Buprenorphine / naloxone and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Lis...
• January 27, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was addicted to opiate painkillers for a little over a year, and it got to the point where if I didn't take them, I would get cold sweats, body aches, and diarrhea. My whole world revolved around taking Vicodin or Norcos. I had to take them just to feel normal. Then I heard about a drug called Suboxone. I went to a drug rehabilitation clinic, and they prescribed it to me. Twenty minutes after taking it, I felt 100 times better. I can't believe how amazingly it worked. Some people try to say that it is just substituting one drug for another, but that is definitely not the case. Suboxone was not at all addictive, nor did it cause me to have withdrawals. It is an awesome drug, and I definitely recommend it to anyone with opiate dependence."

• pia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on and off Suboxone for years from taking pain pills for bad neck pain and headaches. I was doing great for a few months until my doctor prescribed me Zubsolv 2 months ago. I noticed immediately I felt withdrawal symptoms and shortly afterward I started having stomach problems. I gradually became deathly ill and have been in and out of the ER 3 times with all kinds of GI problems, along with a feeling of gas pains all over from my feet, head to my hands. Bad headache, trouble breathing, blurred vision, cannot think clearly, depression, and so on. I think there is something else in Zubsolv that is doing this as I have racked my brain with how this all started. I have episodes of delirium and feel like I'm not going to make it."

• AG2...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2023

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Initially, I believed that Suboxone was a miraculous drug, as it helped me overcome my eight-year addiction to opioids. However, after consuming it for thirteen years, I became dependent on it, just like my earlier drug of choice. My new addiction was the doctor who prescribed Suboxone to me. While Suboxone is useful when used as directed for a short period of time (30-60 days), I would not recommend taking it for an extended period based on my recent experience. Even after gradually reducing my dosage to 4mg-2mg/day, the withdrawal symptoms were challenging. Reflecting on my mindset from a year ago, I now realize that Suboxone was not a substitute for opiates. If you are facing withdrawal, my advice is to quit Suboxone cold turkey. If you can overcome the withdrawal, you are a resilient person with no dependency on anyone or anything. Therefore, my suggestion is not to waste your time with Suboxone!"

• BHe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2023

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was on oxycodone for a year, up to 30 mg a day. Ran out of money and desperate, I went to this Suboxone clinic. I took the Suboxone, and a few hours later, I was fine. That was 3 months ago. I’m tapered down from 12 mg to 6 mg. What I’m trying to find out is, as I’m tapering, will I have the withdrawals at the end? I’m really worried and scared about this."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I'm 30 years old with 3 kids, and I was addicted to Vicodin and Percocets. Every day was all about waking up and waiting by the phone to find my pills for the day, or I couldn't take care of my kids. The worst was panicking when I couldn't find anything. I would take it out on my kids when it wasn't their fault. I was addicted for 6 years. After a while, I needed more and more, so I started getting sick and had the worst withdrawals. So I got Suboxone and am feeling wonderful. I have a smile 24/7. It's the best. I can sleep and enjoy my kids. The discoverer is a genius."

• Sea...
• June 14, 2011

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was a Roxy (heroin) abuser for 2 yrs. Made several attempts to quit cold turkey with NO luck and HELLACIOUS withdrawals. Desperate, I did some research and made an appointment with a local doctor and was inducted today at 15 mg. Some helpful/honest things I can share are...GOOD: I feel amazing, shocked that it really works, zero cravings, but mostly happy I'm no longer a slave to Roxy's! BAD: Not sure if my doctor shares the same plan I have for wanting to wean off in 6-8 wks. No insurance and my doctor charges a $500/month fee, plus taking (2) 8 mg pills/day @ $16=$980/mo. Wish there was a cheaper way, but obviously compared to what I was spending I am saving money and, most importantly, MY LIFE."

