coming off suboxone

[big ronster]

i just came off suboxone on my own. the doctor was some quack prescribing for me to come see him ONCE a week. i was at 2mgs for two months, 1 mg/day for a month after that, and .5mg/day for the last week.8 mgs a day for a while b4 then i tapered to 4 for a while then2, so this has been gradual. i took .25mg fri morn. i only have chills and slight stomach gurgling so far along with a bit of anxiety.what should i expect? and what can i do? id be glad to see u if i can but im in the midwest. im not onclonidine but i do have some klonopin if the anxiety gets too bad. im about 48hrs post last dose. doc?

[big ronster]

idlike to clarify bcuz that was written lat last nite. i was on prescribed oxycontin for two back surgeries i had. i went on subox in march 08 at 24 mgs/day. sept 08 began reducing meds on my own against dr's wishes. he was trying to milk me for money bcuz he thought i had a lot. i was down to 4mgs by jan 09, and two mgs/day by may. was on a mg/day for a month then reduced to .5 for about tendays, then .25/day on friday the24th at 6a.m. that was the last dose. i had trouble staying asleep last nite( sat nite n tossed n turned) n am having chills but iv heard sub withdrawals last longer and come on slower. doc? id be more than willing to pay for a phone consult

[Dr. Joel Nathan]

Your experience with coming off suboxone and having withdrawal symptoms is common. I add additional meds during detox to help with anxiety, sleep and chills.

[SonOfPluto]

i just came off suboxone on my own. the doctor was some quack prescribing for me to come see him ONCE a week. i was at 2mgs for two months, 1 mg/day for a month after that, and .5mg/day for the last week.8 mgs a day for a while b4 then i tapered to 4 for a while then2, so this has been gradual. i took .25mg fri morn. i only have chills and slight stomach gurgling so far along with a bit of anxiety.what should i expect? and what can i do? id be glad to see u if i can but im in the midwest. im not onclonidine but i do have some klonopin if the anxiety gets too bad. im about 48hrs post last dose. doc?

The fact that you're down to .25 mg of the suboxone means that you're doing great! I've come off suboxone before, jumped off from 2mg and it was pretty difficult. The worst was trying to sleep for the first week or so. During this period, I found that a combination of clonidine, zanax and requip combated the insomnia quite well. The klonopin will work just fine for the anxiety, which should fully subside within a week. The clonidine will work really well too, but I would only take it at night if possible because it can really drag you out!

[sifferman]

Hang in Big Ronster!!!!!!!!!!!

[big ronster]

thanks fells. it was a bit diificult at first but it has gotten easier and easier. i wish i wouldve done it sooner! i am definitely in the clear now. my advice to those wiching to come off it would be a slow taper as i did and then have strength!

[Dr. Joel Nathan]

I get my patients off suboxone within 4-6 weeks. After that as you can see from the above case, it is difficult to come off.

There are some people who need suboxone maintenance. I have found that those who need maintenance usually have underlying issues such as panic disorder, depresson or mood disorder which needs to be treated in order to come off suboxone.

A good reason to get off opiates or opioids (buprenorphine) is that it Decreases testosterone levels.

[rocco-x]

I get my patients off suboxone within 4-6 weeks. After that as you can see from the above case, it is difficult to come off.

There are some people who need suboxone maintenance. I have found that those who need maintenance usually have underlying issues such as panic disorder, depresson or mood disorder which needs to be treated in order to come off suboxone.

A good reason to get off opiates or opioids (buprenorphine) is that it Decreases testosterone levels.

