Suboxone mysteries

It seems that suboxone is the topic with the most mystery. I can't seem to  get a straight answer from anyone. I've been on it for a while and have had some interesting experiences; many were not among those I'd read about. I would like to converse with someone who is also on this drug and share experiences. Let me know if you're on it or if you have been and gotten off.

[sadinmichigan]

I'm sorry your post hasn't been answered yet.It seems that alot of the guys/girls that have sub experience are not on tonight..But there will be people that can hopefully answer you in the a.m.  take care..

[marcatj]

i'm on a low, maintenance dose at the moment.

one thing that i have seen brought up here was "numb hands."  mine went numb... i told my doc about it.  he told me it could be a number of reasons, but let's start with "halving" the current dose i was on.

i did, and the numbness went away.

i've talked to a few others who had this happen, but none of us knew if it could be the Suboxone.  having gone through it, i can tell you - for me, it was...

that's been the only negative side effect i've had...

hope this helps!

mj

[marcatj]

btw - i'm hittin' the sack. so if you post and i don't answer, that's why...

but if you want to ask me anything else, please feel free to send me a PM.

good luck....

warmly,
mj

[flmagi]

Marcatj
OMG!    I've been haveing numbness in my hands/arms, especially my left arm. I haven't associated it with the Sub because it really only happens when I lay down. I still don't know whats causeing it. I'd like to hear what happened to you. I'll Pm you.
Magi

[LONESOME]

numbness wow I have some in my fingers but I didn't think nothing of it.
Well it could be but don't know if Dog55 is that what you wanted to know?
Galdy

[marcatj]

in my opinion - and if it's primarily at night - it's the Sub.

i know tooooo many people this has happened to on Sub for it to be a coincidence.

and like i said, when i halved my dose, it went away for the most part.  and since it was the first thing my doc suggested, i have a feeling he'd heard it before.

crazy, huh?

[ILoveLukey]

I have been on Suboxone since February. It has been a lifesaver for me. Not really any side effects. First week or so had the "nod off" feeling and queasy but that all went away. I hate the melt...hate the taste but it got me off a very expensive pain pill habit. I honestly think it saved my life................sure I will have to wean off of it but I will deal with that when it is time to and I will do it veryyyyyyyyyyyyy slowly for success. Goodluck.

[docnomore]

I don't believe sub or methadone or any other drug like that should be exaulted to say it saved my life or is a life saver. It's just a tool and from what I see people praise it because it takes them out of withdrawl (withdrawal) and put them in a holding pattern. There are too many posts here that say how bad it been on sub to think that long term sub is a good option. It may work in some cases or better for a short detox. These sub docs seem like quacks who really don't understand this drug or addiction and are raking it in.

[marcatj]

well, since it didn't save your life, you should really leave people to their opinions.

maybe it DID save their life.

and since you are not in their shoes - again, i really don't think you should judge until you've walked a mile in your brothers shoes...

[wait2long]

sub DID save MY life also...methadone was not saving my life.
sub and methadone shouldnt be used in the same sentence...  2 totally different drugs.
they arent similar in any way except they both have a half life, and even that cant be compared...

docnomore-
how long were you on sub and how long were you on methadone?

[flmagi]

I think Suboxone is great, it really has helped my sisters and I.
But I am going to throw a possible warning out here. This numb hands problem seems to be very common amoung Sub users. Not everyone has experianced it, but to many for it to be just a coincidence. One of my sisters never had this problem until she started Sub and I have been haveing the same problem too.  So it seems the Suboxone may be messing with circulation and/or nerves. Yeah, I find this alittle scary, even though the Suboxone has worked wonders for me.

[missmarmee]

my husband has been on sub. for 38 days. he hasn't had any numbness. the only side effects he experienced was a bit of nausea his first week (the doc lowered his dose) and some constipation, but that has seemed to go away w/ a high fiber diet and an occasional glass of metamucil. i do believe the sub saved his life. he was taking such massive amounts of pills, that it was only a matter of time before he overdosed. i thank god every day that he is in recovery. i do agree that sub is a tool  in recovery. he attends meetings and therapy and the sub keeps his cravings at bay so he doesn't relapse while he's learning how to live his life sober. this is the first time in years he's been able to live life without thinking of a way to self medicate.

