[lkjasd]

I'm about 5-6 days into the withdrawal symptoms from my painkiller addiction and I'm struggling....bad. Symptoms haven't gotten better. Background: Been on Oxy for about 2.5 years, up to about 100mg/day most recently. I went on about 4mg of suboxone for a week and then just stopped. It's now been about 6 days since I last took suboxone and things have not improved.

I feel like I'm never going to get the energy back. Constantly tired with zero energy. Every task seems 10 times more daunting then it did under the painkillers. I took the week off from work and I'm back on Monday....

If you have been through a similar situation as mine, do you have any advice? I'm 100% on my own here, and I just want to get back to feeling good.

What can I expect in the future?
Any advice?

[jpl788]

First things first, DON'T GIVE UP!

I was on a steady recreational painkiller habit daily for about 1.5 years(Not to mention my recreational party drug use for the prior years). I tried quitting myself cold turkey several times but always ended up back.

I ended up going to rehab so I could detox and not be tempted by going and picking up. They administered suboxne to me 6mg daily for 4 days then cut me off. Today, 90 days later I feel pretty much 100% on most days. Your energy will come back in about two weeks, but then again everyone is different just from my past experiences I averaged most people came to become fully functional after about 2 weeks, then each day just feels better.

Good luck sobriety is in sight you will be through the worst in a day or two. IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER.

[jguestny]

If you have access to the suboxone maybe consider a weaning period. You know, take less and less each day til you're off it. Its not like oxy....chemicals work different in your system.

If you search for suboxone withdrawal in these forums you'll find tons of good stuff to read. Its what's getting me through my withdrawals...I'm getting off suboxone after a year on the ********************.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by lkjasd

I'm about 5-6 days into the withdrawal symptoms from my painkiller addiction and I'm struggling....bad. Symptoms haven't gotten better. Background: Been on Oxy for about 2.5 years, up to about 100mg/day most recently. I went on about 4mg of suboxone for a week and then just stopped. It's now been about 6 days since I last took suboxone and things have not improved.

I feel like I'm never going to get the energy back. Constantly tired with zero energy. Every task seems 10 times more daunting then it did under the painkillers. I took the week off from work and I'm back on Monday....

If you have been through a similar situation as mine, do you have any advice? I'm 100% on my own here, and I just want to get back to feeling good.

What can I expect in the future?
Any advice?

I have been through detox from oxy and have also used subutex/suboxone successfully. I agree with using suboxone for a short time just to get past opiate w/d and then getting off. I don't think these periods of basically a few days on suboxone are of much benefit though. We need to take buprenorphine for enough time for our opiate detox to be past. In other words we should be using the suboxone for at least two weeks or longer before cutting back. Otherwise we are still in w/d and it's defeating the purpose of taking the buprenorphine altogether. We would be better off I think to just cold turkey if we are going to go ahead and subject ourselves to w/d symptoms anyway.

Lots of drs prescribe too high of a dose of buprenorphine. I don't think 4mg is a high enough dose for the drug you were using, the amount of time you used and amount of the drug you used though. You should have been taking more (maybe double) and for a longer time and your opiate detox could have been symptom free. That is why we take suboxone ... to not have w/d symptoms. You should actually just about now be starting to taper off the suboxone. It would have been much better for you to do the suboxone differently but that is past now. No need to worry about it at this point.

I would think that you can expect to start feeling better regardless of all this soon. Having off work until next Monday should give you enough time to be feeling noticeably better by then. Not saying you will be well but you should be able to handle daily activities ok by then. The best advice I can give would be to try to get some excercise ... even a long walk if nothing else. It helps the body to produce natural endorphines that help us feel better overall. Light and low impact exercise helps give us more energy than about anything we can do.

Let us know how you are doing. The forum is here if we can help. Good luck to you.

[kayakotto]

I would suggest first of all insure you are getting plenty of liguids. Then I would suggest getting lots of vitamins, especially C, B1,B12, calcium and magnesium. Drugs will literally suck vitamins and other nutritional factors, depleting the body. Please be aware that these are suggestions and is in no way medical advice. Also "Guide to Addiction Recovery for a Lifetime" is a good little booklet you could get and is free for the asking. The more informed one is the better. I have seen a lot of people come off of painkiller addiction and nutrition is one of the keys. Hope this helps a little

[sisterwin2]

Originally Posted by lkjasd

I'm about 5-6 days into the withdrawal symptoms from my painkiller addiction and I'm struggling....bad. Symptoms haven't gotten better. Background: Been on Oxy for about 2.5 years, up to about 100mg/day most recently. I went on about 4mg of suboxone for a week and then just stopped. It's now been about 6 days since I last took suboxone and things have not improved.

