Methadone detox with Suboxone

[sickntired5301]

Looking for a little advice...I am going to give a little back story so my situation can be completely understood.  I was on methadone from 2003 to 2011 (8 years) due to a heroin addiction.  In April 2011 I desperately wanted off the methadone and put myself through a long term treatment program. Due to my withdrawal from methadone being so bad the rehab I was in made me go on to Suboxone at 21 days into my detox.  I agreed because I was in so much pain and couldn't function.  I thought it would be for a month or two and I would be done but as of November 2012 I was still on it (18 months).  In November 2012 I made the mistake of deciding to take methadone again.  Therefore I stopped taking my suboxone and by early December 2012 I was back into full blown methadone addiction, taking 250 - 300 mgs daily.  I knew I had to stop but couldn't get myself back onto methadone due to the fact I had to wait 3 - 4 days for the methadone to clear my system in order to start suboxone again.  Sick and tired of this endless cycle I took my last dose of methadone on January 3rd and checked into a detox on Saturday January 5, 2013.  The pushed me until I was in full blown withdrawal and on January 8th they started me on suboxone only for detox purposes NOT for long term use.  I took lowing doses of suboxone daily for the next 4 days...taking my last 8 mg dose at 8am on Saturday January 12th.  I was also released that day.  I felt okay for the next 4 -5 days.  Each day progressively getting a little worse.  Last Friday January 18th was definitely the worst so far.  As of this morning I am at 10 days without using ANY substance to get by.  I am very proud and I know I can keep pushing through.  My biggest question is when will the pain in my muscles, exhaustion, diarrhea, insomnia, RLS, and anxiety start to subside.  I really don't think I can make it through another sleepless night. All my symptoms seem to be so exaggerated at night.  Although I know this is my own doing and I know I have to push through, I guess I'm just looking for a little solace that there is an end insight.  The detox I was at sent me home with a 8 mg suboxone to take if necessary.  I have not taken it but I am tempted to just to feel better.  I just haven't done it because I am NOT willing to set myself back to the beginning.  I have made it way too far to do that.  Any advice or suggestions would be happily welcomed at this point.  Thank you so much!!      

[ponco]

hi my friend what can i do i wont be able to get any drugs at all to help me thats scares me. i have no income i  dont know and that sickness i been haveing was the worse today. it cant be wd because i had this for a while.

[ponco]

hi my friend what can i do i wont be able to get any drugs at all to help me thats scares me. i have no income i  dont know and that sickness i been haveing was the worse today. it cant be wd because i had this for a while.

[ponco]

This is my 3rd letter i cant seem to get it out to you. I not feeling good today all the same sicknesses but yesterday i decreased 2mgs. and today 3mgs i think its to early to withdrawl ?

[weaver71]

Just hang in there, time starts to pass faster. I remember thinking, "Has it really been an hour?" Now I wonder where the time goes. I kinda wish time would slow down sometimes. The advice above about exercise is so true. I really had to push myself, but walking and swimming made things much more bearable, and it made the time pass. I live 1/4 mile from a store. I would have to take 4 or 5 breaks to get there and 4 or 5 breaks to make it home, but once I sat down, I could feel how much the movement helped. You'll be there in no time. Glad you are in aftercare. I used to laugh about 12 step meetings and call counseling for the weak, but now I know better. I am not strong enough to get clean nor stay clean alone, believe me, I tried. You're doing great, just stick with it. If you can come out of this you can do anything. Think about that, you have endless possibilities for a better future.

[sickntired5301]

Thank you!! It is so reassuring to receive the positive information!! I am going to toss the suboxone.  Like I said I just can't even imagine talking a step backwards at this time.  I have been told by many people to do the light exercising.  I am going to start that today to see if I can get some positive results and possibly push this detox along faster.  At this point I know my better choice is to just NEVER reintroduce any narcotic back into my system ever again.  Just pushing through a day at a time :-) thank you again!!

[sickntired5301]

Thank you for responding.  I am currently in an aftercare out patient program.  Plus I am also doing NA meetings nightly.  If I didn't have all that I don't think I would have made it as far as I have so far.  I know it's going to be a long road and trust me I am trying to have patience...it is just so hard.  I am so used to looking for an outside source to "fix" my body and no w I know I just have to let it heal from years of abuse.  The information you gave me is promising.  Most doctors at the detox and out patient facility have given me similar information...they keep telling me once I get to 30 days I will be feeling a lot better.  I'm trying my best to stay positive and push through each day.  Thank you again!!

[ActingBrandNew]

"The detox I was at sent me home with a 8 mg suboxone to take if necessary.  I have not taken it but I am tempted to just to feel better.  I just haven't done it because I am NOT willing to set myself back to the beginning.  I have made it way too far to do that. "

Throw the suboxone away. You are 10 days into it with taking nothing...you don't need that "crutch"! Throw it away.

"As of this morning I am at 10 days without using ANY substance to get by.  I am very proud and I know I can keep pushing through.  My biggest question is when will the pain in my muscles, exhaustion, diarrhea, insomnia, RLS, and anxiety start to subside.  I really don't think I can make it through another sleepless night. "

Congradulations on the 10 days! Really, I know how hard it is...been there. You've been using in one form or another for some time now.  Whether it be Methadone or Suboxone. Its going to take time but Ive found the more proactive I am the faster I heal. Meaning, If I sat around the house bundled in a blanket not drinking water...feeling miserable, it took longer to "get better". The best results Ive gotten have been doing light exercise (Walking), drinking lots of fluids even if your nauseous (sip them) vitamins and herbs. The more I walked, the better I slept. Sleep was the hardest part...I never got any. Plus, a little exercise makes you feel better mentally too. Its about pushing through it and keeping your mind occupied.

Your 10 days into it...Stay the course and this will be in your rear view window no time.

Good luck

[weaver71]

I did the methadone to sub, then ct. I would say that I felt a huge breaktrough at about 21 days after my last sub dose. I only used the sub for 20 days, so I don't think I formed a new addiction, I think I was feeling the methadone still. I started to sleep a little better around day 16-18, but my memory is a little foggy. I didn't sleep for 13 days. At 30 days, I started sleeping at least 6 hrs and have slept ever since, 6 months now. High dose methadone took me about 90 days to feel close to normal and now I can say I'm feeling near 100%, though I don't know what normal feels like. I hope you are thinking of aftercare, I wouldn't have made it without it. Methadone is a monster that doesn't pull its claws out easily, but you can do it. It has been so worth it. My life is finally turning out the way I had always dreamed, but it has taken a lot of time and effort.