Going through withdrawal from Subutex is far more time consuming than with most other opiates (except Methadone) but it seems to be much easier to taper off of. It is relatively easy going from 8mg down to 2mg a day but getting off of the 2mg is very difficult emotionally as well as physically. For me the problem is not so much the withdrawals but worrying about cravings and possible relapse once completely off. Like a diabetic is chained for a lifetime to insulin so may I be to my medication. Subutex is a far better thing to be on than morphine and/or cocaine. Life is livable this way. It is not inexpensive but again it's far less expensive than being arrested and imprissoned for possession and use of illegal schedule 2 substances. It's also a hell of a lot easier on your physical plant (body) - at least for me it is.
Denny
Denny
Really need advice. I had a brain tumor, benign, and had severe pre and post pain. I was on Vicadin, a lot, 80 mgs a day and some oxycodone, some lorazepan for spasms for 2 years. Hated it so I talked to my doc about alternatives. Then I went on subutex for 10 months. no problems withdrawing and felt great for awhile. Went up to 20 mgs. a day and started feeling too depressed. Also, it was really expensive. So 3 weeks ago I went back on Vicadin only and some lorazepan but cut out all subutex, same day. I did not go off Subutex slowly because I went back on the pain killers. Oh my God!!! Horrible withdrawal pains even though I was taking the pain killer. The subutex is still blocking it's affect so I didn't get much relief from the pain killer. For three painful weeks I've been taking Vicadin, 20 mgs., every 3 hours. Went back to my doc and he recommended Methadone for the cost factor and it is good for depression. Now I'm reading how hard it is to get off Methadone. I took 20 mgs. so far. I don't know what to do. I want to get off everything except some muscle relaxer for the spasms and see if I can manage. What should I do. The methadone and subutex withdrawal scares me. Q.Can I detox from subutex with this methadone? like tomorrow I'll take as little as possible. They say the subutex is out of your system in 48 hours but it can't be true. I've never needed this much vicadin for withdrawals. I used tyo only felt achey in the mornings. I only took enough for my pain but you always get addicted physically. Q. I'm off the vicadin as of tonight but Methadone takes awhile to build in your system so how can I tell how much to take if I don't know how well it's working on the pain and withdrawal symptoms. I hate all this so much. I get so exhausted from pain but drugs are as bad. I want to try to get off everything and then see how little I need of what, I don't know, to treat my pain, if it's absolutely necessary. Sorry to go on like this but it's complicated and I have to make some choices soon. My doc is leaving it up to me with the pros and cons. HELP!!!
A little warning guys. You really dont start withdraw with subutex or suboxone for about 3 days. Day 5 seems to be the worst for most. Now there are dramatic differences between people. If you have been on either for more than a year it is going to be rough. Even under a year is a rough road too. Here is the clincher, Vicodin withdraw is about a week or 5 days that is it. This stuff is 2 weeks minimum to several months. I would plan for this detox and know that everyone IS different. You could be fine in 5days and I have read that some are. IF you have been on either of these for more than a year, get down as far as you can and even do crumbs for as long as you can before going off. I fear that in the future, you will see some reports on these drugs and the dangers in them.
MAGS< GET OFF THE STUFF RIGHT NOW< LIKE TODAY! Unless you are in danger of doing Heroin, then get off the subutex and suboxone today. If you stop taking either under 21 days the withdrawl is minimal. If any of you go back and do opiates. Suboxone is great, but get off it in 3 weeks or you are screwed!
MAGS< GET OFF THE STUFF RIGHT NOW< LIKE TODAY! Unless you are in danger of doing Heroin, then get off the subutex and suboxone today. If you stop taking either under 21 days the withdrawl is minimal. If any of you go back and do opiates. Suboxone is great, but get off it in 3 weeks or you are screwed!
i have helped my mom go from 300+ mg of methadone (for 40 years), thru rapid detox, then subutex for the remaining withdrawal symptoms. she started at 24mg subutex and is now down to 1mg and the withdrawal is still very difficult. her detox doc prescribes clonidine, an old blood pressure drug, to help with the symptoms. it's very helpful.
