I started the sub 16mg at 3 today, I was wondering if anyone else had heart palpitations? I thought someone had posted that their heart beat real fast the 1st few nights but I can't find it. I felt fine all day, but I'm trying to sleep and my heart is pounding so hard, and I feel shaky, I'd fall asleep for a few mins and I'd wake up feeling my heart like squeeze hard. Like when I took oxys and thought I was having a heart attack in the middle of the night, I'm only 27 so I don't think that. I didn't see that is any of the side effects, I really feel funny. Any help is appreciated
Gabbi

Hey I know one thing you can ask your doc for that will stop the rapid heart beat, ask him for a Catapres Patch, it will slow down your heart beat and regulate your blood pressure. It will start working 30 min. after you put it on, I have used it and it works sooo well!! It will also help you sleep!

Yes, I have heard of that thank you, I wonder if you can take it w/suboxone?? How are you doing, I read some of your posts when you were detoxing, what's going on now. TC
Gabbi

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[This message has been edited by AddictionMod (edited 08-15-2003).]

Enoxubus,

Did you have trouble with your heart pounding, it kind of scared me last night? Other than that the side effects have been mild. You sound discouraged, what is your story, how much sub are you taking now? What does you dr say? TC
GAbbi

Gabbi I had a few wierd symptoms as my body was adjusting from one narcotic to another, but I wouldn't worry about the palpitations unless they continue. Definitely mention to your doctor though...

Thanks, you know you read all the crazy side effects and start to get worried, what kind of side effects did you have? How are you doing with it now? What dose are you on.TC
Gabbi

Gabbi, I have a month's supply of 40mg/day, which is the highest I've heard of anyone having, which makes me seem like the biggest junkie of them all around here! hehe... I've actually slept BETTER than I ever did on hydro, and that's with taking 8 of the 40 in the evening. Some side effects I've experienced: heartburn one day, which I hardly ever have, and gas pains on another, which I've had even less in my lifetime. I had to take several tums for the former, and four gas x's for the latter, but those only lasted for the one day each. My bowels actually improved from what they were on the hydro initially, but it's looking like I may have to deal with constipation in the long term like everyone else.

The biggest effect I've noticed is the need for HUGE quantities of water, which I figure is probably a good thing anyway. I mean I think I drank way too little water before beginning the sub. The more water one drinks, the better, right? But along with that comes frequent urination, and it was waaay frequent in the beginning too, and still somewhere between 15 and 20 times a day.

Another nice but peculiar effect for me is an awareness of my body that lends itself to the urge to stretch and exercise. I've not read of anyone else experiencing this, and I'm not sure if it's an effect of the sub or a lack of hydro, but I actually wake up stiff and WANTING to exercise, especially stretch. This morning I fully intended to do the six am yoga show on tv and was mad when I awoke to find I had snoozed through it! Hope to order some pilates dvds today...

The physical cravings are alleviated, but the mindset to pop a pill when the going gets tough has not. I'm thankful that this drug has a ceiling--it discourages you from abusing it that way. I'm desperate to get my recovery process well underway, starting with the reversal of my tendency to isolate. But as I've articulated elsewhere on here, I'm kind of hung at the NA meetings I'm attending, not knowing if I should take the plunge and just be open about what I'm doing or keep it to myself until/unless I meet someone I think I can confide in there without rejection. What do you think? Are you in recovery too?

Jeffie, is someone is at an NA or AA meeting and truly working the steps, THEY WILL NOT/SHOULD NOT REJECT YOU no matter what you say! People in 12-step recovery are some of the most compassionate, friendly, non-judgemental people I know.

You sound like you're on your way to living a happy, healthy life. Stay on that path and good luck to you!

Gabbi,
I also had the jitters with an increased heart rate. I also had some difficulty sleeping. All of those thinkgs went away within 48 hours and I've felt great ever since. If you continue to have an increased heart rate after 24-36 hours you may want to give the doctor a call.

