I was on subutex/suboxone-same difference- for 5 years. I do really believe it's a helpful sobriety tool unlike many others. It gives you distance from your old ways so much so that you can't even imagine copping on street corners again. It allowed me to get my life back, and I am grateful for that. Working closely with my doctor, I tapered down all the time until I knew it was time to get off, which you have to be very mentally prepared for. So I jumped off 1mg on Dec. 26 (10 days ago). My doctor gave me Valium, clonidine, ambien, and muscle relaxers. Clonidine is the one you absolutely can't detox without; it almost completely takes the wd symptoms away. Anyway, it's been up and down - overall I guess it's nothing compared to kicking H or methadone. I keep trying to remember that. My sleep is erratic, although my doc says I should be comatose on all those meds, and I'm confused why I'm not. I even throw in OTC sleeping pills, and I still can't sleep through the night. Currently at day 10, this is my regimen: DAY- one 5mg Valium and HALF a .1mg clonidine NIGHT- one 12.5mg ambien, 2 muscle relaxers, two 5mg Valium, one .1 mg clonidine, and 3 OTC Benadryl-like sleeping pills Here's my concern/question- I have literally been in bed almost the entire 10 days except when someone walks me to the bathroom or puts me in a bath- because if I stand up on my own I faint. It's happened a few times because I keep trying to get out of bed from shear boredom. I know it's the clonidine making me black out, but I'm on such a low dose! And if I don't take it I have sweats and chills. Why is this happening to me? I'm tired of being bedridden, and if someone does help me walk I feel like there's a brick on my chest, and I can't breathe.... And I'm talking about 20 feet total, and I collapse. I am just so frustrated. When are the acute symptoms going to be over so I can stop the clonidine? Forget the PAWS that come later, Cymbalta does wonders for that. But when can I expect the chills and sweats to be done? I know I am lucky to have these meds to help; most people don't have all that. But this whole stuck in bed thing is driving me crazy. When are the wd symptoms gonna stop?
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Dear Finally Off,
First I would like to say I am sorry about the experience you have had to go through. I believe the reason you are having a hard time breathing is because of all the medications you have listed. They may be helping you with the withdrawals, however, each of those meds cause depressed breathing. Add them all together and you will be certainly bedridden and bricks on the chest will be a certainty.
I am responding five months later so hopefully things are on the mend for you. In the event that this is still a ongoing problem, I would suggest taking your pulse and blood pressure when you stand. With the clonidine, you may be experiencing low blood pressure and that may be why you are feeling the way you do.
I do hope this is behind you by now. Best wishes!
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