I am detoxing myself from Subutex. I am not prescribed it, and have bought it off the street for over a year now. For almost exactly one year I have used it EVERY day.
I have done many detoxes, heroin (all the opiates/opioids in fact), benzos, alcohol, and the psychological/minor physical withdrawals from many types of stimulants as well. I've had scripts galore over the last 15 years, and now I want to stop. I am on 0.4 mg, and I'm going to taper to 0.2 in three days time. I am going to stay on 0.2 for a few days, then I'm even going to split that dose.
I don't know what the actual bioavailability of what I'm taking is, cos I've always snorted it, but because I've always done it that way, I know that I'm on a steady dose, as such. I'll be honest, I'm crapping myself. Before this year-long stint I was drug-free for five years!
To come down in dosage this far I have started drinking alcohol from time-to-time, smoking cannabis as regularly as I can afford and obtain it (which is not often, believe me!). I now have not a penny to my name. I have a beautiful family, my wife is aware of my situation, she doesn't take drugs. I have security in my life, but yet I have this damn monkey on my back! Completely my own fault.
I do not feel particularly scared of withdrawal, I'm a veteran at physical pain, but the psychological aspect of it seems particularly difficult this time around. I think that is because I have so much responsibility in my life, I just cannot take time out as it were, which is a good thing in many respects, but on the hard days, it is a pain in the arse!
I have got 8 x 5ml Valiums for the last days of the detox, and that's it. I can't approach a doctor, because I don't want my situation recorder on file whatsoever. I plan to get a decent quantity of herbs once I've done and dusted the Bupe, for sleep purposes and stress. After which I am going to stop smoking again, not drink again, and go back to a life of abstinence. Why I thought a bit of recreational Bupe was a good idea I'll never know.
Peace.
I have done many detoxes, heroin (all the opiates/opioids in fact), benzos, alcohol, and the psychological/minor physical withdrawals from many types of stimulants as well. I've had scripts galore over the last 15 years, and now I want to stop. I am on 0.4 mg, and I'm going to taper to 0.2 in three days time. I am going to stay on 0.2 for a few days, then I'm even going to split that dose.
I don't know what the actual bioavailability of what I'm taking is, cos I've always snorted it, but because I've always done it that way, I know that I'm on a steady dose, as such. I'll be honest, I'm crapping myself. Before this year-long stint I was drug-free for five years!
To come down in dosage this far I have started drinking alcohol from time-to-time, smoking cannabis as regularly as I can afford and obtain it (which is not often, believe me!). I now have not a penny to my name. I have a beautiful family, my wife is aware of my situation, she doesn't take drugs. I have security in my life, but yet I have this damn monkey on my back! Completely my own fault.
I do not feel particularly scared of withdrawal, I'm a veteran at physical pain, but the psychological aspect of it seems particularly difficult this time around. I think that is because I have so much responsibility in my life, I just cannot take time out as it were, which is a good thing in many respects, but on the hard days, it is a pain in the arse!
I have got 8 x 5ml Valiums for the last days of the detox, and that's it. I can't approach a doctor, because I don't want my situation recorder on file whatsoever. I plan to get a decent quantity of herbs once I've done and dusted the Bupe, for sleep purposes and stress. After which I am going to stop smoking again, not drink again, and go back to a life of abstinence. Why I thought a bit of recreational Bupe was a good idea I'll never know.
Peace.
Last year I was on ativan and vicodin for about 10 months because of cancer, and towards the end of that Oxycodone as well. Vicodin was up to about 60 mg/day, Oxy was at 10 mg/dayI think, ativan was about 3 mg/day. Towards the end of this period, I started getting pretty depressed. I did not understand that the drugs were causing my depression, I thought I was depressed because of my cancer situation (multiple myeloma - I'm pretty healthy now but the potential outcomes are pretty bad).
Luckily my wife was smart enough to get me in to see a psychiatrist as well as my oncologist, and luckily the psychiatrist she picked specializes in addiction recovery. He recognized what was going on and got me off the ativan and onto some anti-depressants. I did go through a withdrawal for that, no fun.