[marcatj]

it's wonderful to read how well your husband is doing, and all the work he is putting in to it.

you must feel so relieved.

i just had to comment because i was so glad to read about your husband and his progress...

be well,
mj

[denny9600]

hey whats up you are good person [ I DONT YOU PERSONALY ] but you were here for me and I see you are at It again THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON MY SITE and I think THE SUBS SAVED ME TOO.

[Dog55]

Thanks for the comments. I'm heartened to see that others are having the hand numbness. That is definitely something that has been happening to me. So, like the others, it appears to me that there are too many with this effect to write it off as a coincidence. That was something I had never experienced before. Anyway, I still believe sub is a lifesaver even if it is nothing more than a temporary halt to opiate problems. The numbness is unique to suboxone in my experience, but I have two of the same side effects as I did on vicodin: constipation and no libido. That hasn't changed. One other problem I am having is almost total lack of appetite. I'm dropping weight like crazy, and that's not a good thing because I'm think to begin with. I also get occasional nausea, but they may be a dosage situation. I went off the subs for three full days last week and did not have any w/ds like I did with vics, but I did get very fatigued, the 500-pound lead suit feeling I've read about. I understand that is common. When I'm ready to get off, I guess I'll have to be that way for a while. Anyone have similar experiences?

[inittowin]

I can't seem to sleep AT ALL on suboxone.. I just don't get sleepy!  I don't take that much daily.. 2 mgs .  The numbness I too experience (left arm) as well.. Also my appetite goes away  I get mad energy.. go on a cleaning spree.. and can't stop moving..

[addictedme]

I think what doc may be saying is that no substance saves a life unless a person chooses to use it in that manner and saves their own lives. I wont say yay or nay about sub but if you read all the posts over the months you"ll find people who curse it,people who feel it saved their lives,bad wds,no wds,should only take it short time and even some who say take it for life. Doseages are all over the map,etc.Having been around when meth came about I can say that the same things that are said about sub (it saved my life etc,) are what was said about meth and maybe that scares people. Hopefully in time these differences of opinions will all come together and it will end up a valuble tool..

[cattalina]

Although I've had positive and negative experiences/side effects while on suboxone, I do consider it the stepping stone for me being able to change my life.  Before I got on it I was a chronic relapser and just wasn't able to stay clean for extended periods of time.  Sub was a life changer for me, I don't think the med itself saved my life cuz I ultimately made the choice, but I'm not sure if I could've gotten and stayed clean without it.  Those good things being said, there's always a downside.  I've had alot of not so great side effects, but that's just the price you pay.  When I initially started the meds, I would've recommended them to any and everyone.  Now that I've had some real experience with it I would advise people to find a doctor who is actually educated about Suboxone/Subutex and addiction before getting on this med long term.  And also to really research as much as possible on your own beforehand.  This med hasn't really been around long enough to have the kind of information that people really need, so alot of us have side effects that aren't widely known or understood yet. Sub has definitely made a positive difference in my life, but like I said everything has a downside.  Wishing everyone positive things... :)

[addictedme]

a sensible,unbiased post on the pros and cons,,ty

[cattalina]

anything I can do to help!   :)

[LONESOME]

Wow lack of appetite, energy all of that is news for me but I have to say that since I was put on suboxone I have gained 15 pds but I also was put on lexapro and trileptal at the same time and I know that is what made me put on the pds, now I'm of the lexapro and trileptal and yes I can see the difference as far as the appetite goes.
Overall I been on sub for 4 months and I have to say that sub probably save my life to cause the rate I was going I don't think I would have lasted much longer.
But I have to say that since yesterday when I watch a episode of Intervantion this lady was on suboxone and like 4 other meds and she was still abusing pain killers, soma and the other meds so my question is I really thought that sub would help you with the cravings? it does me no craving of pills.
My opinion

[cattalina]

Sub does help with cravings, actually for alot of people it takes them away almost completely.  It's kinda odd that the woman would be taking sub along with narcotics... it should've been making her sick, plus combining sub with benzos can cause an overdose.  I dunno I guess everyone reacts to it a little bit differently...

