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

[cattalina]

Everyone is definitely different when it comes to length of time and whatnot.  I'm also tapering off sub and completey sympathize with you as I have gone thru much of the same things.  The advice I was given for the end of the taper was to take 1 mg/.5mg every other day or every couple of days before I stop completely.  Suboxone has a long half life which could be part of the reason you feel like such crappola.  Also I've been advised that there will be "residual withdrawals" ie fatigue, insomina, etc.  Try taking a multi vitamin and drink lots of water.  I wish I had a foolproof plan to give you...  But hang in there - I was told it takes about 2 weeks before those symptoms let up.  Again, everyone is different tho!! Keep posting & welcome to the forum!!

[deceasedwithin]

im trying to come off suboxone too, i only take less than a milligram a day and i still feel like im going into withdrawal if i miss a dose im ******* scared to come off and im almost out...

[ochooked]

Wish I had better news for you too.  I am on day 16 and still having 'waves' of W/D's periodically -----  Also I am extremely tired all the time - no energy ---- but keep the faith - - we WILL get better and be totally healed.   Sub has kicked by butt and I was only on it for 21 days and in small doses - -go figure.  Well, just thought I would add my experience with Sub- --- All the best.

[TysonRed]

I am also on suboxone, have been for 2months currently taking 4mgs/day. Unfortunately I believe you said you were on sub for over a year so the your withdrawls will last longer than that of others who've taken it for less amount of time. A friend on here was also on Sub for an extended period of time and he's still having w/d's a month later. He was on sub for 8months before getting off, hes said the w/d's arent as bad as the first couple weeks but they are still there. Cant be completely sure that you will have the same experience but never the less I felt you needed to hear the truth about what to expect. Hopefully your w/d's wont last as long as his, and I'll try and send him a message so he can maybe contact you and let you know firsthand what his experience was/is like. If at all possible could you get any more time off work? Im sorry I dont have better news, and everyone is different so no guarantees, maybe you'll be fine next week. In the meantime I will have him contact you, so maybe you can ask him some more direct questions related to the w/d's that go along with the extended use of suboxone. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery, whatever happens eventually the symptoms will go away and you'll be rewarded with the sobriety that you've most certainly earned. Best wishes!

[refusingbondage]

wow.  thanks for your information.  you now I came on here before I stopped and read all these blogs about the extreme length of the sub wd and asked me doc over and over if it would be ok.  he is such a kind doctor.  so understanding.  promised that i would not have any symptoms.  I guess I keep going back to that because im thinking WTF.  I should have just suffered the 5 or 6 miserable days coming right off the oxys and been done with it.  people have been recommending vitamin B12.  so I went to GNC to get some and surprisingly the girl guessed right off the bat what I needed for.  True story - the first thing she said was "You should try Suboxone" Ha Ha.  I told her how dangerous a recommendation that is as I was wd'ing off the sub.  Anyway - have you or maybe your friend heard of something called SkullCap?  She said lots of people come in for B12 when detoxing and they are buying up this Skullcap herbal stuff.  Its supposed to promote a "healthy nervous system".  a minimal google search did indicate that it helps with anxiety associated with nervous system disorders and withdrawal.  I havent taken it yet.  believe it or not, im panic when taking new things = even vitamins. imagine that.. 60mgs of oxycontin per day and afraid to take a vitamin.. anyway if you or anyone you know has any experience with Skullcap, please let me know.  Thanks!  and Thanks for your support.  Its very lonely going through this.  Family cannot sympathize as no one has gone through this here and at day 9 my partner is getting a bit annoyed with the situation.  its understandable.  He doesnt know.  but its nice to have people to talk to on here.  

