I have been taking the Suboxone Film for roxy abuse. I was taking over 330mg of roxys a day! I heard about suboxone and got on it. The film was cheaper than the tablets. I find myself needing Xanax more and smoking more. I also sweat a lot!!! I get up several times a night, but feel fine. This is a wonder drug. I am however worried about my weight. I have never been a “big” girl. I have always been super skinny. A few years ago (before the roxys), I got on the depo shot and gained a ton of weight. At that time I was addicted to methadone and was under so much stress I had a huge problem with ulcer upsets. As I understand all of the above cause weight gain. I stopped taking methadone, got use to the depo shot in my body, and lost the weight. Then stupidly I started taking roxys a year later. This addiction is the worst!!! I spent thousands of dollars on them. I started gaining weight again. Now I am off of the roxys, still take the depo shot, and now take the suboxone film. I am getting huge!!! Is there a problem with my liver or kidneys? I don’t understand why I am so big. I thought it was the roxys, but since I am off of them, why am I getting bigger and bigger?
Does Suboxone make you gain weight?
Question posted by Ashley34698 on 12 Aug 2011
Last updated on 10 November 2012
Hey everyone, checking in. I lost 15 lbs in 3 months only by cutting down on sugar. I didn't exercise either. Since the last time I was weighed, I believe I have lost even more weight. I am still on the suboxone. I am scared when it is time to come off. Some days are easy and some are very hard. Xanax has been my life saver. My doctor is trying to get me on anti-depressants. She tried me on buspar and I hated it. It made me feel just awful. I know it takes time to get used to, but I am not feeling like that again. I gave it a shot. My doctor also suggested Zoloft. However Bi-polar disorder runs rapidly through my family. I haven't been diagnosed for it. I haven't gone yet. My mother tells me people with Bi-polar or even Bi-polar tendencies usually cannot take anti-depressants. I have been taking Xanax for over 6 years now (not prescribed). I know this is not good either way, but it is the only thing that seems to help. I obsess over problems until it is unbearable. I worry constantly to the point I can’t enjoy any aspects of my life. I use to take drugs to deal with these feelings, and they would make me feel strong. I feel so fragile now. If anything dramatic happens, I fall to pieces. Does anyone have advice regarding anti-depressants, anxiety, chemical dependence and how it may relate to Bi-polar or people with Bi-polar tendencies? I know I will have to stop Suboxone soon and I don’t see it going over so well with no other assistance.
6 Answers
Hello All, I just got back from 6 days at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for Severe Itching and swelling of my legs and stomach. I also had minor swelling throughout my body. After a multitude of tests and more blood work that returned normal, the Vascular doctor did research on Suboxone and determined this was my problem. I take 3 (8mg film) daily. I have a rare case with many of the "rare" symptoms but here goes right from Mayo: Most Common side effects; 1) Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet; 2) Rapid weight gain (I gained 30 lbs in less than 3 weeks and did not change my eating habits!!) 3) Swelling, burn, or blisters at the patch site (meaning your mouth) 4) tingling of the hands or feet; 5) Unusual weight gain or loss.
The other issue is the SYMPTOMS do not appear until approx 8 - 10 weeks AFTER starting a normal regimen!!!
Before going to Mayo my normal doctor performed Ultrasounds of my legs and stomach, Echocardigram of my heart, at least 10 seperate blood tests aimed at the kidney and liver, Electrocardiogram, X-rays, etc, etc and EVERY test came back NORMAL. He was so stumped that's why I was sent to Mayo. Upon arriving there, I had the Internal Medicine and Pulmonary departments stumped as well until the Vascular doctor did research. He also discovered with the manufacture changed from a tablet to film so they could KEEP the patent! Of course, they don't release many of the side effects but if ANY of you are experiencing BLOATING, SWELLING of your LEGS, ITCHING and RASHES on your LEGS, and RAPID weight gain like I described I'd be willing to bet $100 that's your cause. Getting off of suboxone will difficult but I am determined now. I also have major problems walking, dizziness when getting up quickly and shortness of breath which are all rare side effects. Hope this helps! I'm determined to get the word out. Mayo is suppose to be the best in the world so take it from them.
Take Care
Yendog
I have seen more people complain of swelling on the films. I have heard they want to discontinue the tablets. I had no swelling or arm or leg pain, i took the tablets .As I came down on subs, the side effects decreased. The main ones I had were constipation and sweating, but they get much better when you are tapered down by your dr. Patti
Read an article not too long ago about the manufacturer discontinuing the tablets and the films will be the only form of Suboxone available. Did I send you the article?
Yes, Laurie, you did. I am so upset about them doing that. I hope they will reconsider discontinuing the tablets. There is also, subutex, which has a generic, I saw no mention of that being discontinued. Thanks for the article. I don't think the people pushing for the tablets to be discontinued, realize that so many of us did NOT abuse it, so the tablets should stay. As soon as the films came out, people started saying they had swelling and joint or extremity pain on subs, I was like, what... And then they would add they were on the films. Any drug can be abused or sold or traded, it is not fair to pick this one and say, well, we'll discontinue the pills because some people abuse them. It's mainly in Scandinavia I think. Where they are being abused the most. Sad day indeed.
