Suboxone W/D

Question

I don't really have a question, I just wanted to tell my story thus far, and maybe it will help someone and give them hope. I am on Day 9 off subs, the first 8 days were a living nightmare of no sleep, major anxiety, RLS, chills, weakness, and on top of that I got a hideous sinus infection which Im still fighting. I jumped off at 2-3 mg, it was impossible for me to go any lower, as an addict I tend to take it if its there and worry about the rest later. I was determined and hopeful to get off this evil drug this time, as this is my 4th attempt in the 3 yrs I was on it. Of course my Dr. said I would have no withdrawal and actually told me I was imagining it all. I believe if you sit and dwell in it you will make it worse on yourself, but this isn't all in my mind. He was an all cash Dr., who I believe doesn't know anything about what he is prescribing, but he drives a really nice Bentley off of his patients bondage and misery. Sorry, I digress. So this is what has helped me: A few months before I stopped I started eating better and taking many supplements so that my body was as healthy and strong as I could make it. I tell myself over and over that Im fine and just try to keep my normal busy routine. It is surprising the power of your mind. After Day 8 I gave in and started taking Trazadone to sleep, I didn't think it would work but it totally does. I slept 9 hours last night and my RLS and anxiety is much better today. I feel as long as I can sleep I can deal with the rest as I have a husband and small child to care for. I am trying to stay positive, but it does get hard, I spend a lot of time alone during the day, but I AM NOT craving subs, and I can tell you, once you get past that first hell week, you can do this! Research subs and you will not want to stay on them for as long as I did. My Dr didn't care if I got off of them, I had to tell him to kick me out and not see me anymore, which that helps when you want to cave, coz I know I don't want to go pay another 400.00 to get back into it. Ive read a lot of posts on this site and it has helped me so much, even though most of them are old. Im a little scared how long I will be dealing with this, Ive read some horror stories , like 42 days when does it end!!!. Terrifying. I hope the first 2 weeks is the worst. I would also like to note I am not trying to discourage anyone from getting help with subs. It can be an awesome tool if done properly. Where I live is very close to a major pill mill destination, so the sub drs here wont take my insurance. It is basically a big cash cow for them all. I would like to believe there are good drs out there who care. Would love to answer any questions or receive advice, coz Im kinda going through this alone. So happy I found this forum. Anyone that is just starting stay strong! I already taste my food better, love bigger, have my sex drive back (which subs took from me) I am back to feeling again. Hang in there. One more thing, most of yall probably know what trazadone is, but for those who don't, it is a very old drug (which comforts me) a mild antidepressant prescribed for sleep) it isn't a controlled substance or anything and my sub dr gave it to me the 2nd time I tried to quit. If you are going days and weeks without sleep like I was, you may want to consider it. It helps all the other symptoms, which I believe come from our bodies and minds not resting properly. ok done rambling for now, will keep you all updated on tips and progress.

VICourageous · Accepted Answer

Hi Again! How funny. I too did all those different drugs and when I got tired I could walk away and I never did feel a Bad w/d even with the crank/meth, until the 90s when I got a hold of them opiates..Oh, away we went right??

You can go to both AA/NA meetings..Look and find out where they are in your town..Also you can join a out patient one that are ran by a counselor and you can see a therapist too. I really think it all does wonders. I also had to add some Grieving groups due to the loss of both my parents and other family and friends not to long ago and all in 3 month period. I stayed on here day in and out through it all as my MH family gave me so much support. I also ended up having a stent put in my Heart a couple of months ago so I added some more Church groups and therapy. I do really think as recreational users for so long that we need all the Support we can get..Living Life and in our own skin can get really hard at times but we can beat the bad times with good Support..Any, will help you understand addiction. Just know that we are not DUMB but we have become Addicts and that there sometimes has no willpower after the brain takes over. It is a disease, as like any disease we need help..However, now I do pray hard for more willpower and more faith. You can do it!! WE all will be here to hold your hand all the way as your story will help new ones and older ones on here..Be Safe and check out where some meeting are..
Bless

ScarrieAnne · Answer

You are welcome! Would it be okay for you to share your W/D experience with me? Im really interested in what it does to different people. CONGRATS on being clean, YOU ARE AWESOME.

