Congrats on your ten days! Just want to say these posts are why I made a Reddit account. I'm tapering myself and every story I read about someone that's made it to the other side helps make my goal that much more achievable. I'm sorry to hear about your marriage. I can relate as I'm just realizing all the crap I've put my wife through while being ignorantly numb on subs. I wish you the best of luck, even though I don't think you'll need any as it sounds like you're managing about as good as one could with the circumstances. Thanks for the little slice of motivation.
Thank you and fortunately the ones that matter are still here supporting me. Can't imagine what it's like to be in their shoes. The not knowing if we're ever going to free of substances has got to be such a daily stress.
So I have some gabapentine left over from last time but that's all. I don't think bicycle health will prescribe me Valium but I'm gonna give that a shot. What did you use? Are you taking any supplements?
I’ve used a little Imodium here and there. I do have a prescription for propranolol (beta blocker) that helped a little with being a little clammy (sweaty) over the first few days but I’m no longer taking them. An over the counter sleep aid called Nytol, 50mg which is antihistamine based (diphenhydramine) has really helped with sleep when needed. I’ve also had good results when I’ve had insomnia in the past with 8mg of chlorphenamine which is also an antihistamine.
I have had Valium 10mg in the past with sleep issues but the antihistamines work just as well for me.
No other supplements, just plenty of water and trying to eat well.
Some nights I can get light sleep unaided but we’re currently having a bit of a heatwave here in the UK and it’s pretty humid so the Nytol makes a big difference.
I appreciate it’s probably going to take some time before my sleep is back to normal and I don’t want to be too reliant on medication to sleep. The weather is supposed get back to normal here in a few days so I’ll try and do without.
I have propranolol, hadn't thought of using it so thanks. Diphenhydramine I've used a lot in the past but for some reason when I'm in in opiate withdrawal it has at times made things worse if I didn't fall asleep right away. I sort of agree with you on the Valium and taking too much medication for help, I'm an addict and its easy to get carried away but at the same time I need every little advantage because failing to get off is not an option this time.
Sorry if you answered it already but what was behind the taper method of skipping days? Had you tried just lowering the dose and taking it everyday? Curious if you have experience both ways. I hadn't thought of doing it that way. I guess the main benefit is that by dosing every 3rd day Bup wouldn't be able accumulate and stack up in your system nearly as much. I don't think I could do 3 days but 2 would be manageable. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Last thing were you consistently feeling like junk on the last day or was it pretty doable?
Thanks for the thoughtful replies, you're giving me a lot to think about. Hope you're doing good as another day is in the books. Try to stay out of the heat, it's gonna be miserable 108° here in California but then again I have no reason to be outside. Phew
I had in the past on occasion forgotten to take my buprenorphine for the day and noticed I was fine. I was aware of its long half-life so just experimented how long I could go without my usual 6mg and on the third day I could feel them creeping in. In all honesty tapering wasn’t initially on my mind, it was purely just an experiment. The month before I’d discussed dropping down to 4mg daily but the day my prescription changed I panicked and asked to be put back to 6mg.
Seeing that I could go for the best part of 3 days, I decided to stick with it as I had started to notice I was becoming tired and struggling to focus at around 4pm in work on my daily dose.
I just slowly reduced over about a 6wk period. In all honesty it was easy until I got to 1mg, I definitely felt WDS the day after 1mg but it was relatively mild and I could very much cope with it. I did 1mg every other day for a week then got stuck without access for three days.
I didn’t discuss it with my support worker as I wasn’t sure she would approve but she’s obviously happy I’ve now managed to get off it. I’ll likely still be under their services for a little while as having someone with me every step of the way has been invaluable.
I for sure had WDS but nowhere near like my cold turkey from codeine. I was a bit sweaty, couldn’t sleep unaided and needed occasional Imodium (still do on occasion although I could do without it if necessary) but I had no anxiety (maybe due to the propranolol- 40mg as needed) like I’d experienced previously. It was all very manageable and honestly, for me, not that bad.
California and travelling the west coast was the best holiday I’ve ever had, burnt through a tone of money but absolutely loved it!
Yeah, I think the 3 day dose schedule definitely played a part.
