Author: laddertipper
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:02 am
Good for you Rmac!! You are getting low, low, low. So, you are taking tabs, right? Is that how you measure out those doses (liquid taper)? I guess I should say ‘you are taking an itsy bitsy piece of a tab’. 
I love reading your updates, because you are so positive and it is absolutely inspiring to me and to others, I’m sure. Plus, much of what you explain you’ve experienced with not getting as much satisfaction on your higher Sub dose and then being pleasantly surprised as you taper lower is identical to what I’ve noticed. It just reaffirms to me that it is not ‘in my head’. There seems to be some transfer of ‘good feeling chemicals’ that happens as you get lower and lower. So, when something happens that should trigger an emotional reaction, there seems to be a greater transfer of ‘happy chemicals’ in your brain, instead of everything being quite even much of the time. I think it’s that transfer that makes life enjoyable.
Also, this is yet another example of how a low dose for an extended period really helps when it comes to tapering later on. I’ve been telling people who want to get off Sub but are on high doses and feel they cannot do it that they should forget getting off and just taper lower for the time being. That pays off in spades when one goes to tackle tapering all the way off. You’ve been dropping with minimal trouble. I got so stuck at 1 mg that doing 1 day at 75 would throw me into nasty high blood pressure-w/d hell. Waited a good 2+ months at 1 mg and dropped down with nearly no problem. I’m certainly not having it as easy as you. I’m taking the Clonidine, and my pressure is still higher than normal and I’ve never had a problem with that. Is yours normal? Have you checked it? I just do that in the grocery store or pharmacy. It’s a good benchmark of how your body is handling stuff.
I’m happy to hear that the ‘delaying doses’ approach is working for you. I swear…this approach really does work. Now, before I drop, I always cushion it by pushing my doses back, so the next day (the drop day) I hardly feel it. If a person never takes their Sub until they truly need it, then over time, their body will let go and need less and less.
I’m wondering if you would agree, also, with the ‘dosing as needed’ thing that you think less about Sub and when you are going to take it. I am starting to notice that I’m ‘forgetting’ some days that I even take Sub. Then, it hits me when I start to feel badly. Now, on days when I’m adjusting to a drop and my legs ache, the Sub calls my name. I cannot deny it, but on days that I feel okay, I get up and start my day without a thought about Suboxone, like today! It helps me to tell myself "I don’t take Suboxone." Of course, I DO, but I’m trying to get in the mentality of not taking it, not looking for that piece of film, not waiting on a med, etc.
Keep updating! I’m so excited for you, because the end of the tunnel is getting close. Getting under 1 mg is huge, and getting under .5 is even bigger!!! Congratulations. 
You’re closing in on victory.
laddertipper