Hi, this is to all of you but first I want to reply to Chaind. I believe you are one of the lucky ones not having bath withdrawals. I wish it was like that for me. I am not a complainer unless I really feel bad and last year at this time I was put in the hospital and taken off 4 mgs. of subutex cold turkey. I was never so sick and scared in my whole life. I tried. I did not get out of bed for 11 days and that was only to use the bathroom. I tried to join the other's in the room where all the patients hung out and talked and watched movies. I even tried to watch one of my favorite movies but couldn't even pay attention. I thought I was going to die and I wasn't going to give up. Everyday when I woke up I never felt better and I think even the doctor's were wondering why. I do not believe that enough research has been done on Suboxone/Subutex.
I think the doctor's are taught how to give it (which in my opinion is usually way too high of a starting dose for most) and then they seem to think by just slowly taking 1/4 of a dose a way every 3-4 days is the way to get off of it. I was given it for depression/anxiety and when I went to see an addiction psychiatrist specialist she took the bottle away and sent me straight to the hospital. I was sent home after 11 days and when I got home it was a month before Christmas. Everyone thought I was doing well but I was not. I had the worst anxiety ever that never went away so I tried to sleep but couldn't always. I also was sent to a day program for 2 months that I needed to attend at 9 am every morning. I was the only one there detoxing. My husband took me shopping for food, etc. and I was so sick and afraid to be out. I've never been like that before. I was a people person who loved to go out. Anyway, eventually I started taking small amounts that I had left over and found a doctor to prescribe to me again. This whole past year has been a waste. I'm a small girl/woman also. I usually weigh about 110-120 tops. I now weigh 160 and I feel so disgusting. I believe subutex does increase your appetite but also some people eat when they're depressed and some don't and I do. I'm trying so hard to get off this medication and to lose the weight. Maybe because subutex calms you down it can slow down your metabalism and also I was thinking that because I am so constipated that could be a reason. We are all different. It seems like most people who are going through withdrawals from Subutex/Suboxone can't stop going to the bathroom while I was still constipated the whole time I was in withdrawals, which is so strange. I'm so depressed and feel like I will never be the same again.
larsy,
I know of at least one other person who had water retention in the legs. This person went off Suboxone and on to Subtex and no longer had the problem.
The first time I was on Sub, was a very short time back in January 2011. Because of the horrible constipation I went off it. I suffer from chronic constipation and this was making a bad situation unbearable.
I used from then, which was the middle of February to the end of August and started on Suboxone again on September 2nd.
I feel grateful I haven't had that problem this time around. Oh, I do take stuff to help with the constipation, I guess I always will. But last time, NOTHING was helping. I did gain around 10 lbs, just from not going to the bathroom.
I take a syrupy substance called Lactulose. In Canada, it is found behind the pharmacists counter, though you do not need a prescription. It works by pulling water into your bowels. Try this, and let me know-if you haven't already, that is!
Hi Lady from T.O.:) Thank you so very much for the advise about the syrupy substance called Lactulose. I hope it is sold over the counter here in the USA. I am very depressed about this weight gain. I feel so ugly. I walk around in big tee shirts and yoga pants everyday and if I have to go somewhere nice I end up wearing a big swingy pretty sweater but if I get hot and have to take it off then I feel so ugly even in a large size plain nice black tee shirt. It seems to mostly be in my stomach and rear, lol but I feel like it is in my face which changes me looks and also for the first time the top of my arms and shoulder's look bigger so I don't like to wear anything strapless or spaghetti straps which was very hard to do all summer. I realize this is a silly problem compared to what is going on in my life but it's also very bothersome. When I wake up in the morning I feel like I have to go so bad that it hurts.
