Sydney0502

Just started Sub this weekend. I am opening it up out there to see if I can get someone experienced and successful with the "lowest possible dose" leveling FAST taper schedule. Someone that knows this process and all thats required?

I am following the "less is more" philosophy with my sub experience. Starting at the lowest possible dose, leveling for about 4/5 days then tapering 25% every 4th day till I get to below 2mg then doing the "skipping" every other day till done pathway. Anyone familar with Robert's induction schedule on the drugs.com site will know what I am talking about (tried to post link to thread but this site gave me an error).

My first pill was this past Saturday at 9:00a ET. I took 2mg. The 2mg did help with withdrawal as I actually woke up 20min later so was able to fall asleep. It also calmed down my nerve issue (RLS, feeling you are going out of your skin). Because I wasnt sure what I was supposed to feel when "leveled" and because I still felt "flu'ey" I took another 2mg within the hour (I should have waited longer or got out of bed and walked around but I was just trying to get through the withdrawal and not thinking clearly).

The schedule says to stay on the lowest possible dose until you level on the first day but doesnt tell you what indicates you "leveling"? The only info I had to go on was the author of the program I am following strongly indicated noone should level at higher than 8mg - that between 2-6mg was the norm.

So, I was rather disappointed in myself when I finished off the 8mg pill all within a couple hours (by 10:00a I was done). Still had the rest of day and night to look forward too and I still was sweating, feeling "icky". Better, could be productive to the point I could take care of myself without laying in bed all day but not what I thought I should be feeling so obviously I need someone to explain what i need to expect and "accept" on the lower dose.

Yes, I know people usually take much more and I myself was told to take 2 8mg pills a day from the doc I got the Sub script from but he didnt even ask me one question on how much of the DOC I was taking that I was abusing, my life history, etc. It was clear it was a fairly standard "one size fits all" script he gave me. I have also done enough reading on forums to know clinics and doctors over prescribe.

To me, the less you have in your system the better and makes sense if you are going to start tapering in about 5 days from starting? Why would I want to taper from 16mg when i can from 2mg? I only wanted to feel good enough to sleep, work and get through day without that "miserable, cant get comfortable being me" feeling.

So, how do you know when you are at your "leveling" dose if you are doing a less is more approach?

I also had working against me so many posts I had read in past of people raving how much this drug made them "whole" again. That they felt the closest to being sober as being sober itself when they first went on sub. I didnt and dont have that feeling. On 8mg and this being my 3rd day from over a 1100mg Tramadol abuse lifestyle just days before, I still feel in "withdrawal" to a point. Still feel on a drug and still feel "not well". BUT, I am not sick in withdrawal and am off the Tramadol now and have that "truth" on my side. Id like to think I am in "recovery" but need guidance from this point on if I should try to get to 6mg today (not take that last 2mg) and then for tomorrow, what to do. Right now I am 2mg every few hours..Robert recommended spitting your day's quota in 2 halves - morning and afternoon to make it easier tapering. Right now I am at 4X a day. The first day I took it once a day but felt like the balance of the day was alittle overwhelming. It wasnt bad..wasnt sick but didnt feel "sober" and jumping for joy...kinda depressed and still flu(ish). It feels much better yesterday and today..spreading out 2mgs every few hours. Gives me little bumps in mood to look forward too (oops, that may still be my drug behavior talking).

That's another thing..not sure if my "cravings" are gone..atleast not yet as i dont feel that leveling where I can go to next step. Kinda still feel in withdrawal or need somoene to help me with the schedule to "accept" ok..Im at 6mg now.."x" times a day...now look forward to the taper...

anyway, someone out there reading this and can't sift through the bad spelling and rambling...please help me!!! thanks.