suboxone withdrawals

[bhope]

I've been on Suboxone since June 3, 2009. about three months ago my doctor started tapering me down 2 mg every month. It's been only two days since i took 1 mg because the withdrawals were so bad. it's so tempting to just take more but i want to win this battle. Does anyone know about how long suboxone wd will last? i've been told that they don't start until day 2 or 3 but mine started on day one and now it's day 2 and i thought i was feeling better but I have the worst headache and im just so tired i can't move yet i can't sleep either. im just wandering if anyone has been through this and can tell me how long it will last and what they did to get through it. thanks!

[salsinator]

Check your messages, I will send you some additional info.

[Heiterkeit]

Could you please go into more detail as to what the "detox with an addiction specialist that took about 8 days" consisted of. I want off subs in the worst of ways. After 2 accidents, I went from opiates, to methadone and now subs, which I have been on for almost a year. I'm tired of all this medication and I want a drug free life. I am proud of the progress I have been making. My doctor had me on 18mg a day and only wanted to go down 2 mg. I took in upon myself to "speed up" the process. I'm down to 4mg a day and feeling fine. ..so far. I'm not kidding myself that the worst is over. But I went from 18mg - 4mg in a matter of months. I wish this was a quick detox like the methadone, had I known, I would of NEVER went on subs. If you could please help me with the last leg of my journey, I would be forever grateful.

[bhope]

im not doing any recovery care. im trying to find some NA meetings to go to. The doc i was going to was not a very good doc....i think he was just in it for the money. because i couldn't get him to answer a simple question over the phone without him wanting me to come in and pay him first. i did stick to his program tho. but i didn't jump off at 2mg like he wanted me to. the last month i did 2 1/2 weeks on 2mg and the rest of the month on 1mg then i jumped off. i really feel like its my mind playing with me. mornings are the worst. after i get up and cry a little and take my vitamins and drink a boost i begin to feel a little better. walking really does help and my husband is a big help with this. he really has listened to me at my craziest the past 2 days and i am so thankful for that. he even stayed home with me. i have to go to work tomorrow tho and i am scared of what's going to happen. i know this is crazy...it just helps to talk to people who have the same experiences as me. thank you all so very much!!!!

[salsinator]

Hi bhope - Hang in there.  Unfortunately sub withdrawal can sometimes be tougher than a regular opiate, but don't cave in and take another opiate or more sub.  Definitely don't go on Methadone - not a good option, it is just a difficult.  Like redusingbondange has said - many people drop down to .25 - .5mg before hopping off.  I tried quitting sub from 2mg and could not do it.  In the end, I did a detox with an addiction specialist that took about 8 days.  That was not easy either, but that was 10 months ago and I am free of suboxone and opiates.  Keep posting, keep doing what you are doing - stay occupied and it will be over before you know it.  

[avisg]

NO if you are going to make a choice between taking a part of a sub or a prat of another pain med then take the sub ..going back to taking an opiate is addictive thinking ..what recovery care are you getting.

[bhope]

thanks you guys for all your advise. i will keep posting. Im going to try and stay strong and just tough it out. i do have a job to get back to so i hope this goes awasy soon. im filling up on b-vitamins, L-lysine, boost, water, excedrine or ibuprophene for the headaches, and im about to go for a walk even if i have to cry the whole way.

[refusingbondage]

I wouldnt recommend it.  Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxne IS an opiate.  You are currently addicted to the Bupe (opiate).  Taking another form of opiate will only delay the inevitable.. taking a fast acting opiate will bring back a HUGE mental addiction/craving.  Not woth it.  Trust me.  If you cant get through the w/drawal, then start halving your sub into to .5 mgs for a bit, then .25.  Unfortunately, you are learning like may of us post suboxone users, that there is no real get out jail free card when it comes to opiates.. be smart.. and stay strong. it wont kill you.. it just takes time..

[bhope]

do you guys think it is safe to take a small amount of opiate just to get through the withdrawals without becoming addicted to the opiates again? silly i know but im pulling at anything right now

[refusingbondage]

My suggestion - tough it out.  NO, its NOT easy.. But you CAN Do it.  Dont go on to methadone -- which will be worse than suboxone to stop.  Sub doctors are like all everyone else, some good, some bad.  If you have 2 days in then I would just stick it out.  #1 flush your stash.  #2 look on the health pages (top right of screen) - go to the Amino Acid Protocol and get to GNC and get some of the suggested vitamins. #3 get Immodium, Advil, Benadryl and/or Tylenol PM, Gatorade.  #4 Learn to like the bottom of your bathtub.. I spent hours each sitting in the tub with the shower on. It was the best most peaceful and comforting place.  Hot showers reaally help.  And last, just get some patience.  Rent movies, read books, post post post and really truly I mean it when I say find an NA meeting.. Go to it.  If its a good group, they will help you and you will feel better.  As far as the depression goes, you just gotta wait it out.  Again, exercise is KEY when it comes to feeling mentally better.  I spent a few years on subs.  It was my hardest detox ever.  But it was the best thing Ive ever done for myself.  A great accompishment.  You can do this!

[micheleTX]

Hi.  I never took Sub but have read numerous accounts that it is very similar to opiate pill withdrawal.  Detoxing is what it is, yes, and crying was a big big part of it for me.  Mood all over the place, that was part of my w/d's.  It's your brain and body getting rid of the toxins in it.  You can get off that stuff if you really try.  It is do-able.  Lots here have done it and feel much better about it.  I am only giving you my opinion - that's all I can do.  If you feel the need to go to methadone clinic, that is your choice.  Whatever you decide, the best of luck to you in it :)  God bless

[avisg]

You can  it might be a while  before your wd stops like a weeks .where if u went lower it would not be as bad but thats up to you ...

[bhope]

no my doc didn't give me anything to help. im not seeing him anymore. he wants 250 every visit no matter what and i just cant do that anymore. i have more subs so i could taper a little longer but i would rather just go through the pain now. its mostley a mind thing. i have a horable headache but i can deal with that. its the depression and crying that i cant handle. im not sure what to do. i thought abut finding another doc that actually cares about his patients but the nearest one is an hour away. the only other option is to go to the methadone clinic...they do sub there too. but they will have me on it forever. i just have to tough it out right?

[refusingbondage]

And yes, if possible, taper down even lower.  I jumped at 1mg and it was really really difficult.  You can go down even lower.. to .5 and even .25 or tiny slivers or crumbs of suboxone.  Ive heard people who do that, have a less intenes w/drawal.  

[avisg]

Lots of people go all of the way to .5 a day then every other day before they get off ..

[refusingbondage]

Sub withdrawal takes a bit longer than most.  Congrats on day 2! Just hang in there and give it time..long hot showers or baths. Exercise!  This really helped me.. I started slow walks around day 5 and it helped quite a bit.  Did your doctor offer anything to help?? Clonidine can be helpful from what I've heard.. All the regular opiate withdrawal stuff comes with suboxone withdrawal, it just lasts a bit longer.  I did it so I know you can do it.  Just be strong and stay in it. Seek out some meetings or a therapist and start aftercare asap.  It will help tremendously.  Good luck.  If you need anything, just let me know.. I went through a long sub detox back in the end of 08.  The friends I made here were the only reason I made it through.. so keep posting.  Good luck and God Bless!