[worried878]

I am sorry u r having to go thru this...alsothat u were mis-informed that u would not go thru this/most think that sub is a free ride/and it is not by a long shot...but like any withdrawal, u will have to stick to it and be strong...yes/for most i think that week or so of wd scares them so bad that they resort to the sub...and it can be a big mistake for many...in retrospect/i am sure u do wish u woulda just went thru the oxy wd verses this as it is so much more drawn out than oxy or hydro wd...but this is where u r at and hind sight is 20/20...dwelling on should/coulda/if i woulda/ gets us no where...u r where u r and u sound like u will kick this ...it is true that no one understands wd unless they have been there...it is such a strange occurence and sneaks up on us when we least expect it ...boom...addicted....and wd is so much a mental vesrses a physical thing when all is said an done...again hind sight is 20/20...stay strong and keep moving forward

[donewiththis143]

I was on subs for two years after taking every pain killer under the sun. I just stopped about 2 weeks ago and the first week was not as bad as detox off pain killers,but I still have no motivation or energy. I work in construction and that job isn't the easiest to do while detoxion. I'll try to keep everyone posted.    

[bmdad]

Are you taking any vitamins or supplements? If not check out the amino acid protocol. It can be found in the health pages which is located in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
Keep fighting buddy. Hopefully here soon you'll feel like you did before you started all this crap.
Best of luck!

Brian

[Kbatt]

Ya I've been on sub for like 2yr and the past couple months I've been cutting down like 2mg a day, but I'm on day 6 of completely stopping, so it's like one day I'll be w/d crazy, then the next feel fine. But the major thing is I have no drive to do anything, it's depressing. Anyways I take a multi vitiam, and b12 which helps I guess lol, I feel and understand everyone on here having the same problem so let's all pray to be normal non drug dependent people again haha best of luck bye

[kimberj]

I had been on Suboxone for one years & was cut off cold turkey. Suboxone is truely the devils drug. yes it does help to do away with other narc.However the down side is ( to me ) the WDs are much worse than the pain pills. Today is day number 6 off suboxone for me & its hell.The lack of energy,body aches,mood swings runny nose. No motivation what so ever, However I created this monster in me. If I had it to do over again I would have never taken that 1st pain pill  & for sure not tht 1st Suboxone. I feel suboxone is just another legal drug with horiffic withdrawls. How long until you fill normal again? I am the problem,I am the reason for this mess & I must suffer thru this.  

[determined45]

The posts I have read inspired me to share my story.
    I was addicted to pain pills for 3 yrs then was prescribed suboxone. I was taking suboxone for 2 years and felt that my doctor was not tapering me down properly. It was really expensive and I no longer wanted to be dependant on medication, so I decided to quit cold turkey ( I was taking 12mg a day).
    I went through HELL for 2 weeks (nausea, severe irritability, anxiety, hot flahes, cold chills, fever, sweaty palms, back pain, insomnia, and absolutely no energy) before anything started to ease up. I was in the ER because the symptoms were unbearable. I've been to the doctor twice and urgent care once for symptoms and because I was sick with a cold.
    When going through withdrawal your immune system is weak, therefore it is much easier to become sick. My family doctor perscribed a non narcotic anxiety medication (Hydroxyzine Pam 25 mg) that is proven to help with withdrawal symptoms. It does ease it up but not completely.
    Today is day 27 and I am still fighting through it. I have to say I feel much better than I did 2 weeks ago. I was never warned about the duration of suboxone withdrawal; I am just finding out by reading everyones posts. I do take a multi vitamin and vitiamin B12 daily. I do beleive it is helping.
    I had to withdraw from school for the time being and took a leave of absense from work. It it difficult for me to do just about anything. I would strongly suggest to do what you can to take time off to recover. I am thankful I have a great boss.
    I notice a slight difference in the way I feel everyday. I can see that I am gradually recovering. No one really knows how long it will take each individual to recover because everyones situation is different. All I can say is that you will recover it just takes time. Do not get discouraged and keep fighting and prayers always help. Remember YOU'RE WORTH IT!!!

