How Long After You Stop Suboxone Do You Have Withdrawal Symptoms? (Page 22) (Top voted first)

My 63y/o mother survived chemo and radiation for throat cancer but was unable to stop the morphine 15mg twice a day without horrible withdrawal symptoms. Her MD put her on Suboxone 8mg/2mg once a day in June. She even took half the strip on most days and the doctor was very pleased and anticipated that she would be able to stop altogether in November. She unfortunately had a stroke 14 days ago and has been in the hospital. The first 7 days she was confused from the stroke but now she is weak and forgetful but is no longer disoriented. She told me tonight that she thought she needed her Suboxone. She said she thought she was going thru withdrawal. I was floored. She is not having any outward signs of withdrawal: no back/stomach pain, no nausea/vomiting, no sweating or tremors. Isn't 14 days long enough for the Suboxone to be completely out of your system and for withdrawal symptoms to have come and gone??? Any answers will be greatly appreciated.

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PAWS is the part of the process when the drug is completely out of your system and the physical symptoms have basically subsided but your brain is still healing and catching up to the rest of your body. You can expect random recurring symptoms but they usually only last one day here, one day there and they come on unexpectedly. You'll also experience lack of energy, cravings and depression because your brain is still learning to make its own endorphins but its not yet at the pre-opiate levels. I've heard it being compared to chronic depression. For me it lasts about 30 days after the physical symptoms subside. I've read other people saying it takes up to 90 days or more but I personally have never noticed it last that long. Like I said, PAWS is all mental. I have heard of people using L-tyrosine but never tried it myself. I took a B-complex vitamin for energy and fish oil to help rebuild the central nervous system (anxiety part of withdrawal). Other than that I stuck to fresh air, comfort food, and doing things I enjoy just to retain normalcy. Also the gabapentin for RLS but I only took that for a few weeks. I'm glad you both are doing well! 8 days is a MAJOR accomplishment! Really it should all be down hill very soon. Chicksoverit, if you are still feeling ok after 8 days, I'd cautiously think you may have dodged a bullet. Just keep to a routine, stay active and celebrate the small victories and it will be over before you know it!

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People getting off of Suboxone on their own need a little medicine cabinet with a few prescription drugs to help them through weeks 2-5. Catapres (clonidine), Klonopin, Ambien, Nuerotin, Lidocaine Lotion, Ammonium AD and lots of soap and water (two soapy showers a day). If you have access to a steam bath, it is very useful in getting the toxins out of the skin. This drug is the only opiate that stores in the fat. You have most likely read about the timing, use and purpose of these drugs. I am in day 130 and still have acute withdrawal symptoms. Sixty nine years old, over weight, on oxycontin for 5 years then Suboxone for 5 years. I am also taking colonics which are a great help because it is the only way to get the toxins out of the colon a 7 foot organ. Good nutrician and exercise is very important. Everyone has a different withdrawal. My Psychiatrist and Toxicologist told me to look at nine months to a year before I have normal days. Two years for the brain to produce the right chemicals. There are at least 10 different withdrawal symptoms that are not killers but are very uncomfortable. The benefits I have received out weigh the ugly withdrawals. YouTube has several reviews. Don't bother listening to anyone unless they have been off for three months or more. Some people think being on Suboxone is being clean. 99.9% pure synthetic opiates is clean? My problem with the drug is that it is improperly administered and prescribed. People are on it often way to long and in many cases should have stayed off of it originally. Opiate users are the target for this drug. I never used opiates and do not have any cravings for opiates. It gives them a feeling of normalcy but in reality anyone on Suboxone is in a fog and do not realize it.

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Pfan34, tommyc, & Marleybt..

Thanks for the info Pfan34. I used to work in recovery and those PAWS symptoms were referred to as residual withdrawal. Thanks for sharing your story Tommybc. It helps to hear what everyone else goes through- tremendously!

Day 10 today. Last night I didn't sleep well. Not so much the WS but emotional craziness. I lost my father a few weeks back and I was doing the "thinking too much " part of addiction and just couldn't stop the crying-and thinking. It was a nightmare when he passed because of his girlfriend so I guess it finally just hit me. Honestly I'm grateful I am grieving. Suboxone kept me numb to most outward feelings and reactions..

So day 10/aches, some leg pain, exhaustion. Still no RLS. My blood pressure has been high as I have had headaches, one migraine so far but that I can handle. I know I'm withdrawing though because that whole feeling of dread is ever-present and I really don't have any energy to get off the couch. Yesterday I went to a fair and out to dinner. Today I snoozed and watched tv. I know I need to get up and move tomorrow so that is my plan. My aunt (my father's sister) is getting married Aug 6th and I am a bridesmaid. I need to be able and step up and be an active participant in her wedding, and life, so I am hanging on. Keep posting MarleyBt and Pfan34, and you too Charley because it does help to talk to people who "get it".

