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1st hand account of that first Suboxone dose
I had been looking all over the internet, and this forum, for someone to describe exactly what it felt like to transition from opiate withdrawal to the Suboxone. Most of the responses assured me of how great it works, and that I would feel so much better, but I was feeling so crappy that I couldn't even imagine feeling better. So for those of you who may be thinking about it, and want to know EXACTLY what Suboxone feels like, here you go:
I took my last dose of Hydro on Sunday at 2pm. I slept almost through the night and woke up with that all-too-familiar feeling of impending doom. Unfortunately, Monday was my first day as an employee for the State of New Jersey, the dream job I had been trying to land for years. I tried 4000mg of L-Tyrosine, B-6, Zinc, and Magnesium to start my day, and ended up throwing it up a few hours later. The L-Tyrosine gave me a little bit of energy, but I still felt like I was going to die. I had to spend the day meeting and talking to people, being very close to my co-trainees in my training sessions, and there was no where to hide; I was literally crawling out of my skin. When I was finally able to come home, I spent the evening in my bed, unable to get comfortable. My legs were burning, my stomach was burning, my heart was racing... you all know already what withdrawal feels like. I made it through a sleepless night and had to be at training again Tuesday morning, from 7am-4pm. I got there and couldn't even sit still; I even had to do a presentation. I was in and out of the bathroom, and even spent some time in my car trying to relax. At about 11am, I couldn't take it anymore. I told my trainer that I had the flu and couldn't stop throwing up, and she told me to go home. On the way, I called my roomate and BEGGED her to loan me the money to go to the Suboxone doctor, and she finally agreed, bless her soul. We both went together, and the doctor was soooo nice. She was the cheapest in the area ($125 for the 1st visit, and $60 each subsequent visit, but in a month, my new insurance kicks in). She also uses a pharmacist who gives all of her patients discounts on the Sub, so it only cost me $50 for the first 10 pills. I know that sounds like a lot, but at Walgreens or CVS, it would have been more than $100. (And it is well worth it)
She gave me the 8mg pills, but told me to split it in half and try 4mg first. If after an hour I didn't feel any better, then I could take the other half. I put it under my tongue and let it melt; It was around 2pm. It actually tasted pretty good, not bad at all. Then came the waiting game. I went home and laid down, watching TV to pass the time. After about 20 minutes, I noticed that my legs were calm and relaxed for the first time in days. Slowly, the other body aches and pains went away and I began to feel euphoric. After a full hour, I was up and walking around the house. I even ate some cereal! No anxiety, no feeling of doom, I felt so much better. The best part is that if half a pill worked for me, then they will last 20 days instead of 10. The one side effect that I felt right away was a slight headache accompanied by a weird tingly head feeling. That lasted for a few hours, then went away. I was able to sit with my roomate and enjoy just talking to her. The headache I had was NOTHING compared to the previous withdrawal symptoms, and they should be gradually reduced as your body gets used to the meds. I was nervous when it was time to go to sleep, because a side effect is also sleeplessness. It took a little longer to fall asleep, (maybe because I was nervous, and thinking about it too much), but I stayed asleep for longer than the nights before, and it felt good. I woke up still feeling okay, and was okay throughout the morning, with the exception of some fleeting anxiety here and there. Nothing I couldn't handle. I think I was just nervous that the dose would wear off before 24 hours had passed, but I held out and took another 4 mg at the same time today. It kicked in and I definitely had a surge of energy, accompanied by another minor headache, but it didn't last nearly as long as yesterday. So far, so good. I am going to my first NA meeting tonight! I finally feel like there is hope, and I definitely endorse this medication as a way to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and buy time until the underlying issues can be worked on. When the sub is tapered right, the withdrawal is very minimal. I hope this helped anyone.