I feel like I'm never going to get the energy back. Constantly tired with zero energy. Every task seems 10 times more daunting then it did under the painkillers. I took the week off from work and I'm back on Monday....

If you have been through a similar situation as mine, do you have any advice? I'm 100% on my own here, and I just want to get back to feeling good.

What can I expect in the future?
Any advice?

I am not sure why u were on such a low does and why u stop the suboxone so soon. The withdral will be longer then a week. I have done it many time in past and I remember it taking about 3 weeks till I felt good. I didnt sleep for at least 18 days.. then I was able to slowly began eating and sleeping...... hang on it will get better

[ProudFather]

Ironically, I signed up here today to see if I could find some support with what I'm going through - my wife's addicted to pain killers and I've recently been informed. Anyways, I specialize in chemical dependency, withdraw management, and program development. For the past the decade I've worked in a number of areas including; detox, inpatient and out-patient treatment, and have developed/assisted several programs. Unfortunately, despite my expertise, I'm the last one who will be able to assist those closest to me, yet I have hope.

I want to commend you for being clean and for reaching out for support. I realize that it's not easy and have been in similar circumstances myself over a decade ago. I wasn't using prescriptions, but was dependent on substances such as heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. I thought that I was destined to die that way. No matter what happens I want you to tell yourself that your not alone and I hope that provides some reassurance to you.

In my work, I always recommend to people that they consult with a physician or health care professional before stopping any sort of narcotic because there are often serious implications involved with doing it alone that can result in undesirable consequences. You can expect to experience any of the following symptoms for a number of weeks and possibly even longer after you're last dose which may include: anxiety, depression, hallucinations, dizziness, sweating, vomiting, irritability, rapid mood swings, increased heart-rate, disturbed sleep patterns, insomnia, and a few others. Some narcotics will remain in your system for a couple of years, while others leave within a couple of weeks. The most difficult period will be the first 21 days with regards to physical symptoms, the remainder will likely be cognitive and emotional.

I always suggest finding a support system that will be in ones best interests whether that be narcotics anonymous (or any other 12-step group), religious support, alcohol/drug counseling, close friends/family and so forth. Having support will enable you to vent and be validated. Often, it's also inspiring to know that there's others out there who can also relate or whom we can relate to. The struggle is then less intensified. Try focusing on a day at a time, a minute at a time - whatever it takes to accomplish your goals. Sometimes people also require medication for the first while to assist them with symptoms such as depression, so please don't consider yourself less than if you require that. Hang in there and stay strong.

Cheers.

[lkjasd]

Thank you all for your support. I'm now 8 days since my last dose of suboxone and I'm feeling better by the day. Tonight I had my first taste of a social atmosphere without any OC and I did much better, and had a much better time, than I thought I ever could. The energy still isn't there, and I still don't sleep well, but with every minute that passes things get better.

It really makes me feel good when I think about having made the commitment to quit. Unfortunately, I don't have any support system, other than another user. While I know I'm strong enough to do this on my own, it would definitely help during the roughest of times if I had someone to talk to about my situation. This is why I cherish reading and writing on these boards.

I continue to urge those of you who have gone through a similar situation as mine, and came out on top, to post stories and advice about what worked for you. I know I won't quite feel 100% normal again for weeks, possibly months so anything that can assist will be a huge help!

Thanks again.

[hooray]

Originally Posted by lkjasd

Thank you all for your support. I'm now 8 days since my last dose of suboxone and I'm feeling better by the day. Tonight I had my first taste of a social atmosphere without any OC and I did much better, and had a much better time, than I thought I ever could. The energy still isn't there, and I still don't sleep well, but with every minute that passes things get better.

It really makes me feel good when I think about having made the commitment to quit. Unfortunately, I don't have any support system, other than another user. While I know I'm strong enough to do this on my own, it would definitely help during the roughest of times if I had someone to talk to about my situation. This is why I cherish reading and writing on these boards.

I continue to urge those of you who have gone through a similar situation as mine, and came out on top, to post stories and advice about what worked for you. I know I won't quite feel 100% normal again for weeks, possibly months so anything that can assist will be a huge help!

