suboxone newbie and a few questions

[scotteh88]

First and foremost, I'd like to introduce myself to the members of this forum.

My name is Scott. I'm from New Orleans, Louisiana and I am 21 years of age. I'm in fourth year at UNO majoring in Business Management and I have been an opiate addict since I was about 18. After I lost my home to Katrina and my dad to suicide a few months later, I turned to pills to numb my pain. After a short binge of benzos, I found opiates and then eventually, heroin.

Recently I decided enough was enough through the support of my girlfriend, mother, sister and SOBER friends. On 8/23/09, I started 10mg of suboxone.

And, wow... I feel so much better already. I'm also starting an I.O.P. this week which I am excited about. But, I have a few questions.

Before the opiates, before Katrina... I had history of depression and anxiety. I take 60mg of Cymbalta and was on and off klonopin also for a few years. I also take 3mg of Lunesta at night.

I was hoping some of you people on suboxone might be in same boat as me and have depression and anxiety problems. I hear that for the clinically depressed addict, a dose of wellbutrin with suboxone can help re-stabilize dopamine levels and in turn stable dopamine = stable serotonin/endorphins/norepinephrine etc etc etc

This thread is for anyone out there on suboxone that might be on other medication for insomnia/anxiety/depression. Share your thoughts on your current regime or an older regime that you think might have worked better.

I think this thread might help us find a few patterns in those being treated for addiction and other psychological disorders. Some of us might find that through the posts of others maybe the current SSRI/SNRI/benzodiapene/sleep aid we take with our suboxone might not be the right one for us.

and again... I look forward to posting in the future. Thank you for giving a NEW RECOVERING ADDICT A VOICE

3 CHEERS FOR SOBER LIVING BABY BAAAAAAAABAY!

Scott

[christin1225]

Scott,

Welcome (a few days late) to SR's not too oft read Suboxone/Methadone forum. Although it's wonderful to have a separate forum for those who are on drug replacement therapies, it can also be a bit isolating. I hope that you have posted in the Newcomers forum and received a proper welcome prior to this belated one.

I'm so sorry to hear about what pushed you toward abusing opiates. The loss of a home and then of a parent... how absolutely devastating. I often forget just how fortunate I am. Thank you for reminding me.

Although I don't have anything to contribute to the specific points addressed by this post, I look forward to reading your future posts for which I may have experience to share.

[butterfly19]

Scott,

First let me also give you a belated welcome to SR!! It's a wonderful place to voice your problems and get/give tons of support!! Also, a big conratulations to you for deciding to get clean! I haven't been visiting around on this forum, though I should as I'm on suboxone and trying to wean off of it. I remember you from the meeting the other night and your words meant a lot!

I am so so sorry that you have had to suffer so much at a young age. I can only identify a little with what you went through as I also lost my father when I was 24. It was soon after that when I discovered that opiates numbed my pain. Five long years later, I was forced to face all my demons and begin the recovering process. I've been on suboxone for 15 months. Not everyone is on it that long. It is very individualized and also, often, how your dr. chooses to treat your addiction. I'm currently at 3 mg, going to 2 mg most likely this coming Tuesday. I have a lot of big changes coming up which I mentioned in the recent meeting. And, honestly, I'm scared to death.

But to focus on what you were asking about: I also suffer with depression and anxiety--issues that were present and being treated for long before my battle began with opiates. I've been on lots of meds, and it comes down to what works for you may not be the same thing that works for others. Presently I'm on Pristiq 50 mg(which is new for me)--I started on this after a recent severe bout of depression. I'm also on Buspar for anxiety, Elavil for sleep and pain control, Lyrica for pain control, and Ativan (which I'm very much aware can be addicting) for anxiety. I also take blood pressure medication as well as meds for severe irritable bowel syndrome.

There are so many of us addicts who also have to deal with depression and anxiety. A lot of it can be helped by medication, but I cannot stress enough that participating in therapy can truly help you get to some of those dark issues that you tried to numb away. It has helped me a lot. A little over a year ago, I didn't think I could have possibly come as far as I have. SR has been a HUGE part of my recovery as well. Having a good support system is essential in recovery!!

Any questions you might have about suboxone, please feel free to voice them. I hope to see you around often and be witness to your continued success. Please take care, and never hesitate to contact me if you need anything at all!!! Stay strong, stick to your regimine, and know that you can conquer this!!!

Peace & Love,

butterfly19 (aka SP)

[shelderella]

scott-
I have been on Suboxone and Cymbalta for two years now and I have to tell you that I have never felt better in my life.After dealing with being misdiagnosed, wrong medications, self medication, and physical injury- my current regime is the best by far.I have GAD and it has been a challenge my entire life.
With accepting the help to get me here, I have a wonderful life today, we can and do recover!

[meganl]

Well this is just my opinion I am on 4 mg of suboxone and I am on Wellbutrin for depression and anxiety too. I have been on the suboxone for almost 16months now, my original dose was 16mg. Sooo I don't know if that helps you but if you have any more questions I would be glad to help ya. And welcome, I too am new to this soberrecovery forum.