Getting off Suboxone

[Kate8821]

I need some advice about my impending suboxone detox. If you've jumped from 1mg before how long until w/d sets in? also How long should it last & How bad was it? Id love to hear your experiences, anything that will help me better prepare for my detox.

Ive been on suboxone since Feb 6th 2008, I started at 16mgs but was lowered to 8mgs after a couple months. I stayed on 8mgs until Feb 2009, I was on 6mgs from March till May then 4mgs from June to July 20th. Ive been taking 2mgs a day since July 21st. My plan is to continue taking 2mgs for 15days after that Ill take 1mg for 11days then stop & wait for detox to begin. This is not my first attempt to get off suboxone but it will be the first time I truly intend to succeed.
btw the last few times I tried to detox it tok 72-76hrs for w/d to set in, will it be the same or will it be shorter because the dose is so much lower?

Thanks

[mom_of_two136]

I have been on suboxone since aug 08 and am currently taking 0.25mg (a crumb) every other day. So far my drops have been for the most part painless. Nothing I could not handle. I would suggest having some extra so that you can take a crumb when needed. It does not have to be so bad if done slowly, IMO. My plan is to be done with it by the end of the month. I may get back on if my chronic back pain gets bad enough. I found that it did help with my pain although I know some do not benefit from it. I would rather keep taking suboxone than go back to my doc. I am leaving my options open.

I started skipping days when I found that I would forget to take it in the morning recently. I am just letting my body tell me when its time to drop. I found if I did not put pressure on myself to stop at a certain time it became much easier. Knowing I could take a little extra if I needed it. I personnally think that stopping at 1mg it still too high a dose (I mean I can feel the difference with a crumb) but everyone is different. I really wish you the best. I know what you are going through.
Best Wishes

[forthebirds]

Hi. Right now I am at 1 month and 1 day after tapering down (over the course of a year and a half) to 1mg for about two months. When I decided to stop altogether a month ago, I was wondering the same thing and got on here and searched. Actually it was getting on here and searching that made me realize I was ready to stop. Anyways, for me it took about 48 hours to fully kick in, and I felt pretty terrible until day 7. Not unbearable just really tired, achey, runny nose, sneezing, lack of energy, but nowhere near quitting opiates CT. The second week I felt about half as bad but getting better every day. Knowing I wasnt giving myself any alternative seemed to lighten it up for me (Quitting suboxone I regained my willpower, something I could never do without it). Third week was better still, and someone had mentioned on another post that they heard '21 days' was supposedly the cut off. I didnt really believe it but that was the exact time I stopped feeling any physical symptoms at all (except maybe a little lethargy). The last 11 days Ive just felt anxiety (although less and less every day) and some depression, but I definetely feel like whatever grip it had on me is gone. Now it's just trying to feel happy again on my own thats the hard part, but I dunno how much of that is brain chemistry or my own creation. But it's definetely 100 percent worth it to wake up and not need to take anything at all. Hope I helped a little bit.

Also, if anyone reading this has any longer cleantime from Suboxone or can post a link I'd be interested to hear how its gone for them. It seems people stop posting after they dont feel ****** anymore, or maybe I havent searched enough.

[SmithsGirl89]

I was on Suboxone for about three months and then I relapsed. I was taking 8mg  a day for two days, then just one 8 mg a day for the rest of the time. It is crucial to talk to your doctor...(thats one of the reasons I probably relapsed).  Suboxone made me feel very normal..kinda weird for a few days. Almost, like I didn't know what to do with myself.  Keep busy and try to get some vitamins and a sleep aid. Also, it made me really nauseated, so I called my doc on the first day and he prescribed me Phenegran.  I am still using and am planning on getting sober soon after I move family members into a house. GOOD LUCK!!!

[Kate8821]

What did I think of sub? It saved my life but it isnt for everyone, read everyones experience before choosing to get on it. The good thing about Sub is that it keeps your body out of withdrawal & stops cravings so you have a chance to get into a program. The bad thing is that Sub detox is much longer than any other painkiller & from what ive read most people agree that its worse than detoxing off of other painkillers.

When I was on 16mgs/day I felt high on sub, I also felt dizzy & sick especially when I smoked ciggs. I was also very tired most of the time & I began sleeping 10-15hrs a day. It also made me severly constipated it was awful I had to have a colonoscopy to make sure I didnt have a tear!! After I had my dose lowered those problems stopped, I still feel sick with cigg smoke tho. Now I feel normal when I take suboxone. Your body will probably have to adapt to suboxone.

I had to take 10days off for my detox & im worried it wont be enough, from what im hearing most people feel lack of energy & depressed for months after getting off suboxone.

[Kevin_Bacon]

Don't have any advice -- no, I do: If you can get into a medical detox, you're chances of succeeding (in the short term, at least) are very high, and you won't have to suffer like that. If you can take that route, I wouldn't hesitate. They'll find something to knock you out, like Seroquel or Zyprexa (or both, but DON'T try this drug regimen at home, kids!

I'm hoping for more posts on this later in the day -- I'm considering trying it for the shortest go possible, 'cause I can't take the time off just yet.

What did you think of sub? Did you feel "normal" or something close? I sometimes drive heavy machinery, and I can't just say, "Nah ... don't feel like it today," so I'm wondering if it interfered with your co-ordination or slowed your reflexes, etc.

Thanks and good luck to you.

[bullygirl3]

I am currently on Day 10 clean from Suboxone. I was on it for 6 months and tapered from a high dose like yours down to 1mg daily. I quit CT after taking my last 1mg. I would suggest tapering yourself down to a small crumb or trying to take it everyother day (if you can handle it) because the withdrawal from suboxone is almost as bad if not a little worse then my drug of choice roxys! Regardless you will go through some WD no matter how much you taper them down but quiting CT  after the 1mg was hard. Day 2-5 were bad although i am feeling much better on Day 10 i still can not sleep. I have been taking vitamins, a sleep aid (that doesnt really help) and staying clear of caffine(just my thing) Talk to your Suboxone Dr to see what other things will help you.
Hope this helps you!!! Stay Strong! you can do it!!