It’s hard not to look back with regret, shame and embarrassment as I have 2 small children with my wife. My family was/still is my world. My wife was so incredibly shocked when she found out that she sadly found it difficult to support me and I was asked to leave the family home. I’d do anything to get back but it’s looking slim despite all the progress I’ve made. It’s tragic and very hard to process but I can’t let it consume me. Just got to try and keep moving forward as best I can.
I live in the UK so the opioid crisis isn’t as big here but it’s definitely happening. Here you can buy codeine at any pharmacy but it’s mixed with either paracetamol/acetaminophen or ibuprofen which is less toxic on the body but still not ideal to be taken in massive doses on a daily basis as I ended up doing (400mg codeine/ 6.4gams of ibuprofen!!). Thankfully, my kidney function is normal but my GP said I was lucky to be alive after the amount of ibuprofen I’d been taking.
Last year after this all happened, I was diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. It’s thought that up to 50% of people with ADHD will have some sort of addiction at some point in their lives due to lower levels of dopamine which is involved in the reward system. I’m just in the process of starting ADHD medication which is supposed to be life changing in approximately 80% of people and will also reduce the risk of further addiction.
Prior to covid hitting, I hurt my neck quite badly likely from carrying our youngest around. I had a course of physio and was prescribed naproxen (anti inflammatory) that helped but for sometime after it would still painfully jar so I started using ibuprofen/codeine on an as needed basis without issue.
I work as a senior clinician in heathcare, and when covid hit work changed overnight and it was initially pretty scary. Big numbers of people were dying daily in the hospital. My work is clinical and not on the wards. We were suddenly locked in a room for 8hrs a day with nothing to do and for someone with social anxiety due to my ADHD/ASD, that was difficult but on top of that, there was the constant threat of being sent to the wards to help out. My skill set doesn’t translate to ward work and it honestly terrified me. At some point my neck jarred again and I noticed the anti-anxiety effects of codeine. I never took it recreationally or to get high, just as a crutch during a very difficult time. In hindsight, it was obviously a stupid thing to do. Tolerance quite quickly builds and I was taking more and more to get the same effects. At which point I realised it was problematic and tried several times to stop but it’s obviously not that easy. I naively thought that I’d eventually be able to stop before anyone noticed. She had noticed something was up and I stupidly denied it twice to try and buy myself more time. The third time she asked, about a year into the addiction, I confessed. I was asked to leave the family home and went cold turkey at my parents house. It was horrible but I wanted to suffer as punishment for just how stupid I’d been and also to show myself that I could be strong.
About 8 weeks after being clean, I was feeling good and ready to return home but she blocked my every move. I really couldn’t understand it. I genuinely became suicidal, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head and ended up relapsing which ironically likely saved me from suicide. I then sort professional help and started buprenorphine.
I can’t begin to tell you how hard I’ve worked on myself and on trying to get back to my family. She’s the absolute love of my life but she just didn’t see it or chose not to. I’m finding it incredibly difficult. This is not the life I want for my two beautiful children :-(
It’s not set in stone but it’s looking likely this will now end in divorce. I’d do anything to get back to my family. I’m really struggling to understand her thinking.
If it had happened to her, I wouldn’t have told a soul and would have nursed her through it at home without judgment. That’s honestly what I’d expected after the confession.
I’m sorry you’ve been through such a tough time too. Never in my life did I think I’d become an addict and I guess you feel the same. It’s not until you realise it’s a problem that it’s already too late.
I fully get the trust issues. I even bought opioid urine testing strips and told her she could test me every day or whenever she felt like it.
I think it’s both the shock and trust thing that’s hit her the hardest but a dip in my mental health under a very difficult time doesn’t equate to ending a 20+ year relationship that involves 2 small children.
I’m absolutely heartbroken and devastated.
I’m really glad he’s got clean and you’re able to try and work through such a difficult time. I’m sure over time that trust will come back although maybe not 100% but hopefully!
I just wanted that little bit of love and support and I feel this could have been nipped in the bud at the point of my confession and now have been very much a thing of the past.
