Expert: Charles I. - 1/20/2008

Question
QUESTION: i am about to go through prescribed withdrawals after being on bupremorphine for approx 2 yrs and am about to drop off my last dose. It is extremley scary cause i only lasted 8 hrs of withdrawals whilst on heroin. i have a very supportive boyfriend but he doesn't know the best way to support me through this time. I'm a bit clueless as i have only ever dealt with withdrawals for a short period of time. Can you offer any advice for my boyfriend and I?

ANSWER: Hi Pen, thanks for your question. The withdrawals you experience from buprinorphine should not be as severe as heroin or methadone. You are going to possibly feel like you have the flu for the next few days (i say few because I really couldn't tell you the exact number...everyone is different). You may experience achiness, nausea, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, sweating. You are probably not going to feel like going anywhere. I would handle it like you have the flu by drinking lots of fluids, try eating some easy foods like soup to keep your strength up and take a good multi-vitamin. None of this will stop any of the withdrawal you may experience but it will help your body to stay in the best shape possible while detoxing from the drug.
Finally all I can tell you is to hang in there and everyday you should feel a little better...don't give in to the withdrawal and cravings, if you do it will set the whole process back even further. The best thing your boyfriend can do is just be there for you and provide love and support. It is important that you talk to him and let him know how you are feeling.
After you start feeling better I would highly recommend that you seek some sort of counseling or at least attend some sort of support group like NA to help keep you on the path of recovery.
I'm cheering for you and hope that you hang in there and get to the other side.
Good Luck,
Charles


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much Charles for your reply. I am about 2 weeks away from starting the withdrawals...I know you said that it is different fro everybody but do you think after 2 weeks I should be over the worst of it? Only reason is that I have taken 2 weeks leave from work and hope that I will be fit to return after that. And do you have any recomadations for medicationthat will help with the leg pain-that's my worst symptom.Pen

Answer
Hi Pen, You should feel much better after two weeks and the worst should be behind you. As far as the leg pain, really all you can do is take some aspirin or Tylenol; there really isn't anything that isn't an opiate that will completely relieve the discomfort. Whatever you do, don't give in to the withdrawal symptoms...it will set your whole recovery back. I wish you the best and I'm cheering for you!
Good Luck,
Charles