JUST STARTED SUBOXONE

[melinda144]

HI , My name is Melinda . I started SUBOXONE 16 mg , last Monday . I've had alot of side effects. Alot of anxiety , hot , cold chills . Most of all not sleeping . I don't know if it's wright , but last night i took 2 ambien cr , and it was wonderful . I had the best sleep . I think i'm over medicated with the subox . My dr raised my doe this Monday fron 16mg to 18 mg . I think it is too much yester I only took 8mg and was fine .. Any advice should I lower my dose and is it ok to take ambiem ?? thanks

[avisg]

I would be excitedly concerned it you are waking up with breathing problems kolopin and sub can be a dangerous mix does your sub doctor know you are taking them both.They both depress your respiratory system.

[kellyasp52]

I learned a lot just by seeing what you guys are writing about this drug.  I am on 8mg's.  I have noticed an increase in anxiety as well.  Its not as bad as some of you though and I have klonopin in case I need to calm down.  The thing that is most disturbing to me is the breathing.  Anyone else "noticing" their breathing more?  I am definitely calling the dr. tomorrow.  I am going to take less of this med.  I also have concerns I may relapse, but that's better than respiratory failure!

[kellyasp52]

This drug is starting to scare me.  It totally got me off of percs, I never even think of them.  Its been 3 months, but I am having major problems with sleep.  I wake up gasping for air.  Even during the day I sometimes have to remind myself to breathe.  I don't know if its the suboxone or perhaps some damage I did from taking massive opiods for a year.  I take other drugs that are sedatives, so maybe this combo is not good for me.  I have also had major sweating and hot flashes and have not had my period since I started taking it.  I just tried to take a nap and could not sleep because everytime I fell asleep I woke up gasping for air.  

[PSALM51]

Hi. I'm new to the group. I started sub 2 weeks ago and my doctor told me to take 16mgs twice a day- i knew that sounded wrong so i've only been taking 24 mgs- 8mgs, three times a day.  i still feel that perhaps, it's a little too much.  BUT, my big question is, has anyone noticed caffeine having adverse affects while taking sub.  When I drink coffee in the AM because i can't sleep either, I notice within 45min. that I have to go back to sleep-  I think caffeine works in an opposite way while on sub.??? can anyone help me?  I'm frustrated that i'm not doing absolutely fine like i thought i would be by now.  I thought i'd take my sub, sleep at night, and be doing really well.   However, like i've said, that's not the case so far. thanks so much!

[wait2long]

no...your right...its not addictive thinking as long as this isnt how you continue to take your sub through out your whole treatment, but is appropriate to find correct dose.

feeling racy and anxious is also signs of WD's, or your body adjusting to a new med...most medications have side effects, sub is no different.  i took 32 mgs for 6 weeks...is this too much?  no, i still had some WD symptoms...

melinda144... i am so glad your going to meetings, this is by far the most important thing you can do for yourself!!!  good for you!!! and i hope you find your correct dose, if you havent already...good luck.

[Stacy79]

Did he say why he raised you, was it for a particular reason?  And when you lowered your dose to 2mg, did you get to sleep any better?  I hope you can get into a normal sleeping pattern without the Ambien.  The way you were feeling doesn't sound stupid at all.  There have been a few people here who commented on their first day of Sub that they felt racy and anxious, and depressed.  I'm pretty sure these are the symptoms of taking too much.

[melinda144]

I started two weeks on 16 mg . I went back to the dr Mon the 11th , he raised me 2mg. Tues is when  I felt bad . It might sound stupid , but my mind was racing , thinking all kinds od crazy stuff . I guess really bad anxiety , and dression . Not only that I was for some reason I was thinking I was making myself breathe . I know I need the sub . Maybe in my writing I did't get my story out . i do agree with you and IBKleen , I need to find a comfortable dose and stay there . Everyday sametime . This forum is helping me soooooo much and like everybody right now I need some good "tough love " support , ya know it's just so hard . I'm not ginving up though . One day at a time ... so any help or advice trow it to me .. i have group in a few and that helps alot too .melinda

[Stacy79]

The reason you were feeling so good after not taking any is because Sub has a long half-life.  It stays in your system I think for a few days.  I completely agree with wait2long, taking Sub only when you feel withdrawals is NOT a good idea.  Doing that is the same as taking a Vicodin, and then taking another one when you feel withdrawal.  It's okay to play with the doses until you find the right one, but the change should happen once a day at the same time, not sporatically.  The purpose of Sub is to act like any other daily medicine, and to break the addictive behavior of splitting doses.  All of this hinges upon finding the right amount that works for you.  Once you do that, it will do its job.  I quit my drug of choice and was in withdrawal for two days when I took my first dose of Sub.  I broke an 8mg pill in half, because I figured you can always add, but you can't take away (like IBKleen said).  The 4mg worked for making me feel better, but for two weeks I was having bad headaches and mid-day nausea.  So I started taking 2mg, and now I'm great.  I can't relate to the not being able to sleep part, though, because from the beginning sleeping on it was wonderful.  My question is, what kind of Dr. starts someone on 20mgs?  Isn't it common sense that you should start someone on the lowest possible dose of an addictive drug?  I don't know.  I'm with wait2long, though.  I plan to be on Sub for a very long time, because I realize it takes that long to get well.  People who think Sub is a quick fix, and that you can begin to taper and plan to quit right away amaze me.  I guess if it works for you, though, who am I to judge?  Melinda, my advice is to stay on 2mgs, at the same time every day.  It sounds like you are doing much better that way.  Take care.

