My Suboxone Experience
My Suboxone Experience
First thing, keep in mind that the following post / notes of mine were written before I did my suboxone taper and final jump off suboxone. Been off the sub for a year and 4 months now; so this was written a long while back. Shows my thought process before I decided to take the next step. You can read how I went about my taper day to day in the post Suboxone Taper 101.
My Suboxone Experience cont’d: (written about a year and half ago)
If you are an think or have a problem with pain meds / opiates, are recovering from opiate dependence or are just stuck and trying to get help; you understand when searching forums that useless posts that don’t answer your questions regarding how to go about a suboxone taper and or how the withdrawal process is…it’s f***ing frustrating. I just want to find the answers or discussions about what it feels like coming off the sub, can it be done, should it be done, is it as bad as coming off all other opiates cold turkey and so on.
To date I have really only found one good site that gives some great info from both sides of the coin (suboxonetalkzone.com). There ARE alot of good forums out there and to everyone that visits these forums, I appreciate you taking the time to post. Just sometimes the direct question which is most important gets lost in just “talk”.
I have found a site and I’ll list a couple more, but if you want to get some good info on what suboxone can do for you, what steps you should take overall, suboxone info, withdrawal info and straight to the point relevant stuff that you’ll want to know…check out the following
What are the Suboxone Taper / Withdrawal forums giving us? Good info? Or just BS!
Here’s the thing; we all read on the suboxone forums the posts / opinions that people put up. There are (on most) sites 2 categories that dominate the suboxone taper subject; the ways it can help you or the way it has helped others or maybe even yourself. Then on the other hand you get the real space cadets that think it is a clandestine project by the New World Order called Operation Octagon Mallard Duck. It seems on this side of the subject ”THEY” (the NWO) are trying to get you to switch from your OLD brand of coffee to THEIRS. This theory goes on to state how once you have tasted that NWO Suboxone Java, you’ll just never want to stop! The side effects associated with this myth is…that your brain will be picking up and receiving ELF, AM, FM and XM radio for the rest of your life.
My Suboxone Experience cont’d:
Factual websites about the “Discontinuation Syndrome” that follows when you stop taking your Doctor Prescribed medicine are all in generalities. The info you are looking for and the questions you have are just not out there. You can find alot of technical info, but no advice, no suggestions and no answers to “what the f**k is it like to taper”. What you do get is usually copied and pasted from a f***ing facts and questions site regarding aspirin, bananas and what to expect after self installing a toilet. You’ll get the same b.s., “when discontinuing your suboxone / buprenorphine you might feel some of these symptons”.
- Dysphoric mood (this was interesting, I did feel this when I stopped my sub, very vertigo like)
- Piloerection (makes your hair stand up)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lacrimation (tearing up)
- Rhinorrhea (runny nose)
- Pupillary dilation
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches/cramps
- Yawning
- Mild fever
- Insomnia
- Craving
- Distress/irritability
In addition and what makes this whole “looking for REAL F-ing information” so much worse is the 2 cents EVERYONE has to put in. There is or seems to be a shit load of people out there that have what they feel are the answers and scare everyone to death. Most go on only about how much vicodin, oxy, percs etc. they used to take and how they are now “trapped” by suboxone (like they weren’t already f***ed before) or how they fell off the wagon cause the suboxone was so hard to stop (read my Taper 101 post, it wasn’t that bad).
The Suboxone Taper or Withdrawal Forums have topics that generally start like this for example:
“My name is Bill (example only) I’m looking for advice and HELP from anyone who has tapered off their suboxone / subutex / buprenorphine. What is it like? How does the withdrawals and tapering compare to w/d’s from oxy or any other hard opiate? Has anyone succeeded? Should I just stay on the suboxone? Can you taper long enough to minimize withdrawals or have no w/ds at all? I have been on sub for 2 years and want to get off after changing my life…etc..etc…etc”.
Ok, so… Good question posted by Bill. The guy just wants some basic advice, I’m sure he wants more, but it’s a pretty straight forward question, be it there are a few, but you get what I mean.
HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF COMPLETE BS AND IRRESPONSIBLE REPLIES TO “BILL” FROM MORANS AND PEOPLE THAT DON’T HAVE A F*****G CLUE WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT:
“Wow, oh boy, oh golly… I have never heard of anyone being on suboxone SOOOO long! Gee wiz…. I read that you can taper down on suboxone / subutex / buprenorphine but you are only supposed to be on it like 1 or 2 weeks… I would get another doctor. I have never taken suboxone and am not an opiate addict but thought I could give you my two cents and good advice”
“Hi Bill, My name is Leon and I have been an addict for 12 years on Oxy, H, Vicodin…etc… I took like 197 Vicodin and 93 40mg Oxycontins on the average per day. I tried to detox using a combination of Suboxone and fentanyl patches on my forehead. Then tried tapering with scotch tape, now I am back on the wagon taking 52 Oxy 80mgs a day and dressing like a giraffe” (Ok…congratulations asshole….your f-ing point is?)
