suboxone~r these side effects normal/is it worth it??

[ogjp]

Hi, I tried for my second time to get off opiates in 5/09. I was over useing but doing ok on gabapention unitl about 4 weeks ago. - partied 3 weeks in a row and got pretty freaked. So I went on suboxone 2 weeks ago, it had always been my back up. I am married with two kids and did the say home mom cleans deal. Day 1-2 pretty much out of it. Day2-5 agitatied, argueing, talking WAY two much. Day 5-17 much clearer thinking,taking my meds as perscribed for the first time in my life, I'm thinking pretty clearly. The seriosuly bothersome/frightning is the swelling! My feet are about 3 times their normal size, I have mild to moderate swelling everywhere else. I've been 2 the Dr 3 times but the 2 I've seen have not been worried. I am also very tired in the mornings. Is any of this normal? Will it go away? What r the REAL benifits of this medication and is it WORTH it? Thanks So Much!

[christin1225]

ogjp

It's been a couple of days since your post. Others may have been confused by it. At first, I was a little confused but think that I may finally understand it.

You've been trying to get off opiates but have been unsuccessful. I'm assuming that you've been taking Neurontin (Gabapentin) to help either with nerve pain or anxiety. And four weeks ago you went on an opiate binge, though you haven't mentioned the specific drug (heroine, oxys, vics...?). Am I correct? And now, you're on Sub (hopefully because you intend to never go back to using narcotics). Your main concern seems to be the swelling.

I'm not a doctor (obviously) but I have had swelling issues with Suboxone, to the point of my shoes not fitting. When that happened, I spoke to my Sub doctor and he authorized lasix. Within a day my ankles and calves showed improvement. In three days, they were normal size.

As far as the benefits of Suboxone is concerned, only you and your doctor can determine that. Are you able to stay off narcotics without the Suboxone? The answer to that question should help you to determine what the benefits of Suboxone may or may not be.

[ogjp]

Thank you for your input!the suboxone has helped clear my head. (I think) I do not even think about pills anymore! I have had a couple of urges but I've kinda snapped out of it!!this has nothing to do with the posting, but I am so lost and confused!I have never felt so alone!I am nowdemanding respect from my husband and children! My husband refuses 2 think that he might need 2 make some changes! He is so cruel and petty! He responds to me like he's 5! Idk maybe its me!! How can I feel feel like this is good when my family is falling apart! My husband will still use occasionally but I am the one with the problem, so once I get my **** together the whole family will magicly heal! Don't we all need 2 change for it to work? Idk what I'm asking... I need a friend!

[kj3880]

I feel as though you might benefit from NA. Have you given meetings a try yet? Good way to find some friends and get support for yourself in recovery.

Love,
KJ

[christin1225]

Originally Posted by ogjp

I need a friend!

I totally agree with KJ. NA meetings are a great place to find support for your recovery and to build friendships with people who are not using. I can't attempt to make any helpful comments on the remainder of your post because I don't know anything about you yet. Maybe you would like to tell us a little bit about yourself, your history of addiction, and something about your family. Getting some of that information out might help you as well. I noticed that every line of your post, except one (and besides the question), ends in an exclamation point. That indicates to me that you have a lot of emotions that may have been numbed and are now begging to be released. Although this forum is a good place to do that, NA can help you with that as well.

One last thing for now, you're right about the fact that Suboxone can help a lot to lift the obsession and to make it bearable. As time goes by, however, your brain will figure out that it's not going to get high off the stuff and you may begin to struggle a bit more with dreams and urges. I personally believe that anyone using Suboxone without working a recovery program (such as a twelve-step program) is bound to relapse because the Sub does little more than mask the addiction. It doesn't put our addiction into "remission," as will happen as the result of working a recovery program.

I'm really glad to read that your head is clearing.

[shelderella]

The swelling is from the gabapentin- I have never heard of Suboxone causing swelling before and when I took gabapentin/neurontin- my legs and feet swelled up like crazy.Give the medication time to stabilize.Take it early in the day, especially if you cannot stay asleep long.
and yes you all need to change for it to work.You will relapse before you get him clean though.He has to do it on his own.Get involved in some support, you really need it now!

[cjsg]

Ok straqngely enough I had/have this annoying swelling which started when I began taking the suboxone. I am on 2 mg a day now and it has lessened greatly but in the beginning it was rather marked. I did not, however, have my feet swell to 3 times it´s normal size.