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Suboxone Struggles
Hello. I am recovering from Suboxone. I had a question about the specifics about Suboxone withdrawal. I had been on it for nearly two years. I tapered down and have now been clean for 43 days. I am very proud of myself for enduring this fight; unfortunately, I still am experiencing withdrawal symptoms (specifically, insomnia and achy “restless” legs). My question is, “Is it normal for the Suboxone withdrawal period to last this long?” I withdrew from tramadol a few years back and was fine after 23-25 days. I have heard that Suboxone is so strong that the withdrawal period lasts a lot longer, but no doctor I have seen seems to know anything about this potent drug. Any information about the Suboxone withdrawal process would be greatly appreciated as this has already gone on a lot longer than I or my doctor expected. Thank you so much!
Any idea for really good natural sleep remedies? Untried valerian root before but it wasn't great. Plus the smell brings back really bad memories.
I started on the subutex to get of heroin originally. I haven't touched heroin for 4 years now so I am glad that the subutex helped me with that battle. I'm now just left with the problem of getting off these. I have got a lot of support from my fiancée, family, drug worker and doctor. I am worried about using the benzos and codeine for the exact reasons you mentioned, I wouldn't want to be getting into another problem with them.
My doctors idea is to use a small amount of codeine to ease the pain and the benzos to help me sleep, tapering down over about 10 days. I thought this might be a good idea as I have tried to get off the sub a few times now only to give in at around a week mainly because I was so worn out from not sleeping. Although when I have done it before I have had no help or planning and jumped at quite a high dose. I have spent the last 2 years getting my dose down and I finally feel ready. I am going to see my doctor tomorrow and my drug worker on Wednesday. Hopefully starting detox on Thursday.
I really appreciate the support from people on here and I will keep you posted.
My doctors idea is to use a small amount of codeine to ease the pain and the benzos to help me sleep, tapering down over about 10 days. I thought this might be a good idea as I have tried to get off the sub a few times now only to give in at around a week mainly because I was so worn out from not sleeping. Although when I have done it before I have had no help or planning and jumped at quite a high dose. I have spent the last 2 years getting my dose down and I finally feel ready. I am going to see my doctor tomorrow and my drug worker on Wednesday. Hopefully starting detox on Thursday.
I really appreciate the support from people on here and I will keep you posted.
Many people would think that using opiates and benzos to get off sub is counter productive. I agree, when my detox doc shared the meeds he would be using I though the same thing. However it is very important to note that the detox I did had 24 hour supervisiont with a very specific dosing schedule that I did not control. I had a person with me 24/7 and was at the clinic every day. It was expensive and very controlled, but it worked very well. I would never recommend any kind of detox like this without a professional doctor administering and supervising, period.
Thanks for the info BrentD. It is good to know I am not alone in this lingering sub withdrawal. I am hoping that 60 days may be the magic numer. =)
I don't have a problem with someone using a limited amount of benzos or a lesser narcotic to get through withdrawal, but with a couple of conditions. 1) It's used only short-term for the last stage of weaning off everything, and 2) it is medically supervised and not left to the patient to administer. As salsinator mentioned: "There is more increasing evidence that this protocol actually works the best, but as addicts, IF WE ARE NOT SUPERVISED we can get into worse trouble than when we started."
The doc tried that technique with my husband and it was a dismal failure. 2 mg of Sub is so strong that the little bit of prescribed codeine made zero difference. The valium took a bit of the edge off, but not much. Of course, everyone's experience is a bit different. We all know that detox isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition.
Rich, if you are going to try this protocol, I urge you to have someone you trust administer your meds. My husband nearly killed himself overdosing on "comfort meds" in a vain attempt to sleep through withdrawal. Lucky for him, he didn't stop breathing. It was a nearer thing than he even yet realizes. I've come to believe that Sub detox is something nobody should attempt alone. Aside from being a physical horror, the emotional side can be unbelievably brutal.
The doc tried that technique with my husband and it was a dismal failure. 2 mg of Sub is so strong that the little bit of prescribed codeine made zero difference. The valium took a bit of the edge off, but not much. Of course, everyone's experience is a bit different. We all know that detox isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition.