The he took me off the vicodin/oxy. I went through a pretty rough withdrawal. Rough for me, that is, for about two weeks...I don't ever want to go through that again, I really have sympathy for anyone going through heroin withdrawal now. But then he put me on subutex and gabapentin (I have some nerve damage). Man, it was like night and day! The withdrawal (from vicodin/oxy) symptoms went away immediately.
So there I sat for a few months. About a month ago, he suggested I go from 6 mg Subutex per day to 4 mg/day. It took me a while to recognize that the achiness and general bad feeling in the morning and occasional depressive episode was withdrawal from the subutex. That brought me to google "subutex withdrawal" which brought me here.
So I will take some advice and slow down the taper. I will also give some advice, and that is to use a doc who knows what he is doing. Six months ago I wondered if I would ever be able to return to work, now everyone thinks I am absolutely normal. I attribute it to my wife and psychiatrist. Good Luck.
Luckily my wife was smart enough to get me in to see a psychiatrist as well as my oncologist, and luckily the psychiatrist she picked specializes in addiction recovery. He recognized what was going on and got me off the ativan and onto some anti-depressants. I did go through a withdrawal for that, no fun.
The he took me off the vicodin/oxy. I went through a pretty rough withdrawal. Rough for me, that is, for about two weeks...I don't ever want to go through that again, I really have sympathy for anyone going through heroin withdrawal now. But then he put me on subutex and gabapentin (I have some nerve damage). Man, it was like night and day! The withdrawal (from vicodin/oxy) symptoms went away immediately.
So there I sat for a few months. About a month ago, he suggested I go from 6 mg Subutex per day to 4 mg/day. It took me a while to recognize that the achiness and general bad feeling in the morning and occasional depressive episode was withdrawal from the subutex. That brought me to google "subutex withdrawal" which brought me here.
So I will take some advice and slow down the taper. I will also give some advice, and that is to use a doc who knows what he is doing. Six months ago I wondered if I would ever be able to return to work, now everyone thinks I am absolutely normal. I attribute it to my wife and psychiatrist. Good Luck.
Hello everyone, I have been on Suboxone and subutex for 4 years now and got down to 4mgs twice a day and decided to jump off. BAD IDEA!!!! It is now going on 11 days and I still feel like SH*T!! aches and pains and emotional roller coaster I walk around the house at all hours of the night, I can only wish for sleep because it is not in my happening at all. If I would have known than what I know now I would have tappered for a longer time and lower dose. My Dr. never really explained anything. I appreacite all your post so much. at least I know I'm not alone in this and it does take time. Coming off OXY was so much easier than this and a much shorter time too. Do not fall into the trap of staying on this stuff for a long time. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU and I and we will prevail.
I was on subutex for many years, ive quit it many times and am currently back on 32mg a day.. i was on the same dose when i went to jail back in april of 08... i got out in september and about 1 and a half of those 6 months was hell.. they had me on 5 miligrams of klonopin but only a month after withdrawling i slept maybe 15minutes to 1 hour per night with severe restless legs and anxiety.. i had a few seizures.. would black out etc... subutex is no toy let me tell you that.. do not just jump off a dose of three or four 8mg pills a day... or even less... like most people are saying taper it down while in combination with some type of benzodiazapine but be CAREFUL! the benzos may cause you to slip back into abuse of this medication if that is your thing so the best thing to do is have some type of help.. give your subutex to someone in the familiy if you can or friend that you trust 100% and have them give you so much a day.. its going to suck wether you get off this med immediately or tapering down.. but trust me its worse getting off it cold turkey, chances are you'll want to abuse something else like me. ive been a drug addict for over 7 years.. in and out of jail and have had it rough.. but don't give up people. take 2mg of a benzo and take a hot bath relax. take care of yourself. slowly but surely
look i had been on norco for two years and then oxcoytin for 3 months then i went to see dr, honzel in beverly hills. He is great and takes great care of me. this is my 3rd off everything and it is not easy it is well worth the fight.