It's been quite some time since logging onto here. This is one of the only forums that has a section relating to addictions. The amount of bodybuilders, pro and amatuer even recreational, is staggering. Many,including myself, started dope after getting hooked on percs and curiosity won in my desire to see what all the hoopla was about. Many others it was nubain...
28yrs have passed in my addiction to opiates, mainly heroin. Got clean in 07,went on subs,not prescribed cause of no insurance, stayed clean and looked my best ever. Felt above normal so to say,was the biggest/strongest ever, worked at times 2 jobs,saved money. ..till my then gf wanted me off them.
Obligingly I did as she asked, became miserable and she left me. Stayed clean another 2yrs giving me 5yrs off dope and 2yrs off subs until relapsing Mar 2013 and finally in long term rehab since Nov 22015.Was weaned off 90mgs of methadone but the withdrawls along with super high anxiety was too much to bear and ultimately put on subs even tho the facility is drug free I was told I'm the 1st person in their 40yr history to have been given them.
I feel great. Normal,no urges to use but my peers,most but not all,feel I shouldn't be given same privileges as ones who are off everything and at times feel they're right.
Was on 8mgs for a month and asked to go down to 6mgs and want to go to 4 to see how i feel and maybe go off totally but I'm fairly convinced that I'm one of those ppl that cannot function without something in my system, that without at least subs in me my fears and anxiety and physical pain will lead me back to the smack.
Most of my true friends are clean many having 8-12yrs off everything and see anyone on methadone or subs as still using whether they are off all secondary drugs or taking the subs as prescribed.
Idk wtf to do,wtf to feel or look forward to anymore. My life sucks when I use, all bets are off and I do some pretty bad things to get my dope but being on subs using doesn't even enter my mind.
Has anyone here ever gone thru this,to stay on subs or get off,to be forced to feel worse than you are just to satisfy everyone else?
I'm scared shitless of becoming homeless eating outta garbage cans again or going down to 135lbs from 200+lbs like this last run...my mind is all mixed up like a tornado lives inside my brain...

[Dr. Joel Nathan]

The prescribed use of medications, like suboxone, is an "outside issue" in programs like AA or NA. Your peers are not doctors. If you are in a program that prescribes you suboxone and you are staying clean and sober (not using any other drugs or alcohol), you in my opinion (an addiction medical physician who is a fellow of the American Society on Addiction Medicine) are doing well. If you are not being followed by a physician who is also providing counseling to you, then get one. You can go to www.suboxone.com and search for a doc in your area.
If you'd like to talk more, google me.
Joel Nathan MD in New York City.

[rocco-x]

ron i've been there bro,too many times.i thought the suboxone was going to be my panacea from opiates but it proved to be bad in its own sense.not as bad as i was shotting heroin for almost 20yrs but bad nonetheless.you're doing great.most people,including myself would look at 48hrs as an eternity.keep positive and you'll make it.

[niko1]

im on 4mg suboxone now trying to slowly come off.
its good to hear other people are doing well away from suboxone.
i know it was not easy for you ronster so good for you.

[Dr. Joel Nathan]

It's also one thing getting off the opiates and suboxone and another staying clean.

Support is important, what ever form it takes. Having a disciplined exercise and diet plan can help stablilize you and will lead to a better outcome. Some also choose individual or group therapy or community based support groups.

[big ronster]

iv been off the subs for quite a while now. i feel pretty good actually. had a good friend commit suicide three weeks ago and had a cpl urges, but nothing major and no relapses. i feel worse than i did before the suboxone and oc tho. not as happy or motivated and hard to fall asleep still. Started remeron for that last week and still only getn eight hours, abt five full then fractured sleep after. since i was on a low dose for so long, i dont think i remember getting a high from it so i dont crave it. more blah feeling than anything. sex drive down too even tho im on T therapy.

[Ryan Wacht]

iv been off the subs for quite a while now. i feel pretty good actually. had a good friend commit suicide three weeks ago and had a cpl urges, but nothing major and no relapses. i feel worse than i did before the suboxone and oc tho. not as happy or motivated and hard to fall asleep still. Started remeron for that last week and still only getn eight hours, abt five full then fractured sleep after. since i was on a low dose for so long, i dont think i remember getting a high from it so i dont crave it. more blah feeling than anything. sex drive down too even tho im on T therapy.

Unfortunately, it can take the brain up to several months to completely repair itself after a person addicted to opiates comes clean. I had the same trouble with sleep when I came off it years ago. I found that a combination of zanax, clonidine and requip (for restless legs) worked almost magically once I started the regimen.

I think you're doing quite well at this point!

[big ronster]

itl be eight weeks tmrw iv been off subs. The remeron is helping with sleep and depression, and supposedly helps improve sleep quality which iv noticed. how long before i feel the closest to normal that i will?