[LONESOME]

yeah you should have seen her she was from Las Vegas, she was taking 24 mgs of sub, seroquel twice a day, trazadone three times a day, soma every 4 hours and she was taking pain pills she didn't say what kind because her husband and friends kept looking the pills from her cause she od three times.

[Dog55]

I've been on sub since May 15 and haven't had any cravings. That's one thing that went away immediately.

[LONESOME]

Same here there are times when I can't sleep but that is not bad at all I just take 1 tylenol pm and knocks me out till the next day

[lovepat906]

My son has been on sub for 90 days and has slowly tapered from an initial dose of 16mgs to .25mg every other day. He has had no adverse reactions or symptoms. The sub took away his cravings and he experienced no real WDs duing his taper. Now that he is skipping every other day he has some yawning, some sleeplessness and some RLS- but nothing debilitating. I think the med has been an excellent tool for his escape from pain pills and methadone.

[got2bfree]

good reading hte postive posts....i'm starting to feel the w/d off the morphine....I need the sub to work....I'm starting on Thurs m orning...

Deb

[tret24revamped]

hey, ive been on sub for almost 8 months, went through a three day hell detox in the hospital then finally saw the sub doctor, my addiction was horrible and at first only started at 4 mgs and then by the end of the first month I was on 32 mgs, the max effective dose, seeing as it has a ceiling effect. I would say the first month of sub use gets you pretty messed up , not like OC or H, but a good buzz thats long lasting and def. helps ease the cravings and any withdrawal you may have. After a couple of months youre tolerance goes up and the effects seem to elvel off. I was even on 4 mgs of clonazepam, 4mgs of lrazepam, and 60 mg of temazepam for a xanax and sleeping pill addiction, while taking the sub. I would nod off at times but never really felt truly messed up which overall is a good thing i think.I am now down to .25 mgs of clonazepam 3 X a day and 2 mgs of lorazepam a night, and weening down. and also down to 16 mgs of subs, which to me is a huge feat for me, seeing where i was this past november. opiate naive users will get really high or sick from using sub because its relally strong( approximately 25-40 X stronger than morphine on a per mg level), but any addict wont really feel much aftr a a few uses. And I found the higher you go up the less effect and the more the opposite effects came out. more of the mixed antagonists comes out, I would say the perfect dose if between 16 and 24 mgs. careful with other pills while taking it, everyone is diferent and every ones addiction is different as well. taking any other opiates while on it is really a waste, it takes at least a week with a high dose of 32 mgs to feel anything unless youre on some 100% pure heroin, after a week youll start feeling it again maybe a little less but you still have a high tolerance so you take a lot more than what you normally would have. good luck and stay strong

[LateAugust]

I's sorry I am sure you have seen me ask this question before; however, I can't find two "proffessionals" that will give me the same answer regarding Suboxone.

If you are an oxy user  and start taking  Sub,  do you still have the dreams about using and the euphoric feeling of using?    Does it take away the sweating in your hands because you want to use more than anything else in your life, regardless of all consequesnces of oxy abuse?

I am really asking for help, of whether this drug deals with the insatable mental cravings for oxy,   not so much for the physical withdrawal, rather its benefits or does it help with the mental craving?

Again,  I have no idea of who is right or wrong,  and can find no consistant data....but another question I have, is why do they (the dealers) sell Sub on the streets?

I'm sorry, I know this is a lot of question......if I can narrow it down to one....does Sub take away the incredible mental cravings?

Thank you so much for any input you may have.