[nogie1717]

You are correct in stating that Sub should not be taken when you feel w/d's coming on.

But, my point to melinda was that her dose is to high and to figure out the proper dose she needs to start from the beginning.

I don't think that would be considered addictive thinking.

[melinda144]

thanks , for your advice . I was taking 20mg and i think it was just too much .. I took 2mg yesterday and was fine ... My whole stroy is I was on sub for 1 and 1/2 months and i didn't do counceling . So I know the side effects . when i stopped I was at 1/2 a day wich was 4 mg. Iam in group 3x a week and one-on-one every wed. so I think I've made it threw withdrawl and need my dose lower ..  I am in no hurry either . i gree with you . I was addicted ain a month , so i don't expect to be clean in a month ... I have group tonight . i will see what they say . agian thank you sooooo much for your help and i will read your profile ... melinda

[wait2long]

your dose could also be too low...sounds like withdrawals to me...your sub dose should be high enough to block your withdrawals, then when you have made it through the worst of it, you lower your dose then...does it feel like your withdrawing??? you really shouldnt be experiencing any of theses symptoms but maybe a bit of anxiety...

taking sub only when you feel the withdrawals coming on is not the proper way to take it...it is still considered addictive thinking...which is what you need to break...you should not have to worry or think about when you will be sick or when you will need to dose...you should take your dose and forget about it until the next day...
and yes...you should be in therapy...it really does help...
if anyone is interested i have a lot of information posted in my profile about sub...the best bit of info i got is the TIP 40 PDF SHEET...the best information i have come across by far...i have been on the suboxone treatment since may, and plan on staying on it until i have relearned how to live without the "high" and retrain my thinking and my addictive behavoirs...and personally i dont care how long it takes...i will not give myself the opportunity to fail again...my addiction was severe and long term, so my treatment will be also...short term is NOT always the way to go for EVERYONE...but kudos for those who can...
i was afraid of the 70 % failure rate for short term suboxone use...

[melinda144]

I know what you mean bout beibg alone . I hate it . Yeseterday I only took 8mg .. I'm so proud . I did take two ambien and over slept this moring , i  was an half hour late for work .. I feel ok today. Good luck with your new job . i'll be praying for you...melinda

[nogie1717]

You have got your head on straight and in a good place.  I would wait until you feel the w/d symptoms coming on and then take 2mgs, like you said.  My doc told me I would notice the difference in a half and hour, but it seems more like an hour and a half before I notice the effects.
Keep us posted on your progress.  Suboxone is used to get people of their DOC, obviously, and I think you are doing the right thing by lowering your dose.  I have heard it said that lower is actually better with Sub, but as everyone mentioned above, we are all different.

[melinda144]

Thank you chloe and I know i'ts alot to ask , but you stay a couple days with me here ??? Until I get this dose straightened out .. i think i will take 1/2 of 1/2 if i start til feel worse .. I hope I can lean on you .. thakns for beib my friend .....melinda

[IBKleen]

Melinda, Only you can decide the level of the drug. Suboxone works differently for everyone. Try taking less and see how you feel. You can always reaise it, but you can't take it away. I had problems when I started and I found that my dose was too high.

Let us know how you are doing.

[melinda144]

SO i guess my question is should i wait til i feel w/d . I feel fine toady taking nothing

[melinda144]

Yesterday , I was so ready for the er . So I am really confused . I"M so sorry about your relapse and , I;m afraid if I qiut suboxone . I will relapse . your addvice is so helpful I can't thank you enough...melinda

[melinda144]

When you were over med did your mind race and think crazy thoughts ?? I mean this is so hard to describe , but yesterday my mind was racing , and I thought about the er. i appreciate both of you very much . yeseterday i took 8 mg and freaked do you think i should take 4 today and see . I havr decided to start weening myself . all day i felt like i needed an anti-depressant , but my dr forbids it .. I need you r help . i am freaking thanks ... melinda

[TJack]

I was on sub for 25 days.   I was started on 8 mg.   after a couple of weeks my taper started.  I do believe you are on too high of a dose.  8 mg should make you feel normal, not anxious.  Talk to your Dr.  I take ambien cr and took it with my sub too and the dr. knew it.  I was trying to get off hydrocodone and then was not the time to get off ambien cr also.  I am trying herbs and natural stuff now, with not much luck i might ad.  Hang in there, call you Dr. and cut down on that dose.  TJack

[melinda144]

I don't take any anti-dressants . My dr. doesn't want me to take any benzo's . If not ambien , what can I do to sleep?? I feel ok today , and I am afraid to take suboxone today , What do you think . I'm having such bad side effects . Thanks for writing so quickly

[nogie1717]

It definitely sounds like you are taking too much.  I would call your doc and let him know, if you haven't already and stick with the 8mgs.  That is what I take and although I get hot sometimes, I normally sleep well.  Do you take anti-depressants?  

I don't think the ambien is the best solution since it can be addictive as well.  As I said before, go over all of this with your doctor and they will be able to best guide you.