day 13 off suboxone

[lost2014]

So I'm on day 13 of jumping off 4mg/2mg suboxone. I know NOW I SHOULD HAVE TAPERED, but I have this type of personality that if IM DONE WITH SOMETHING THATS IT, MY BRAIN WONT ALLOW ME TO GO BACK ON THIS LOL. so anyway after a 2 year addiction to hydrocodone and now 2 years on subs I'm finally off, the problem is I was fine for the first probably 6-7 days, then the hell began, low energy sweating red face, I bought ginseng, b-6 stopped caffeine, while that helped for a few days , now I have no energy  I'm drinking sprite and water only I'm eating good (actually starving all the time) I didn't sleep for the first 9 fays because I had RlS bad, last 4 days if it does appear its mild and I can put some icy hot on and be on enough go sleep. My biggest problem is I am having anxiety bad! I called my sub doctor he said don't worry it'll pass! I'm constantly shaking and at my wits end. I've come this far and am not willing to go back, I just need some advice on energy and anxiety, hopefully something that doesn't require a prescription, would love to do it natural

[mheadey]

Oh the lovely, life saving suboxone, I've been off for 6 months and its still hard. Good Luck

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

You should be very proud of yourself. What you did took a lot of inner strength and fortitude. See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin (up to 2700 mg  a/day in divided doses) for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep.
Clonidine is very helpful  for the creepy-crawly feeling and control of blood pressure variations. It will make your withdrawals easier.  All of these can be taken simultaneously.  Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to down-regulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue and on clinic logo.
There is a injectable form available now that is covered by all major medical insurances called Vivitrol that you would need to get only once monthly to stay clean. Just keep it in mind for the future. Good luck to you.