Zenpunk's Bupe Detox Diary

[kyuss]

Kyuss: Why stay away from alcohol? Won't that help with the pain?

Not really,imo.
I just dehydrates
and nothing in this world
is worse than a hangover during WDs.
A glass or two of wine
with your bupe won't kill you tho.

[mikells43]

yea a hangover being dopesick does fucking suck .. i hated those.

[Duckfeet]

Yeah: I don't drink no more, I even go to AA, and for alcohol it seems to work, but it's been eight years now, so it's a good thing, as my trouble is that when I would drink, all my resolve to quit dope would go right out the window, I mean, it was like clockwork, second beer, I'd be on the phone, finding whatever dope was available...couldn't do it no more...

I kind of believe the guys who say that *now* when they try to jump, they get *way* down on dose of bupe, first, like .5 mg, or half of a half of a 2mg pill.... weird, but I know I tried to jump at 1mg, and day3-4 it was too much, but like everybody else says, it'll get better, just gotta hang in..best wishes to you!

[LorTabitha]

Hang in there! It sounds like you're doing a great job. It's not easy, but well worth it.

I have a couple suggestions for supplements if you're still looking around... My therapist scripts me Vitamin B (all forms - folic acid, B12, etc) and Fish Oil for mood enhancement (I have it scripted so my insurance will pay for it!) and I've been taking Effexor for almost 2 years now after failing on Paxil, Lexapro, etc. St. John's Wort is a great natural antidepressant, but it interacts with lots of meds/vitamins, so you need to make sure you check that it's okay with whatever else you're taking.

Vitamin C is an awesome immunity booster and melatonin helps your sleep patterns re-regulate. Kava is good too, in small amounts.

Kratom is a good way to feel well without trading addictions on really bad days. The tea tastes awful, but you get used to it and I kind of like it now in a strange kind of way. (kind of like it's my "punishment" for needing to get off opiates or something!) Chamomile tea is another nice relaxing ritual along with the warm bath everyone is suggesting.

Eating right is VERY important. Your immunity is going to be shot, so you have to give your body a fighting chance. Fruits and veggies along with good proteins at every meal, if possible.

Yes, cane sugar is MUCH better than corn syrup. Many people of European descent have corn allergies that they're not even aware of. Corn is in EVERYTHING prepackaged in America. (My nephew is severely allergic, so my family is super aware.) Raw cane sugar is way better for you. It even is better for diabetics than some of the alternatives, believe it or not! You can get good organic raw cane sugar at Trader Joe's or any similar shop. They are also starting to sell more and more things with sugar instead of corn syrup. Even Dr. Pepper has "reissued" their old formula with real sugar and lots of our local grocery stores here carry Mexican Coke products. yum!

If none of the above works, have some chocolate. Why not?!

[zenpunk]

DIARY MONDAY:

7AM took 4mg or 1/2 a pill along with 800mg Motrin
Had a dentist appointment. Was exhausted as hell in the morning but I had noticed that in the middle of the night when I got up a couple of times I felt better than I had in weeks. Still couldn't drive myself though so got a ride to the dentist and dozed off and on in the chair during the cleaning.

12PM Noticed the leg pain coming back so took some additional Motrin.
Also took vitamins and 5 HTP.

Feel like its time for a nap.

Tomorrow my "doctor" is considering altering my schedule to skipping dosing tomorrow, then dropping to 2mg or 1/4 a pill on Wednesday morning. What do you all think? I may go back to work on Wednesday or Thursday but the amount of work I would do would be minimal (sitting at a desk).

Also: What percentage of Suboxone dissipates in 24 hours? I'd like to make a chart where I chart the amount in my system from day to day.

[roxi*stardust]

http://forum.opiophile.org/showthread.php?t=12670
Bupe half-Life graphs

[Black_Pony]

Hey Zen. I've read your whole play by play and I definitely feel for you! Detoxing off subs is something that will be in my future eventually too.

I hate waking up in the morning and crying! Being a guy, my experience is more like uncontrollable eye-watering instead of emotional sobbing, but if I dwell on my misery, I'm sure i could get to downright emotional sobbing pretty quick!

As far as drinking, I cant bring myself to do it when I'm dopesick. But if you can, go right ahead as long as you don't drink to the point of having a hangover. I think thats what you want to avoid. That and dehydrating yourself.

As far as skipping a day, I have always thought that would be acceptable being as how bupe has a substantial half life and it builds way up on your system. I did that the other day, and it turns out I definitely noticed the difference! Give it a try, but if worst comes to worst you can suck on a milligram or two.

Good luck and god bless! I hope you are well enough to go to work, gotta pay for those expensive-ass subs somehow.