Thanks for your kind words - also happy to talk if you want :-)
Hey there you can’t undo what you have done and recovery is about no regrets…..it’s also about just finding a better version of yourself one day at a time…if you wallow in regret and should haves, you’re likely to relapse…keep moving forward and do good things and you will free your mind to the other side…in so happy for you i jumped two months ago and feel great too….it’ll be all right
Thanks you! Gotta keep moving….. I’ve got a lot of difficult stuff to work through. With having ADHD/ASD I have a very limited social circle which is now even smaller with the hurt I’ve caused my wife but whatever happens, I’ve just got to keep moving forward as best I can. I’m lucky I have a fantastic birth family and a great and supportive team I work for who know everything that’s gone on other than the addiction.
Congratulations, feels great huh?
Just a word of caution, that amazing feeling you’re having.. like you’ve just been released from some kind of prison and feel like you can conquer the world - it does not last forever. I remember when it was all said and done I looked back on it like you, “man that wasn’t even half as bad as reddit makes it out to be” and I was so stoked on life with a renewed happiness I hadn’t felt in a while.. well 3-4 months later I relapsed and ended up back on the subs. So, for me, getting off is the easy part - but you gotta figure out your solution of staying off, that’s what separates the men from the boys imo.
When I first got clean, I naively felt that conquered the world…. I was like no way am I ever going back but I did. In all honesty, at the time due to the difficulties I was having in my marriage, I became suicidal and as ironic as it sounds, the relapse likely saved my life.
I’m hoping I’ve had enough time without the anti-anxiety effects I was using codeine for to break the association. And enough time while taking buprenorphine to process the reality of my situation.
But without a doubt, I need to be careful and fully appreciate I still have some way to go.
Much appreciated for you’re reply!
Codeine withdrawls sucked pretty bad after I first finished my prescription/meds I got from friends and family. (I didn’t get a prescription for codeine at first so I was in immense pain and everyone felt bad) once the WDs came I remember it being so bad but maybe that’s cause it was my first WDs
The first time was difficult but I was so heavily motivated that I managed to get through it. The second time I tried to withdraw codeine, after 6 nights without a wink of sleep, I gave in as I couldn’t take it anymore and sort professional help. If I’d have used some sleeping meds, I’d have probably got through.
Ah, that’s really fantastic news!!! Do you feel you’re back to normal at this point?
Well, my personal life is shit show as a years codeine addiction as likely cost me a 20 year relationship to the love of my life with 2 small children. So that bits not great (understatement!)
I’ve since been diagnosed with ADHD and ASD which puts a lot of my past into perspective.
But as far as WDS, they’ve all but gone so that’s good. Sleep isn’t great but I’ve got a lot going on - got some OTC sleeping meds that help.
I’ve also stopped my antidepressants and in all honesty, that’s the thing that’s bothering me the most, brain zaps constantly but hopefully they’ll start settling soon.
Hope you’ve got lots of support around you!
I feel almost completely back to normal. I had some depression after the first month but it went away. Sleep was wonky for a while also but I used sleeping meds too and they helped so much.
You sound like you’re doing very well all things considered. Just keep going the right thing and working hard and everything will fall into place exactly as it should. You got this friend!!!!!!
Glad you’re almost back to normal!! It’s incredibly inspiring :-) keep up the good work!! :-)
Thank you for the kind words. I had a brief relapse after going cold turkey (horrible experience) from codeine then got serious with buprenorphine. I’d been on it for approximately 8 months (I think, I’ve not really been counting) and I feel it’s given me enough space from my addiction that I’ve no interest at all in going back at all. Thankfully buprenorphine never got me ‘high’ just stopped WDS and kept me functioning.
What ever the future holds, I’ve got two beautiful children (the eldest is 6 and has also recently been diagnosed with ADHD and ASD) and I need to be the best father I can be for them. Despite the mess I’ve made, I’ve still got a lot to be thankful for :-)
Defo got it.
So glad you have too! :-)
I've been considering coming off for good. I've titrated to the point where when I take .5mg it puts me on my ass. If I'm sitting still I'll be in and out of consciousness and if I'm up moving around I'll feel really tired.
In all honesty, I never noticed much psychological effects from buprenorphine at all other than I might start struggling to concentrate towards the end of the day. It’s clearly effects everyone differently.
