[kdunz]

Ok, I just found the COWS worksheet and reviewed everything on it. I really want to make the switch to subox tomorrow but I have a couple questions. First, how do I properly take my heart rate? How do I determine the size of my pupils? Also, does anyone have advise on dealing with the depression? For me this is the soooooo bad and it hits me almost immediately.

Thanx again for all your help.

Kristin

[magsj]

Originally Posted by kdunz

Ok, I just found the COWS worksheet and reviewed everything on it. I really want to make the switch to subox tomorrow but I have a couple questions. First, how do I properly take my heart rate? How do I determine the size of my pupils? Also, does anyone have advise on dealing with the depression? For me this is the soooooo bad and it hits me almost immediately.

Thanx again for all your help.

Kristin

Dear Kristin-

I am sure Robert or Linda will get back to you soon. I can help you with how to take your heart rate/pulse. You take your pulse usually on the inside of your wrist, above the thumb at the wrist. There is a bone that protrudes on the inside of your wrist. Let's say you are going to use your right wrist to get your pulse. Take your left pointing finger and middle finger and hold them together. Place both of them together just inside the bony area, above you thumb, on your right wrist. Your fingers should be between the middle of the inside of your right wrist and the bony area. Place them gently between those two points, you might have to move them slightly until you feel a pulsing sensation, this is your pulse. Get a watch or clock that has a hand that ticks away the seconds. Place your fingers on your wrist, as described, until you feel the pulsing sensation. When you are comfortable that you can feel the pulsing, you will start counting the pulsations. Count the pulsations over the course of 15 seconds. Take that number and multiply it by 4 and this will give you your pulse. Example: If you count 20 pulsations in 15 seconds (20 x 4 equals 80), your pulse is 80. Practice this BEFORE you start the withdrawal process. Better yet, if there is some one with you, have them learn to do it.

As far as your pupils, you will just look at them. The pupils are the dark circle in the middle of your eye. They will start out very small (they call this pinpoint), as you start to withdraw they will get bigger and bigger, they may never get to the point where they take up most of the eye, but they will certainly get bigger, the bigger the better, the bigger they are the more withdrawal you will be in.

As far as the depression, I'm not sure what to tell you. I have suffered from depression for many years in the past and I was fearful of this as well, but, after I got stabilized on suboxone the depression actually got better, probably because I felt clearer.

I hope this helps you. If you have any other questions about taking your heart rate/pulse or pupils, ask away, I'll be around.

We are all puling for you and wishing you much success :O)

mags

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by kdunz

Ok, I just found the COWS worksheet and reviewed everything on it. I really want to make the switch to subox tomorrow but I have a couple questions. First, how do I properly take my heart rate? How do I determine the size of my pupils? Also, does anyone have advise on dealing with the depression? For me this is the soooooo bad and it hits me almost immediately.

Thanx again for all your help.

Kristin

If you read the COWS worksheet then you know that you can't just decide to start on the subs tomorrow. You don't use a calendar you go by your symptoms. That's why you use the worksheet. Read some of the other threads. God bless.

[kdunz]

Yes, I do want your help! I was able to find a few more suboxone but I still only have 10 total. I am planning on starting tomorrow. I am going to try and hold out till 5pm, which will be 24 hours without anything. Will I be able to take flexiril while on suboxone? I want to use this once I run out of the subox or throughout the detox so I can sleep. Not sleeping is the worst part for me and will be my biggest temptation to use again. I am worried that making the subox strech so far will mean that I am not going to get total releif for any part of this. I have used it in the past with amazing results but I was only taking between 5-10 vics per day. I know that is a lot but its nothing compared to what I do now. If you are able to help me that would be soooo awesome! Hope to talk to you tomorrow!

Kristin

[Robert_325]

Quite honestly 24 hours may NOT be enough. I've seen people go into precipitated w/d after 24 hours. You CAN'T decide to start tomorrow! You have to go by the COWS worksheet. I'm telling you that if you start too soon you may as well throw the subs out the window as you'll be spinning your wheels. DON'T start until you're a minimum score of 26. This is IMPORTANT, I mean it! God bless.

[kdunz]

Mags - Thank you for the information regarding my pulse and pupils. I am going to have my husband here with me so I'm sure he will be able to help take my heart rate.

Robert - I know I don't use a calander silly. I don't have any H left & used the last of it at about 5pm tonight so I know I will be in mile w/d when I wake up. If you are available to help that would be great but if not then I will follow all the advise you have already given me.

Linda and everyone else who has helped me here - Thank you all so much for all your support. I am so sick of waking up to a sunny day without being able to enjoy it unless I have somthing to keep from getting sick. I want to wake up, see my daughters smile and smile back. I can't do that now because I have to get my fix first. My life is about to fall apart completely but I would be so proud of myself if I can beat this thing BEFORE losing everything and not after. Than you again for your support. I hope you will all keep in touch while I go through this. Just talking to other people is such a motivating force.

Wish me luck.

Kristin

[kdunz]

I totally understand what you are saying. I promise I wont take it before Im at a 26. I have taken it too soon so I know exactly what can happen. In fact, I have done that twice if you can beleive it. Weather I take the suboxone tomorrow or the next day, this is going to start for me in the morning. Even the mild w/d are hard for me so this is going to be a long road. I will follow your advice though. It sounds like you know exactly what you are talking about and I am willing to put my trust in you.

Kristin

[melinda7.5]

Hi kristin
You wont be alone here there are many of us that will help in anyway we can if you need something just post we really have a good team right now.
I have never done the subs but, Robert will be on in the morning if not tonight.
Hang on well get you thru this...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[brndout]

You have made an awesome and admirable decision and since you decided let there be no turning back As I said earlier I have been where you are but a lot longer on H with some other ******** thrown in so I understand what your going through . It was a big decision for me to quit even though I hated the using . I finished the sub taper with Robert's help on 4/18 and I love not being a slave to a drug .You have limited Subs so it is especially important that you do the induction correctly. Please follow Roberts instructions to the letter if possible 'you're husband can help you with induction and make sure to wait an hour between doses. You want to be at the lowest possible dose so don't start taking them cuz you feel bad. You have the plan and as far as flexeril; don't use when your inducting as it can mask symptoms. My husband and I got off Subs on 4/19 and we are doing fine . I take Wellbuterin for depression as it is the only one that works for me. Once you are on your way down the taper highway-not really more like a slow lane-please feel free to through any questions my way and I'll answer as honestly as I can or I'll tell you " I don't know. Please feel free to post as often as would like as there are plenty of people on here willing to help Linda

[kdunz]

I am at a 22 on the COWS worksheet. I could really use some help right not. Im not doing well and I kinda want to talk to someone. Some of the symptoms on the COWS dont every apply me so what has to happen for me to get to a 26?

[Robert_325]

I'm back. Talk to me, what's up???

[magsj]

Originally Posted by kdunz

I am at a 22 on the COWS worksheet. I could really use some help right not. Im not doing well and I kinda want to talk to someone. Some of the symptoms on the COWS dont every apply me so what has to happen for me to get to a 26?

Dear Kristin-

Are you out there? Let us know what's going on. I know you feel TERRIBLE right now, but if you can, let Robert know what's going on so he can help you. I promise if you follow his instructions at this point you will get real relief as soon as it is possible. Don't take the Suboxone until you are absolutely sure you at least a 26 on the COWS sheet. If you do, you will be sicker than you are now. If you can't type right now, is there some one with you who can relay what is going on?

Were pulling for you!

mags