i so want to take just 1mg since that is what i was on. but believe me it is not worth it. go down to 1mg then try 1/2mg then get off but you need a few days. god bless all of you. i have been documenting myself to show how hard it can be. going off cold turkey is 1000 times worse
god bless
jon
i so want to take just 1mg since that is what i was on. but believe me it is not worth it. go down to 1mg then try 1/2mg then get off but you need a few days. god bless all of you. i have been documenting myself to show how hard it can be. going off cold turkey is 1000 times worse
god bless
jon
5-10 days hang in there tell your hubby
guest
i AM BEGGING YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION. IM A PRO ATHELTE AND WAS GIVING 16 MG OF SUBUTEX FOR ABUSE OF PAIN KILLERS FROM 5TH KNEE SURGERY. I NEED TO GET OFF THIS STUFF, BUT CANT AFFORD TO GO THROUGH WITHDRAWLS WHICH IS FUNNY THATS WHY I WENT ON IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS A TERRIBLE NIGHTMARE. PLEASE EXPLAIN ABOUT THE CORTISOL AND T-3 HOW IT HELPS. ILL TRY ANYTHING AT THIS POINT...YES IM A WUZZ AND CANT TAKE 2 WEEKS OF FEELING TERRIBLE.. HOW DOES THE T-3 AND CORTISOL WORK ?
i AM BEGGING YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION. IM A PRO ATHELTE AND WAS GIVING 16 MG OF SUBUTEX FOR ABUSE OF PAIN KILLERS FROM 5TH KNEE SURGERY. I NEED TO GET OFF THIS STUFF, BUT CANT AFFORD TO GO THROUGH WITHDRAWLS WHICH IS FUNNY THATS WHY I WENT ON IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS A TERRIBLE NIGHTMARE. PLEASE EXPLAIN ABOUT THE CORTISOL AND T-3 HOW IT HELPS. ILL TRY ANYTHING AT THIS POINT...YES IM A WUZZ AND CANT TAKE 2 WEEKS OF FEELING TERRIBLE.. HOW DOES THE T-3 AND CORTISOL WORK ?
From 2mg to 0 (cold)
days 1-3: Body discomfort, restless, sleepy and feeling hot (but no fever). Mentally not too terrible/irritable.
days 4-7: Body feels better (about 80%), mind is going nuts. Very depressed and irritable. Sleeping for 3-4 hours only. May be just being couped up, but the depression is unreal. More energy to go out and grab food...
day:8 Back to work, Its really good to be busy, though I am not very productive...
Dont cold turkey.... Taper, stick to it and avoid the mess I am in. Go down by half every week....
Good luck...
The only benefit Sub's offer to a Perc or H addiction is the daily functionality...the detox is worse in my experience..
days 1-3: Body discomfort, restless, sleepy and feeling hot (but no fever). Mentally not too terrible/irritable.
days 4-7: Body feels better (about 80%), mind is going nuts. Very depressed and irritable. Sleeping for 3-4 hours only. May be just being couped up, but the depression is unreal. More energy to go out and grab food...
day:8 Back to work, Its really good to be busy, though I am not very productive...
Dont cold turkey.... Taper, stick to it and avoid the mess I am in. Go down by half every week....
Good luck...
The only benefit Sub's offer to a Perc or H addiction is the daily functionality...the detox is worse in my experience..