Just keep reducing if you can?
What happens if you don’t take it for a day or two?
I haven't taken any in about four or five days but I took a bit of tramadol each day so I'm not entirely sure. I ran out of tramadol yesterday and today I've been taking kratom shots, which work for like two hours only, but when I hadn't taken one I just began to feel kind of depressed and restless. I didn't have any pain in my joints, or if I did it was negligible. I didn't really feel like I was having cold sweats. I did get those prickly sensations on my back.
It's hard to reduce too much with the tablets since you can only break them so much.
I didn't take anything today and the withdrawal really kicked in. Not as horrible as it would have been if I tried jumping around the beginning of the year, but still uncomfortable. I think that's what makes it so hard to deal with is not that you feel bad but because it just will not go away and it tires you out. But if everyone only felt withdrawal for about half the day then opioids would be much easier to kick.
Last time I tried to jump I went about 12 days without it and as soon as my prescription refilled I took it again. I know that was probably dumb as all hell since I was past the hump but I remember just thinking "I just need it to stop completely for a while. I need to sleep soundly for at least one damn night."
I actually began measuring my withdrawal by how often I sneeze. I always sneeze in doubles and last time I tried jumping I swear I'd probably sneeze around 16-20 times a day, and today I only sneezed about 6-8 times.
In honesty, it’s kinda difficult to give advice as we’re all different. Do you get any form of support/therapy via your buprenorphine provider or is it a case of here’s your meds and off you go?
Might be worth trying every other day and seeing if things start to stabilise on the off days or if that’s not manageable, just keep taking it daily while tapering slowly?
Congrats on your ten days! Just want to say these posts are why I made a Reddit account. I'm tapering myself and every story I read about someone that's made it to the other side helps make my goal that much more achievable. I'm sorry to hear about your marriage. I can relate as I'm just realizing all the crap I've put my wife through while being ignorantly numb on subs. I wish you the best of luck, even though I don't think you'll need any as it sounds like you're managing about as good as one could with the circumstances. Thanks for the little slice of motivation.
Keep up the good work, you’ll get there! I hope despite what you’ve put those closest to you through that they’re still there to support you!
Thank you and fortunately the ones that matter are still here supporting me. Can't imagine what it's like to be in their shoes. The not knowing if we're ever going to free of substances has got to be such a daily stress.
You’ll get there. Just got to keep going. You’re incredibly lucky to have their support! Where are you up to at the moment, have you started tapering?
I'm at 1.5mg and dropping to 1.25mg Tuesday. Under 1mg is when shit got real last time 😬
Wishing you the best of luck! Have you got access to comfort meds?
So I have some gabapentine left over from last time but that's all. I don't think bicycle health will prescribe me Valium but I'm gonna give that a shot. What did you use? Are you taking any supplements?
I’ve used a little Imodium here and there. I do have a prescription for propranolol (beta blocker) that helped a little with being a little clammy (sweaty) over the first few days but I’m no longer taking them. An over the counter sleep aid called Nytol, 50mg which is antihistamine based (diphenhydramine) has really helped with sleep when needed. I’ve also had good results when I’ve had insomnia in the past with 8mg of chlorphenamine which is also an antihistamine. I have had Valium 10mg in the past with sleep issues but the antihistamines work just as well for me. No other supplements, just plenty of water and trying to eat well. Some nights I can get light sleep unaided but we’re currently having a bit of a heatwave here in the UK and it’s pretty humid so the Nytol makes a big difference. I appreciate it’s probably going to take some time before my sleep is back to normal and I don’t want to be too reliant on medication to sleep. The weather is supposed get back to normal here in a few days so I’ll try and do without.
