Suboxone WD story

[Map1944]

I just wanted to post on here about my battle with sub WD.  It has been 64 hours since my last sub dose.
I have been on sub for about 4 years since my last relapse, been on sub before that, and some type of opiate for about 10 years.  Now to start..
Taper!!!!  I did this gradually over many years and finally got to a point where I could make the jump.  My daily dose was about .25 mg's.
Now my dr prescribed me clonidine and vistaril.  However I decided against taking them because they only made me tired and I still couldn't sleep.  I went the cold turkey route this time.
As I said its been 64 hours and I feel so so.  I slept for about 3 hours today and felt a lot better after that.  Over all slept for about 4 hours in the last 3 days.  I feel the best advice is to try and stay awake, your body will get the sleep it needs you just gotta push through.  Vitamins and water, take a lot of both of these.
I feel like I got over a huge hump, and I know I am by no means done with sub WD but am feeling better everyday.
Just know that it is possible to do it.  Just keep your mind occupied and stay as active as possible.
I can't overstate the support from family, friends and this forum.  I have gotten a ton of support from someone on here and it has helped me immensely.
It's gonna be tough but it is possible and things do get better.  Hopefully This can help someone in a similar situation.  I will post updates and my detox progresses.
Stay strong!!!!!

[Map1944]

Have you looked at the Thomas recepie or amino acid protocol?  They are at the bottom of the page.  They seemed to help me a bit.  You should try Alteril for sleeping, maybe not the first couple of days, but for after.  It works good for me.  Yes, please keep us updated!

[Bad Co]

I'm hoping against hope that is true, but I am expecting the worst. I've got the bananas and immodium within arms reach as well as some clonidine that my dr. prescribed me for my last failure. These do help for the worst of the anxiety, they just make me really tired and it really messes with my body temperature thermostat. I think it is what menopause is like?

I'll keep you posted on Friday which will be Day 1 all over again.

God I hope this isn't as bad as the opiate WD pain.

Thanks for the advice

[Map1944]

Being that you've only been on sub for 47 days it shouldn't be too bad, hopefully.  Let us know how it goes!  Good luck!

[Bad Co]

Thanks for the response. I was hoping to taper more also, but I only have about 2 mg left and my supply has suddenly gone dry. Since I've foolishly done this without Dr's supervision I am at the mercy of the street. These are very tough to come by and so expensive in my area. So I've decided to give it shot now rather than to be on them for more time. Since I don't have a choice in the matter any more this is where I am. I am confident in myself, just nervous of how long I will experience the misery.

I have to work Mon-Fri so I'm hoping to be able to fight through this with the worst of it hitting me this weekend and by Monday I would mostly be tired and sweaty with some body aches. I'm no stranger to sleeplessness or yawning/sneezing/diarrhea so I know whats coming I just don't know how bad it will be Since this is my first go with subs. I'm hoping 47 days of 2mg/day (Sub) is not as bad to WD from as 10 years of vikes/perc/etc. was.

Thanks for your advice and I hope you're still feeling better everyday.

Bad Co

[Map1944]

I would taper lower than 1.5mg if you can.  Get as low as possible.  For me it was the lack of sleep for 4 days that was the worst.  Chills, goose flesh, muscle aches.  Those all lasted until day 5-6.  Still not sleeping at night too well.  The WD from sub is kinda duller than other opiates but seems to last longer.  Keep me posted on your situation!

[Bad Co]

Congratulations Map! I truly hope you are proud of yourself. WE all know how difficult it is to get to where you are today.

Can you or anyone else help me? What can I expect for WD's?
I was on opiates for the better part of 10 years. I took my last opiate 56 days ago. I have been using buprenephrine/suboxone for about 47 days. I have rarely used more than 1.5mg per day. The addict in me would occasionally allow myself to use 2-3 mg per day, but mostly I average about 1.5mg/day. Tomorrow I will use the last 1.5mg. I expect some form of WD's since I've experienced them from the opiates numerous times over the years. Those WD's were horrible and lasted for weeks. Any idea how bad my WD's will be compared to opiate WD's for a decade of use?
Thanks to anyone listening.

[Map1944]

Nice, try it for 4!!  Haha jk

[rizboy]

I was on sub for 2 1/2 years!!

[Map1944]

I agree with you!  Staying busy is key.  I rememebr a few months ago reading about horrible sub WD and was scared.  It wasn't fun but I think it coulda been a lot worse had I not tapered as much as I did.
That's why I wanted to post my story.  A long term sub use with proper taper is possible

[Map1944]

Well having only been on sub for a month and not 4 da** years you shouldn't have too bad of a time :)

[rizboy]

Im on day 19 sub free and i feel great!! Keeping busy during the day really helps knock your body back into a routine.slept 6 hours straight again last  night.no anxiety in the morning or crappy feeling. Getting out of the house and not reading over inflated stories about someone having the worst time of there life is key.
If i were completly straight and sat in the house reading nagative stuff, dwelling on rubbish i would feel like s**t.
Not having a go at anyone just trying to offer a different view,but having said that not expecting ANY repercussions for playing with fire is like tormenting a tiger and not expecting it the chase you.

