Subutex withdrawal period

[AnonymousUser12]

I had a heavy prescription pain killer addiction following a bad car accident at 16 (300+mgs, 4 years or so oxys/percs/hydros/w.e), got put on Suboxone (the tablets) then a few years later onto Subutex (the strips) for a total period of around 4.5 years by a total quack doctor clearly in it for the money.  

He had no intention of weening me down, so I did it myself if very slowly. The last few months I got down to 1mg a day for a month, then .75 for 2 weeks, and then .5 for a week. My last dosage was Saturday morning at 7am(.25mg). Its now Wednesday at 12:50pm. I have had yawns/constant sneezing/RLS/diarrhea but all very mild.

I guess my question comes down to, can it really be this easy? Are the horror stories all over these internet forums just that? I'm at 100+ hours without taking any medication whatsoever besides over the counter sleep aides and vitamins, been working out constantly even if it makes me feel slightly sick. Took the week off work, I probably could have worked through these symptoms.

[pillguy]

I sent you a PM as I couldn't get the site to post my message here last night.

You've done this absolutely correctly.  Long, slow taper top a very low level.  If there's a secret to easily getting off subs, this is it!  I used for two years.  I tapered over a six month period down to .25mg.  I had one week of moderate WDs.  I missed two days of work during that week.  The following lethargy / depression lasted two months, a month longer than I would have expected from a short-acting full agonist opiate.  I was in a treatment program for a year..  I checked out yesterday.

You are well on your way to being off this crap.  Still work to do but you'll have no horror stories to tell.  Congratulations

[motye51]

Yeah, I tried to post when I first saw this but something was wrong with the website????
My suboxone horror story was due to the fact that I did NOT taper!  For no other reason than I am an addict, and I never could taper without messing up and taking more than needed.  I was the type of person that had to be all or none!  Slow and steady, slow and steady is the way to successfully get off of this drug.  I hope you have aftercare in place b/c I find it's the only way to be successful.  
Good luck to you.....you should be very proud of yourself!

[AnonymousUser12]

I'm now officially at one week, sleep and RLS at night still suck but nothing at all unbearable.

[pillguy]

Cheers to your success.  It's truely a joy to hear stories like yours.  Keep up the good work.  Keep posting.  There will be others in your footsteps, people set free by seeing you example.

[AnonymousUser12]

Day 10, and though I didnt think I remembered what "normal" felt like, I think this is it. I feel alive. If I can do it, after 8 years, you all can too.

[motye51]

I'm glad to see the taper being so successful for you.  Keep taking each day as it comes, because real life goes up, up, up and down, down, down.  I found that sub's numbed a bit of our feelings (emotional output) so take it easy and keep moving forward!  Good luck to you.

[pillguy]

How are you doing?  Aren't you coming up on 2 weeks off subs?

[AnonymousUser12]

It'll be two weeks when I wake up tomorrow morning, and I feel great. Played basketball for 3 or 4 hours after work today, got tired easily and sweat enough to raise the humidity for the surrounding area but physically I feel solid. Still some RLS at night, but thats about it.

[pillguy]

Great to hear!  Congratulations!  

[AnonymousUser12]

Day 20. Doing good. Finally sleeping without any aid.

[AnonymousUser12]

It'll be four weeks tomorrow, I look back now and wonder why in the hell I waited so long.

[motye51]

Congrats to you and your success tapering off the subs. You did a damn good job and i wish you all the best! Kudos!!!

[61chevy]

Great job!!!!   Great to hear your success story!!

[AnonymousUser12]

Coming up on day 40, and outside of sneezing randomly I feel physically great. Sleep has returned to normal, though my appetite is ridiculous. I could eat all day everyday, is that normal?

[AnonymousUser12]

Tomorrow is officially two months, I still cant concentrate on tasks in any meaningful way but all physical symptoms including sleep have subsided.

[atthebeach]

Thanks for the update. Congratulations and kudos on  your two month
Anniversary. Continue to be patient with the process. You are healing.
It takes quite a while for your mind, body and emotions to rewire post opiates.
Keep the faith.
Have you been to any counseling, support groups?
Keep up the good work. You are doing awesome.

[VICourageous]

Congratulations to YOU!!
Most of us could not taper..BUT the ones who do always have the detox a bit on the lighter side.

This is a wonderful post with lots of positiveness coming out. Proud of YOU! Keep up the good work and take it one day at a time.
Keep that Guard Up at all times and wear that Armour at all times. Ha!
Bless

[pillguy]

I've been following your story from the start.  Bad doctor with no intent to help you get off the subs.  You took charge of your own situation and designed your own taper plan, then executed it.  Two months under your belt.  Just awesome.  I'm a little over 6 months and life is very good.  I hope my experience with subs will offer encouragement to you.  It continues to get better.

We're really proud of your accomplishments.  Keep it up.

Cheers,

Larry

[AnonymousUser12]

Thank you all for your support. I have not attended any counseling or N/A meetings, but my battle with addiction was always very personal. Thats how I was able to taper, and eventually come off of suboxone. Mind over matter.

[AnonymousUser12]

After nearly a decade of being dependent on one type of opiate or another, I really didnt know if I could ever reach this point. Waking up each day and not needing to take something. But as I pass 3 months, its real. Went on vacation for a week and didnt need to check doctor appointments or count suboxone strips, just packed my clothes and went. Freedom is possible.

[ImInAwe]

Thanks for posting this! I'm coming off subs after 5 years at a really good clinic that helped me do a proper taper(and counseling, support, etc.), but I'm the "get ahead of myself" type, and jumped at 4mg(half a pill) and I'm feeling it today on day 7, so hearing your story, being able to read all your updates has been a huge encouragement! You are an inspiration for me!

[atthebeach]

Fantastic!!!!!! 3 months clean... this is great news.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You are doing it my Friend.
Freedom, freedom.
good for you.
Keep on keepin on.

[AnonymousUser12]

A few days late, but this makes over 4 months. Being free from all prescription drugs is possible, even if it doesnt seem to be while you're on them.

[VICourageous]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Over 4 months down now..Way to go!!!!  Keep on working it, whatever has been working for you!

Bless