I have bin takin subutex 4 th last 6yrs startin off at 10mg n jumped down to 2mg bcos i tried 2 commit suicide by takin sleepin tablets, in hindsight tht was th best thing i eva did in comin down, wich wasnt wot i was aimin 4 bt happy it happened in th end, i dnt recommend it tho! I have just come out of a detox after a week. I thort comin off 2mg wud b relatively easy as evry1 kept tellin me it was such a small dose... now let me tell u.... 4 th 7days i spent in DT i coped ok (bearable) bein given Lefexidine 2 stop th muscle cramps n yea it worked well bt they also have ther own side effects which r not pleasant bt u av 2 decide which is worse, th aches n restlessness or evry tym u get up u do or feel lyk ur about 2 collapse, they lower blood pressure n heart rate excessively so no let up either way bt thn each individual is diff. Im sum1 who cant tolerate pain very well. I negotiated n early discharge afta a week as i felt ok n was told th worst of it was over n i reduced th lefexidine to 0.4mg twice a day so felt redi 2 finish th rest of th crappy feelin i was experiencing including th complete lack of sleep which is torture wen ur goin thru sumthin as bad as this at th same tym in th comfort of my own home wit my partner n daughta. My 1st nyt was so so, i did sleep here n ther bt nt a great deal. Didnt experience much restlessness, i was eatin ok n feelin reali positive tht it was nearly ova 2 thn start day7 doubled up in pain lyk i was rattlin off Heroin, im talkin full blown withdrawal symptoms....!!! from 2mg of subutex??!!! DAY 7/8 WAS MY LIVIN HELL! I was beggin n pleadin 4 help off my partner who did nt wan2 giv in afta seein me suffer 4 a solid 19hrs wen th feelins i was experiencin stopped comin in waves evry now n agen 2 bein ther constant. I finali crumbled n gave in2 th addiction tht is subutex, it has well n truly gripped me. My partner neva got rid of my tablets wyl i was in DT lyk i asked him 2 and so, he ended up givin me 1mg 2 ease my pain. I am now feelin normal bk on th subutex, 1mg lighter bt stil feel defeated, tht i wasnt strong enuf 2 reali c it thru n absolutely fumin tht th professionals tht wer ment 2 b lukin afta me, let me leave knowin more thn me tht delayed withdrawals r possible wyl recievin treatment in DT, particularly if ur obese or hav a slow metabolism lyk me. My goal now is 2 reduce as low as poss wich aint gonna take me long as im only takin 1mg ryt now. I am stil gonna have 2 go thru all this again at sum point hopefully a lil easier this tym bt at least iv experienced it n no wot 2 expect th nx tym n nt b so naieve tht it'l b a walk in th park bcos i swear 2 god its on th scale of goin cold turkey off heroin! No matter how much u prepare urself mentally, th addiction 2 subutex wil destroy tht lil by lil. Iv had 2mg in 24hrs 2 try relieve th excruciatin pain i was in n its stil ther now slightly, iv nt slept in 9days now, how much longer can i physically function on no sleep wen im bk on th subutex??? Gd luck 2 any1 doin ther RIP..... KEEP STRONG N KEEP PERSERVERING cos i no i wil until i win this battle! %-) 8-|
I just wanted to post something on here. I have been on Suboxone for nearly 2 years now, and have been terrified (once addicted) of coming off of it. I have tried to find SOMEONE out there who tapered properly and who experienced mild or NO withdrawal from the drug. It seems, logically speaking, that if your body can get used to a sloooooow taper, it should also be as ready as you are for the final jump off. Unfortunately, I have read over and over and over again about horror stories and painful, miserable terrifying withdrawals that last forever even when tapering from crumbs. So, I thought I would write a little about MY own adventure here.
First of all, I have ONE person only who knows I am taking this stuff. My addiction doctor. Nobody in my family knows that I go, so I have been VERY alone in this. I am embarrassed terribly about my addiction as it runs in the family and though I could be the strong one, and I have a spouse who would not understand, which does NOT make matters any easier.
Ok, so perhaps it was the end of February this year that I started the addiction Dr. when my 'streets supplier' was no longer able to be located. When I started to get suboxone legitimately, I was taking anywhere from 16 to perhaps 20 mg/day.. wow... but I wanted off, and we devised a plan that allowed me to change things up if I didn't feel like I would be successful with the planned dosage. Slowly, over the next few months, I began my taper, some days I took 8mg, some days 6, some 5... down to 4... and over the past few months I have stopped taking suboxone and have gone to subutex, where I continued my taper. I never ever in my life shot anything up, and I am not tempted to take other drugs, so no need for naloxone in my system. Anyhow, I tapered down to 1mg, some days were better than others, and I was tired, anxious a little, and had to use the bathroom more than usual, but nothing too terrible. I figured that part would come after the final jump. So, this past Sunday, I took .25mg (I had taken 1mg the day before), and have not taken any since. Day 1 - nervous belly, and a little, little bit anxious and a tiny bit nauseous. Day 2, a little better actually, but EXHAUSTED... I mean REALLY, paralyzingly, zombie-like tired. Totally useless. However, I MADE myself do a few things, and although I didn't really want to eat much, I did - applesauce, farina, yogurt, ensure, boost... and multivitimin. Day 3... woah... I felt OK - tired, but OK. Today is day 4... I feel pretty friggin good... I can't wait until tomorrow. It may NOT be the end of the world after all!! Hang in there... don't base your experience on what OTHER people have gone through - only YOU are YOU.
