Subutex/Suboxone withdrawal after long term use, HELP!!!

[tommm70]

I am in day 4 of Subutex withdrawal. I was on it for 5 months. The first 4 at 4mg a day, the last month gradually tapering down to .5 mg.

I am in withdrawal HELL. No energy, I take vitamin B supplements, which help very short term. I am taking clonidine, which helped some as well. But the RLS is driving me insane. HOW can I stop this? And when will I start to feel better. Can long term sub users who have gone through withdrawal please help me?

I was always told the withdrawal would be very mild, and this is a miracle drug. I will say, my life and habits have changed. I have no desire to use any pills at the moment, and I don't expect that to change. I was abusing hydros after 2 shoulder surgeries. Counseling and support from friends and family (who I was deathly afraid to talk to) has been amazing. My best friends wife came over and took my hydros from me, and basically helped save my life. I am lucky to have them.

[ambitious_1]

sorry forgot to ask how long do u withdraw from the suboxone? ? i fininshed 3 days ago with 1.2 of mg of subutex as the suboxone only go to 2mg. i only went up to 10 mgs and was in detox for 12 days!  lastnite with the exeption of the withdrawals from heroin i had a sleepless nite, any idea how long this will last?
cheers

[ambitious_1]

sorry forgot to ask how long do u withdraw from the suboxone? ? i fininshed 3 days ago with 1.2 of mg of subutex as the suboxone only go to 2mg. i only went up to 10 mgs and was in detox for 12 days!  lastnite with the exeption of the withdrawals from heroin i had a sleepless nite, any idea how long this will last?
cheers

[ambitious_1]

well done!!

[no_pain_no_gain]

Hi, Lenny.  Today I am 35 days sober.  Let me lift your spirits, it gets better!!!  At day 16, i wanted to die.  I was there just a couple weeks ago where you are.  But, every week gets easier.  Your body is in shock.  You have stopped using substance and its confused.  It does take time to heal.  I know U feel like a train wreck now, but dont give in.  It is really hard to give yourself time to heal from this horribly long withdrawal because we all have responsibilities and obligations.  But, you are stronger than you think.  I have never considered myself strong, but Ive done this and thanks to the extensive withdrawal, I will never go back!  At day 35, I do sleep better although its broken sleep, but thats okay because the relentless RLS is gone!  I have enough energy to push myself and the shakes are gone!  I definately feel the worst is over.  Although, Im not where I feel "normal" yet, I can tolerate the lack of motivation and slight depression because I am no longer waking up with severe panic attacks.  I would be glad to give U advice based on how I got through it if you would like.  Try not to think about the length of time your body needs to heal.  Take it one day and one week at a time.  Today, U can stay strong.  Today U will get through it. Remember when you were sober once.  U had motivation, energy, U were full of life.  After the period of abuse, your body needs to heal and build healthy new cells.  It needs to figure out once again how to function properly and produce betamorphine and endorphins without assistance from a substance.  U will feel wonderful and be that healthy, full of energy person again.  Keep going!

[blueer]

dont do it lenny, stay strong. to have a lapse at day 16 will be devestating. you should not make any distinction between subutex and heroin addiction.

[lenny23]

No blueer, you don't come across as patronising. I am glad that you give a damn. I was on heroin for 15 years, and been on subutex for the last two, while still using quite a bit. Last Christmas Day was the last time I used heroin, and 16 days ago I jumped off .4mg of subutex.

I have barely slept in the last 16 days and feel generally horrible. It is 4am here now and my legs are driving me crazy.  I was hoping that they would have improved after a week or so, but I think that I am at breaking point.

I have resisted the urge to take any more subutex, but am starting to wonder if just one taste of heroin would allow me to get some sort of reprieve (even for just one day, so that I could get a bit of sleep) without jeapordising my subutex withdrawal.  

I have a job that involves a lot of concentration and decision-making, and  my exhaustion is affecting my abilities to perform adequately.  What do you or anyone else think of my idea to give myself a break?  It would only be a one-off.