[imgettingthere]

I abused between 160 - 320 mg of oxycontin a day for over a year.  I quit cold-turkey Fall 2009 and never in my life have wanted to die so bad.  I stayed home from work for 2 days and laid in bed sweating, cramping, restless legs, racing thoughts, etc.  I went to work on day 3 and had absolutely no interest in anything for 30 days.  I was basically a walking terd.  I started doing Oxy's again because those 30 days were absolute Hell.  I had hit rock bottom and couldn't afford my habit anymore.  I decided I needed professional help and went to a Dr. whom I have known my whole life.  He put me on Suboxin Jan. 25, 2010 at 8 mg per day.  To each his own, this drug saved my life.  I'd visit every 30 days and he was willing to let me decide when to taper down to a smaller dosage.  I did 8 mg/day for approx. 4 months then dropped that in half on month 5.  I will admit, I could tell a difference in the way I felt, I had less energy and lost interest in all I liked to do.  I would find myself nodding off at my desk, etc.  About a week of this was all it lasted, no lost sleep, just lost energy.  A couple months later I tapered down to 2mg/day.  Same routine, no energy for a week, sleep was still fine.  11 months later, I had tapered down to 1 mg a day.  I didn't notice much difference between the tapering this time.  I went and visited my Doc in Dec. 2010 and told him i wanted to be done with it, I had been on it long enough.  He agreed, and recommended 1 mg/day every other day for a couple weeks then stop.  Followed the plan.  I felt actually pretty damn good for the first 3 - 4 days but day 5, ouch!  All of the subo's must have left my system I had absolutely no energy, hated everything, severely depressed and the worst of all the restless arms and hands associated with it.  I am on day 13 and I can tell that my mood (depression) is getting better, but I am anxious to go to sleep tonight due to the twitchy hands and arms.  Tried every type of sleeping pill / natural sleep aid **** on the market and nothing is helping me through this.  I'm hesitant to go to the doctor for any prescriptions because I know I will most likely abuse them (to try to get that oxy euphoria).  It helps me to read everyone's posts and see that I am not singled out in feeling this way.  I feel like I am trapped and cannot associate with anyone that has went through this.  I talk to my wife and she is sympathetic, but has no idea what is really going on in my thoughts.  

I want to keep you all posted for everyone that are scared to quit.  Just to say to people that I was off Suboxone finally boosted my mood and is my motivation.  I have heard running/walking once you start feeling the heeby jeebies (as I call them) is a big help, but it is dead winter here and no way my *** is going outside in 17 degree weather to go for a stroll.  

As for the debate on wanting to WD from Oxy's or Subs? I would pick Subs 10/10, that Oxy is bad news & bad withdrawing from, but then again to each his own and I knew it had tight rope around my neck.  

Any other remedies/tips tricks to help get my arms and hands to quit twitching at night is most appreciated.  I will check this post often.

Thank you all,

Miles

[determined45]

Hey hang in there!! I know this is a long train ride but you will notice slight differences each week. Thats about how long it takes me to notices changes anymore. I am on day 39 and the w/d are still there (creepy crawls (tingles), fatigue, insomnia, sweaty palms and armpits, hot flashes at night, cold chills and a little nausea here in there resulting in diarreah). Reading all the posts help me realize that it will get better, it's just a really slow process. I mean we have to think that we have damaged our brains for years and it takes time for our receptors to return to normal. I was on the pills hard too and tried to quit twice and relapsed each time. When I was put on suboxone it changed my life. It was like I was normal again and now I have no desire to ever be on pills again and felt this way for a while. However, I didn't want to depend on medication to get through my day so I wanted off the subs. I heard this can last up to 70 days. I know everyone is different and me jumping off at a high dose maybe a big reason why I am not 100% yet. Sleeping patterns should return to normal at the two month mark. Can't wait to get there b/c it is annoying not being able to have a good night sleep. I know it will come with time. It does feel good to know someone else is in the same boat as me b/c most of the posts I have read are outdated. Congrats and be proud your fighting this now and forever.  