[mmissy42]

Hi Map...Congrats on 12 days being sub free!!  You are really giving me hope.  I will be tapering my suboxone soon and I am terrified after reading so many horror stories.  I've only been on it for a month so hopefully my withdrawals won't be too terrible.  Anyway, after reading your success story, I'm happy to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel!  

[Map1944]

Well the suboxone is only going to replace the viks in the brain.  So you didn't WD from the viks cuz the sub went to those receptors.  In order for sub to work properly you need to maintain a dose for a short while.  I would get with a sub dr, go their website to find one.  Whatever you do don't maintain on sub for a long period of time.  Get settled on a dose by your dr then taper as much as possible.
But the reason you feel like crap is because you are WD. Your opiate receptors are still screaming for the opiates so whether it's the sub or viks your going to WD after only 3 days.
If you feel you can push through this without getting on sub long term I would do that.  But if you feel you need the sub for a couple months go that route.  It isn't a magic drug though.  Your gonna WD no matter what but if you stay on sub for a short time and taper it shouldn't be too bad

[dunnzo]

hi there, i have a question. i have tappered off of vikes after about 6month cycle of off and on. i only took up to 4 a day and quit with the help of two suboxone strips cut into tiny pieces. the sub lasted me three days  I was fine until this morning my muscles ache and im crying feeling very suicidal. why am I having a mental crash? will i wake up still feeling suicidal in the morning? I also feel my brain is on fire. shohld i submit myself into a hospital or will this be the worst?
Thanks

[selfinduced]

From what I hear of sub's, you have achieved an amazing feat. Such an exciting time for you. The best days are ahead for you. Enjoy your new clean life......Your work is paying off!

[Map1944]

Thanks!  Never thought I'd be 12 days free of sub but looking forward to many MANY more :)

[selfinduced]

Hi Map, Just skimmed your post and wanted to give ya a "way to go, high five". You have to be proud of yourself. I know I am. Keep it going....xx

[Map1944]

Although everyone is different technically sub doesn't get you high.  You will have the effects of opiate high, vomiting, nodding off, etc.  but I would never get the euphoria that other opiates provide.  There are other alternatives to suboxone if you concerned about relapse.  However, even suboxone doesn't stop you from relapsing.  I went back and forth between sub and heroin, which is dangerous.  It is true that while the sub is in our brain other opiates won't work but you'd only have to wait a day or 2 of taking them for the sub effect to wear off and be able to feel the other opiate, heroin for example.
I think a lot of ppl use sub as a crutch, I certainly did at first.  I didn't try to fix my addiction I just replaced my dope dealer on the street with a dr who sell stuff that didn't even get me high!!!! Jk
I would only recommend suboxone if you have a very strict and set plan of getting off of it ASAP.

[akitagurl12]

i totally know that stage.  For me it lasted 2 weeks after I quit, but the depression lifted by the 3rd week and I haven't gone back into that black hole since.  Part of it is just your brain chemicals being all wacked out right now.  I promise u it will get better.  xoxo

[Pat1956100]

I think I'm going through the stage where i am wondering if I will ever feel happy again and if Iam strong enough to do this.  

[Pat1956100]

No, I don't think so. I just was thinking that the chance of relapse would be very small if they didn't produce a high.  Also wondering if your brain would heal quicker.  Just my brain thinking things.  Thanks for answering.

[akitagurl12]

hi Pat,
I was on subs for a short while, when i went to a detox center for my first attempt to quit.  They say it doesn't give u a high, but I got a high from it.  Not a very good high, but i def. didn't feel normal.  And I was nodding off all the time, constantly had the hiccups & never really getting a full sleep.  It did take away most w/ds though, until I stopped taking it.  Then I ended back on vicodin, mostly my own fault though because i didn't follow thru with their aftercare and didn't finish the script with the tapering schedule they gave me.  Wasn't a good choice for me, but everyone is different.  Are u considering trying that route?

[Pat1956100]

Do subs give you a high or do they just stop the withdrawals?  

[Map1944]

It's day 12 free of suboxone for me!  I feel pretty good.  It wasn't a picnic but because I tapered properly the WD were not as bad as they coulda been.
I just want to encourage ppl,trying to get of sub that you can do it!!!!
Sleep has been the biggest issues, as with most opiates.  I am slowly starting to sleep more at night.  You just have to be patient and really determined to stay away from these drugs forever!