[mikells43]

just talked to rickett benkiser and i mentioned making a smaller pill than 2mg, cause that would be alot easer to jump off of. they "knew nohting about that". keep calling them if u wanna dial 1877 suboxone. press opt 0 and tell them u want a smaller pill like a 1.5, 1, .5, .25mg pill. they should do it for us the fuckers

[born2lose]

just talked to rickett benkiser and i mentioned making a smaller pill than 2mg, cause that would be alot easer to jump off of. they "knew nohting about that". keep calling them if u wanna dial 1877 suboxone. press opt 0 and tell them u want a smaller pill like a 1.5, 1, .5, .25mg pill. they should do it for us the fuckers

tr00, just did it

[Inspektahdek]

5htp is better than any anti-depressant IMO, and IME but you cannot combine an anti-depressant with 5-htp because it will cause seratonin syndrome, not a good thing, try wiki if ya want. 5htp has been given and have had trials for people with depression in Europe and it has shown and I think atleast a few cases to work better in some or almost half if not a little more better than anti-depressants.

I would def not mess around with anti-depressants, but that's just me

I take 5htp especially after than Xciting evening and I feel fine as far for depression

[zenpunk]

Hopefully this works...I did a chart of my detox plan including tomorrow's plan of no use tomorrow. This includes the 24 hour degradation of Suboxone to my best estimate. And now I understand why my "doctor" wants to see if we can take a day off tomorrow. Pretty cool.

[zenpunk]

Got an electric blanket to help with circulation problem from the knees down (leg pain was really my only problem). Worked like a champ. Didn't need to take any Motrin this morning. I am going to talk with the "doctor" at 9AM and tell him lets go for today being a 0 Sub day (my chart will look like above).

PS - If anyone wants the Excel spreadsheet and chart that automatically will chart your detox by filling in the doses per day, just PM me and I can email it to you.

[southernbelle]

Girl, I am *proud* of you!!

[reddragon3668]

Sounds like your doing better. That is great! You got allot of people rooting for you. I've looked forward to your every post, and hearing positive things is such good news. Keep it up. Your one step closer to your goal. I hope you keep feeling well today.

[limitless_euphoria]

Got an electric blanket to help with circulation problem from the knees down (leg pain was really my only problem). Worked like a champ. Didn't need to take any Motrin this morning. I am going to talk with the "doctor" at 9AM and tell him lets go for today being a 0 Sub day (my chart will look like above).

PS - If anyone wants the Excel spreadsheet and chart that automatically will chart your detox by filling in the doses per day, just PM me and I can email it to you.

E-mail it to me. I have a folder for reference stuff that would make a great addition.

And you know what, since I've been a silent reader of this thread... I'll chime in now with congradulations for making it so far and I'm sure there are some of us that are ENVIOUS that only wish they could taper! Let's see, my twin brother Fred has tried bupe, both detox only and l/t and he's quit H/whatever other opioid cold turkey, he's tried to taper off using other opiates e.g. oxy and hydrocodone+trams but bupe done right is the ticket, IMO. You're doing great, ZP!

[zenpunk]

DIARY TUESDAY:

0mg Suboxone
5HTP

Using the electric blanket, only thing that bothers me is my knees if I walk around otherwise my legs are 10x better.

My "doctor" called to check in on me at 10AM - said today as a no-dose day is a good idea. He can't wait to see my chart, etc. once I am clean.

On a sad note the couple who started me on this path went back to Heroin. I work with the guy and called him to see how he was doing and both him and his girlfriend are back on the wagon. I was kind of shocked but I guess I should have been surprised, the success rate is never good, is it? I mean this hasn't been my first attempt to quit, but I sure hope its my last. I only have so many times left in me.

[upstate_007]

DIARY TUESDAY:
I mean this hasn't been my first attempt to quit, but I sure hope its my last. I only have so many times left in me.

And all it takes is that one time to do it the right way. It sounds like you are going strong and are fully committed to quitting this time. That's no guarantee of success, but it's a great start.

I successfully kicked H 11 years ago and I am so glad I did. I am on opis now for pain control and the occasional recreation, but being a hardcore junky is a life that I never want to live again. I am not "clean" by a long shot, but I have not done H in 11 years and still going somewhat strong.

Have you thought about any 12 step support? I grew to loathe the meetings that I was mandated to go to, but when I was really early in my recovery I found them to be very useful. After a few months or so of not using H it was a real eye opener to see people come in fresh off the streets with a similar story to what I was going through. The 12 step thing is definitely not for everyone, but it may be worth a shot to see if you dig it.

[zenpunk]

And all it takes is that one time to do it the right way. It sounds like you are going strong and are fully committed to quitting this time. That's no guarantee of success, but it's a great start.