I would be very careful about what some of the folks are telling you on here. I think Exnobus and Percokitty are the same person with the same agenda so you may want to examine what they are saying very carefully. It is one thing to tell your experience and it is another to try and scare someone simply to support your position in a very petty argument.

Gabbi, I really hope that you get the same effects from the suboxone that I have and my guess is that you will after your body has an opportunity to adjust to the medication.

Please keep us posted. I've been real busy at work but the rest of the afternoon/evening is looking pretty good and I don't have much on my plate this weekend so let's stay in touch.

I am praying for you.
verylucky

Thanks all for your insight and experience. I am going to call the dr this afternoon, I was just trying to give it some more time so I could see how I feel. I do want to gain the same benefits you all have had I'm sure it will take a little bit to stabilize. But did you feel high when you first started it?

The dr suggested I should start on 16mg to be fully beneficial, but also said since I had tremendously cut back my usage I could try 12mg and see if that worked good enough for me. Yesterday I felt dizzy, shaky, last night heart racing, and a bit high, I am full of energy running around the house a little nausea (all is minimal) So this morning I thought maybe I should try only 12, maybe the 16 was too much. So I did, and now I feel like should I take the other half, I don't know if I'm craving, if it is just psychological, just habit I don't know. I really want to do this the right way. I still feel kind of weird, high a little, shaky, dizzy etc., So any advice??

Sparky, I think your right about not using w/it. I will not use, but how long ago did you slip maybe you have to give yourself some time to readjust. Don't give up when is the last time you used? OMG VL I agree!!

Gabbi,
You've been on the sub for about 24 hours now. My guess is that you will see the side-effects begin to decrease quite significantly from here on out. Although I did have trouble sleeping again the second night, my sleep patterns slowly but surely stabilized.

As far as feeling 'high'? I felt more dizzy or light-headed than high. It definitely wasn't that euphoria that the typical opiates would give me.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions or concerns and I will be more than happy to pass along my experience -- I really consider it a privilege.

I think you are getting ready to turn a corner that will feel like nothing you ever imagined (i.e. no cravings or mental obsessions about the pills).

Stay in touch and keep us posted.
You are in my prayers,
verylucky

Thanks I really can't wait to feel that way!! I called the dr. at this point I was shaking, and threw up once, and I just lay down and my heart is pounding out of my chest and I feel pressure on my chest. I told him I only took the 12mg and he said take the other 4 like yesterday that it sounds like WD, I guess I didn't understand I thought I'd feel like oxy wd, and if I took more meds I'd feel worse but once I took the 4mg I feel better not great though I don't feel as nauseaus. But I can't lay comfortably b/c my chest is pounding. I am trying to cover my shift tommorrow, I have to be up for work at 4:30am and if I feel like I felt last night I am never going to be able to make it. I really just feel awful right now and I feel like if I take another 1/2 will I feel better. Do you think that is a craving or is it just the "addict" talking?? Any insight w/b appreciated.
Gabbi

Gabbi,
It sounds like a craving to me. You, like myself, were taking mega-doses of oxycontin. That is some heavy duty stuff. Like I've said before, I started the suboxone at 16 mgs and increased steadily -- because of the cravings and symptoms of W/D -- until the W/Ds went away completely. That was at 22 mgs. I would call the doc and tell him that you felt better after taking the additional 4 mgs and see if he won't let you take some more.

Please don't take any that he hasn't told you to take. From what you told us previously, it sounds like he knows what he is doing and if you take more (or less) than he has prescribed it will make it more difficult to titrate the drug to your needs.

Sorry it took me a bit to get back with you, I've been on the phone with a client forever. I'm getting ready to leave the office in about 30 minutes and will check in when I get home so please keep us posted on where you are at.

verylucky

Hey no problem thanks for getting back to me. I got my shift covered tommorrow, so at least I don't have to worry about working. I am going to wait and see how I do tommorrow, it may just take me the 48hrs to adjust. If not I think he'd be open to upping it. Thanks,
Gabbi

Gabbi,
Please let us know how you are doing every few hours. Hope and I are praying for you.
verylucky