[determined45]

Forgot to mention the hydroxyzine pam meds I mentioned in an earlier post only really works for the anxiety. I was also prescribed Clonidine, which is a blood pressure medicine that is proven to help with opiate w/d. It really helps, if you can ask your doctor about it. It is non addicting and I still sometimes take it when I go to bed b/c it helps me get some sleep. I also take the vitamin B 12 ppl have talked about. I also take a mulitvitamin daily. Hot showers also help ease the w/d for a little bit. It is weird how that works but it does. It's like 7 degrees here so taking walks is out of the question, but I heard it helps. Motivation is low, I still have to push myself to do certain things. Can't wait for my energy to fully return, which it has gotten much better since the first few weeks. Anyways try my recommendations hopefully it will help. Be strong you will get through this.  

[imgettingthere]

What dosage of subs did you quit cold turkey?  

Little things I keep noticing everyday are SLOWLY returning to normal.  Had a little hard time falling asleep last night, i think I was up until 4am but I was able to get 6 hours of rest in with little to no "fidgits" waking me up.  Sad thing about this is I hate doing everything I loved doing months ago.  I have no interest in absolutely none of my hobbies, I even hate the taste of Coca Cola! (l used to love Coke).  I went to a church service today with my family and it seemed to help take me to a place it seems has been years ago.  It's nice to actually feel like a person with feelings again and not just a drone that has a mission of scoring opiates and junk.  

I hated everyday of work last week, so I requested tomorrow off.  I am going to go ride snowmobiles and try to take my mind off of everything.  Showers/baths do work for me also on helping me to relax.  I went to Walgreens tonight and got some B-12 and also a multi-vitamin.  Also found a natural remedy tea that is supposed to help with sleep.  

As for when you asked your doctor to put you on hydroxyzine pam and the clonidine, did you request it or was he willing to put you on it?  Does the hydroxyzine pam make you tired?  Reason asking i get a lot of anxiety at my job and I don't want to take it if it is going to make me sleepy.  My anxiety is horrid right now, i'm afraid to roll out of bed, then when i do i hate being in the house and gets my anxiety rolling.  Then i get out the door and my anxiety wants me back in the house.  Sometimes I want to just give up, but I put myself into this mess, i'm going to get myself out of it.  

Congratulations to you to on day 39, reading these posts have been great to hear and makes me feel good that there are others out there going through the same sappy mess I am right now.  

[determined45]

I completely understand what you are going through didn't sleep well last night either. I have a hard time falling asleep and when I do I end up tossing and turning. The clonidine will help with sleep, it makes me really tired, however the doctor says it should only be used for a couple weeks. The hydroxyzine pam does NOT make me tired at all and I never feel cloudy. I was actually disappointed when the dr. told me it would help with sleep and it doesn't. It does help with the anxiety but that is all. The anxiety and depression really gets to me too but know it's temporary, it will eventually go away. My hands become shaky and my mind races and the lack of interest is crazy. So you may want to ask about it. I never mentioned anything to my dr. about giving me meds. I just explained my situation. He knows that I am an addict and took suboxone for a while (he wasn't the doctor who prescribed the subs.). I strictly told him I did not want a narcotic, nothing addicting. He really cares about the health of his patients, so that helps. The vitamin B12 is needed to synthesize hemoglobin, help manufacture healthy blood cells, and maintain the nervous system (says so on the bottle..lol). It kinda takes a while to build up in your system but I believe it helps.
It is also hard to deal with a relationship when your going through this process. They don't understand what we are going through and they think that it's them making you feel and act the way you do and it's not. It is really hard to cope, so hopefully your wife is being supportive b/c you need it.
I am at day 40 now. I jumped off at 12mg. (1 1/2 8mg. tabs a day). I did so b/c I had been on it for so long and my doctor barely tapered me after 2 yrs. I started out at 16mg (2 8mg tabs a day). I just had this overwhelming feeling to quit so I did and I had no idea of the duration of withdrawal. I guess you just gotta wait it out. Everyone is different but the reason I am still feeling like this is probably b/c I was on sub. for 2 1/2 yrs. then just jumped at a high dose. I know it can be very difficult, but I gradually see my energy coming back which is good cause I need to get back to work. I have heard this can last 70 days so I'm counting them down. If I can do this anyone can. Just keep strong, I know sometimes you get so annoyed with how your feeling but know it will get better. God Bless!!
This is an old forum, so I posted a question which starts a new forum. The title is suboxone withdrawal, hopefully to see you there. I was asked to do so by another member. They said more ppl can help there and give more specific information.  