• tnu...
• November 9, 2015

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "In my opinion, this drug is a straight-up enabler, and the reason I say that is because it allows people to not feel pain from withdrawal. It's kind of like when you burn yourself, you learn to stay away from fire. Long-term use of this drug is very stupid. I personally think it's bad for your body, and the withdrawal is 2 to 3 weeks, which really sucks. You don't want to be bound to something, so when you come off of Suboxone, the cravings for opiates come back. In my opinion, when you decide to quit using opiates, do it with no drugs that trick your brain into thinking you're on opiates, then you learn how to deal with your addiction while you're sober. That way you will know how to beat it. Doctors that prescribe this for a long time are all in it for the money, sorry."

• Iri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2015

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Addicted to heroin/Dilaudid (hydromorphone) & pretty much anything injectable steady daily for over 5 years. Went onto methadone through a clinic after over a year on the waiting list. On methadone for 18 months with good results (no use), but didn't want to be in a clinic setting daily to medicate & ultimately want to be med-free. Doc tapered my methadone dose in order to switch me to Suboxone in the hopes of then tapering me to no meds. Doc felt it was the best chance at achieving my goal of zero meds with continued sobriety. It took nearly 5 days to alleviate the withdrawal from methadone even after tapering to less than 50 mg daily & not dosing for several days in an attempt to lower my levels. Very difficult transition for me. Hopefully, a good choice."

• mac...
• August 4, 2010

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was addicted to opiate painkillers for 5 years. I thought I had no hope. I bottomed out after 5 years of doing practically nothing but looking for drugs. I went into detox and a methadone program for 7 days. I started an outpatient program as soon as I got out, but as soon as my last dose of methadone wore off, I was back climbing the walls. I really thought Suboxone was going to be my last hope. I could not see myself living much longer, either using or going through withdrawal. I had to wait a couple of weeks to get into a Suboxone program, and the withdrawal was so bad my counselor told me to use! I did get on Suboxone 32 mg a day, felt great immediately like the same day. On 16 mg still today and clean."

• Sex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2016

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I am new to opiate addiction but not new to this world. After 3 years of prescribed oxy and OxyContin at 60 mg, with a doctor who would not increase my dose due to my tolerance, I found a hookup that helped me increase my 60 mg to a 210 mg a day habit. Needless to say, I was becoming broke. At the beginning of July, I had a friend check me into a four to five-day clinic at my 26th hour of no oxys due to an effective DEA seizure, I guess. I was hurting and delusional. I asked the question of which one was easiest, and Bunavail won! I think they are amazing! In the 28th hour, I received my first 4.2 patch - it is supposed to be equivalent to an 80 mg oxy. I have had no withdrawals minus that first day I put myself through hell."

• Wyo...
• September 21, 2011

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I had been on oxycodone for 4 years until yesterday for a back injury, which I am still awaiting surgery. I was taking anywhere from 100 mg to 200 mg per day. After several attempts to quit 'cold turkey,' the withdrawal symptoms were pure hell, and I would reach for the pill bottle again. I was taking my pain medicine as prescribed even. Oxycodone was beginning to cause a serious problem and was taking so much of my life away. I talked to my wife, and she found a doctor who was certified with the Suboxone treatment. 36 hours after beginning the Suboxone, I feel great! My pain is manageable, and my thought process is so much clearer. I thank Heavenly Father, my wife, and my doctor. Highly recommended."

• Lit...
• July 25, 2015

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I just started to go into withdrawal from not using heroin for close to 20 hours, and a friend of mine kicked a week ago with the help of Suboxone. He gave me 2 8mg pills, instructed me to take 1/2 under my tongue, and if need be, take 2mg more if needed tonight. It's 3 in the afternoon right now. He said it worked wonders for him and will give me more to wean off of it day 3 and day 4. My question is, does this really work to help suppress withdrawal symptoms? I'm scared and want to know what to expect. It's definitely time for a life change and I will do anything to get this monkey off my back. Please give me some advice, and any answers and words of strength would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance."