ScarrieAnne · Answer

Hello! Its funny how our addiction took the same route, I guess opiates have a different hold on people like us. The first thing I want to say is that I am deeply sorry for all the things you have been through recently, staying clean through all of that is beyond amazing. I hope your grief and health continue to improve and I am always around if you need a shoulder.SO, I know where meetings are in my area, but Im pretty introverted, to a fault, so I am going to go through my husbands insurance, they have a mental health section. I think 6 visits are free. thanks for pushing me in that direction. I wouldn't have even thought about aftercare before! Maybe that's why Ive relapsed more times than I can count, ha ha.I guess it is hard for me to accept I am an addict and this is  a disease I will have forever, I assume that is where counseling will be helpful. Thank you for everything, this site is literally my lifeline!! XOXO

ScarrieAnne · Answer

Thank you! I have never made it this far on all of my previous attempts. My mind set is different this time, I am ready and on my own terms, no one is telling me to stop, that makes a huge difference! AND since I am sitting up in the middle of the night its DAY 10! Having the sub sleeplessness. slept form 830 to 1230am. All of you that communicate with me are my lifeline, I cannot express how much it means to me.

Junip · Answer

Good for you and thanks for sharing, keep up the great work!  I was on subs for a year and a half and my doc also had no care about me stopping, just kept taking my money. What a mistake that was. Opiates are such a different animal, they sneak up on you and take over so inconspicuously. In my 20's my friends and i recreationnaly used coke and never had a problem walking away (not that I condone that by any means). Point is, that is an illegal drug that you obtain illegally and for me it did not hold a candle to the opiates my husband was and is prescribed for his disability.  Anyway, thank you for sharing, you are awesome!

Amandag78 · Answer

Hey Anne, Congratulations on 9 days !!!

ScarrieAnne · Answer

Thank you for the encouragement. I have been drinking tons of water, it seems I am always so thirsty now. Youre amazing for staying clean after using so long! I started at 14 as well, but did different things off and on my whole life and Im 41 now. I used to be able to party on whatever and then walk away and have periods of sobriety, then enter pain pills, which I didn't even like when I first took them, I could not walk away from them, and subs seemed like a dream. I was SO STUPID to get on it, but Im sucking it up and sticking it out.Thank you for your support, I am going to keep updating my progress, hopefully it will help someone else. As in aftercare, do you mean meetings or a private counselor? Thank you for your wisdom!

VICourageous · Answer

Hi Congrats on your clean time so far.
Make sure you are drinking tons of water too..You can even add some of those vit/min packets to the water..The thing with the Subs seems to be the Mental that will take some time..Well I can say all the drugs and booze. 
I came off a 12 yr ride from Methadone and 2 other meds. Mine did take months and months and then around 2 yrs for the mental to balance out a bit..BUT I am also no young chic and have been using it all since I was 14..The longer one uses the longer it will take all those hormones,chems and transmitters to balance back..So age plays a big part here too, as does health..
It sounds like you are doing all the right things but do not forget the water.
Hang in and maybe look up that aftercare if you are not already there.
Cheers to YOU!
Bless

ScarrieAnne · Answer

Hi! 22 days and you are still feeling terrible? I guess they are similar because the opiate in subs is super super strong, you just don't get high. If you don't mind me asking how many norcos were you taking, and did you taper down? When I was doing pain pills my withdrawal lasted about a week, 2 at the most. You should be at the end, my friend! The bad thing with subs is that the w/d takes FOREVER. Ive read some people are still in it at 90 days. Its scary. I would never advise anyone getting on them , unless you take them for maybe a week or so. Congratulations on being 22 days clean, keep me posted, it helps to talk to others that have the same issues. Good Luck and hang in there.