suboxone withdrawal: how long is this going to last...I'm mi

Well to tell you the truth. Im on day 5 and I feel like I climbed the mountain. Now I just have to ascend. I was on suboxone close to 6 years. Was on at least 8 mgs for 4.5 years. The past year and a half I dropped down 4mg than to 2mg. But I would slip an 8mg every now and than to catch a free one. I realized if I did 2mg for 4 days than did 8 the next I would get loaded on a free one. Addict behavior and it scared me because I have been clean from all narcotics every since going on sub maintenance. But its finally time for me to get off. I have tried several occasions and could not get past the 3rd day. Im holding strong right now and looking for the light at the end. I'm 27 years old and very healthy with a fast metabolism. I believe it is much easier to kick at a younger age. But come on these withdrawals are nothing even close to a H habit. I kicked in the joint on several occasions with nothing but a cell and toilet. I cant wait to get back too feeling the way Im suppose to. Suboxone was a life saver for me because I was the definition of a street junkie. Keep your heads up fellow sub patients. This is not the end. We can do this. The mind is a powerful thing. Just think how many times your brain went into overdrive and all of a sudden before you know it your on the way to the cop spot. IT can work both ways. Give it a sh*t and don't give up.

That's c**p. I don't believe it for a second. I have been on subs for 6 years. Im on day 5 and felt wd's 12 hours after my last dose. Im going on day 6 and I feel fine other than not sleeping. I haven't had the jimmie legs all day. And that's a blessing because that's what I hate the most. anyways its do able. God bless.

Over 21 and you will have it tough and rough as someone in their 50s and 60s granted. My doctor said this too.

It is not about the intensity of sub withdrawals but the duration and the mental withdrawals which include depression probably for life. May as well be-because it stays there for years.

Your going to struggle. That is the price you pay for a being a junkie.

I was in PAWS for 2 and half years. I was 20 then. I would not wish that on a my worst enemy. You will lose your job, relationships, your career, your home even, your soul and your dignity. You will feel dying is the only way out.


Metabolism does not mean anything. I have faster metabolism then anybody, and am thin and skinny, which is meant to make things so much easy, specially if you are over 5'11, like I am..I am 6ft. Nearly everybody on sub suffers, that is they sub users have the worst life and low life span.

You also felt withdrawals after day 5 BECAUSE your brain has been saturated with soooo much subs that it has no more room to accommodate in the receptors, so it releases itself out, that is just the over-withdrawals. What about the ones which are covered all over your receptors? those will come out too and take many many many months, and years, this includes PAWS...Do not be indenial. You are only going to suffer even more-as if you cannot suffer anymore..

You wills suffer mark my words. Better to prepare psychologically and accept possibility..

Who said I'm. not suffering. I am but what I'm saying its not nearly as bad as you people say. I know withdrawals, and I know once symthoms start getting better you start feeling better. You don't start feeling better than 5 days later or a month later you fall of a cliff. That's bubkus .

I felt withdrawls after 12 hours taking my last dose. My worst day was day 3 and 4. Day 5 was ok. And so far day 6 is decent. Its only going to get better. I'm not letting anyone tell me otherwise. I know from experience suboxone is nothing close to a major H habit and wd's from that. Not even close.

Hey guys.. Just wanted to let everyone know how helpful its been reading your post! I will be coming off suboxone very soon (I am tapering now) after being on it a year and a half. I have been so scared if what's coming, and I still am, but reading everyone's inspiration on here has helped! I at least have an idea of what to expect although everyone is different. I just wish my doctor would have told me from the start that I would have to experience withdrawals from the meds they originally gave me for withdrawls! Crazy... But I am ready to get my life back! Suboxone has helped keep me sober from opiates, but I feel as though I'm not truly clean because it is an opiate itself! It's done nothing else good for me.. In fact I truly believe it has been giving me horrible migraines for about 6 months now. I would never recommend this medication to anyone. I cannot wait to be done! I know these withdrawals will be hard... But so worth it once I make it through. Good luck everyone!

I just want to say to the people saying paws last for years  and u will be depressed forever, your lieing.  your probably some doctor trying to keep all the patients u can.   I'm 120 days off suboxone and feel wonderful.  I workout 4 days a week, work 40 hours a week and laugh more than I ever did while on suboxone.  I'm not going to sugar coat it, getting off the suboxone was tougher than any other drug I've ever come off of.  But I promise u can do it. U just have to want it more than anything u have ever done. After 30 days u have it whipped.  But for the first 30 it was tough. Nothing to bad physical, but I was weak and couldn't sleep.  If u work that can make for some long shifts.  But like I said its very doable so don't let these people scare u. Taper down to .5 milligrams ever 2 days then jump off and u will be fine. I highly recommend working out during this process.  It's tough to do but once u get to the gym and start working it will make u feel so much better. I also recommend vitamins and some sort of energy booster. That will help give u enough energy to get to the gym. But I hope this helps because I was so scared to jump off until I finally said enough is enough. Also u can watch videos onYouTube of people coming off subs. Good luck to all andplease don't listen to the people that are saying it last forever because it don't. I promise. And most of all pray to God.  If u don't believe this would be a good time to start.  God made the human body very durable and it will surprise u how well it will recover.  It just takes time

Jeremy

That was an extremely rude reply to this girl who was just being honest. You're the douche - I don't care how educated you think may be, or who you think you are. You are obviously no angel. Good job putting her down talking about her parents being proud or calling her naïve.
This is a forum where we support and encourage one another so get the f outta here.