Stacy
I took my last dose of Hydro on Sunday at 2pm. I slept almost through the night and woke up with that all-too-familiar feeling of impending doom. Unfortunately, Monday was my first day as an employee for the State of New Jersey, the dream job I had been trying to land for years. I tried 4000mg of L-Tyrosine, B-6, Zinc, and Magnesium to start my day, and ended up throwing it up a few hours later. The L-Tyrosine gave me a little bit of energy, but I still felt like I was going to die. I had to spend the day meeting and talking to people, being very close to my co-trainees in my training sessions, and there was no where to hide; I was literally crawling out of my skin. When I was finally able to come home, I spent the evening in my bed, unable to get comfortable. My legs were burning, my stomach was burning, my heart was racing... you all know already what withdrawal feels like. I made it through a sleepless night and had to be at training again Tuesday morning, from 7am-4pm. I got there and couldn't even sit still; I even had to do a presentation. I was in and out of the bathroom, and even spent some time in my car trying to relax. At about 11am, I couldn't take it anymore. I told my trainer that I had the flu and couldn't stop throwing up, and she told me to go home. On the way, I called my roomate and BEGGED her to loan me the money to go to the Suboxone doctor, and she finally agreed, bless her soul. We both went together, and the doctor was soooo nice. She was the cheapest in the area ($125 for the 1st visit, and $60 each subsequent visit, but in a month, my new insurance kicks in). She also uses a pharmacist who gives all of her patients discounts on the Sub, so it only cost me $50 for the first 10 pills. I know that sounds like a lot, but at Walgreens or CVS, it would have been more than $100. (And it is well worth it)
She gave me the 8mg pills, but told me to split it in half and try 4mg first. If after an hour I didn't feel any better, then I could take the other half. I put it under my tongue and let it melt; It was around 2pm. It actually tasted pretty good, not bad at all. Then came the waiting game. I went home and laid down, watching TV to pass the time. After about 20 minutes, I noticed that my legs were calm and relaxed for the first time in days. Slowly, the other body aches and pains went away and I began to feel euphoric. After a full hour, I was up and walking around the house. I even ate some cereal! No anxiety, no feeling of doom, I felt so much better. The best part is that if half a pill worked for me, then they will last 20 days instead of 10. The one side effect that I felt right away was a slight headache accompanied by a weird tingly head feeling. That lasted for a few hours, then went away. I was able to sit with my roomate and enjoy just talking to her. The headache I had was NOTHING compared to the previous withdrawal symptoms, and they should be gradually reduced as your body gets used to the meds. I was nervous when it was time to go to sleep, because a side effect is also sleeplessness. It took a little longer to fall asleep, (maybe because I was nervous, and thinking about it too much), but I stayed asleep for longer than the nights before, and it felt good. I woke up still feeling okay, and was okay throughout the morning, with the exception of some fleeting anxiety here and there. Nothing I couldn't handle. I think I was just nervous that the dose would wear off before 24 hours had passed, but I held out and took another 4 mg at the same time today. It kicked in and I definitely had a surge of energy, accompanied by another minor headache, but it didn't last nearly as long as yesterday. So far, so good. I am going to my first NA meeting tonight! I finally feel like there is hope, and I definitely endorse this medication as a way to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and buy time until the underlying issues can be worked on. When the sub is tapered right, the withdrawal is very minimal. I hope this helped anyone.
Stacy
4mg may be too low, but my doctor suggested that I try that first, and it turned out to be the minimum I need to not go into withdrawal! I feel that it is much better to feel these minor side effects than to be on a dose much harder to come off of when it's time. The headaches and anxiety are nothing I can't handle, and they are 150 times better than the withdrawal symptoms, so I just thank god every day for that. If it every got really bad, I would consider upping the dose, but for now, I feel good.
Gobig: The NA meeting was great, and I can definitely see how being around people who are going through the same thing can help. All I have in my personal life are people who don't understand that drug addiction is a disease like any other. I live in Central New Jersey.
Gobig: The NA meeting was great, and I can definitely see how being around people who are going through the same thing can help. All I have in my personal life are people who don't understand that drug addiction is a disease like any other. I live in Central New Jersey.
I can't imagine the suboxone being worse than the methadone for your pregnancy. Do the drs. say the methadone is safe? Supposedly, suboxone and subutex are supposed to be the safer version of methadone. How much longer before the baby is here, and what are you having? Congrats!!
How'd you like the N.A. meeting? What part of the country are you in?
You're on 4mgs a day?? Wow.
You're on 4mgs a day?? Wow.
Thanks very much for you comments, I really appreciate it, and have a great day as well:)
wow, i withdrew off vicodans completely on my own. as my mom put it "your in purgatory" as the doc said "have i learned my lesson not to abuse", and yes, I've learned my lesson.
well over a month clean.
Be Strong, day by day
well over a month clean.