[Dog55]

Can't comment about oxy; I was a vicodin user. But from what I've heard, it is probably similar. I have no cravings, other than an occasional feeling that I could use a little "bump," which is probably all psychological, and nothing like going without opiods for a day and the cravings that come with that. So don't worry about that part. Anything else you want to know about suboxone from someone who has limited experience, just ask me and I'll do what I can.

[marcatj]

anytime, buddy.. anytime you need a friend.... :-)

[lifesaride]

i was doin 8) 80's a day when i started suboxone, i think that was april26th08, from the first day til now i havent had a craving . now, have i thought about getting a few oxys to do? yes i have. but the thought quickly goes away. so i wouldnt ca;; it a craving. heres the best way i can discribe it, after you have a nice dinner, with a big sclice of pie with whipped cream on it with a cup of coffee,about an hour later you know you got those good drumstik ice creams in the freezer, you know you saticfied you full as hell, you dont need the ice cream, so the thought goes away and you eat the icecream tommorrow. so, tomorrow i take my suboxone and forget about the icecream(oxys). if you do the subs your only gonna wish you started them earlier, thats how i feel i woulda saved thousands.Teddy

[buprenex]

If you want to get really comprehensive real world info cut and paste to:


http://www.heroin-detox.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7538

[LateAugust]

Thank you both for your input.......I see both sides of what you are saying  and Bu I had read that article before hense my inability to steer my daughter in the right direction, becasue evert web site  every doc has a diabolically opposed opinion.   I have given up on wishing for the magic wand to make it all better,  but it would be nice to get two cconsequtive medical  opinions that mesh.  Just amazes me the FDA releases this stuff  and ther are so many unknowns on long term  use  or short term damage.

PLEASE do ont misunderstand,  if it works for you great,  if it doesn't  that is your decision as well.......I am just stuck in pergatory without a flipping clue of what can help my girl stop relapsing  and the mental hold  that wont  let go.

Thank you again.  I wish  you all success in your sobriety.

[LateAugust]

Thank you for being so sweet and caring, I am so very sorry I left those words off my above post,  but I never forgot  your thoughts in my mind and heart.  You are a gentle soul, thank you so very much and your kindness to me.

[docnomore]

It seems like a lot of people are doing ok on sub (not all) and am glad. I want to hear from the people who have weened off of it and know how they feel and how they are doing with cravings. I don't believe that drugs save a drug addicts life, they are only tools.

[LONESOME]

You said it your self sub is only a tool, just like any medication is up to you to put it to use for you.

[LateAugust]

Wow   I wish it were that simple.  Based on what I've read just trying to "figure out" the correct dosage in and of itself is incredibly hard.   And that doesn't even touch on the subject of it is, or is not, healthy to use as a recovery tool.   I am so weary of this subject.

[bbb22]

I am on about 2mg every other day, tapering as fast as I possibly can so I can get off.. I ma very scared though. It seams that a lot of people say that I will just get addicted to the Subs in replacement of Lortab. I went from 8 mg to 2 mg in 9 days. My goal is to be completely off by 14. I can deal with small physical wd's and I am strong enough to go through the mental ones. I just hope at day 14 that the physical wd's have fully passed and that I can be fully clean. I wish everyone the best of luck. This is such a battle we are all fighting.

[worried878]

u posted on a post from last year..a new question usually gets more attn..but if u get off the sub by day 14//u will most probably avoid sub wd...pill poppers usually can count on physical wds to be less than a week..i was at 100 mgs and physically i felt bad for 4 days..it was the mental part that almost did me in

U really need to examine what u r afraid of...Have u gone thru this before?  and i am not sure of ur daily hydro dose either...but for me/having the "flu" for a few days//runs, headache, nausea etc...was a breeze compared to what the mental depression, fatigue, loss of motivation that hit me later...i was also afrai of physical wds..but now I know my fear was misplaced..so be sure u have a plan..be safe and keep posting

[DALESALIVE]

Every thing I have seen here is from 2008- is it because of my "Is sub addicting?" question? Is this still a current forum? If so I would like to join and share- Thanks! DALE