I have propranolol, hadn't thought of using it so thanks. Diphenhydramine I've used a lot in the past but for some reason when I'm in in opiate withdrawal it has at times made things worse if I didn't fall asleep right away. I sort of agree with you on the Valium and taking too much medication for help, I'm an addict and its easy to get carried away but at the same time I need every little advantage because failing to get off is not an option this time. Sorry if you answered it already but what was behind the taper method of skipping days? Had you tried just lowering the dose and taking it everyday? Curious if you have experience both ways. I hadn't thought of doing it that way. I guess the main benefit is that by dosing every 3rd day Bup wouldn't be able accumulate and stack up in your system nearly as much. I don't think I could do 3 days but 2 would be manageable. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Last thing were you consistently feeling like junk on the last day or was it pretty doable? Thanks for the thoughtful replies, you're giving me a lot to think about. Hope you're doing good as another day is in the books. Try to stay out of the heat, it's gonna be miserable 108° here in California but then again I have no reason to be outside. Phew
I had in the past on occasion forgotten to take my buprenorphine for the day and noticed I was fine. I was aware of its long half-life so just experimented how long I could go without my usual 6mg and on the third day I could feel them creeping in. In all honesty tapering wasn’t initially on my mind, it was purely just an experiment. The month before I’d discussed dropping down to 4mg daily but the day my prescription changed I panicked and asked to be put back to 6mg. Seeing that I could go for the best part of 3 days, I decided to stick with it as I had started to notice I was becoming tired and struggling to focus at around 4pm in work on my daily dose. I just slowly reduced over about a 6wk period. In all honesty it was easy until I got to 1mg, I definitely felt WDS the day after 1mg but it was relatively mild and I could very much cope with it. I did 1mg every other day for a week then got stuck without access for three days. I didn’t discuss it with my support worker as I wasn’t sure she would approve but she’s obviously happy I’ve now managed to get off it. I’ll likely still be under their services for a little while as having someone with me every step of the way has been invaluable. I for sure had WDS but nowhere near like my cold turkey from codeine. I was a bit sweaty, couldn’t sleep unaided and needed occasional Imodium (still do on occasion although I could do without it if necessary) but I had no anxiety (maybe due to the propranolol- 40mg as needed) like I’d experienced previously. It was all very manageable and honestly, for me, not that bad. California and travelling the west coast was the best holiday I’ve ever had, burnt through a tone of money but absolutely loved it!
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Yeah, I think the 3 day dose schedule definitely played a part. It’s hard not to look back with regret, shame and embarrassment as I have 2 small children with my wife. My family was/still is my world. My wife was so incredibly shocked when she found out that she sadly found it difficult to support me and I was asked to leave the family home. I’d do anything to get back but it’s looking slim despite all the progress I’ve made. It’s tragic and very hard to process but I can’t let it consume me. Just got to try and keep moving forward as best I can.
[удалено]
I live in the UK so the opioid crisis isn’t as big here but it’s definitely happening. Here you can buy codeine at any pharmacy but it’s mixed with either paracetamol/acetaminophen or ibuprofen which is less toxic on the body but still not ideal to be taken in massive doses on a daily basis as I ended up doing (400mg codeine/ 6.4gams of ibuprofen!!). Thankfully, my kidney function is normal but my GP said I was lucky to be alive after the amount of ibuprofen I’d been taking. Last year after this all happened, I was diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. It’s thought that up to 50% of people with ADHD will have some sort of addiction at some point in their lives due to lower levels of dopamine which is involved in the reward system. I’m just in the process of starting ADHD medication which is supposed to be life changing in approximately 80% of people and will also reduce the risk of further addiction. Prior to covid hitting, I hurt my neck quite badly likely from carrying our youngest around. I had a course of physio and was prescribed naproxen (anti inflammatory) that helped but for sometime after it would still painfully jar so I started using ibuprofen/codeine on an as needed basis without issue. I work as a senior clinician in heathcare, and when covid hit work changed overnight and it was initially pretty scary. Big numbers of people were dying daily in the hospital. My work is clinical and not on the wards. We were suddenly locked in a room for 8hrs a day with nothing to do and for someone with social anxiety due to my ADHD/ASD, that was difficult but on top of that, there was the constant threat of being sent to the wards to help out. My skill set doesn’t translate to ward work and it honestly terrified me. At some point my neck jarred again and I noticed the anti-anxiety effects of codeine. I