Hello everyone--this is my first post. I just wanted to encourage everyone who is either getting ready to jump off suboxone or those who are struggling through the jumping process. I was a pain pill addict for about 6 years and fortunately found Suboxone after many failed attempts to get clean. I've been in withdrawal more times than I can remember. It saved my life just as it has many folks here. However, my early Sub docs were not real educated about the drug itself. I was started at 24 mg and was on that for like 2 years. Then I eventually worked my way down to 8 mg and then decided to find a doc who understood addiction and this medication. Once I did I was tapered down to 2 mg, then eventually I just jumped at 1 mg. I was on Subs for a total of 8 years! Only 1 1/12 with this final doc who started the process of getting me off of them.
SO...with all that said, I must admit the last 34 days have not been easy. Day 6 was my hardest but then again so was day 20. Fortunately for me I did not experience much of the diarrhea and sweats that I have before but the obsession, depression, restless legs, and lack of sleep has been terrible. I found myself just walking from room to room trying to escape the obsessions. In the beginning I was taking at least 4 hot baths a day. They really helped relax me a bit. I took loads of Immodium and Ibuprofen. I also started taking an anti-depressant and eventually Trazadone.
Now--here is the good news. It DOES get better. I am sleeping better as of about 4 days ago. My appetite has returned. The depression is lifting and my energy is returning. I really honestly felt like my life would be like the first couple weeks for the rest of my life. Everyone said it would get better and it really does. There were also times I just did not know what to do with myself. My daily intake of Suboxone was like an event! I always took time to take it and I knew it would level me off. Now its like a void in my life. But honestly I'll take the void any day rather than return to Suboxone. Yes it saved my life and I am forever grateful but I also became a slave to it as well.
One interesting thing as well. Some positive things happened about a day after I stopped. I was going to probably have to have knee surgery eventually but the pain is no longer in my knee. I was very "fidgety" and moved a lot when sitting down, etc. Now I rarely ever do that. I was a habitual fingernail biter, but no more. And finally, I was a smoker, but not a big one. I would smoke maybe 5 cigs a day, largely out of habit. Since I stopped I have had maybe 5 in the last 34 days and none in the last 7 days. I have no idea why but those are good things.
Anyway-just a note of encouragement from someone whose been there and understands. I wish you all the best as you journey through this. YOU CAN DO THIS!!
That's encouraging, thank you for sharing. I am still taking 6.5mg of suboxone a day, but I am stepping down every two to three weeks after I level out. This is miserable. I fell like every time I step down the world is ending. I am depressed and fatigued and going to work every morning is a struggle for me. I have a family to support so I have no choice in the matter. I keep telling myself it's going to pay off but some days are just so hard. How often did you drop down dosages and how much? Any advice on what to do for the sadness?
Hi I had an 80 - 100 milligram addiction for 5 years.
The chase for drugs every day was really starting to get to me. But more importantly I really missed my self-respect.
I went and saw the doctor and got some prescribed Suboxone strips and I waited 20 hours which was really hard and then I took the first one and two hours later I was fine. He gave me a two-week prescription of one half of a strip every 4 to 6 hours. 28 strips total.
I used 15 of them., just a little over one week. Then I decided to get off of them before I got addicted. You read alot about suboxone addiction and it's scary..... I really felt hopeless because I started getting depressed and I felt like I had ruined my body forever. That is what really drove me to quit and two weeks ago I walked away, from subs after one week. I never could have done that with opiates.... I called my doctor and told him what I did and he told me to call him if I needed him. I feel like I'm going to make it even though I have had a few desires... I was just so sick of being sick... and I wanted it so bad. I am a 54 year old father and grandfather and I hid it from my family the whole time. My wife would find some pills every once in awhile and I would always lie and tell her I got them from my mom..... I still feel nausea and a little ill at times but this small victory feels so good.!!!!! I hope and pray I never go back..... I had my bridge picked out that I was going to jump off of... so maybe I won't have to.. praise God Amen.
And good luck to you sir I'll pray for you
All the deepest wishes and will-power + $3.00 will get you a small coffee at Starbucks.
(if you are an addict/alcoholic like me and millions of others)
I didn't need to make up my mind -
I needed to ignore my mind and get help .. to surrender.
I found the lifesaving strength and direction I needed in AA/NA as many do.
Good luck.
Bob R
(if you are an addict/alcoholic like me and millions of others)
I didn't need to make up my mind -
I needed to ignore my mind and get help .. to surrender.
I found the lifesaving strength and direction I needed in AA/NA as many do.
Good luck.
Bob R