I use a glycerin suppository and drink diet coke and have a cigarette which sometimes helps but not always and I might just go a little bit. I've also used a latex glove with some vasoline on it and actually put my finger up myself and pull what I can out which I read somewhere that is not a good idea because you could harm yourself or maybe your body may get used to that. I don't know but it was so frustrating while being in the hospital for cold turkey detox and not being able to go to the bathroom. Everyone else seems to have to take something to stop their diarrhea. One of the reasons why I went back on the subutex was because it stopped my urge to go to the bathroom which was so uncomfortable. I had to be at a class everyday at 9 am and to sit there feeling like you have to go was awful but I could have taken something else for that like immodium which by the way people say helps their withdrawals because it also is either made from something similar to an opiate or reacts similar in the brain but then again I read that's not true so who knows? Maybe because the subutex helps you calm down it could slow down your metabalism and also some people eat when they're depressed while other's can't eat. I forced myself to eat while in the hospital for the subutex withdrawals and barely even left my bed for 11 days and this was just last year and my daughter told me to start eating because I was getting too thin. I used to watch what I ate and am the type that would or could eat a bowl of vegetables instead of sweets but lately I've been loving ice cream. Sorry this wasn't meant to be such a loooooong comment, lol Laura (Happy New Year) xx
My Doc started me on 20 mg. a day of the Suboxone Film. People have told me this is way too many mg’s. I have been on them for about 6 months now and she has only dropped me to 16 mg. I am very dependent on these. I wouldn’t have gotten off roxy without it or stayed clean this long. I have always had a problem with abusing prescription medication. That is why I finally went through the withdrawals and got on the Suboxone. I am so worried when she takes me off. I don’t want to feel like that again. I was unable to afford the Suboxone (no insurance) so she put me on a government aid for it so I can get them at no cost. This program only lasts a year. I don’t see an end to my treatment anytime soon, and I can’t afford Suboxone without the assistance. My weight gain sounds so similar to yours. I have gained weight in my face, neck, arms, shoulders, stomach (pregnant looking tummy), butt, and thighs. I feel so fat. I have never been this large.
I tried water pills and no luck. I am trying to diet but that isn’t doing much either. I can’t wear the clothes I want. If it is the Suboxone, I suppose in the long run it is worth it.
Ashley, you may be able to wean yourself off the suboxone easily. I did after only 8 months. If you're on 4 mgs. a day, take a quarter away every 3-4 days. I was fine, no withdrawls but once I got over a year it was too late.
I don't know about you but I was on a laracet binge for about 5 years I was eating 20 to 30 laracets at once a couple times a day I am 6'1 and I weighed 260 pounds been on soboxone for 2 years now I take one 8mg strip a day and it works fine for me except the weight loss I now weigh 170 pounds and am still losing if it would of stopped at 185 I would of been happy but I continue losing and I'm a little worried about it more so since I see so many on here gaining.
What is larocet? :)
I've been on suboxone for 11 months now,I've gained a good bit of weight from it I believe.I was clean before for 18 plus months then I decided to pick up again,I was not on suboxone then & didn't gain much if any weight.Before the relapse I was also full time employed doing hard work and was in the best shape of my life. I've also have water retention in my legs, I am weening off the subs now I was on 2 8mg films a day,I'm down to 2mg a day,I feel no withdrawals yet.honestly I think some people just want to feel like crap and bitch,get up and move try eating healthy and definitely do not isolate, try meetings. Don't be dumb like me and get your Dr. To prescribe you any opiate meds,tell your addiction to STFU & tell your health care people you're in recovery, so you don't go from 1 Vicodin to 15 80s a day,stay strong and never give up.
I've had nearly every test to check my kidneys and liver and legs,even my heart. All the tests came back fine,I'm healthy. I'm also not a Dr. If you're feeling that way. Best of luck to you and keep staying clean,very few of us addicts get a second chance at life. ;-) KEEP ON KEEPING ON.
Thank you for the encouragement. Good luck to you too!
I'm one of those who have lost weight since I have been on Suboxone. My Sub doctor doesn't believe it's from the Sub and suggested I see my G.P. to see if there's an underlying issue I need to address.
Well, I went to see my doctor today and he's running me through a battery of tests. Blood tests, and an ultra sound of my tummy area.
I feel fine, and like the loss of weight. I'm on the very slim side to begin with and this has put me in the underweight category. I am only having these tests done to make sure there is nothing else going on I need to be looking at.
Good luck to you
Suboxone is notorious for increasing appetite but the doctors never tell you that. Everyone that I have asked that actually takes it says that yes, it does make you hungrier and yes they have gained weight on it. Perhaps is has to do with the fact that regular opiates like oxycodone reduce a person's appetite and so the suboxone gets more blame for appetite increase or weight gain than it should. For me I have been hungrier since I stopped OxyContin and got onto Sub Film but I havent gained weight and theres a part of me that wonders if this is normal. Before I translated any signal from my body as wanting a pill. Now the signals are clearer. When my body needs food, it sends the hunger signal and I recognize it and eat. Before I would have just felt a general deficit of well being and popped a pill and felt better. I think if I had never been on any of this stuff at all, My hunger level would feel about like it is on Suboxone.
Thats just my hunch based on my single experience. I see fellow patients in the doctors waiting room all the time who claim Suboxone made them gain weight rapidly and made them hungry all the time. Personally, I think it is worth it and I think it is manageable. Any addict is going to have self-control issues that inevitably extend into their diet. It would be easy to trade addictions so its important to figure out what made you take opiates in the first place and start being aware of what your body really needs. Meditation is helpful, if you are spiritual, prayer is invaluable.
dear Ashley, I gained on it, but some people lose weight on it. I was hoping someone else would answer to balance my answer. Yes I gained but have heard of many people losing on it.
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suboxone, xanax, depression, anxiety, opiate dependence, weight, abuse
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