Hello all!!!  I am a sub survivor! Short background: I was on and off opiates for the last 10 years or so.  Ended with Roxy's 30mg.  At my worst I could eat 8 or so at one time which equels 240mg at one time.  Anyway, I detoxed on my owm many, many times.  Suckled everytime!  Towards the end of my pill popping I each time I detoxed I would got Crazy anxiety and few different times over the last 10 it lasted upwards of 6 moths.  The Anxiety crippled me.  The last time I detoxed a little over 2 and half years ago the anxiety and depression was unbearable!  I was already done with the withdrawls but did not really know what to do and i had to keep it together and still function!  I went to my sub Dr and got on the subs.  He started me at 16 mg a day, 2 8mg pills or strips which i later switched to.  I knew that was too much as i took subs on my own from a friend and could take like the max of a half and that worked just fine.  Anyway, over the course of the last 2 and half years I got down to about 1mg a day.  I attempted to jump about three different times over the last few months but could not do it.  Went to my appointment on July 23 and the Dr said it time and I had to agree.  He did not refill my script.  Don't get the wrong idea my Dr was very good to me, we both knew it was time.  I needed that as my addiction would have kept me on them forever.  It was the last push I needed. 

I am on day 16 since my last dose!!!!!  Very happy for that!  I would say days 3 - 6 are the worst but still linger and could not sleep for anything untill day 10.  The worst part was the nights, jumping out of my skin.  Sleeping for 3 to 5 minutes at a time and waking up again.  Anxiety during the day, especialy in the AM, was crappy.  Not as severe as coming off opiates but still not nice.  From day 10 on it has been all up hill.  I do sleep much better.  I still toss and turn a bit and wake up early but not waking to anxiety and jumping out of my skin.  My Dr gave me clonidine for physical symptoms and Trazodone for sleep.  Trazodone is good because it is non-narcotic.  I dont recommend anyone taking Benzos or other narcotic sleeping aids as it will just add to the anxiety in the long run when you try and get off them.  Each day has gotten better and I am definatly feeling much better!  I have a few lingering physical items but nothing major, body temp is night quit right.  Sweaty palms and arm pits.  Most of wich is probably from the Anxiety.  The good news is the Anxiety is getting better and better each day.  I only missed 3 days of work the first week i jumped.  I actualy went to work during the worst part.  I work in an office.  I was not productive at all and was a mental reck but i made it.  Starting this week it has been pretty good i have actually been productive and able to work. 

My main point here is to give people hope!  It sucks but it can be done, i am proof.  I know i still have a ways to go but by day 12 things really started to improve.  Hang in there all!  I suggest clonidine for the physical symptoms.  I would recommend Trazodone for sleep but we all know that nothing, I mean nothing gets you to sleep during the worst nights.  Listening to some of these clowns talking about 6 months of PAWS and all that garbage and years of symptoms makes me laugh.  My thought is they have other issues and had them long before subs.  Anyway you all can kick this!  If you can make it to 10, 11 days it starts to get much better after that!!!!!!!!!!  God bless and i hope this helps some!

I don't know why people are arguing and attempting to invalidate each others experiences. Withdrawal is a very individual process, determined by length of usage, dosage, body type, metabolism (YES it does affect nearly all processes within the body) as well as mental state and support available.

I detoxed off of Subs more than one time and I jumped from what would be considered a very high dosage (8+mg/day). This first time I did this it was HORRIBLE, but I was completely fine in under three weeks. The second half of week one and most of week two were the most crappy for me. I was 28 at the time. I'm 5'10" and about 160lbs.

Jump to the last time (hopefully never again!)...Same dosage and jump, but symptoms were almost nonexistent compared to the first time! Major ones included sleep deprivation and a small amount of restlessness. Those can be tolerable with the help of certain meds (Clonidine/Phenergan). I don't recommend any benzos if you have a bad history with them. I wouldn't really take the chance either way. Point being, somehow the last time was completely easy compared to the first. I really believe it had to do with my STATE OF MIND. I was much more positive and refused to let it get the better of me.

Regardless of your personal experiences, it is definitely doable. It is never going to be fun and it is worse for some than others. Try to get into a facility of you absolutely can't manage at home. I had my mom stay with me 24/7 as a sober companion. Whatever it takes, right? Hoping everyone can heal and be rid of these demons!