[rocky643]

My story is very long and protracted, but i hope it will help someone. I became a heroin addict in 2001 and used heavily until i got kidney cancer in 2005. Due to my medical condition and tolerance, I was taking between 400 - 650 mg oxycontin a day. Needless to say, that is an impossible detox. After 2 years recovery from my illness i got on suboxone, 2 8mg pills a day. I opted to taper myself quickly and was soon taking 1 mg a day after a few months. I decided to stop that time by using clonidine. that drug is amazing if you can get it prescribed. Withdrawals lasted about 6 weeks for me that time, but I had been on opiates for almost ten years. I did successfully get through it and was clean for 8 months. then i was tempted by a co worker a few times and it all started again. right now i am on day 9 from .2 mg suboxone day (i cut a strip down into 20 pieces). i do not feel too bad and i have some ativan and xanax to help it. these things are also very helpful. don't forget a hot shower and determination. it will get better soon and you can beat it. i promise.

[determined45]

It is good to see more people posting. This is an old thread so I created a new one under the title "Suboxone Withdrawal". Today is day 43 and the w/d are still there. They are mild but there. The things I am still experiencing are: sweaty palms and armpits (really annoying), insomnia, tingles, cold chills and hot flashes (come in go in waves), and a little fatigue. I feel about 85%, hopefully the rest will subside towards the two month mark. I have read that normal sleeping patterns return at two months so I am counting on that. It is crazy how long the process is, but I am getting there.

Before I was prescribed suboxone I was taking large doses of percocet a day (for around 3 years). I quit 2 different times, went through about 4 days of w/d and was back to normal. Once I felt better I relapsed. It seems that happens a lot, the temptations can get to you. I hate to hear of people out there that know you are trying to stay sober and still influence us with drugs. It would be hard to work with someone on drugs, a big part of recovery is to get away from all those negative people/connections, but what are you suppose to do when it's haunting you at your place of employment. It's just too hard to find another job, so I feel for you there.

I was also prescribed clonidine .1mg and vistiril 25mg(for anxiety). The clonidine really helped ease things up and I was able to get some sleep . After the worst part was over I just took it to sleep. I actually just quit taking it about 3 days ago. The anxiety meds help too. I have never had problems with anxiety, but it really hit going through all this. I would be shaky and have racing thoughts. I'm still taking the medication. I plan to take it until everything else disappears. The medicine doesn't make me tired or cloudy (I would just take one every 8 hours) but my family Dr. says it can have a sedating affect and advised me to take a few before bedtime so I can sleep. I toss and turn all night long and it gets really annoying. I haven't had a good nights sleep since I jumped off the subs. I am also taking a mulitvitamin and vitamin B12 daily. It takes a little while for the vitamin B12 to build up in your system but I believe it has really helped with my energy level.    

It seems you are strong minded about your recovery. You will get through it this time too.  
I commend you for doing what you're doing. You should be proud. It is nice to know people are going through the same thing, I don't feel so alone.

Good Luck and God Bless!

[imgettingthere]

It is reassuring to here others stories.  Day 18 off the subs and I am slowly returning to what I call normal (haven't been "normal" for over 3 years).  Determined45 got me motivated to start the multi-vitamin and the b12 regimen and I can say it is helping with my energy levels.  I was so drained at work from the w/d i would just want to curl up on the floor and go to sleep.  I feel myself slowly getting better and better each day.  I asked my Dr. to put me on hydroxyzine pam and he had no problem doing it for my anxiety.   They however make me really tired so I only take 1 - 2 at bed time to help me with sleep which has been non-existent for almost a month.

