Subutex, Suboxone, and Opiate Withdrawal. Practical Advice on How To Make it Through!

Hello, I know exactly what you are going through and realise it is very hard.

I found my detox extremly difficult and I had support from my partner, friends, key worker, doctor (at the drugs clinic who gave me ANYTHING I wanted to help with the withdrawals), colleagues, and my manager. As you can see, I also had the support of R and Zeek on this website (the only people who actually knew how it felt) I don’t know how I would have got throgh this period of my life without all of that in place, so I totally symapthise with what you are going through right now.

All I can say is that it WILL get better and if you really want to, you WILL get through this. You just need to be prepared for it to be hard. However, once you are over the worst of it, you will get better every single day and you will be so happy to be free.

I wish I could take some of the pain away for you (which is exactly what my friends and partner said when I was at my worst) but unfortunataly, you have to deal with the pain and other withdrawals yourself.

Like you, I had terrible RLS…In fact, that was what stopped me detoxing before…it’s the worst feeling, but it does pass…..you just have to be patient (and I know that it really hard when every day feels like a week!!).

In terms of sleeping - it is important. Are you able to get sleeping pills anywhere? I had pills which knocked me out every night- I wouldn’t have coped if I hadnt got my rest. You just need to make yourself as comfortable as possible during this period to stop you relapsing. Sleep deprivation can be a killer for that!

You are doing the right thing by drinking a lot- I found that helped me. But don’t force yourself to move around more than you can- not yet. Just take it easy and be nice to yourself. You are going through one of the hardest things every so don’t force yourself to do anything. I let myself be totally lazy- especially for the first week or so. I didn’t force anything at all. There is time for all that when you begin to feel better and ready.

As for giving up smoking, maybe you should have held off on that. Smoking was the only small pleasure I got when I was having the worst of the withdrawals- I couldn’t relax, concentrate on TV or movies and I had no apetite, but smoking was nice. Something to consider? One thing at a time eh? Giving up smoking can wait.

I really hope you are able to do it this time. Please feel free to check in again and tell me how you are getting on. Lots of love, Hanna xxx

Everyone has said im doing to much but i quit smoking june 28th. I dont have the urge, but i feel it could have taken the edge of a bit. It did last time i tried. i think whats the worst about suboxone is the time it takes to leave ur system. Im on day 3. Last night nooo sleep maybe 1 hr if i curled into a ball and rocked myself to sleep. Rls is not as bad as it could be but still no fun. Last night tried 2 drink herbal tea to help sleep i threw it up. During the hrs of 3pm 6pm i feel fine. I feel sumwhat ok then 8pm until 6am. Tossing turning restlessness. I called my dr she still suggested me go back n take suboxone. Im like r u kidding and start over again? Hell no. I want to be off this c**p. Its not what i thought it was. It actually made me depressed, i slept all the time, always had constipation, and i felt i needed them just to get thru my day. That sounds like my vicoden, not suboxone. I met sum one at the dr office two wks ago & his story was that he has been on suboxone for 4 yrs..i couldnt imagine. Its so expensive. My dr swears there is zero to mild withdrawal from this. & i did tapper. Just like she told me. Im staying positive, i keep telling myself i can get thru this, i will get thru this & i will be the girl i used 2 be. I was caring. Not cold. I had emotions. Not numb. I knw how 2 do things 2 enjoy life. Not from pills. Im glad the wkend is here & i will not be alone. Im so scared i will faint or pass out. Btw did i mention insomnia is the worst. Im drained. & i used 2 sleep to much. Like 1am til 11am sleep. Now inbed by 9 up by 6. I bought l-tyrosine still havent used it, & melatonin still havent used it. I mean i feel like i dont know how my body will react to them thus, im a wimp scared 2 take them..all i have is immodium, b6, water, gatoraid, faith.

Its officially day 6 now at 7:30 pm on sept 16. Ive been through this twice before. This is my 3rd time and lemme tell you its been bad but not likethe 1st two times. insomnia is outa control. Going on 43 hrs with only 5 hrs of sleep. I took tylenal pm it mademy rls horrible that i cried like a baby. My appatite is back was only eating one time at night on sub. Now im eating 3 meals. I still have no energy. This may sound weird but music has helped me. Moving around has helped. I feel like i just woke up from a coma.all these old emotions coming back. I think therapy is gunna help. & wellbutrin!

Day 6 that's great!

Do your best to move around a little. Try just walking around the block. I know its hard but it helps. You need to work the sleep. your body heals faster when it is able to sleep. I didn't get much sleep at all, but was happy with 4 hours a night. Try the melatonin, it shouldn't make you feel strange or weird, it should just help you fall a sleep.
It takes about an hour to work for me.
Get potassium, and maybe a mineral supplement for the rls and your muscles.
Hang in there, you can do it.

Everyday that passes I feel more confident. Insomnia is the worst part now. Dr wont give me anything. I understand, I just miss that full nights sleep. Heck even four hrs! I also have came to feel alot of supressed emotions about alot. Also anxiety in a.m is bad. Slight rls at night. Still bowel issues. eating more. But sooo glad ive made it this far. Thinking of working the n.a program. Has anyone else?