Hello to all. Ive been on suboxone for over 4 1/2 years. 3  8mg pills when I started, then down to 2 pills. For the past year or so I got myself down to 1 8 mg strip a day and am now on 6 mg of film a day. I got fed up and stopped completely out of the blue a couple years ago on 16 mg a day and boy was I in for a rude awakening. I smoked MAJOR amounts of fine green dont know if it helped or not but was telling myself it did. Also popping 0.5 mg clonazepams like they were skittles and know that they helped. Shows addictive behavior but we all know well do anything to not feel like garbage. I dont have time to taper down properly as i have a week off work anytime next month and HAVE to get off this misery ive been on. Also my doctor said ive been on them long enough and have to get off which gives me more reason to quit. I have a much better mind set this time and almost cant wait to stop taking. Im going to stop on Wednesday the week before so by Friday or Saturday ill start feeling like S H I T and it will give me a total of about 10 days before I have to go back to work. Im open to any suggestions and have read that trazedone and clonodine really help. Im going to the doctors a week before i quit and the way i see it is he and of course me is the ones that got me on it so me and the doc can try to get me off. And was wondering if somebody can help me out on this. What will happen if I take a couple shots of whiskey while im detoxing?  Reason i ask is when i drink alcohol which i dont but will it knocks me out cold. Thanks for reading

This is the most current post I have found on the subject, so I thought I'd post here. I have been taking Suboxone for 2 years, initially because I was having withdrawal symptoms from having been on high doses of opiates before, during and after major surgery - but then stayed on it because of the remarkable antidepressant effect it provided for me. I did have a serious oxycodone addiction 10 years ago which lasted, off and on, for 4 years. I just have become completely tired of staff at the Suboxone office being disrespectful to me, and of physicians implying, or coming right out and saying, that I have not told them the truth about my drug use history. I have nothing to hide and was honest with them. Yet it seems that they are not satisfied with answers I give, and would not be unless I told them that I was an IV abuser and lived in a crack house. I'm also tired of the expense, feeling at the mercy of, or controlled by, medical professionals, and of the reaction I have seen when other medical personnel find out I'm taking Suboxone. I have nightmare stories about my patient rights to privacy being violated. Anyway...I was taking 8mg daily for about a week after decreasing from 16mg daily. Almost 6 days ago, I just...stopped. Nothing. No symptoms of withdrawal. I cannot explain it. It's either a little miracle, or it hasn't even started yet. I'll let you know!

hey whatamom just wanna say good luck and keep us posted.

Hi Everyone- I've been reading all of these sub wd diaries and I figured I'd add mine.

My story in a nutshell: I was addicted to opiates for about 3 1/2 years- same old story- I started with Vicodin, moved to OCs, then made the inevitable jump to heroin. I worked in a lab where needles were easily available, so for the last year I was mainlining. My life started falling apart and I just couldn't hide my addiction from friends and family. I broke down on my 31st birthday, and told my family that I had a serious problem. They could tell already anyway. I went to detox two days later and got on subs. I was on and off the subs for about 6 months, still using and increasing my dose. In the end I lost my job, my apartment, and almost lost my freedom. I finally had a wake up call and started taking the suboxone correctly.

That was about 3 years ago- and since then my life has completely changed for the better. I started on 8 mgs of sub for about 2 years and for the last 8 months I slowly tapered down to about .25-.5 mgs a day. I would take half the dose in the morning and half at night for the entire 3 years. By the end I would start feeling the wds after about 6 hours. I'm not sure why they would come on so quickly with suboxone's long half life but they did. I'm sure part of it was mental. I'm about to start grad school in September, and I didn't want to have to deal with wds with a huge workload in school so I decided that this was my time to finally get off. I took a last dose of about .25 last Thursday at 11pm. My doctor told me that if I jumped off on Thursday that I'd be totally fine by Monday. What a lie.

Here's what I suffered through. I'm almost through day 10.

im prescribed Strattera for ADHD and took it everyday as normal. I also took clonidine every 6 hours or so, .1mg or a half,  4 benedryl to sleep, Imodium if I needed it and Tylenol for aches and pains.

Day 1- Friday - Not too bad- watering eyes, sneezing, stuffed nose. Didn't sleep well.

Day 2- Saturday- Again, not too too bad but I'm exhausted, and can barely be bothered to do anything. Watched lots of comedy and the laughing helped a lot to make me feel better. At this point I'm hoping that my dr was right and I was halfway home. The RLS started that night and I barely slept- back and forth from bed to couch all night.

Day 3- Sunday- getting worse- all of the symptoms from the last two days are amplified, and all I want to do is sleep, but I can't. Lying down makes me feel worse. I drag myself into the shower which helped a lot for a bit. I went out driving for a while which also helped.

Day 4-5 Monday and Tuesday- these were the worst days by far. I'm starting to get really run down. I forced myself to eat the past few days but it was hard. I can't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time and my body feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. I am just powering through at this point. It's very very hard.

Day 6- I feel great today in waves. Some hours are good and some are bad. All of my senses are now alive, and I realized how dulled everything has been for the past 6 years. I'm hoping I'm done with the wds but by the nighttime I'm suffering again.

Day 7- same as previous day but more bad than good.

Days 8-9 - more good than bad but the lingering symptoms are still there. It's annoying how long this is lasting. I still can't sleep more than 5-6 hours a night.

Day 10- today- I woke up not feeling sick for the first time today. The symptoms have all but gone except for heartburn, the runs, and the occasional sneeze. I'm feeling 85 percent.

Hopefully this is the end- the worst is definitely over. I'll come back in a couple days and update.