I had a similar run-in last night with a friend who I used to use with.  We got rambling on about old stories and I had very strong feelings to use.  Probably need to just shut them out of my life completely if they are going to bring the past up.  I used to use all the time at my last place of employment with everyone there and the only way i was ever going to clean up was when I found a new job.  I have been clean for a little over a year now (with 1 minor relapse (1 is plenty, 1000 not enough) a few months in but it only made my determination to stay clean stronger.  I just wanted to share that my days are only getting better after the 2 week mark off subs.  I never ever ever thought i would live a clean life again and it has been made possible to this drug and the help of my Dr., my family and friends.  God bless everyone!

[determined45]

I am glad the medication you are taking is helping you. My Dr. said there really isn't anything out there to help you feel more comfortable when going through w/d, however there are a few (non narcotic) meds that can help . It is hard to find medication that is non addicting. The Hydroxyzine pam (generic for vistiril) really helps with my anxiety. It doesn't make me tired, but had a follow up appt. yesterday and my family Dr. told me to take a few more at night to make me tired. Guess I'll try that tonight. The vitamins do help, glad they are working for you as well.

I wish you the best of luck. I know this seems like it takes forever but it's definitely getting better and better, it just takes time. I am so proud of you for fighting through this process. I really believe it takes a strong person to beat this. Your at 18 day, wow, doesn't that make you feel so good. Look how far you come. Soon you will be at day 20, then 25, then a month and so on. You will be feeling GREAT and living a clean life.  

Keep it up and God Bless =)

[leahp25]

I just wanted to say what a good job you are doing hanging in there and you are motivating me and many other people out there. I was really getting scared i am day 36 and i have no energy no motivation i was afraid I was never going to get better,but I know i will. We just have to keep going. Please update me as soon as you can I am a single mother of 3 kids i have lost a daughter due to this awful addiction. and it is so hard to take care of my small kids they think i'm useless i'm sure cause their so little. I want to make them proud and be a good mother so let me know how you are now you should be about day60 by now...wow. Thank you and God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gijay]

I've was taking 2 1/2 8mg suboxone per day for about 6 months, I went from that to one 8 then down to 4mg really pretty rapidly. Long story short I am on day 2 of w/d's from the subs and was wondering if anyone had some insight into how long I might have to suffer through the at least the bad parts of this.

[conner499]

I'm on day 8. i am going to try the b12 and already take multi-vitamin.  i also have the vistril  (hyrdoxzine). it's crazy that a pill can can do this to you.  i have partyed thru college and many restaurants.  This is the only drug that has taken over my life.  i hope it gets better before 70 days!  I'm in an intensive program with school and a long hour job.  Neithetr, which can take half *** work.  I just look back at the money and time that i spent on hydro/oxy.  I hope this is going to be the end of that! i feel for all  of you going thru this... its not easy

[imgettingthere]

Sorry I have been on a leave of absence...... I found my guitar I was given as a child and have been playing it non-stop for the past month.  Today is day 80 off Suboxone and I feel great!  It took me about a month to start feeling like everything was normal again, but the sub withdrawal effect is nothing like the opiate effect.  I hope all of you who have read this thread know each day gets easier than the next.  I often times critisized how weak people were for looking at life 1 day, 1 hour, 1 minute at a time but now I know from first hand experience how important this is to know and put into practice.  There were many temptations (old friends) that made me grit my teeth not to go visit but constantly reinforce yourself that you do not want to go back down that path and start this journey all over again.
As for the anxiety / sleep aid (hydroxyzine pam) i got a script for this and made me really sleepy so it was nice to finally get a few hours of zzzz's (Plus i love it's non-addictive).  

I am going to make it on here and check posts a couple times a day so if anyone wants help, shoot me a message and I will be glad to give you encouragement and answer any questions you may have.  Keep strong people, find a new hobby or rediscover an old one that will help you concentrate on not thinking how horrible the world is right now.  I am facing a lot of repurcussions right now from being a full blown addict for almost two years now and still every day keeps getting better than the next.   And remember, you are doing a great job..... most people with this "hobby" we share either die or go to prison..... let's live life to our fullest potential and help others with our success stories.  Remember, reply to post or shoot me a message if you want to go that route.

Thanks everyone for your support...... Miles