Power to the Peaceful
First of all, I have ONE person only who knows I am taking this stuff. My addiction doctor. Nobody in my family knows that I go, so I have been VERY alone in this. I am embarrassed terribly about my addiction as it runs in the family and though I could be the strong one, and I have a spouse who would not understand, which does NOT make matters any easier.
Ok, so perhaps it was the end of February this year that I started the addiction Dr. when my 'streets supplier' was no longer able to be located. When I started to get suboxone legitimately, I was taking anywhere from 16 to perhaps 20 mg/day.. wow... but I wanted off, and we devised a plan that allowed me to change things up if I didn't feel like I would be successful with the planned dosage. Slowly, over the next few months, I began my taper, some days I took 8mg, some days 6, some 5... down to 4... and over the past few months I have stopped taking suboxone and have gone to subutex, where I continued my taper. I never ever in my life shot anything up, and I am not tempted to take other drugs, so no need for naloxone in my system. Anyhow, I tapered down to 1mg, some days were better than others, and I was tired, anxious a little, and had to use the bathroom more than usual, but nothing too terrible. I figured that part would come after the final jump. So, this past Sunday, I took .25mg (I had taken 1mg the day before), and have not taken any since. Day 1 - nervous belly, and a little, little bit anxious and a tiny bit nauseous. Day 2, a little better actually, but EXHAUSTED... I mean REALLY, paralyzingly, zombie-like tired. Totally useless. However, I MADE myself do a few things, and although I didn't really want to eat much, I did - applesauce, farina, yogurt, ensure, boost... and multivitimin. Day 3... woah... I felt OK - tired, but OK. Today is day 4... I feel pretty friggin good... I can't wait until tomorrow. It may NOT be the end of the world after all!! Hang in there... don't base your experience on what OTHER people have gone through - only YOU are YOU.
Power to the Peaceful
Just continuing from yesterday -
today is day FIVE without Subutex. The biggest problem I have experienced has been the lack of sleep, mostly because of what I believe must be RLS. I get cozy, for a few seconds, and then have to move. I feel like I have to have a workout every night - left side, middle, right side, middle... it does suck, I will admit. Not sleeping is really tough too because when you are exhausted, nothing else is easy. However, I had my first solid BM today in a while (sorry to be gross, but loose stool is apparently part of withdrawal) and didn't need to go again after that. I also feel POSITIVE today (also did yesterday and the day before, FYI) like, hey, life is GOOD - and I am not even on drugs to make me feel that way! After taking pills for so damn long, you forget (as does your body) that you can actually feel good and normal without drugs. I just expected this to take a LOT longer. Like, at least a month, or two or more. I am not fooling myself into thinking that I won't have bad days, but I also know that if I dwell on the possibility/probability of bad days ahead, what good will it do me? Nothing whatsoever. That is part of what held me up from quitting in the first place. I have spent the better part of the past 5 years giving myself reasons NOT to quit using. I am sure I am not alone in that. Prior to the suboxone/subutex, I was using codeine/vicodin/percoset/and the occasional 'jackpot' find of oxycontin. I never snorted/shot up - just swallowed the pills, but in the system is in the system nonetheless.
Here is one thing that may have helped my taper and jump off finally. When I took suboxone, I was able to hold the pill(s) under my tongue as directed until they were gone. I HATED the taste, so I would drink coffee afterwards, even though I am told that you should not drink/eat anything for 20 minutes. So, perhaps I didn't ingest ALL of it, but perhaps I did... I won't ever know. However, if you think that Suboxone is bad tasting, wait till you taste Subutex! It is so bad I would gag, really bitter and terrible. NO redeeming flavor at all, and makes suboxone taste like candy in comparison. So, rather than puking from the flavor, I would hold it under my tongue for as long as I could (not nearly as long as the subs) and then would take a big swig of coffee and wash it all down, often chewing up any undissolved subutex in the process. So, again, I may not have had as much in my system as I could have, but who knows. It still put off my withdrawal symptoms, and certainly lifted my mood, so I know SOME of it was in my system.