Thanks again.

im on day 8 and am taking lots of vitamins, centrum once a day tabs but 6 of them in a day spread out with a couple fish oil tabs for some reason. L-Tyrosine is at GNC or Good Health, that gave me energy 2 or 3. theres some other vitamin im taking called "zenMind", i really dunno whats in it but i feel a million times better. Go get that L-tyrosine and zenmind stuff, try it out. its like 30 bucks for both

[lkjasd]

I also have horrible nausea. I'm never hungry and I'm losing a lot of weight. Is there anything out there that can be bought without a prescription that builds hunger?

[mommy3]

Not sure about products that produce hunger but i do know that when i was in rehab coming off of methadone, i could not eat at all so they made me drink Ensure until i could actually stomach solids. Might help you out a bit.

[greaties73]

Originally Posted by lkjasd

Thank you all for your support. I'm now 8 days since my last dose of suboxone and I'm feeling better by the day. Tonight I had my first taste of a social atmosphere without any OC and I did much better, and had a much better time, than I thought I ever could. The energy still isn't there, and I still don't sleep well, but with every minute that passes things get better.

It really makes me feel good when I think about having made the commitment to quit. Unfortunately, I don't have any support system, other than another user. While I know I'm strong enough to do this on my own, it would definitely help during the roughest of times if I had someone to talk to about my situation. This is why I cherish reading and writing on these boards.

I continue to urge those of you who have gone through a similar situation as mine, and came out on top, to post stories and advice about what worked for you. I know I won't quite feel 100% normal again for weeks, possibly months so anything that can assist will be a huge help!

Thanks again.

My husband and I are on 24 hours on suboxone. We were on it a month ago for 10 days and quit. Fell off the wagon for a month (doing about 6 roxi 30's/oc 40's a day each). We have about 3 weeks worth of suboxone from our last script. We are on 8 mg for the next 3 days and will be reducing to 4 mg for a week, then down to 2 mg a day for the remaining 2 weeks. Today, we are both are feeling chills, weak, dizzy upon getting up. Last night was the worst with the leg cramps, restless legs. We are also taking clonidine every 12 hours. It does help alot.
Nice to read the bulletins on here to give us encouragement. Seems like you're doing well and staying on your road to recovery

When does it get better?

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by greaties73

My husband and I are on 24 hours on suboxone. We were on it a month ago for 10 days and quit. Fell off the wagon for a month (doing about 6 roxi 30's/oc 40's a day each). We have about 3 weeks worth of suboxone from our last script. We are on 8 mg for the next 3 days and will be reducing to 4 mg for a week, then down to 2 mg a day for the remaining 2 weeks. Today, we are both are feeling chills, weak, dizzy upon getting up. Last night was the worst with the leg cramps, restless legs. We are also taking clonidine every 12 hours. It does help alot.
Nice to read the bulletins on here to give us encouragement. Seems like you're doing well and staying on your road to recovery

When does it get better?

It should get better now if you are back on suboxone. If not I would take another. Stabilize, then start reducing your dose a couple days later. Lots of people that have bad experiences with suboxone do it wrong. You need to get stabilized or comfortable on the suboxone before tapering off or it will not do you any good to speak of. You shouldn't feel the symptoms you are describing on suboxone. Good luck.

[lkjasd]

First day back at work today and 11th day since my last dose of suboxone. The energy is about 50% of what is was on OC. I still get the chills sometimes and hunger and sleep are still hard to come by but improving. Overall, the best way to describe my mood/how I feel is..."blah". But I was able to force myself to be productive at work which is good.

The thing that absolutely scares me to death at this point is that I associate feeling "100%" with the feeling I got when on the drug. I mean think about it, the only times I've felt 100% over the past 2 years have been while high, because the drug has been my life. Does this mean I'm never going to feel 100% again because I'm off the drug? I mean, a month from now, 6 months from now, 2 years from now, am I still going to be feeling less than 100% and am I still going to be craving that 100% feeling. At this point, i don't want to do anything, I feel like a social misfit.

Anyone been clean for an extended period of time. What's it like, can you comment on the above?

[Robert_325]

The challenges you are describing are big reasons why people relapse. Whether we stop drugs cold turkey, use suboxone or whatever this is just a step in the recovery process. We have to find something that keeps our attention to replace the opiates or we end up right where we started. No one ever said suboxone is a cure. It just keeps us from suffering detox symptoms. If feeling 100% has to include being high then you won't feel like that not using.

I started getting high daily in the 60s. I hadn't done anything straight in decades when I got clean. It was a major adjustment to everything. Except for one short relapse I have been clean a long time .. several years. If we don't find a new way to live we will probably not be successful trying to stay clean. Anyone can get clean, not everyone stays clean.