• Jer...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 7, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I am on a very low dose of Suboxone, 1/2 tab of the 8 mg/2 mg strips. I often just take a third or a quarter. Today, I was given the generic version, and so far, it seems fine. But coming off of this is what I want to do, and I also thought since I took so little (at the time, I was regularly taking only a quarter strip daily), I was totally blindsided by the withdrawal symptoms. Now, I feel that I must take this for the rest of my life or go through detox to get off of it. I’m totally worried that my brain chemistry is so altered that feeling normal without the medication seems like an impossible outcome."

• Scr...
• May 7, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I have adrenal insufficiency. I have gone into withdrawal, which caused an adrenal crisis twice when I received Alvogen strips. I needed an ambulance once. I read that the brands aren't interchangeable."

• Far...
• February 2, 2020

Buprenorphine / naloxone "I was on Suboxone for pain for 13 years until my insurance would not pay for it any longer. They switched me to Zubsolv, which tastes a lot better. I have now been on this drug for 2 years and want off of it because it does nothing for my pain. I am on Medicare, and they only covered $60.00 of the cost, and the price of my script was $400.00, which I cannot afford. I broke my neck while in the service, and the pain is constant. I have been taking 1 dose daily, 2.5 mg, trying to wean myself off of the drug, and so far today I have not had any withdrawal symptoms as of yet, but it takes about 36 hours for it to really kick in, so I am waiting to see if I have any problems. This drug is great for short-term use to get off opioids, but if you take it for pain management, you will find yourself just as addicted to this as the drug you were trying to get off of. I hate this drug, and it has become the bane of my life. I only hope that I can handle the withdrawal."

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2008

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I started a Suboxone maintenance program the day after I got out of treatment and have been taking it daily for 15 months. I have never relapsed with my drug of choice, heroin. This medication, I feel, has helped drastically in saving my life. And for that reason, I rated it a 9. If I had one negative feeling towards this drug, it would be that there are withdrawal symptoms you will experience when stopping taking it, but not a fraction of what you would feel if you were stopping opiates."

• suz...
• June 24, 2015

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Ok, I don't lie, but I went on it because of tremendous pain. I didn't even know it was caused by heroin. Let me tell you something, it was the best thing I ever did. I got my life together, and no doubt it helped with my mood and pain. Unfortunately, my symptoms are so severe now I can't sit still or stand or work. My life had become not my own. I would say try it because you have nothing to lose, but don't fool yourself because there are always withdrawals, you must listen to your Dr! I only wish I had a Dr who could help me. I'm on disability and can't find anyone to help. I'm in a living hell, but I won't show it. I would do anything to be able to walk down the street without my legs going out from under me. I'm only 46. Hope it's your miracle."

• She...
• June 28, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was hooked for 6 years on every pill out there. Suboxone turned my whole world around. I'm off of it now and can tell you the withdrawals are bad only for 4 days. Then I was really tired for about a week. That was when I stopped Suboxone cold turkey. I got on it again because I relapsed. I weaned myself off of Suboxone in 2 months and had NO withdrawals or fatigue at all. If you are hooked on opiates, this is the help you've been looking for. It works. Call a doctor now and stop wasting your money on pain pills. This saved my life and my family. Thank you Reckitt Benckiser for this amazing drug."

• Pat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 11, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Suboxone for over 10 years, and it's the reason I'm still alive! However, I was recently forced to take the generic form of the film, and I feel like I'm NOT TAKING ANYTHING AT ALL! I'm presently in a full withdrawal state, as if I'm taking a placebo. (I have all the same symptoms as when I stopped taking prescription pain meds, which I was addicted to very long ago. The reason why I started Suboxone in the first place!) Generic Buprenorphine/Naloxone IS NOT THE SAME as the brand name! FDA allows generic versions to contain 25% LESS of Buprenorphine in each dose than the name brand! So one dose may be the right dose, but the next dose may be 25% LESS Buprenorphine! And when you are on Suboxone, it's vital that you stay on a CONSISTENT DAILY DOSE! *WE NEED TO KEEP PUSHING UNTIL OUR INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE AWARE THAT IT'S BETTER TO GIVE US RECKITT-BENCKISER'S SUBOXONE THAN FOR US TO BE DEAD, OR HOSPITALIZED -- WHICH COSTS THEM MORE IN THE LONG TERM!"

