How Long?

[skoalmint]

I'm currently suffering from withdraw symptoms after taking suboxone for the past 3 years. I've taken 4mg daily and am having a difficult time. I became addicted to percs at 40 years old (I'm 45 now) after a series of operations....never took a pain pill until then. My question is....How long will I feel like ****? My wife is supportive and to my disbelief, still loves me even though I've lied to her over the past year...she wanted me off the suboxone and I got thorugh 5 days back in Jan 2009 but secretly went to another pain management doctor and paid cash. I've been off the meds for 3 days but feel helpless...have no energy...a bit depressed....have no desire....sex drive is shot....will I ever feel normal again?

[refusingbondage]

Hi and welcome.  Once you are on suboxone for a long time the best way to quit it is loong and sloow taper.. 4mg is a very large amount to jump from.  Those who have had the best successful stories concerning suboxone withdrawal ultimately got down to tiny crumbs or slivers of suboxone before quitting.. Unfortunately long term suboxone users have no way to do this pain free.  There will be withdrawal.  Everyone's story is differnt but the good stories I have heard are from those who went down to teeeny tiny amounts.  

And YES you will feel normal again (better than normal)--so long as you stay clean after sub.  I am over a year OFF suboxone (after over 2 1/2 years on suboxone).  I jumped off at 1mg and it was an extremely difficult w/drawal.. I didnt know about the crumbs or slivers then though.  I found this site on my 12th day off and didnt want to go back on for anything.

Life is beautiful drug free.  You WILL feel normal and healthy again!  Its a long process but well worth it.  Its an especially long process for post suboxone, but if you give yourself time, and wait it out, its the most incredible feeling.  Just be strong.

Good luck and God bless to you both.

[amanda37087]

What you need to do is talk with your dr tell him u want off the suboxone he will help u taper it. He can combine other medications as he has done myself to help you with the withdraw of tapering. Coming off suboxone at 4mg I know it seems like little to nothing but it is. Suboxone is very very very strong. I tried quiting cold turkey off 2mg of suboxone and went through pure he**.my current dr has me on a week to week taper dropping 1mg every week until I no longer need it and he says that is taking babysteps. All other efforts of coming off suboxone have failed for me I have hope this new dr I am seeming understands me wanting to come off which I am sure he does and has prescribed 5 other meds to help me through it with little to no withdraw at all. Have u asked about other medications one being clonidine or tenex