I successfully kicked H 11 years ago and I am so glad I did. I am on opis now for pain control and the occasional recreation, but being a hardcore junky is a life that I never want to live again. I am not "clean" by a long shot, but I have not done H in 11 years and still going somewhat strong.

Have you thought about any 12 step support? I grew to loathe the meetings that I was mandated to go to, but when I was really early in my recovery I found them to be very useful. After a few months or so of not using H it was a real eye opener to see people come in fresh off the streets with a similar story to what I was going through. The 12 step thing is definitely not for everyone, but it may be worth a shot to see if you dig it.

Congrats on the 11 years! Actually a week from Wednesday when I am almost completely off subs and walking around easier I am going to start attending SMART meetings (I am still on the couch as of now so tomorrow's meeting may be too soon). They are basically NA/AA without all the higher power stuff. As someone who practices Shamanism the Christian angle would be difficult for me. But I want the support group help for sure in addition to the therapist I already see.

[upstate_007]

That sounds like a good plan. The whole "higher power" thing really got to me too in the meetings. I always hated the "let go, and let god" thing to be a crock of shit. I got myself into the mess and it was up to me to get out of it. Laying the responsibility and fate in the hands of something/someone that I can't see seemed like a cop out to me.

Well, I sincerely hope that this goes well for you and that next week is a good one. If you need any encouragement or advice (for what its worth from a former H addict who is on opis again) feel free to PM me. I just earned the status to give and receive PMs here so I am all excited about it.

[zenpunk]

2PM - 5PM TUES: I'm shitting bright green - I mean luminescent and frequent! What does that mean? Other than that, legs and all else are still good.

[nick]

2PM - 5PM TUES: I'm shitting bright green - I mean luminescent and frequent! What does that mean? Other than that, legs and all else are still good.

It means that you shouldn't eat cheap fish tacos.

Keep going and much luck.

[mikells43]

keep going strong. tommorow is the no bupe day or is today? anyhow the higher power concept is only to learn how to follow anouther sort of will. my will gets me high, so if i follow anouther form of will i may not get high. alot of people blow it up, and make a mountian out of a mole hill but its as simple as that. the higher power is just something that u beleive in so that u dont follow ur own will. it gets easer too as u go on. thats all im saying about that. best wishes

[Mcdom]

Zen - Congratulations on making it this far!

You have cobbled together a great plan and your posting this in a diary form is an inspiration to many.

It's good that you have some choices as far as support groups - 12 step groups are good for some but they're not the only game in town.

Man - I don't know anything about green feces.

Oh - wait - what about that grape pop? Sometimes grape koolaid worked some kind of weird color changes on my son when he was a kid. Just a thought.

[zenpunk]

keep going strong. tommorow is the no bupe day or is today? anyhow the higher power concept is only to learn how to follow anouther sort of will. my will gets me high, so if i follow anouther form of will i may not get high. alot of people blow it up, and make a mountian out of a mole hill but its as simple as that. the higher power is just something that u beleive in so that u dont follow ur own will. it gets easer too as u go on. thats all im saying about that. best wishes

Today is the no bupe day - getting a little sore - had to break down and do 800mg motrin (and cry). But I'm gonna make it till tomorrow.

[GoddessofRATs]

You'll make it sweetie! I know it seems like forever till tomorrow will comes but imagine how good you'll feel once you take that bupe tomorrow morning, just focus on that.

I've been fallowing your diary and i think it's agreat idea. People who are going through what you're going through should do the same thing. We can learn from it. And people can use the diaries as a refference and stuff.

I only have done Bupes a few times and they made me feel all foggy, like when ya take to much cold medicine. They didn't really work for me but i may have taken them to early. I don't know. I still have some for emergency w/d, they're tucked away safe.

Good luck and please keep us updated.

GOR

[zenpunk]

I'm hurting a bit more now - wanna sleep tonight - do you think I should try some Benadyrl? Don't want to touch the Bupe - I'm so close.

[irish]

You might be shitting green because of the colouring in the grape soda. I'm glad that the electric blanket is working for you, they can be a life-saver.

[GoddessofRATs]

Yea Benadryl works pretty good for sleep. At least it does for me. I've used it a lot in w/d.

Are you making sure your drinking lots of fluids too?

GOR

[mikells43]

dont over do the benydril, for me it gives me restless legs only with 2 doses. it might not be a good idea if ur kinda in w/d cause of the restless legs allready plus u have leg issues. id stay away form it.

[Skript]

dont over do the benydril, for me it gives me restless legs only with 2 doses. it might not be a good idea if ur kinda in w/d cause of the restless legs allready plus u have leg issues. id stay away form it.

I agree.. I dont like Diphenhydramine when in wd... It makes the restless legs worse and more unbearable and painful... Ill also toss and turn for a couple hours..