I've been taking Heroin since I was fourteen. I went into treatment at forty and fully recovered. Well, as much as you can. I was drug free for eight years and again started using Heroin, but saw my doctor and started a Methadone maintainance script a year ago.
I was on 150 mls six months ago and have reduced by 10 mls per week until a week and a half ago, when I reached 30mls.
I had my last 30mls of Methadone eight days ago and went onto Subutex.
I started on 8mg the first day, 16 the second, 24 the third and have been on 32mg for the last few days.
But I'm still withdrawing , although I don't feel too uncomfortable, a few cravings and of course I'm still perspiring quite a lot, but mainly I feel agitated and just ragged around the edges.
My main motivation to get clean, apart from the fact that I'm worth it, has been the fact that I started at a college last year.
Just a general intro to schooling again and I'm going to be starting a BA (Hons) English degree in September 06.
So hopefully I will be off of Subutex by then.
But could anyone please tell me why I'm still having withdrawal symptoms?
I'm seeing my drug case worker tomorrow and he has assured me my doctor won't allow me to be sick and will increase my dose.
The only thing is If my dose is increased( and I thought 32mg was the top dose) it means It will take longer to come off of the Subutex.
Any answers, any help will be much appreciated.
This is my first post here so I'm feeling quite vulnerable asking total strangers for help, although if like me you have been on Heroin and Methadone you're not strangers and know exactly what I'm feeling like right now.
I have to say I do like having my head clearer.

I apologise if I've come to the wrong forum but I just need some advice, or maybe reassurance.
Thanks.

Lady Derwent

Hi Lady, I dont have any Advice to offer regarding methadone and sub as I have never taken either one but I wanted to welcome you to the board. you are doing such a great job and you sound so positive and upbeat WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT to have been using for so long and to become clean after all those years. it is nice to see someone really trying to become clean and sticking to a program like you have, I have to say I am so proud of you and inspired by your post:)

I am sure when you speak to the Dr tomorrow if you tell him/her that you are feeling W/D'S they will adjust your SUB or give you something else to take the edge off the icky feelings your having.

I know there are people here that can offer good advice to you so give it a little time for people to see your post as there are many sub users and former heroin users that visit here all the time, I just wanted to let you know that your post is very uplifting and I wish you the best of luck in your recovery!!!

Slippery Slope.

Thanks SlipperySlope, It feels a bit like I've been battered a little bit in the last few days, but I know I will get there eventually.
Thank you for your words of encouragement.
You know its not the advice that helps, I suppose for me its knowing that I'm not the only person sat feeling uncomfortable, on my own, and that others have been through exactly what I'm experiencing.
Its almost 8.55pm here in the U,K and the nights are always the worst.
It feels like you're the only person awake, very lonely.
I'll remember you as offering me reassurance that I'm definitely not alone.
Thanks again, SlipperySlope.

Lady Derwent. :)

:wave: hi,i also started young, and off and on about 30 yrs,you should be very proud of yourself :bouncing: anyway when i got off meth i came off very very slow,i never would us subutex, to me it would be like getting on something else that i had to get off,i never was sick, from 100 then down all the way to 1,slow ,i guess its different here we have to go to a clinic and drink it ,i never knew anyone who had pills,god knows,,,, i know what it is like being sick, sweetie hang in there you have come so far , see your dr. whatever you have to do, please let me know how your doing,my prays are with you ,

i too did the methadone..bupenorphine thing for a long period of time...higthest i got on methadone was 120mg....5mg weekly detox,cjumped tp bupe....both are long acting opiates but from different classification....ones a agonist/other is antagonist....it will take a short period of time for the receptors in the brain to figure out what chemicals you are throwing at it.....usually by week two the bupe will sit on those receptors and you will feel comfortable again......will have to deal with the w/d's tough when it is time to wean the bupe unless it will be a long term maintance(6 months or more)...then you will have same approach.....drop the bup slowly....chef

Thanks to all.
I just hit that mood in my mind and went for it.
My doctor said its easier and quicker to jump from 30mls of Methadone to Subutex and then reduce on those.
Its supposed to be a less harsh but quicker withdrawal.
I just want a clear head to start my degree.
I suppose its only eight days so I do need to allow my body to adjust to the different medication.
If I had stayed on Methadone I was looking at least another six months to reduce, a lot slower than I have so far, so anything that will get me off drugs a little quicker, is ok with me.
I do understand though that I have to take this part of my detox slower than I have so far.
I don't want to rebound back onto something stronger, which I have heard can happen.
Thank you so much for your advice and kind words.
I do feel so much better knowing that what I'm feeling is quite normal.
I think when your reducing your medication its easy to let your mind run away with you.
Maybe that's why I got so panicked.
Good job I found you lovely people to reassure me.
I'm more grateful than I can put into words, and hopefully one day, I too will be in a position to give the same help to someone else who is feeling like I feel right now.
Well, that's what its about isn't it?
No point getting clean without giving something back.
Anyway, thanks to everyone. :)

Lady Derwent.