Rich, if you are going to try this protocol, I urge you to have someone you trust administer your meds. My husband nearly killed himself overdosing on "comfort meds" in a vain attempt to sleep through withdrawal. Lucky for him, he didn't stop breathing. It was a nearer thing than he even yet realizes. I've come to believe that Sub detox is something nobody should attempt alone. Aside from being a physical horror, the emotional side can be unbelievably brutal.
Rich, didn't you go on the Suboxone to come off of pills? Taking Benzos and Codeine to come off of Suboxone sounds counter productive. Both of those are addictive so what happens when you need to come off of them?
I know Suboxone withdrawal is nasty but you made the decision to do it so follow it through before you end up right back where you started.
We can help you with some natural supplements and support.
I know Suboxone withdrawal is nasty but you made the decision to do it so follow it through before you end up right back where you started.
We can help you with some natural supplements and support.
Hi I'm currently on 0.3 twice a day and hopin to drop to 0.2 twice a day before I come off. It's difficult to go any lower because I already feel quite rough. I was thinking of tamazapam for my benzo but I haven't noticed anyone mention it on here?
The other thing I'm worried about is the dose of codeine to start on If I go down that route. And also how long I should be taking the codeine.
The other thing I'm worried about is the dose of codeine to start on If I go down that route. And also how long I should be taking the codeine.
Hi all, suboxone is so tough to kick and it can take over a month before some people start to feel human again. I took sub for nearly 4 years before detoxing in June 2009. One poster mentioned using benzos and codeine to withdrawal. There is more increasing evidence that this protocol actually works the best, but as addicts, if we are not supervised we can get into worse trouble than when we started. The secret with sub is getting the dose down as low as possible first, 0.25-0.5mg. Sometimes that is hard. I jumped off at 2 mg, but also did a detox with a doctor that was 8 days and very supervised. I was on tramadol and lots of Valium for 6 days and also received injections of narc an every day to kick the opiates off the brain. I mainly slept the whole time. The last two days I was given a pretty sting cocktail of drugs, in the office and then a large dose of narc an. Once this was done, I was opiate free. It still took me two weeks to even start feeling human again, I was so tired that I could barely walk across the house for the first few days. Give yourself a good 4-5 weeks to start feeling normal again. It takes the brain 60-90 days to reset the opiate receptors and start making natural endorphins. it can be done and you will get through this. Keep posting, lots here to support you.
Congrats on your clean time. I also am on 43 days clean off 2 years of suboxone and just wanted you to know I share the same feelings. I have just been keeping up with healthy eating, vitamins, exercise and stretching and if I skip one of those I can tell by feeling crappy. If you arent doing any of those I think its worth a shot. I would consider myself to feel about 90% back to normal but I havent been 100% in about 7 years so I dont really know what to expect. Sleep is still not great but I am sleeping so no complaints there and I occasionally get some rls but If I stretch and go for a walk before bed it usually helps. For all you others begining your journey to be clean I wish you the best of luck. I had many failed attempts at this in the past and was starting to lose hope but this fight is definitely one that can be won if your mind is in the right place. Best of luck to all of you and Jlogan you are not alone with the feelings you still have. Time will heal it, hopefully sooner than later.
-Brent
-Brent
Yeah thanks. That was my worry really, I don't wanna get stuck on the benzos. Not sure if this is mainly a US site. I'm from the uk and the doctors here seem to have even less knowledge about buprenorphine. I started on on heroin when I was 14 after trying to quit that many times including inpatient detox, 12 step etc twice I was recommended subutex. I've been on sub for 9 years and am now 29. I really wanna get off this time so I'm trying to do it right. My main worry Is the sleep. That's the killer for me as it is with most people. I used tamazapam in rehab and that really seemed to work but I'm worried that sleeping without it after will be even harder. What about the Thomas recipe has anyone ever tried it with bupe?
Also if anyone reads this that have been on sub for 9 years or so I would be interested in their experiences, especially if they have beaten it!
