New to site, day 7 of suboxone. First time user

Author: Amy14921978

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:45 am

Well let me first just say…welcome to the forum Kelly! You have come to the right place to gain support and answers to your questions!

A question for Jenny though….what are the rules regarding being a substance abuse counselor and suboxone? Just curious. Would you need to complete a full taper in order to get a position as a substance abuse counselor?

Advice PLZ -been on Subs for over 3 weeks after methadone…

Author: tinydancer

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:55 am

I’m not Amber but her methadone to suboxone induction is very similar to mine. I too went through days of the dreaded PWs, and it took me weeks to get back to "normal", as well. A few weeks in, I felt the same as you, I just wasn’t right yet and I felt like my dose wasn’t lasting. My doc wanted to up me to 32mgs (from 24) but I asked if I could split dose instead. That was the key for me. You really don’t need to start your day at 24mgs. You could try 16mg and then 8mg in the later afternoon or evening. This is what worked for me, anyway.

You asked why the suboxone isn’t working for you like it did even though it’s been a year since you’ve been on it. The answer is methadone. Methadone is a full agonist, suboxone is a partial agonist. It is NEVER easy going from methadone to suboxone but rest assured you will adjust. You will never feel high on suboxone after methadone, though. You will eventually feel just normal. You either need to split dose or wait it out…

Good luck and hang in there!

p.s. One of my biggest regrets is staying at such a high dose for too long. No need to start thinking about dropping your dose now, especially when you haven’t stabilized yet, but just something to keep in mind down the road. There is not much difference, at all, from 16mg to 24mg. A split dose also makes it easier to drop down a bit.

Work and Career: How Does it Interact with YOUR Recovery?

Author: VelvetUnderground719

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 12:19 pm

As a person who is finishing up a Sub taper, I wanted to get other people’s opinions about the role of work in recovery. (I re-started the taper 10 days ago, using 0.35 MG of Subutex daily, and it is going much better than my taper using the films. I have a digestive disorder and the Naloxone exacerbated it.) I personally have been unable to hold down a job at various points in my life, and at other points, I have worked for years, while my health declined. Despite this, I have mostly, until recently (i.e. the past 18-22 months), been shockingly successful professionally, even while being the target of bullying, sabotage, sexual or physical harassment, and/or abuse at nearly every job.

Other info: I have a digestive disorder, treatment pending. Also, I have severe PTSD and panic disorder, mostly from childhood/adolescent abuse unrelated to work, although it’s worsened thanks to adult abuse related to work and college. My psychiatric illnesses have not responded to treatment, and I’m finding that in this stage of recovery, even THINKING about work exacerbates my depression and anxiety. I personally suspect that my mental health issues make me a target; however, I have spent two decades throwing tens of thousands of good dollars after bad medicine. In many cases, psychiatry made me worse – and I have tried every type of therapy and every class or drugs in the book. Shocked Increasingly, I am learning that it’s very difficult to treat PTSD because it is the result of repeated exposure to very negative or damaging experiences that literally change one’s brain, and not an organic mental illness. Since late 2011, I have been keeping SSDI on the table as a back-up plan. I hate myself daily for even thinking about this, but increasingly, my health has become an impediment to working even an 8-hour day.

Work and career, I personally feel, is something that gets short shrift in recovery discussions, so I’d like to hear where YOU stand on it. Do you work, or do you not work? Did work make recovery easier or harder? If you do not work, what is your next step, and do you feel guilty or worthless right now for not working? If you do work, how did you find work and make the mental transition from "sick" to "recovery?" I NEED your input today. Thanks so much!! Very Happy

Quitting Cold Turkey — My Withdrawal Diary

Author: Brown Eyed Girl

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 2:30 pm

You hang in there Anonymous. I have heard that each day clean gets better and better for you. Can’t hardly wait to find that out for myself. My friends tell me that all the time. They also say that staying as busy as possible helps so much. And any kind of exercise helps get your natural endorphins going which all equals up to you feeling better. Also listening to your favorite music helps keep your mind occupied.

Make sure you stay well hydrated to help flush out all those toxins. The gatorade will certainly help, but plain old water works wonders too!

You are doing awesome! Just take it one day at a time and don’t use again no matter what. Please keep updating your progress.

Karen

Codeine addiction now on 8mg suboxone

Author: Eveleivibe

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 2:43 pm

Hiya,

I’m Evey. I had a codeine addiction taking 700-800 daily am now on 8 mg suboxone.
I have also been drinking 1-2 bottles of wine a night.
Worried as my key worker wants me to reduce in a month to 6 mg n I’m concerned about withdrawals
Would like support n to meet like minded people.
Take care n hoping to hear from you soon,
Evey xxxx

Day 3 on Suboxone…No urges but ouch!

Author: Eveleivibe

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:26 pm

WingsOfAnAngel wrote:
Today is day 3 on Sub and I am thrilled to say I have no urges to use the pills, no sweats, body aches or irritability. BUT I have a booming headache Crying or Very sad Is this a normal side effect and will it ever go away? Can I take a Tylenol or Advil? I’m still smoking like a fiend, up to 2 packs a day now Shocked I’m not complaining by any means…it’s been three days and no pills!! Smile Mr. Green Razz and that is a miracle!!

Hiya,
How are you feeling now? I don’t remember headaches on suboxone. I just felt normal thats it. My cravings became less intense. If the headaches continues, please go to your doctor n maybe check to see if you’re on the right dose.

Hugs,
Evey xxx

Maryland gun law

Author: Thesphinx

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 4:02 pm

Thanks for the responses everyone. Hopefully I will get lucky and we will have a maryland resident here who bought a gun. Other then that my application has been sent. And u less we have someone here who has bought a gun in maryland I won’t know for at least 2 months. Maryland has a horrible back log on regulated firearms and its taking 3-5 months just for them to process applications. Ill put it this way they are now doing applications for April 18th so I have a while to go