Be Strong, day by day
hey there .. yes it is private just like any other dr ... they have laws that protect your privacy ... no one has to know about it .. i mean in the state i live i know its the case .... doctor patient privacy ... good luck to you if you choose to do the suboxone .. i have also had a wonderful eperience w/it .. my best friend and i started it about the same time ... and i know several others here have had nothing bu luck w/it ... have a great day!!!
That is such a great storty to read, I too would like to try the suboxone, however, I'm worried of what people may find out, can it be kept very private between a Dr and myself? Thanks very much for all your help, and have a great day all:)
maybe your dose is too low for your first week? that would cause the problems you are describing...call your doctor and tell him this...i am sure he will have an answer for you...although it sounds like your doing great...
and every sub story i hear is different in some way, although yours may be typical...it is hard to explain when the typical experience may not happen for the person asking...so i didnt post my first hand experience with sub, due to the fact, that mine was not the normal induction...my firsthand experience would send people running the other way...LOL!
and every sub story i hear is different in some way, although yours may be typical...it is hard to explain when the typical experience may not happen for the person asking...so i didnt post my first hand experience with sub, due to the fact, that mine was not the normal induction...my firsthand experience would send people running the other way...LOL!
I'm really glad it has worked for you and your post was encuraging for me.I am on methadone and would like to go onto Subutex instead when i get to a lower dose. I am pregnant at moment so am not able to go on Subutex but am hoping to after i've had baby so your post was really useful.
Thanks everyone, I just felt that since I wanted so badly to know, that other people may as well. And since I was about to go through it not really knowing, I may as well keep track for the other people. It really makes a difference when you're scared of something, and have no idea what is about to happen to you. Regarding the insurance, I have the luxary of working for the state, so I get a choice of companies, and they are all top of the line. My Sub scripts will be $3.00/month! The only drawback to the Sub, now that I'm on day 3 of taking it, is that it is getting hard to hold off from taking the next dose too early. I feel anxious when I wake up and for the next three hours until it is time. But I can't complain about ANYTHING, because it is 100 times better than the withdrawals. I am just hoping that it isn't just another drug that I will become tolerant to, and need higher doses of, and will have the same withdrawals from. I really hope I am able to just use this to get my head straight, and that the physical comfort will fall into place after that. I'll keep you guys updated, take care!
another success in the making!!! great for you!!!
and your account of how it all went down for you, sounds accurate from what i am told...my suboxone induction experience was nothing like this...LOL!! but the majority of them are...congratulations on your new start to a new life...!
and your account of how it all went down for you, sounds accurate from what i am told...my suboxone induction experience was nothing like this...LOL!! but the majority of them are...congratulations on your new start to a new life...!
Headaches is the #1 side effect of Suboxone.......
You can take a couple of Tylenols to take care of it.......
You can take a couple of Tylenols to take care of it.......
I just called the back of my blue cross card and spoke with my service rep...
I asked him about addiction coverage and could it be considered a pre-existing condition..
He told me that addiction is covered 100% any time someone needs it........
It even includes after relapses incase you have to return back to the addiction doctor a second time..
I asked him about addiction coverage and could it be considered a pre-existing condition..
He told me that addiction is covered 100% any time someone needs it........
It even includes after relapses incase you have to return back to the addiction doctor a second time..
Just be forewarned about waiting for your insurance to kick in. Many insurance companies will view that as a pre-existing condition. Not saying this to burst your bubble..just warning you so that you can check with the new insurance and maybe save up some cash if it's not covered.
I too, get the headaches, but they are a small price to pay for the miracles this drug produces!! I also endorse it with everything I have!! I had all the same worries too about sleeping, and I TOO ate a bowl of cereal the first night on them! LOL!!!! That's just too funny!
Anytime there is a positive story such as yours with detailed descriptions of how everything has gone so far, that is a tremendous thing for us to read who are looking at that option. I am so happy for you, and I thank you for taking the time to tell us about how it went from your Last dose till the Sub and the day after. It gives us all hope, God Bless Jay Dean
what a wonderful post to read, I just got home and read this post......it made me feel good.....
Good luck to you Stacy and now I hope that you can excell at your job........
Don't forget to repay this angel that helped you get to the doctor.....
Take care.........
Good luck to you Stacy and now I hope that you can excell at your job........
Don't forget to repay this angel that helped you get to the doctor.....
Take care.........
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