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Chicksoverit
So sorry to hear the loss on your father! I can't imagine how hard that must be plus going through this. I'm praying you get through this! I didn't sleep at all last night and praying I can tonight for I go back to work on Wednesday! I still have the damn chills ugh! Wish they would go away. The sneezing doesn't bother me! Went for a mile walk today and I'm getting faster and faster! Trying to push natural endorphins ! L-tyrosine is helping me I think ! Thinking of everyone going through this! It only gets better everyday! Let's push through this people.

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Chicksoverit!! Are you doing ok!??? Are you still feeling no symptoms!! I'm still cold all the time and runny nose and low energy ! But I'm pushing through and the sleep is the worst! But oh well I'm on day 13 I believe! Exercise is helping me ! Hope ur ok !

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Marleybt I'm hanging in there. The sweats and RLS started to kick in now & totally having trouble getting sleep. Pushing myself to at least clean the house today. Pretty much slept the day away yesterday. Cannot believe it took this long for the onset of withdrawal symptoms. Glad to hear you're doing okay! Hopefully being back at work keeps your mind busy!! Keep up the good work!

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Finally done let's hear those tips!!

Day 14 Marleybt! Me too, but I'm in a totally different spot than you. I think it's because you tapered down the week before I did and maybe the withdrawals started then for you? This must be what the mean by everybody is different..
I'm gonna be totally honest- the last 3 days have been pure hell. The restless legs is all day, pains and aches, headache, stomach issues, and then the mind games. No need to explain that to anyone who has detoxed. It sucks but I'm in it for the long haul. I'm sure my issues are intense because I did not taper down- jumped off at 8mg for 3 days after being on suboxone for 8 years. Please don't try this at home!! There are reasons I had to- my doctor who prescribed my subs is being investigated (all are) but they are going full force on him. He's wonderful but my state is crazy stupid about this drug. This is the 8th doctor I know of. But that's a different discussion. I just lost my dad- he passed away at hospice/ I was with him every minute EXCEPT the hours it took for me to go to my suboxone appt. he passed away 32 minutes before I came back. Take this as you may but if something can pull me from my father's side it has a hold on me more powerful than my own free will. It's now or never how horrible I may feel. I will not live my life addicted to any substance that has such power over my life.

So here I sit in hell- hoping these days get easier and I can feel somewhat like myself by Labor Day: I'm in my aunts wedding (my dads sister). It's important to me to stand up and be present- and clean to me. And for my father..

Keep up the great job Marleybt- you are doing fab!!! Your story may help others so keep up the updates! I know I've waited for them because they definitely help me keeping up the good fight.. :-)

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Chickisoverit, yea 8mg is so high to jump off at! It remains in ur system probably up to a week! Where I tapered really fast and that taper week was pure hell!!! So technically I think I'm on 3 weeks. It's definitely so much better being around People! I'm laughing again like I've never laughed before! I keep ups and downs but the downs don't last too long! I'm still kinda tired and omg I still don't sleep for s***! I think the sleep thing lasts a lot longer! That is the worst side effect in my book! I'm still taking my clonidine at night with 2 Valium but I really don't feel either work. It's like I fall asleep right away at 9pm and wake up at midnight and I took unisom last night it did nothing for me! It's those brain receptors! It's still healing the sleep part. I found no caffeine after 2pm helps! And taking the vitamins early. Hoping tonight I sleep better! I hope u get through this and everyday goes by better and better! It does get easier I'm living proof. I'm going in for a follow up next week and can't wait to show them that I did it! I had a lot of the clinic say I would come crawling back. Not this chick ! I'm considering dating again for the first time now that I don't have those orange suckers holding me back! Please keep me updated. It will get better!!! It's a mind game for sure! Just have to know as time goes on it gets better and better. I can't believe how fast two weeks went for me ! I still can't believe Where I am right now. Just want my sleep back! Hope this helps people. Thinking of u girl. Also I think u will be at least functional by September! Trust me! Just get v8 energy juice ! It's powered by green tea and it's not as bad for u and lots of fruit and veggies ! It's been my lifesaver. Also I get b12 shot next week! So glad to hear from u hang in there'!

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Finally Done

I was also on suboxone for eight long years. When I hear that it took a year for the withdrawals to subside it scares me. I'm assuming you are talking residual withdrawals I hope!

All I know is I'm tired of something having a hold on me. I'm 46, been on subs longer than my addiction to pain meds, and enough is enough!

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JCLeve- just do it now before you find yourself 8 years down the road still on suboxone like I did.. If you talk to your doctor they can help you through it with certain meds also.

