He was hungover from a work Xmas party so we just ate and watched some movies. I still can't keep food down and have very limited appetite, having to go to the toilet after everything I eat but that is not a huge concern for me. I am drinking lots of Powerade and keeping hydrated. I felt a bit anxious at one stage and went for a really short run. It helped a little.
Anyway, if tomorrow continues to improve then I have truly experienced a miracle. I have dreaded this day for years, thinking it would be the end of me because I felt it before and it was hell.
Fingers crossed!
2 Comments
Hello, congrats on starting to a new chapter in your life, so far it sounds like your detox is goin well, make sure you try to drink as much water as you can, protein shakes are great and very much needed, keep in mind subs have a longer half life then H or pills, wds dont really kick in till about 3 or 4 day, just keep doing what you have been , its working for you. keep strong , these sometimes come in waves, you got this.
Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate you taking the time to give me your thoughts! It really made my day :)
Day 2 update:
Last night I got out of the shower, and it was so uncomfortably cold! I was very sleepy afterwards went to bed at 11pm. I was awoken at 1am with terrible anxiety and uncontrollable fidgeting and kicking. I tried to stick it out for a while and in the end took a Temaze pill which gave me about 3 hours of sleep before I woke up again at 4am and lied in bed until 7am.
Today was a pretty good day, my parents took me homeware shopping with them in the day and although I was still very tired from not getting good sleep, I walked around with them for 3 hours (taking little breaks to sit down every now and then). I realised I can't keep food down today, every time I eat I keep having to go to the toilet with a stomach ache.
When I got home I tried to sleep without much luck, and would get a bit of anxiety and restless legs when I am sat or lied down for a while. I decided to go for a little run and walk around the block and felt SO GOOD afterwards. I just stopped every time I got tired and started again when I could. It was only 10 minutes but it sure did me good. I know it is a lot of effort but you really need to get your brain producing their natural happy chemicals again. I also try to meditate when I can, even though it is never more than 5 minutes at a time.
I have been reading other people's experiences and heard hot baths can really help with the restless legs at night. I want to give it a go tonight and see if I can get a better sleep. I know I will definitely need the sleeping aids again.
Last night I got out of the shower, and it was so uncomfortably cold! I was very sleepy afterwards went to bed at 11pm. I was awoken at 1am with terrible anxiety and uncontrollable fidgeting and kicking. I tried to stick it out for a while and in the end took a Temaze pill which gave me about 3 hours of sleep before I woke up again at 4am and lied in bed until 7am.
Today was a pretty good day, my parents took me homeware shopping with them in the day and although I was still very tired from not getting good sleep, I walked around with them for 3 hours (taking little breaks to sit down every now and then). I realised I can't keep food down today, every time I eat I keep having to go to the toilet with a stomach ache.
When I got home I tried to sleep without much luck, and would get a bit of anxiety and restless legs when I am sat or lied down for a while. I decided to go for a little run and walk around the block and felt SO GOOD afterwards. I just stopped every time I got tired and started again when I could. It was only 10 minutes but it sure did me good. I know it is a lot of effort but you really need to get your brain producing their natural happy chemicals again. I also try to meditate when I can, even though it is never more than 5 minutes at a time.
I have been reading other people's experiences and heard hot baths can really help with the restless legs at night. I want to give it a go tonight and see if I can get a better sleep. I know I will definitely need the sleeping aids again.
That first post was from the 22nd this month (i didn't realise the account wasn't verified so I am reposting it)
And this is the update for day 1
Day 1 update:
Yesterday I took 4x of 0.5mg of suboxone film from the morning until the last one at around 7:30pm. I had work this morning so I didn't want to feel too sick to go in. In fact I felt absolutely fine, and it is currently 8:30pm at night and other than a mild case of cold chills and lethargy (maybe from not getting enough sleep last night) I am feeling ok. My mood is stable and I can feel more (good and bad). Because of the half life I might even feel ok tomorrow, we will see. I'm going to fill in some paperwork and prepare everything so I don't have to do any work in the next few days. I also went shopping for some vitamins which I have started taking today:
Mega Magnesium by Ethical Nutrients
Super B Daily Stress by Ethical Nutrients
Brahmi+PS+Ginkgo Focus by Bioglan Brain Support
I also have some Temaze Tabs for sleep which I dont think I will need tonight.
And this is the update for day 1
Day 1 update:
Yesterday I took 4x of 0.5mg of suboxone film from the morning until the last one at around 7:30pm. I had work this morning so I didn't want to feel too sick to go in. In fact I felt absolutely fine, and it is currently 8:30pm at night and other than a mild case of cold chills and lethargy (maybe from not getting enough sleep last night) I am feeling ok. My mood is stable and I can feel more (good and bad). Because of the half life I might even feel ok tomorrow, we will see. I'm going to fill in some paperwork and prepare everything so I don't have to do any work in the next few days. I also went shopping for some vitamins which I have started taking today:
Mega Magnesium by Ethical Nutrients
Super B Daily Stress by Ethical Nutrients
Brahmi+PS+Ginkgo Focus by Bioglan Brain Support
I also have some Temaze Tabs for sleep which I dont think I will need tonight.
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