suboxone withdrawal-how much longer??

[refusingbondage]

I guess what I really want to know after that long post is how long should I really expect this?  Like I over emphasized this is day 8, a Friday.  I missed an entire week of work and am expected back on Monday which will be day 11.  Will I be up to it?  I work in NYC and the commute in is very physically challenging as a 2 mile walk is part of my commute.  I know we are all different but could this really be WEEKS like ive read on here?  Or Months?  Really?  Is my doc lying?  Is he just uninformed?  I read this forum before I quit a week ago and it scared me but I didnt really expect it to be this bad and to last this long.... Im losing it mentally.  Feels good to be on here to see Im not along I guess

[Nealdude]

Hi guys, I'm really happy to find this site.  I have been on suboxone strips after a 4 year opiate addiction started to address my chronic pain.  For so long my tolerance just rose through the roof until last summer I decided to get on the subs.  Overall, I felt a dull softening of the reality of my pain.  I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and Lyme disease so I am pretty clueless as to what the fck is causing the pain, but I have noticed crazy night sweats,clammy/ sweaty feet on this drug.  I'm so ready to be drug free, so I can see if life is bare able with my condition.  First, I was taking 2 8mg strips a day.  On my own I was able to taper to 4mg, twice a day.  I tried to do a cold turkey on this dose and it was hell.  Recently saw my doctor and he suggested a softer blow with a gradual taper.  I'm 6 days into 1 mg a day and its been rough.  Mood swings, depression, future shock, the wheels are just tearing up my mental highway.  I'm looking forward to getting through this and thank all of you so much for sharing your stories, it really helps to know that I'm not all alone in this.  I am currently doing acupuncture and treating my body right with exercise and positive thinking.  I wish everyone luck!
Nealdude

[l84dnr]

Cheapest alternative many swear by is imodium, combined with some other things. Look it up and you'll find many links. It won't be 100% like sub but it also won't leave you with the affects sub does with WD. But it's all OTC at any grocery store. Good luck!

[heroAAA]

Hi in response to all posts
I have just come of subutex after years of drug abuse (around 3.5  grams a day) I tapered down my dose 8ml to 1ml a day(easy part)
the hard part was stopping completely.
I have gone cold turkey quite a few times and the best way is to stop from the actual substance which lasts around 5 days and extremely painful.
methadone is a no (cheap alternative to buprenorphine and withdrawal lasts for ever :(
subutex is the best option by far.
I was nearly not going to add this but I will
when you want to come of subutex smoke cannabis( don't become addicted)
fight fire with fire stay at home, get well and gain back control
also attending drug groups and counselling can help :)

[qtee64]

The first time I quit taking suboxzone after 5 years, I was so insanely sick, I thought I had food poisoning! (think I would of rather had food poisoning) I had 12 tabs left, weened it down and down as best I could, (even to just a 1/4 of the film) but, still have withdrawl, somedays are worse than others, it's been 2 weeks. By far, one of the hardest hings I've ever done. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. I can say, thru looking and getting a feeling of what others have done, I know fluids, lots of vitamins (like a Cocktail) L-tysonine with B12 in the AM, a multi, calcium, and vitamin C everyday, warm/hot baths for muscle cramps, mild walking, kaopektate, and an antihistimine that causes drowsiness for sleep really helps. I can tell you first hand.....it's a long train ride, but, it will end. (I am telling myself this) Hang in there

[pennylynn]

This is so crazy i am trying to get off a few times and i have failed i get so sick and mentally it really effects me alot. everything that really works coast alot of money, that i dont have being a hard working 60 hours a week single mom lpease help me if you now anything that can help me that dont coast alot of money

[weaver71]

Hey Sarah, most notice general symptom improvement at about 21 days, and sleep returning to near normal at about 30 days. I wanted to encourage you to go to the top of the addiction forum and click Post A Question and start your own post. Sometime people get lost on these older threads. Tell us about yourself and how we can help. Looking forward to seeing you around.