Subutex withdrawals

[t8671]

Hi there,
I'm currently on day 7 of my withdrawals. It has been an absolute nightmare. The worst part is that i ache all over constantly (the worse pain around my back).  i've had about 5 hours sleep this whole time and when i finally managed to sleep i am in and out of consciousness with vivid nightmares. The cold sweats, stomach cramps and depression are manageable. Nights are the worst, as soon as it's around 8pm everything just seems to go from bad to terrible. I take hot showers regularly but they don't help massively, mainly making me feel uncomfortably lethargic. I've given up on baths because they make me so drowsy that i struggle to get out! I've only been able to leave the house twice over this week and only because i needed cigarettes.
I went cold turkey after reducing to under 1ml a day (started on 4ml a year ago). I am presuming this severity is normal, but how long should i expect this to last (i.e. when can i expect a return to some form of normality?) There is no chance of me relapsing because i have no means available but i am suffering in a major way. The fact that i expected the worst of it to be over by now makes it hard to cope.
Thanks for any responses.  

[RedKai]

Yes, Suboxone is measured in mcg/hour and mg - that is unless a Pharmacy compounded a special mixture but there is no mention of this. Of course they were on Buprenorphine - they mention Suboxone 8s and 2s.

[asro]

Its mg not ml. are you sure you where on Subs? because there is no Subs in strip or pill form in measured in ML they are measured in MG, milligrams not ML, milliliters

[Cricketk92]

Hi and welcome to the site!  You will find so much great info and advice and support here!!!  I never used subs but have read so many stories about the detox being horrible!  Im so glad that you were able to get 5 hours of sleep last night!!!  Thats great!!!  And if the aches and pains are subsiding thats even better!!!  Hopefully you will find that each day becomes more bearable and before you know it you will be on the other side of it!!!  Dont forget to get the Epsom Salts!  Those baths really helped me feel better!!!  Keep on posting and let us know how you are getting on!!!  

[t8671]

I have been on subs for a little over a year after being on an illegal opiate on and off for two years (i won't name it because i'm unsure about forum rules, but i'm sure you know what i'm talking about).
The initial taper was quite up and down, as i have never been prescribed subs from a doctor so sometimes i'd be using 8ml tablets, 2ml and occasionally 0.8 ml suboxone tablets. This obviously means that my taper would have been pretty inconsistent. I certainly had some discomfort whilst tapering, but nothing major. What i did find was that mornings could be nasty; the day before i would take something in the morning and the evening around 6pm, and when i woke up the next day, wd's would be settling in mildly. Very occasionally i would lose discipline and up my dose for a day.
The last taper was very quick; i went from 2ml to 1ml to about 0.5 (or something like that) in the space of about 2 weeks. This was due to me no longer having easy access to subs whilst lacking the necessary funds. It wasn't too bad but there was a bit of unpleasantness.
Finally i ran out and I decided it was time to bite the bullet. I was so sick of sub and the anxiety that i was having about getting them.

I should say i'm feeling quite a lot better today. Last night i forced my self to stay up until about 5am and then i managed to sleep a pretty decent 5 hours!
The aches have become relatively mild, allowing me to relax every now and then which has been a huge relief. I feel more fatigued but it's a welcomed alternative to the pains. Also, motye, the music idea works great. Has perked me up a lot.
Cheers for you comments guys and i'll let you know a bit more tomorrow.

[Bigdaddy1313]

Hi, you mentioned how you were originally on 4 mg and than went to 1 mg before jumping from less than 1 mg. I was wondering how you felt going from 4 mg to 3 mg to 2 mg to 1 mg. Did you have WD symptoms as you tapered down. Also how fast or slow was your taper from 4 mg. I'm sorry you are feeling so crappy. One reason this is so is because Subs have a very long half life. I've been told its half life is 36 hours meaning your body will process half of the dubs out of your body after around 36 hours. Of course this means you still have some medication in your body for over 72 hours. Anyway hopefully you will feel like posting back. God Bless

[motye51]

I was on 24mg (up and down from 16mg/24mg) for about 7 years. I took them under a drs care for a 6/7 year opiate addiction. Subs are overkill for most opiate addictions though....
How long have u been on the subs?

[t8671]

Thanks motye, you've perked me up a bit.
i'll give the epsom salts a try. I've tried using the drowsiness i get from baths to help me sleep but to avail. Tbh i'm giving up on properly trying to sleep because lying down just makes me pay attention to all those sore spots. Instead i watch tv on the sofa till 4/5, and then see if i can catch an hour or so. I have been eating and drinking regularly, i read somewhere that lots of water and healthy food can help your body recover quicker. I've found i feel better for an hour or so after eating. Also, how long were you on subs for? This week has felt like an eternity and i can't imagine this going on for 2 weeks.
I'll let you know how i'm doing in the next few days. There's no way i'm ducking out of this, opiates have ruined the past three years of my life and i'm done. I feel if i get over this, i will have finished with them for good and thats great.
All the best

[motye51]

Welcome, you've definatly come to the right place. I w/d off of subs a little over a year ago and didnt taper....went c/t and im still amazed at the severity of the w/d. To me, it seems like sub w/d is severe no matter what mg u kump from.
i understand the tub soaking is making you tired but maybe thats a good thing? Make sure your using the epsom salts which will help u get magnesium in your body. Use the immodium for the #3's. Appetite??? I had NONE but you have to eat and drink....it does help! My husband force fed me for awhile b/c its really hard to eat with no appetite. It took me approximatly 21 days to start feeling a bit better physically. My brain felt like a wet noodle but foods high in amino acids help as well. Peanut butter, red meat, beans, etc... i also used those high protein meal bars.
Right now, u just have to bute the bullet and keep pushing forward! U sound like your right where your supposed to be for this detox....its a *****! Sleep....that was a joke, but we dont die from lack of sleep, keep that in mind. Some people found valerian root and/or melatonin helped, so maybe give those a try. They didnt work for me. When u need to move around put on music, happy, upbeat, positive music. Nothing violent....like pump you up music. I know that sounds stupid, but i swear to u, it helps. It gave me extra pushes when i needed them.
Keep posting so we know how your doing....and hang in there b/c the other side....IS BEAUTIFUL!!! I SWEAR!!!