Those were just a couple of the stupid posts that people bring up, I can go on for pages but this next following post we have all seen on a “Question about Suboxone Tapering Forum”. It is the stupidest one ever! It’s the most common and EVERY forum has one these guys or gals.
“My name is Cindy (again, example only) and I’m here to tell you DONT TAKE SUBOXONE, your Doctors are just trying to trap you. You are only trading one opiate for another. Once you are on it, it is almost impossible to get off. Take it from me, I have tried numerous times and now I am selling my ass on the streets after my “friends” that I kept hanging around with, by my own free will, that shoot H every day and take oxy… they finally FORCED me into the Dope again, sure beats the suboxone”.
Regarding the example post above; so what this idiot is saying is just stay on whatever you were totally jacking yourself with cause that is better? Suboxone WORKS. It’s a “BUFFER” for your life, so you can get your LIFE back on track. This gives you time to tell your “so called” friends to F-off and to get things stabilized again, so you can get back to work, get back to being pro-active and to keep the wallet / purse from going south….and of course to save your life from OD’ing. These addicts are just pissed that other people are REALLY either trying to… or are getting help ON their own with a little or no help. Cont’d:
Tags: opiates and suboxone, Suboxone Experience, suboxone experiences, Suboxone Taper
Comments (62)
This is my dosing schedule that I’m using. I currently am down to 1/4 to 1/3 of one 2mg strip a day. Accounting for a job that I have to go to I’ve been able to drop dosages on the weekend and maintain the lower dose throughout the week. During my 4 day weekend this month I plan to drop to zero and bear the suffering. After that the max I will allow myself to take in a 24/h period will be 1/10 of a strip or 200mcg.
May Amount Est. Actual Micrograms
2Mg Strips
10 Th 1 2000
11 F 1/2 1000
12 S 1/2 1000
13 Su 1/3 667mcg
14 M 1/3 667mcg
15 T 1/3 667mcg
16 W 2/3 1332mcg
17 Th 1/3 667mcg
18 F 1/3 667mcg
19 S 1/8 250mcg
20 Su 1/8 250mcg
21 M 1/4 500mcg
22 T 1/8 250mcg
23 W 1/8 250mcg
24 Th 1/8 250mcg
25 F 0.0 – 1/8 250 Max
26 S 0.0 – 1/9 220 Max
27 Su 0.0 – 1/10 200 Max
28 M 0.0 – 1/11 181 Max
29 T 0.0-1/10 200 Max
30 W 0.0-1/10 200 Max
31 Th 0.0-1/10 200 Max
June Amount Amount Est.
1 F 0.0-1/10 200 Max
2 S 0 0
3 Su 0 0
4 M 1/20 100 Max
5 T 1/20 100 Max
6 W 1/20 100 Max
7 Th 1/20 100 Max
8 F 1/20 100 Max
9 S 0 0
10 Su 0 0
Cboxer28 ur post was so long, pointless and straight up went no where. Why did u even post that? Ur obviously still using and were just typing non sense cause ur high and everything seems to have reasoning to it at that time. Ur a perfect example of wat this post was about in the first place
You made me laugh so hard i nearly wet myself.
anyhow, good, succinct, hilariously facetious yet accurate article/post.
Thanks 4 the great info, and laugh. I really needed it.
Gotta little cerebral crush going on here ^_^
Hugs, namaste, and god speed for any “ohpeehated” soul.
- Faith
Uhm..
Are the ABOVE examples of what you mean about posts on sites that drive you crazy???
Kratom powder is the answer-While I DO NOT recommend at all using for more than a month, using Kratom(make sure you find right vendor which takes some digging) the severity of withdrawals from getting suboxone or subutex out of system will be very very minimul. HOwever, you will have to stop Kratom(I got off cold turkey from Kratom after being on suboxoen for five tardy long years) with some withdrawals as your mu and other pain receptors such as the delta which ofcourse the pharm company that makes suboxone don’t like mentioning how suboxone can negatively impact endorphines, hormonal changes, serotonin and dopamine levels, lets see what else..Uchhummm.. basically, if you want to deal with minor withdrawals, use the one thing corporate crony pharm firms never want anyone to know about. Kratom. legal to buy in U.S. DO research before purchasing.
Yeah I would say start taking it now. It’s pretty expensive even under most insurance plans but is very well worth it. What will happen after you start the medication is that you will continue to smoke over the next 9 – 12 days as if nothing is different. Then by like day 9 all of a sudden your cravings for cigarettes will just cease. It’s actually pretty incredible. But yes I would def recommend starting now since it can take almost 2 weeks to take effect.
Heh CBOXER28,, Did you take the chantix while still on subs or wait till you were well off the subs ,as i want to quit smoking too ,but hesitate taking chantax while in my skipping proccess,that i just started Last dose was Sat. 3-17 skipped Sun, and will dose today at .125mgs then skip 2 days and so on ….? Thanx for a come back TJ
I am 28 years old and used OxyContin off and on for 12 years. Years ago we used to take Methadone to come off the oxys however for the past 5 years or so I have been using Suboxone.