Please help with insomnia

Hang in there you are doing great!
If doctor will not prescribe you somthing for sleep, ask for Trazadone it seems to be a safe sleep aid prescribed to recovering addicts in some rehabs to help with sleep. Try a differnt doctor that will help.

zeek

I am addicted to morphene the doctors say i am not that it is in my head that if i was addicted i wouldnt admit to it hears the thing i went a week without my morphene and i was so miserable shaky hot cold weak i couldnt move all i wanted to do was sleep but i can not i am poor i cannot afford very much at all as i am on disability and do not get a whole lot of money i dont know if i can afford all this i know the doctor i am going to be speaking with now will take what i am saying seriouse however i am very scared i just dont know if i can handel this i am so scared i cant take feeling like a zomby but i dont want to spend my life on this c**p i have fibromyalga in my back and other issues but i really would rather deal with the pain than be an addict going through life questioning my self felling like i am doing somthing wrong feeling like a bad person and trying to compinsate for my guilt , im scared and there is no one who can understand what im going through i dont know what to do

I have good news for anyone attempting or currently quitting subs. I'm on my 6th day clean and I feel better than any other day this week. This was only possible due to strict regimen. Now, before I give u that regimen, I want everyone to know that the first 3-4 days are the worst and it's very easy to give up. I wanted to. Many times! But there's way too much to look forward to once ur clean again. Everything feels so much better and u are free of relying on a drug to live.

Now...

1. One of the main things to take is 5HTP vitamins ($15). Buy the 50 mg pill form and not the capsules. Take 100 mg the first few days or until u figure out the right dosage. This stuff saved me! It almost makes u feel high. But happy high. 5htp is used for anxiety n depression so it releases seretonin in ur brain to put u in a good mood. It also calms ur nerves so u can sleep.

2. Multi vitamin

3. Viramin C (At least 1500 mg)

4. Vitamin B

5. L-tyrosine vitamins (for energy)

6. Amino acids (powder for a drink)

7. Sauna/steam room (15-20 mins at least once a day for 5 days)

I know this all seems like a lot but it's worth it and it'll clean u right out so u can start ur life again. Good luck everyone!

hello everyone.

I just wanted to check in and let you all know that things are going great! I hope this will help people who are going thru detox now and encourage you not to give up.

I was terrefied that I would never get off subs. I read horror stories about feeling terrible for up to 6 months (and longer) with PAWS, but here I am nearly 2 months later, and I feel better than i have done in YEARS (have been feeling 100% great for about 3 weeks now).

I have hooked up with old friends and been out partying. I am enjoying work again, but also looking to the future (i dont wana be in a 9-5 forever!!).

I am able to exercise without getting into a sweat in 5 mins, and choose to walk a lot because it feels so good to be normal again. I didnt realise how much the sub messed me up. I am even getting my memory back (with the help of my old mates!)

If you are going thru an opiate detox now, yes, it is difficult...its something I never want to experience again, but it was totally worth it. Keep going cos you will be proud of yourself and all the pain will be forgotton when you get thru it.

Hanna x

PS. Hello to Zeek and R

 

 

 

hello everyone. I wanted to give you an update. Im not sure what day im on but I think its day 20 or 21. Let me tell you I feel soooooo much better. my dr gave two samples of lunesta when I was on day 8 of no sleep. it didnt help, she then gave me one ambien. Once my body slept I felt much better. Most symptoms of withdrawal are gone. My energy is not back but I will probably have to retrain myself and exercise. guys you can do it!! you have to want it!!!!!

Hi, I found your post really helpful. I recently came out of a detox for codeine dependence and was given subutex for about 11 days. After the last subutex I suffered horrible withdrawals. I was in detox for 28 days and now have 21 days clean with no drugs apart from anti depressants. I am suffering with anxiety every day most of the day which makes me feel sick to the stomach and lethargy and weakness. Also depression. I was on codeine for 9 years. I wonder how long these feelings will go on for and when I will feel like a normal person.

Angwg66
This is going to take time. Your body was dependent for nine years. Oir minds have to learn pleasure on our own and euphoria with out pills. Im feeling the same no energybor motivation but i force myself to get up n move around. Im gaining weight back which is good. It will take time. Healthy diet and a plan might help. I wish you the best.

i apologise i realised you werent replying to me you were speaking to the other person any way thanks any way every time some one posts i hear and learn somthing new and well thanks go out to every one i really feel like i can do this

Lorree if you know your addicted then you know. Dr are quick to give away pain meds but not so quick to help when u become addicted.
In other news im on 30 days clean!!! I survived! All withdrawals are gone. The only symptoms left are occasional insomnia and no energy. I take b6 to help. It does some what help. I wish the best to each of you. And my best advice if u need suboxone take it but be weary if the same as other pills. Its costly u need it u have to see ur drug dealer (dr) plis withdrawals are longer 4-14 days.