So, those are just a few of my personal suggestions, just from my experience. I am sorry that everyone may not have the same (mostly) positive experience that I am currently having, but am told by my Dr. that the worst of it is surely over, and every day is certainly getting better than the last.
I suggest to you all, take at least one or two hot showers with calming scents each day - one to start the day, one to end it. Maybe even a bath in between. Get massage if you can, try yoga and meditation if you can concentrate, and remember to HANG IN THERE. You may even find that setting little rewards for yourself along the way will be a great and helpful incentive. Maybe on day 3 you can get a special treat (hair done, something special you have wanted, whatever.. just not another drug... don't go there), day 6 something else, and so on... whatever works for you, just plan AHEAD, shop for the foods you can eat, prepare things ahead of time and don't necessarily expect the worst. I did, and as luck would have it, I am doing MUCH better than I had anticipated.
Good luck -
Power to the Peaceful
today is day FIVE without Subutex. The biggest problem I have experienced has been the lack of sleep, mostly because of what I believe must be RLS. I get cozy, for a few seconds, and then have to move. I feel like I have to have a workout every night - left side, middle, right side, middle... it does suck, I will admit. Not sleeping is really tough too because when you are exhausted, nothing else is easy. However, I had my first solid BM today in a while (sorry to be gross, but loose stool is apparently part of withdrawal) and didn't need to go again after that. I also feel POSITIVE today (also did yesterday and the day before, FYI) like, hey, life is GOOD - and I am not even on drugs to make me feel that way! After taking pills for so damn long, you forget (as does your body) that you can actually feel good and normal without drugs. I just expected this to take a LOT longer. Like, at least a month, or two or more. I am not fooling myself into thinking that I won't have bad days, but I also know that if I dwell on the possibility/probability of bad days ahead, what good will it do me? Nothing whatsoever. That is part of what held me up from quitting in the first place. I have spent the better part of the past 5 years giving myself reasons NOT to quit using. I am sure I am not alone in that. Prior to the suboxone/subutex, I was using codeine/vicodin/percoset/and the occasional 'jackpot' find of oxycontin. I never snorted/shot up - just swallowed the pills, but in the system is in the system nonetheless.
Here is one thing that may have helped my taper and jump off finally. When I took suboxone, I was able to hold the pill(s) under my tongue as directed until they were gone. I HATED the taste, so I would drink coffee afterwards, even though I am told that you should not drink/eat anything for 20 minutes. So, perhaps I didn't ingest ALL of it, but perhaps I did... I won't ever know. However, if you think that Suboxone is bad tasting, wait till you taste Subutex! It is so bad I would gag, really bitter and terrible. NO redeeming flavor at all, and makes suboxone taste like candy in comparison. So, rather than puking from the flavor, I would hold it under my tongue for as long as I could (not nearly as long as the subs) and then would take a big swig of coffee and wash it all down, often chewing up any undissolved subutex in the process. So, again, I may not have had as much in my system as I could have, but who knows. It still put off my withdrawal symptoms, and certainly lifted my mood, so I know SOME of it was in my system.
So, those are just a few of my personal suggestions, just from my experience. I am sorry that everyone may not have the same (mostly) positive experience that I am currently having, but am told by my Dr. that the worst of it is surely over, and every day is certainly getting better than the last.
I suggest to you all, take at least one or two hot showers with calming scents each day - one to start the day, one to end it. Maybe even a bath in between. Get massage if you can, try yoga and meditation if you can concentrate, and remember to HANG IN THERE. You may even find that setting little rewards for yourself along the way will be a great and helpful incentive. Maybe on day 3 you can get a special treat (hair done, something special you have wanted, whatever.. just not another drug... don't go there), day 6 something else, and so on... whatever works for you, just plan AHEAD, shop for the foods you can eat, prepare things ahead of time and don't necessarily expect the worst. I did, and as luck would have it, I am doing MUCH better than I had anticipated.
Good luck -
Power to the Peaceful