subutex withdrawals

[october40]

I am on day 2 of subutex withdrawal. I was on 6 to 8 mg for 5 weeks and have tapered to 0.4mg over 2 weeks. Now withdrawing....also came off diazepam 6  weeks ago. Not really slept since then....found out I was pregnant 5 weeks ago....had a termination as wanted to get clean first...very painful decision. Am signed off work for another 2 weeks. Doc has prescribed me olanzepine 10mg to aid sleep....helps a bit. Not been on subutex long but was using codeine before that. Just want to know how long this will take just want to sleep and feel human again. Will I have to withdraw from the olanzepine as I could not handle another withdrawal

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

Here is a list of items that can be used to tone down WD symptoms.  Look through it and see if there is anything that you think will  help you.  BTWs you should tell your doctor that Clonidine also helps with craving so it is not too late.  I'm unfamiliar with the drug he gave you for sleep...the Sundown Super Melatonin helped me quite a bit...you could also go to your local GNC and see what they have.  Anyway, here is the list.  A big big but a lot of different symptoms to go over.  

So glad to see you here and that you've joined our "family"

First, use the Search MedHelp and search for the Thomas Recipe.

Restless Leg Syndrome:  Hylands Restless Leg Tablets (make sure it is the kind with Quinine in it)
     Tonic Water (Schweppes is a good one) that also has quinine in it, sip on it until bedtime.  Add something to it if you don't like the taste.  I used sugar-free Crystal Light Tangerine flavor in mine.
      Orthopedic socks, the tight ones for the lower legs
       Ace bandages for the upper legs and arms, wrap tightly or use towels wrapped tightly
      Before wrapping everything up rub some Ben Gay or Tiger Balm into the skin
       Heating Pads

Big bag of Epsom Salts:  A good 15 to 20 soak in a really hot bath with salts in it will relieve a lot of your symptoms like anxiety for a while in addition to helping get toxins out of your skin.  Take as many per day as needed, definitely take one before you wrap up for RLS for the night.

Water, Lifewater with Electrolytes, Gatorade, anything to make sure you don't get dehydrated because that will make your symptoms worse.  If you have a juicer fresh juice would be terrific as long as your tummy can handle it.

Protein shakes, bananas, toast, rice, applesauce...whatever your tummy can handle.  We never want to eat but the same thing goes here...if you don't eat a little bit your symptoms will be worse.

Sleep and Anxiety:  Chamomile Tea, Melatonin, Sundown Super Melatonin (has Valerian, Passion Flower and other items good for sleep and anxiety).  You can go the Valium route IF your doctor prescribes and you would only want to use it for maybe 7 days because you don't want to wind up addicted to benzo's.

Vitamins:  Cal-Mag-Zinc 3in1, Good Multi-Vitamin, Super B Complex, Amino Acids like L-Lysine, B-12 injection or sublingual (this is for after the insomnia part of WD is over) for energy.  Try to get these items at Walmart...you will save at least 50% over a drugstore like Walmart.

Bathroom Issues:  Immodium...some people say to take 8 tablets daily.  Some say 4.  You want to slow it down but not stop it completely because it is another way for your body to void the toxins.

Tummy Issues:  Zantac or any OTC tummy product.  You can also talk to your doctor about Zofran if it is really bad.

Chocolate:  This one doesn't do much of anything EXCEPT for hit the same center of your brain that the opiates do...the pleasure center.  The few people that it has been suggested to said it was an awesome suggestion.

Clonidine if your doctor will prescribe it.  It is a high blood pressure medication so you need to talk to your doctor first.  It is also used for opiate, nicotine and alcohol withdrawals.  It does help reduce the symptoms quite a bit...usually it is 0.1 mg twice a day though the doctor may prescribe more if you are taking a high amount of opiates.  One of the main benefits is it helps with cravings.  It is only used for 7 to 10 days though.  It is a medication that requires tapering off of if taken for a length of time (like most high BP and heart medications)

A local couple who provide fresh raw honey swear by bee pollen sprinkled on cereal, salads, vegies...pretty much whatever you want to put it on will help.