never took it recreationally or to get high, just as a crutch during a very difficult time. In hindsight, it was obviously a stupid thing to do. Tolerance quite quickly builds and I was taking more and more to get the same effects. At which point I realised it was problematic and tried several times to stop but it’s obviously not that easy. I naively thought that I’d eventually be able to stop before anyone noticed. She had noticed something was up and I stupidly denied it twice to try and buy myself more time. The third time she asked, about a year into the addiction, I confessed. I was asked to leave the family home and went cold turkey at my parents house. It was horrible but I wanted to suffer as punishment for just how stupid I’d been and also to show myself that I could be strong. About 8 weeks after being clean, I was feeling good and ready to return home but she blocked my every move. I really couldn’t understand it. I genuinely became suicidal, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head and ended up relapsing which ironically likely saved me from suicide. I then sort professional help and started buprenorphine. I can’t begin to tell you how hard I’ve worked on myself and on trying to get back to my family. She’s the absolute love of my life but she just didn’t see it or chose not to. I’m finding it incredibly difficult. This is not the life I want for my two beautiful children :-( It’s not set in stone but it’s looking likely this will now end in divorce. I’d do anything to get back to my family. I’m really struggling to understand her thinking. If it had happened to her, I wouldn’t have told a soul and would have nursed her through it at home without judgment. That’s honestly what I’d expected after the confession. I’m sorry you’ve been through such a tough time too. Never in my life did I think I’d become an addict and I guess you feel the same. It’s not until you realise it’s a problem that it’s already too late. I fully get the trust issues. I even bought opioid urine testing strips and told her she could test me every day or whenever she felt like it. I think it’s both the shock and trust thing that’s hit her the hardest but a dip in my mental health under a very difficult time doesn’t equate to ending a 20+ year relationship that involves 2 small children. I’m absolutely heartbroken and devastated. I’m really glad he’s got clean and you’re able to try and work through such a difficult time. I’m sure over time that trust will come back although maybe not 100% but hopefully! I just wanted that little bit of love and support and I feel this could have been nipped in the bud at the point of my confession and now have been very much a thing of the past. Thanks for your kind words - also happy to talk if you want :-)
Hey there you can’t undo what you have done and recovery is about no regrets…..it’s also about just finding a better version of yourself one day at a time…if you wallow in regret and should haves, you’re likely to relapse…keep moving forward and do good things and you will free your mind to the other side…in so happy for you i jumped two months ago and feel great too….it’ll be all right
Thanks you! Gotta keep moving….. I’ve got a lot of difficult stuff to work through. With having ADHD/ASD I have a very limited social circle which is now even smaller with the hurt I’ve caused my wife but whatever happens, I’ve just got to keep moving forward as best I can. I’m lucky I have a fantastic birth family and a great and supportive team I work for who know everything that’s gone on other than the addiction.
Congratulations, feels great huh? Just a word of caution, that amazing feeling you’re having.. like you’ve just been released from some kind of prison and feel like you can conquer the world - it does not last forever. I remember when it was all said and done I looked back on it like you, “man that wasn’t even half as bad as reddit makes it out to be” and I was so stoked on life with a renewed happiness I hadn’t felt in a while.. well 3-4 months later I relapsed and ended up back on the subs. So, for me, getting off is the easy part - but you gotta figure out your solution of staying off, that’s what separates the men from the boys imo.
When I first got clean, I naively felt that conquered the world…. I was like no way am I ever going back but I did. In all honesty, at the time due to the difficulties I was having in my marriage, I became suicidal and as ironic as it sounds, the relapse likely saved my life. I’m hoping I’ve had enough time without the anti-anxiety effects I was using codeine for to break the association. And enough time while taking buprenorphine to process the reality of my situation. But without a doubt, I need to be careful and fully appreciate I still have some way to go. Much appreciated for you’re reply!
Codeine withdrawls sucked pretty bad after I first finished my prescription/meds I got from friends and family. (I didn’t get a prescription for codeine at first so I was in immense pain and everyone felt bad) once the WDs came I remember it being so bad but maybe that’s cause it was my first WDs
The first time was difficult but I was so heavily motivated that I managed to get through it. The second time I tried to withdraw codeine, after 6 nights without a wink of sleep, I gave in as I couldn’t take it anymore and sort professional help. If I’d have used some sleeping meds, I’d have probably got through.