• Smu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 20, 2019

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I've been taking Suboxone for many years now. I continue it for maintaining my pain relief. What I would like to say is... Generic Suboxone is not the same. I've been having withdrawal symptoms, and my anxiety has soared through the roof. Here is a copy of what the generic Zubsolv had to say: 'There are some preferential differences between Suboxone and Zubsolv, such as taste and dosage forms. Zubsolv also has improved bioavailability, which allows the user to absorb the buprenorphine and put it to use more easily. As a result, there is a lower opioid content in a dose of Zubsolv than in a dose of Suboxone.' So, those who say 'it's the same' rubbish, it's not."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was on Suboxone strips, which were working great for over a year. Then new insurance put me on Zubsolv, and the body aches started, constant yawning, then diarrhea. Feels like withdrawals all over again. It is miserable and it hurts me at work, always tired. Now I pay $650 for my Suboxone a month out of my pocket, because insurance covers only some rubbish placebo. Do not recommend, can put you back to square one."

• daM...
• December 10, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I've had fibromyalgia for a long time and have tried all kinds of medicines from Percocet, Vicodin, Darvocet, Dilaudid, muscle relaxers, Tramadol, Lyrica, Cymbalta, etc. I was on the Tramadol for about 6 years and was taking close to 300 pills a month (about 12 pills give or take a day). Nothing was helping my pain enough, and the hard medicines like Percocets, etc. would work 50% for about 1 to 2 hours, and my pain would be back! I finally got sick of it and told my doctor, and he suggested 'Suboxone.' It has been my miracle! It helped my pain level 70 to 80%! It also helped me to get through the withdrawals of not taking the narcotics! The only bad thing is going through withdrawals when you stop or run out of the Suboxone! But while on it, it's great!"

• SSS...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 15, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "So I've been on Suboxone for 8 years. I take it as maintenance. Was given the generic this past Wednesday. I've taken 2 a day. I feel like I may be starting to withdraw, after 6 days on the generic, which is going to be terrible because I had no thoughts of this medicine not working. It does seem a little different, but surely it's not going to cause withdrawal. Freaking out. Anyone have a similar experience?"

• Teg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 31, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "1. I have never had a doctor force me to stay on Suboxone or to make me take more than I felt like I needed. 2. You have to work a program. Don’t blame the medicine when taking it alone and doing nothing for your recovery doesn’t work. 3. The withdrawals from Suboxone are not that big of a deal. Puking your guts out and crapping on yourself while withdrawing from pills of H is so much better? 4. If you feel like you need to be on Suboxone long-term, that is okay. If you feel like you want to just do it short-term, that is okay also. 5. I read two comments on here that they were crying because they were still craving pills. Keep taking your meds, keep working a program. It takes time. 6. I read a comment that said they had cut back on Suboxone and now they are craving pills again. Not the Suboxone's fault-that’s addiction. Work a program. You have to work as hard to get clean as you did to get high."

• But...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 19, 2019

Buprenorphine / naloxone "Suboxone gave me a big part of my life back! I take it to help manage the amount of pain I'm in daily. I herniated my L5-S1 disk in my spine, had 2 surgeries to repair, which caused even more pain & need a spine fusion. I was on a heavy amount of Percocets, which left me loopy & barely even took away the pain. My doctor put me on Suboxone to see if this would help, and I was amazed. Some of my own family thought I was just trying to 'chase a high' when all I wanted was for the back pain to stop, which it takes away about 85% of the pain when Percocets only ever took away about 45%. I was forced to go off the Suboxone before due to finances, and the withdrawals were awful, but I had withdrawals along with dealing with back pain at the same time, so I do not recommend just coming off them. The films leave a gross taste in your mouth, but chewing gum afterward helps!"