Thanks for the reply jlogan
Also if anyone reads this that have been on sub for 9 years or so I would be interested in their experiences, especially if they have beaten it!
Thanks for the reply jlogan
Yeah thanks. That was my worry really, I don't wanna get stuck on the benzos. Not sure if this is mainly a US site. I'm from the uk and the doctors here seem to have even less knowledge about buprenorphine. I started on on heroin when I was 14 after trying to quit that many times including inpatient detox, 12 step etc twice I was recommended subutex. I've been on sub for 9 years and am now 29. I really wanna get off this time so I'm trying to do it right. My main worry Is the sleep. That's the killer for me as it is with most people. I used tamazapam in rehab and that really seemed to work but I'm worried that sleeping without it after will be even harder. What about the Thomas recipe has anyone ever tried it with bupe?
Also if anyone reads this that have been on sub for 9 years or so I would be interested in their experiences, especially if they have beaten it!
Thanks for the reply jlogan
Also if anyone reads this that have been on sub for 9 years or so I would be interested in their experiences, especially if they have beaten it!
Thanks for the reply jlogan
Yeah thanks. That was my worry really, I don't wanna get stuck on the benzos. Not sure if this is mainly a US site. I'm from the uk and the doctors here seem to have even less knowledge about buprenorphine. I started on on heroin when I was 14 after trying to quit that many times including inpatient detox, 12 step etc twice I was recommended subutex. I've been on sub for 9 years and am now 29. I really wanna get off this time so I'm trying to do it right. My main worry Is the sleep. That's the killer for me as it is with most people. I used tamazapam in rehab and that really seemed to work but I'm worried that sleeping without it after will be even harder. What about the Thomas recipe has anyone ever tried it with bupe?
Also if anyone reads this that have been on sub for 9 years or so I would be interested in their experiences, especially if they have beaten it!
Thanks for the reply jlogan
Also if anyone reads this that have been on sub for 9 years or so I would be interested in their experiences, especially if they have beaten it!
Thanks for the reply jlogan
I forgot to tell you...look into Nerontyn (I may be misspelling it). It eases nerve pain (non-addicting) and may help your daughter with her jerking. =)
First off, good luck and remember we are all different so my case may be on the extreme end. I came off Sub mostly by the book. I tapered down slowly at first and then sped up a bit toward the end. I was on .5 mgs for 15 days before I stopped totally. Codeine is an opiate so be very careful with it. The typical advice is to use a strong benzo (xanax or valium) for the first few days and then stop because some benzos are VERY addictive. I have found that most doctors are severely lacking in their knowledge about Suboxone withdrawal. As I said above, Clonidine helps. For me personally, the worst part has been the RLS and insomnia so prepare yourself for those. I have heard some people have had some success with trazadone for the sleep part. Again be VERY careful with codeine and benzos. Keep us posted. Be prepared for the battle to reclaim your life. And I am NOT trying to scare you in ANY way...I just found that when I look at the wds as an enemy, it gives me a little extra strength to avoid a relapse, which I have succumbed before. Good luck and God Bless.
Hi I'm glad I found this. I have been on subutex for 9 years. I'm coming off them this week. I have tried before but only lasted about 6days. This time I have cut right down. Reading these comments though I am really worried about how long I am going to be Ill.
When you stopped what kind of dose were you on. Also did you use anything to help the detox because my doctor is recommending low dose of codeine and benzos for sleep.
Any reply would be really appreciated as noone I speak to seems to know much about pube
Thanks
When you stopped what kind of dose were you on. Also did you use anything to help the detox because my doctor is recommending low dose of codeine and benzos for sleep.
Any reply would be really appreciated as noone I speak to seems to know much about pube
Thanks
Thanks so much. I've heard Clonidine works. She already has low blood pressure normally, and I think it is a blood pressure medicine, right? What you said about movies, I have noticed it distracts her and probably helps pass the time. Do you work? I don't see how anyone could work and go through these w/d. Her body jerks are so strong, they are hard o describe. They are not constant like a seizure but about every few seconds (5 seconds or more). I may check on Clonidine tomorrow for her. Thanks a lot.