Since my doctor is no longer licensed I'm doing this completely cold turkey and its horrible at day 15. The onset of symptoms for me really didn't happen until this week- I think it's because of my age and the length I was on subs. Good luck!

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Finally Done

I had no choice really. I've been on 16mg (2 8mg strips a day) for a little over 4 years, down from 3 strips a day for 4 years. It took me 8 months to drop that 3rd strip tho. When I stopped taking it though I was on 16/day did a week at 8 then jumped. No choice. This is the toughest part so far for me- day 16!! Just non-stop anxiety n pain. Can't eat can't sleep. It's gotta give sometime though right?!? Every day feels so long lately. I should have tapered

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Anhedonia, the best advise I can give you at this time is to get the Meds I talked about in an earlier post and taper over a long period. When you finally jump at .25 or at .5mg there will not be a tremendous shock to your system. On the way tapering down you will begin to feel the benefits of being clean. Do it right or you will be back on Suboxone within a few weeks. You can taper pretty fast until you get to 2mg. At that point as you taper you will feel very minor withdrawals and some sleepless nights. I never vomited. My biggest problem is stomach cramps. These still exist after almost 5 months from jumping. It is a result of MY G.I. system. Others do not have this issue but probably have others. The intensity of the jump and withdrawals are way over rated. Arrange to do this when you have a little time off work. Unfortunately, opiated leave you with a nasty gift called withdrawals with Suboxone being the longest period.

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Yeah, i slept two hours last night and just starting a twelve hour shift. My employee just came in and sprayed herself down with body spray and I really wanted to just punch her in the face. My band plays a show tomorrow with a national act. I eat very well still though I barely had an appetite last night and I only really crave fruit and veggies because they're light. I can handle all the symptoms pretty alright besides the god awful joint pain.

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I can actually relate to everything you say. I have been on that pink juice since 1999 and although I am grateful I no longer use, at my age it is a bigger issue than I had thought or remembered it to be. I absolutely do not want to transfer addictions from one maintenance program to another so I am doing everything I can to complete this as I've finally decided that I need to be Opiate free before I can ascend. I know you understand this. Thank you for you're input At least now I know there are at least two of us. I was down to 10 mgs. then just finished off all my take homes and am using Tramadol to take the edge off......so far so good.

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Tramadol is also an opiate. It is fast acting with a short half life but will prolong your withdrawals.

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Hi.. Just to clear up a comment made, tramadol is non-narcotic, and although it acts on the same receptors, is not an opiate. Here's a great link to clear up any confusion:

tramadolfacts.com/is-tramadol-a-narcotic

Tramadol is used for withdrawals at many detox facilities. As long as you take a minimal amount and taper down as your withdrawals start to subside, it really can be beneficial to use while detoxing. I am speaking from experience: I worked directly with many local detox/rehab facilities as I was the intake coordinator for recovery houses that my ex owned and operated. I am familiar with many of the drugs and the uses, as well as the safety concerns. Many clients were released to us early in their recovery and still prescribed medications for withdrawal symptoms. We controlled their meds and dispensed them also so nothing could be a used.

Anyone who is stopping Suboxone please do your homework before you take anything to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. There's a lot of advice out there from ex-Suboxone users and most of it is very helpful and needed, but none of us can take the place of a trained professional. It's important to have a working relationship with your caregiver- and to be totally honest with the meds you will be/are using to make detox a bit easier. It can be done without medications too. It's just not comfortable. But it does end. And when it ends life seems a whole lot brighter..

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Pain medicine makes the body hypersensitive to pain, that's why you feel good without any. I had back surgery and I felt worse on oxycontin 60mg 3xs dly. & roxy 30mg 4xs dly than I do simply taking naproxen as needed. I never want to be on pain meds again a day in my life.they are the worst thing out here. Doctors dont care about us and prescribe a medication that's highly addictive with horrific withdrawal symptoms when you no longer take them.

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I have been taking 24mg of suboxone for 1 year,it had been terrible coming off it,I stopped cold turkey and I'm on day 24 only using trazidone to sleep and restless leg medicine for legs. This is the worst and longest withdrawl I have ever been through! It feels like I'm going crazy and I'm a completely different person,I sure hope it starts getting better! I had 7 years clean before I started taking subs,I must be stupid for taking the amount I did. Anyone have any suggestions?

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Marley bt and chick,
Thanks for advice, I couldn't even consider tapering,I am on 25th day now and just got l-lysine and b-6 and b-12 , I am anxious to get back to normal,but this is probably the most drawn out withdrawl I have ever gone through! But it is possible,just a beast that needs slayed! Lol,it is definitely a tiny little bit easier each day just not the usual 3-5 day I'm used to like come my off other opiates,all the threads and comments have helped me more than anything else has helped because it really just feels like it's never going to end! Thanks to all who shared

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Look up tramadol. It is an opiate.

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