I was diagnosed with MS in 2005, and had been taking short acting opiates for pain management. I became dependent and eventually addicted. My doc put me on Methadone, and I had been taking 10mg three to four times a day for 7 years! Over the past few years, I had been gearing myself up toward being drug free...all drugs (except vitamins, supplements). Methadone was cheap and I had no insurance for 3 years. It was way to easy to keep putting it off. Finally, on July 22 was my last dose of Methadone. I waited for intense withdrawal, and on Saturday morning, July 26 I began Suboxone 8mg strips twice a day. (16mg/day). I thought I was going to die. I was feeling a constant state of panic, and had to work at keeping myself from losing it. This lasted for me for at least 48hrs. I could not understand why I wasn't feeling any better. Everything I had read said that it should take anywhere from 1-4 hours for PAWLs to begin subsiding, due to the fact that I had been in full withdrawal when I initiated that dose. The following Tuesday I began to feel like I could leave the house. I was able to go see my doc, and he gave me the best pep talk EVER. I stayed the course. Felt better, but still having symptoms. The following week, my doc suggested I try subutex vs. suboxone. On July 31, I began the subutex sublingual tablets. He wrote for 8mg tabs twice a day. I took that dose for 2 days and felt amazing. The third day on subutex, I decreased to 8mg once a day, and continued to feel great ("normal"). My mood was elevated, and I felt like I had walked out of a cave and into a bright new world. Filled with inspiration! Week 2 of subutex, I went down to 4mg once a day. There was no change other than, once in a while I could feel a "craving" for more... but I resisted. This past Sunday morning, August 24, was the last time I took 4mg subutex. I went out of town, and left my Rx bottle at home. Monday night I had some intense hot flashes, cravings, and mild perspiration. Yesterday and today I feel really good. Do you think there is more to come? I really suffered transitioning off Methadone to Suboxone. Never felt "good" or "normal" I guess while on Suboxone that first week. Had been on Subutex 16mg/day for 3 days, 8mg/day for 4 days, and 4mg/day for almost 3 weeks. Any input out there regarding withdrawal? Anyone out there with a similar experience? Thank you!!!