I personally find that my recovery is contingent on my spiritual condition. I have to maintain my relationship with Christ or I am doomed to dealing with my pleasure-seeking lifestyle. That includes everything that leads to death for me. I will die if I screw up and use again. So I have to do whatever is necessary to maintain that spiritual condition. I don't know anyone else's spiritual beliefs, I just know what has helped me the most. I am not strong enough to do all of this on my own with no direction. Hang in there and God bless.

[greaties73]

Robert_325 has given all of us some great advice. I did almost the same thing and started out too low a dose of Suboxone, since late Sunday. The first two days and even this morning were the worst for me because of not doing it properly. Toward lunch today, I increased my dosage another 6 mg, and I'm feeling better. It even took me 2 attempts (on my 2nd attempt now) of getting on Suboxone (I fell off the wagon last month, doing 6 roxy 30's a day, more on the weekends) but I'm not going to give up. I know now the hell I have to go through if I start back up. So not worth going back! The key is to STABALIZE first. Take enough to make you feel better for now. The first week will be the hardest, but will get better. Your appetite will return after a while. Eat saltine crackers, Jello, drink plenty of liquids so you won't dehydrate. Ensure and Boost is good if your stomach can handle it. Force yourself to eat, no matter what. Your body is real mad at you right now. Gotta keep up the fight! Will pray for you. Best wishes!

[lkjasd]

Thank you all for all of your support. Tomorrow is two weeks, 14 days, since I took my last dose of suboxone and it is absolutely night and day. No, I can't say I'm 100%, I don't know that i'll ever be 100% again, because the feeling of 100% to me will always be while high, but it feels SOOOO good to have the handcuffs off.

Robert: Tell me about 3-6 months down the road. What was your mental state? Were the drugs still in the forefront of your mind? Were the cravings still there, or does every negative I'm feeling right now slowly fade away?

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by lkjasd

Thank you all for all of your support. Tomorrow is two weeks, 14 days, since I took my last dose of suboxone and it is absolutely night and day. No, I can't say I'm 100%, I don't know that i'll ever be 100% again, because the feeling of 100% to me will always be while high, but it feels SOOOO good to have the handcuffs off.

Robert: Tell me about 3-6 months down the road. What was your mental state? Were the drugs still in the forefront of your mind? Were the cravings still there, or does every negative I'm feeling right now slowly fade away?

Glad you are feeling better. It will take time but you will continue to feel better as you accumulate time clean. Just don't use no matter what. As you get some clean time you are still going to have to find other things to replace the time you always spent getting high. Suboxone isn't a cure. It only keeps us from having w/d symptoms from an opiate detox. We have to get involved in some type of recovery for ourselves or face a likely relapse. What particular program is personal. I have to do new things, things I didn't do before I stopped using opiates. I can't do the same things I always did and expect to stay clean.

My mental state was very good at six months. I owe that to my relationship with Jesus Christ. Suboxone has had no affect on me six months down the road. I don't have cravings for opiates anymore or think about opiates all the time. I used to could taste them like powder drugs many years ago. I actually don't want the opiates anymore. I really believe I am dead if I go off on them again and I have finally put them behind me I hope and pray. It seems that way for now at least. Six months clean can be a nightmare too. I have relapsed at six months before. It's kind of where you make a commitment and get real or you blow off the recovery. It was that way for me anyway. Very important time. If you stay focused on your recovery by six months you should start feeling LOTS better. Like a new person in fact. You will love it.

[imeltsteel]

Keep it up. Im 8 days into methadone wd's and I feel 10 times better. Youre right it gets better every day. This site helped me huge with managing symptoms and coping with it as I also am pretty much on my own here. My fiancee tries to help be she doesnt understand and really theres nothing she can do. Mind over matter. I did this so my daughter wouldnt have to grow up seeing me as an addict. It really sucked to do but my daughter is worth the pain. Every day is better than the last. Mind over matter

[wolfie280]

someone please help ive been takin vics for a lil over a year im sorry to say im up to 16 750s a day its costin me alot i never have xtra money caz it goes for pills. anyway im going cold turkey day two but im not takin anything cough syrup maybe im startin to shake and vomit if anyone could tell me how yto cope i would really apperciate it

[wolfie280]

someone please help ive been takin vics for a lil over a year im sorry to say im up to 16 750s a day its costin me alot i never have xtra money caz it goes for pills. anyway im going cold turkey day two but im not takin anything cough syrup maybe im startin to shake and vomit if anyone could tell me how yto cope i would really apperciate it