[Pittfan101]

I can feel your pain. I'm actually on day 11 of off suboxone after 3 1/2 years. I only tapered to 1mg for a week before jumping. The first 7 days were hell. But you were on a lower dose so might be a little more tolerable. The RLS for me is the WORST! Nothing ***** more than being exhausted and not being able to sleep and just watching the clock slowly tick by minute by minute. You are not alone! If I can give you any advice it is to keep yourself busy. I find that I feel my worst when I'm laying around being lazy. But once I start moving and can occupy my mind it's not so bad. I slept like a rock for the first time on day 9 and today I actually felt somewhat human. Went to work and muddled through with a fairly positive frame of mind. Im getting my appetite back and even some energy. It seems to come and go. I'll fee fine one minute and horrible the next. The key is to figure out positive reasons to get clean and stick to it! I made my favorite pic of my 2 yr old son my phones screen saver and I look at it constantly to keep perspective as to why I am doing this. And remember, we were all happy before addiction and we CAN be happy after addiction as well. It takes time, and will power but once you achieve freedom the sense of pride and self worth is amazing! Hang in there! Oh, btw, I've been taking a multi vitamin, a D3 and 2 B12's every night which surprisingly seems to help. I can notice the difference when I don't take them anyway. I feel a little more energized when I wake up after taking them. Just a thought.

[october40]

Thanks for that....got terrible RLS....can t keep still....def no sleep tonight....it is easy to think this will never end.

[Amandag78]

you stick yo the same dose and dont increase, you might be ok.
Google " olanzapine withdrawal symptoms" and lots of stuff will come up.
Normally it takes between 2-3 weeks to create a habit where withdrawal is possible if using daily.
If your worried, double check your concerns with yout treating doctor.
Again, good luck.

[Amandag78]

Ok, no worries...your doc knows best and yes each individual is unique in their own detox.
I dont know too much about this med, only what ive read, but it certainly can have w/d's.
2 weeks may or may not be ok. I think if

[october40]

I was not prescribed clonodine as didnot see doctor till towards end of taper and he said it was too late. Cannot get benzos as withdrawibg off that too. He thought olanzapine was best bet as non addictive but I am still concerned about taking it....if only for 2 weeks max will I get withdrawals. I am seeing an addictions therapist so that will offer support. At 31 hrs now....can t sleep..it is horrid knowing this will get worse just don t know how much as we are all different. Some exercise would be good but no motivation....just want this over

[Amandag78]

Hi, well done on your second day off Subutex.
Olanzapine ( Zyprexa ) is used to treat schitzophrenia and bipolar disorder, it has a sedative effect as well.
Yes, depending on how long your taking the med, what dosage your on and if you play around with your dosage, then withdrawal symptoms can be severe.
Common withdrawal symptoms are, flu-like symptoms, aching body, depression, tremors, sweats, anxiety, kind of like coming off narcotics, but a much harder detox.
Im not sure why they didnt prescribe you Clonidine in a sub detox.
I dont know about taking this drug, but i would get a second opinion.
Good luck, hang in there : )

[Ejm7263]

The Epsom salt baths help me:)
Hang in there. Doing great!!!
Aftercare???

[october40]

Thanks for the response....it helps to post. I am expecting to feel worse and am nervous about that. Like you say I have jumped at a low dose having tapered but still unsure what to expect. I am having baths, trying to eat and taking vitamins. Main problem is sleep...still keen to hear what people think about taking olanzepine to sleep....worried about getting stuck on that. I want to be off all meds as want to try and get pregnant again next year after some clean time so no meds. I know I have no option but to ride this out but should I take olanzapine for 1 or 2 weeks to help with sleep. I have really struggled the last few weeks with anxiety and no sleep so am worried if I don t sleep my mental health getting really bad again. Any advice welcome.

[motye51]

Well.....on day 2 it should be bearable.  When I w/d it took 3/4 days for full w/d to kick in but my dose was alot higher.  However, I hear about severe w/d it seems like no matter what mg you jump from.  I do believe though, if you got yourself down to .4mg for 2 weeks before you jumped...it might not be so bad.  I would wait for tomorrow or Friday and see how you feel then.  If it's o.k. then it sounds like you did it right!  Alot of us can't taper like that (me as one of them!) The dose I was at, people were honest with me upfront, and told me 3 weeks roughly to get the subs out of your system.  I think your doing really well with being able to taper!   Do you have the Epsom salts for taking hot baths, vitamins, high yielding protein meals (eggs, peanut butter, etc), bananas, gatorade, etc... to make this time more bearable?  Keep us posted as to how your doing and how your feeling.  When you feel like ****....POST!  It does help.