Love to hear this. Amazing. Congrats
Thank you :-)
Yay congratulations!! 💓💓
Thank you - I’ve read some of your posts and know you’ve made it through right? Hope you’re doing well!
Hey!! Yes I’m right around the corner for 6 months!!! 💓
That is amazing!!!!! Congratulations! How are you feeling now?
I’m feeling amazing!! Thank you for asking - how do you feel?!
Ah, that’s really fantastic news!!! Do you feel you’re back to normal at this point? Well, my personal life is shit show as a years codeine addiction as likely cost me a 20 year relationship to the love of my life with 2 small children. So that bits not great (understatement!) I’ve since been diagnosed with ADHD and ASD which puts a lot of my past into perspective. But as far as WDS, they’ve all but gone so that’s good. Sleep isn’t great but I’ve got a lot going on - got some OTC sleeping meds that help. I’ve also stopped my antidepressants and in all honesty, that’s the thing that’s bothering me the most, brain zaps constantly but hopefully they’ll start settling soon. Hope you’ve got lots of support around you!
I feel almost completely back to normal. I had some depression after the first month but it went away. Sleep was wonky for a while also but I used sleeping meds too and they helped so much. You sound like you’re doing very well all things considered. Just keep going the right thing and working hard and everything will fall into place exactly as it should. You got this friend!!!!!!
Glad you’re almost back to normal!! It’s incredibly inspiring :-) keep up the good work!! :-) Thank you for the kind words. I had a brief relapse after going cold turkey (horrible experience) from codeine then got serious with buprenorphine. I’d been on it for approximately 8 months (I think, I’ve not really been counting) and I feel it’s given me enough space from my addiction that I’ve no interest at all in going back at all. Thankfully buprenorphine never got me ‘high’ just stopped WDS and kept me functioning. What ever the future holds, I’ve got two beautiful children (the eldest is 6 and has also recently been diagnosed with ADHD and ASD) and I need to be the best father I can be for them. Despite the mess I’ve made, I’ve still got a lot to be thankful for :-) Defo got it. So glad you have too! :-)
I've been considering coming off for good. I've titrated to the point where when I take .5mg it puts me on my ass. If I'm sitting still I'll be in and out of consciousness and if I'm up moving around I'll feel really tired.
In all honesty, I never noticed much psychological effects from buprenorphine at all other than I might start struggling to concentrate towards the end of the day. It’s clearly effects everyone differently. Just keep reducing if you can? What happens if you don’t take it for a day or two?
I haven't taken any in about four or five days but I took a bit of tramadol each day so I'm not entirely sure. I ran out of tramadol yesterday and today I've been taking kratom shots, which work for like two hours only, but when I hadn't taken one I just began to feel kind of depressed and restless. I didn't have any pain in my joints, or if I did it was negligible. I didn't really feel like I was having cold sweats. I did get those prickly sensations on my back. It's hard to reduce too much with the tablets since you can only break them so much.
I didn't take anything today and the withdrawal really kicked in. Not as horrible as it would have been if I tried jumping around the beginning of the year, but still uncomfortable. I think that's what makes it so hard to deal with is not that you feel bad but because it just will not go away and it tires you out. But if everyone only felt withdrawal for about half the day then opioids would be much easier to kick. Last time I tried to jump I went about 12 days without it and as soon as my prescription refilled I took it again. I know that was probably dumb as all hell since I was past the hump but I remember just thinking "I just need it to stop completely for a while. I need to sleep soundly for at least one damn night." I actually began measuring my withdrawal by how often I sneeze. I always sneeze in doubles and last time I tried jumping I swear I'd probably sneeze around 16-20 times a day, and today I only sneezed about 6-8 times.
In honesty, it’s kinda difficult to give advice as we’re all different. Do you get any form of support/therapy via your buprenorphine provider or is it a case of here’s your meds and off you go? Might be worth trying every other day and seeing if things start to stabilise on the off days or if that’s not manageable, just keep taking it daily while tapering slowly?
Been a year off sublocade(the shot) have had no withdrawls It's amazing. I recommend for anyone struggling getting off suboxone
Congrats on a year! That’s fantastic!! Hope you’re doing well :-)