In this time frame needless to say I have gone through many a withdrawal. The worst of which was in college, cold turkey, off of a 140 mg/day oxy habit. Seven days locked alone in a dorm room with a single cold pizza.
Years later when coming off of probably about an 80mg/day habit, I used methadone to detox. I went from about 4 pills to 3 to 2 to 1 with relative ease (at least that is how I remember it).
Then in 2007 I discovered Suboxone. I loved and hated Suboxone because I would take a sliver every morning and then try to get high on oxys after work with very little success. But the Suboxone enabled me to continue using without withdrawal symtoms for years.
I talked my doctor at the time into prescribing me 3 8mg pills a day. The truth is taking anything over a half a pill (4 mg) is really just a waste. So I was in this viscious cycle until May of 2009, when one morning I woke up and decided I was sick of isolating myself and checkd into rehab for the first time in my life.
At rehab the counselors didn’t step me down from my 4 mgs, instead they thought that was low enough for me to just stop. Man I went through it, but the nice thing about rehab is there is nowhere to go but through it and out the other side.
Now, this is what my intro has really led up to…after 9 months of soberity and AA meetings, and living in a halfway house, I started taking Suboxone again. Just to get high at first, I would get these from my boyfriend who had a prescription. What a mistake.
You think when you’re doing oxys or for some herione, that Suboxone doesn’t give you a high, and really has little effect on one’s life. For the last two years I have literally lived as a shell of a person. I was completely content with my daily routine, go to work, come home and watch tv, go to bed, go to work, come home watch tv, go to bed, etc, etc, etc.
THE DETOX – I work a full-time job, and moved home with my parents like a Suboxone loser would. But my parents are under the impression I have been sober since that last stint in rehab. So thus last Monday when I started my official detox, I came down with the flu/food poisoning.
I was taking about 2 mgs a day for the week prior. Getting to 2 mgs is super easy, with no withdrawal symptoms. But here is where it is tricky. I jumped from 2 mg to 0 and went through some serious withdrawal. Maybe not as bad as coming off Oxys in the dorm room, but my memories of withdrawal always feels so badly I can never truly compare.
What you need to do is get down to 2 mg/day then destroy all other pills except for 1/2 an 8mg pill. Break that into bits. For me just going through it for a day or two made the bits extremely effective, but I would imagine if you moderate your bits, each time less and less, you might be able to come off more easily.
The risk of prolonging your detox and taper in my view, is that for an addict like me – if one morning I don’t feel great and I can justify some excuse in my head, I will take a big chunk to catch a high. Better just suffering for a few days then weaning down and then uping your dosage again and again.
As a true addict would of course I have saved one 8 mg pill in a remote location with special plans for that thing one day. Hopefully over the next few weeks while I am circling like a maniac in my head I will make the decision to destroy it.
My worse withdrawal symptoms are the hot/colds and the effects on my mood/energy. Now that I am off the bits, I have been very up and down in my mood, like to major extremes of feeling amazing and free to depressed.
However, I now realize what a haze I had been in. Music sounds different now, I have a stronger sense of smell and touch. I guess I just feel more overall alive.
OTHER TIPS – I read online someone who desolved an 8 mg pill in water, put it in a vile in the fridge and used a dropper. I never could find directions on how to pull that off, so I think small crumbs works the same.
Xanax is helpful with sleeping. I’ve also been prescribed Neurontin in the past to detox from Suboxone, not sure how effective if nothing more than psychological.
The more you can keep moving the better you will feel. Usually mornings are the worst. Energy drinks have been a blessing this time around.
PS – if you smoke, take Chantix, I smoked for 10 years Marlboro Reds and this pill is 100% effective. I have used it to quit 3 times in the past.
suboxone is brutally tough to detox at home..you must have a regulated routine away from sitting around thinking about being sick..i have been incarcerated and have detoxed that way, however usually once i begin taking subs again on the street, it is tough for me to quit. I have been on for about 3 months now..at no more than 8mg a day..but even at this dose it is still tough, being i wake up every morning reaching for my sub..i am on day 2 after weaning myself down to less than 4mg a day..i have some benzos, and a few mild opiates to help..wish me luck ..it is a hard task to complete..but I know from experience that quality of life has got to be better than one fixated on subs on a daily basis..it is a good drug but is a unneeded crutch for me, im sure anyone who has been on long term maintenance suboxone would agree..i’ve been on again off again since 2004.
does it turn you into a recluse like i am
Well how did things work out are you clean
Ive been on Films for almost 2 months. ‘Doctor’ started me on 24mg daily, then increased to 32 mg after first week.
after a little over a month, I found that I only need 2 Films a day, and that I should have been started at ALOT less than 4 Films a day.
I am hoping to taper completely off within 6 weeks. Is this too fast?