I will pray for her as well. I can say the few things that have brought me relief (and when I say relief, I do not mean 100% relief, but I mean things that do take a bit of he edge off the trial). Clonidine helps a lot. Multiple symptom cold medicine eases the aches. I know when it is worst it is a struggle minute by minute...but it does slowly get to a day by day struggle where parts of the day are fair and parts are tough. Also if she has movies or music that make her feel strong positive emotions, tell her to turn to them. I have found countering this with positive emotions helps in the most dire moments. As her supporter, she will feel like you and anyone else just don't get what she is going through so just try and listen and encourage her to FIGHT. God bless.
Saw your post. Am currently watching my daughter struggle at home with Suboxone withdrawals. It has been a real challenge on how to help her stay comfortable. She is having such bad body jerks which the doctor attributes to Phenergan, but I'm not sure about that. She had no choice but go cold turkey; wasn't able to taper. She is 10 days from having had a Suboxone. I just pray that God will bring this to an end. As soon as she is well enough to sit still and get on the computer, I hope she will check this site out. It will be very helpful. I hope things get better for you.
Thank you both for your thoughts. I truly appreciate them and feel a bond with anyone who understands this trial. God bless. =)
Hi,
Although Suboxone withdrawal can be rough and certainly different, that really seems like a long time to have the symptoms that you do. If you said lack of energy, that would be normal. I would check again with your doctor and also hang around here to see if anyone can relate. Have you discussed your ADHD with your doctor and thought maybe that was a possibility? Just trying to help you find things or touch on things.
It is normally quiet on a Saturday night so be patient as members come in. GL and I hope you get to feeling better soon.
Although Suboxone withdrawal can be rough and certainly different, that really seems like a long time to have the symptoms that you do. If you said lack of energy, that would be normal. I would check again with your doctor and also hang around here to see if anyone can relate. Have you discussed your ADHD with your doctor and thought maybe that was a possibility? Just trying to help you find things or touch on things.
It is normally quiet on a Saturday night so be patient as members come in. GL and I hope you get to feeling better soon.
Congratulations for making it 43 days! Suboxone is a weird drug. Some people do really well with it and have minimal withdrawal symptoms while others are in hell for weeks.
The general rule of thumb is that the longer you're on it, the longer and more intense the withdrawal will be, but there are always exceptions. Suboxone was studied and FDA-approved for a short-term, 21-day detox. Once it was on the market, it began to be used for maintenance and more recently, pain management.
To my knowledge, no studies exist on the long-term use of Suboxone, which is one of the reasons why doctors don't really understand it. My husband's addiction doc told him that medical science doesn't quite know how it works in the brain, so how would they know what happens to the brain when it is discontinued?
My husband is coming up on one month off Sub, and is still having some insomnia but the RLS seems to be over. This is his 3rd attempt at quitting since mid-summer. The previous two attempts only lasted 5-7 days before the withdrawal symptoms drove him back to it. Looks like this one is going to be it, thank God.
You SHOULD be proud of yourself for sticking to your detox and still having withdrawal symptoms after 43 days. Shoot, I'M proud of you too! :-)
The general rule of thumb is that the longer you're on it, the longer and more intense the withdrawal will be, but there are always exceptions. Suboxone was studied and FDA-approved for a short-term, 21-day detox. Once it was on the market, it began to be used for maintenance and more recently, pain management.
To my knowledge, no studies exist on the long-term use of Suboxone, which is one of the reasons why doctors don't really understand it. My husband's addiction doc told him that medical science doesn't quite know how it works in the brain, so how would they know what happens to the brain when it is discontinued?
My husband is coming up on one month off Sub, and is still having some insomnia but the RLS seems to be over. This is his 3rd attempt at quitting since mid-summer. The previous two attempts only lasted 5-7 days before the withdrawal symptoms drove him back to it. Looks like this one is going to be it, thank God.
You SHOULD be proud of yourself for sticking to your detox and still having withdrawal symptoms after 43 days. Shoot, I'M proud of you too! :-)
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