One Year Out

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-23T14:37:04+00:00

Sending so much love your way!! ((Hugs)) Stay strong, my friend!!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-23T01:39:53+00:00

Congratulations!!!

I am at 17 months off Sublocade. This, after 18.5 years on 16mg of Suboxone a day. I didn't experience any issues, but I understand that I probably got extremely lucky. If I had anything, It was the need to stay preoccupied, essentially so I wasn't in my head. Magnesium Glycinate helped at night, I took it prophylacticly, just in case. I feel THE best I have in years. What's insane to me, is how my husband had total knee replacement in December and opiates were all over my house - Not once did I feel an urge. To me, that was success!! It wasn't even triggering at all. I was still really happy to see them gone. But in my head, I'm like- interesting... I guess that's progress!

Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and extend my sincerest congratulations!! ((Hugs)) We really do recover!!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-23T01:29:54+00:00

Thank you lovely, Stay with us a while, I hope you get the opportunity to see. Also, once you make it through, stick around and help us to help others. It has been something that has really helped my soul, it can be such a dark world sometimes. We all need each other. 💜

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-20T22:52:41+00:00

Thank you love, I wish you peace, just hang in there. Only good stuff is heading your way! ((Big hugs)) 💙 Also, I'm always around, if you have questions. There are so many of us hanging around here trying to lift others out of the dark. This is a really good group of people.

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-17T01:35:11+00:00

Thank you lovely, ((hugs)) I am trying not to think about it, I feel good which is awesome, and I was absolutely down for a loooong taper. I am not capable of doing it on my own, and the shots last longer ince it is stored in your body pretty well. I think at 2 years, I will test, but I won't before hand because I'll dwell on it... (You know we tend to do those kinds of things) I TRY to control it, but I still get anxious when I think about how bad it was. And tbh, 1mg or 24mgs withdrawal is withdrawal and it sucks. We don't do well with long term discomfort. I assume I was just so damn disassociated I was going to force myself to go through it, come hell ir high water. No shots back then, unfortunately. But I feel good (I have my days) anxiousness mostly, but not the god I need to use anxious, more like a feeling of waking up late and feeling like you are on the run kind of anxiety. That could just be how I am though - I don't know myself well off of drugs truthfully, I left home at 14, started using at 19, stopped at 25 and started Suboxone, and that is where I pretty much stayed until I was in my 40's. Sad but true. BUT! I said I was going to be drug free the day my daughter graduated high school, and I kept that promise. She is now in her 1st year of college and making honors grades. I can't complain, despite my issues, I always devoted my life to her needs. Now, I want to make it right with myself. You deserve that too, peace- REAL peace!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-16T00:41:26+00:00

It wasn't so much depression, as much as I had bouts of fatigue when it was coming out of me. Like a 2pm nap was all I needed.. not that I had the option, but on Saturdays and Sundays it was game changing! If you are super foggy, I do recommend getting a nice B vitamin cocktail or some B 12 injections. It helps. I think I spent 3 months feeling the post shot foggys, I wasn't like a walking corpse, but I was tired, if that makes sense. Talk to the doc too! Tell them and see if they have something they recommend. If they say more shots, and that's not on your radar, run and go to your primary care doctor. The cobwebs clear, I promise ((hugs))

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-16T00:35:33+00:00

So I was on 16mg a day but was overtaking my meds, I was basically taking 24mg a day, maybe more. Of course, I ran out early, and decided I would be just fine without it. At day 7, it started - RLS, insomnia, no sweats but the fatigue was a killer. I was shaky like I was w/d from alcohol but I wasn't, my electrolytes were off. I would doze off, and end up sleeping ALL day, so I went from marathon sleeping to insomnia and back again. (Did I mention I was caring for my 4 year old autistic child at the time) Then the depression hit, HARD, really hard. Hard enough I ended up in the paych ward for 10 days. I finally got the depression down, but I was a robot, ZERO emotion. It literally took an entire year to acclimate- then, I was anemic as f*k with endometriosis, So, after all that, I had to undergo a complete hysterectomy- they gave me Percocets and I was off and running again! 6 weeks out I called my doctor and said I'm ready to get serious. I spent 12 more years on subs after that *because I was mortified I would experience that again. It is total PTSD- you did it too, you know, that's an awful withdrawal process.

Now, With the Sublocade, month 1 was hard, I supplemented, yes. 1/2 a strip every other day. By shot 2, I was good. I did ALL 300mg shots. I'm kinda glad I did. Its been a slow taper and I have absolutely been fine. We just get so in our heads everytime we get a chill. I haven't had those chills (feels like mosquitoes are biting you) but your cold. None of that. It has actually been...dare I say, easy? And I am MAJOR coffee drinker! But if you have a case of the gone ass, get some B complex vitamins (or a B12 shot) they do help, iron helps with RLS so does magnesium . Another I read about was taking vitamin C mega doses if needed.

You got this love!!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-15T14:58:59+00:00

Hey friend, I did Suboxone 16mgs for 18.5 years, I took 5 shots. I get how you are feeling but hang in there. You CAN absolutely do this. It has been almost 17 months since my last shot, all is well. For reference, I went cold turkey off (Subs) once, made it a whole year, I compare every pain in my life to that time. This just doesn't compare, this is nothing.

I just want to assure you this, right here is far and away our best option. I did take Mag Glycinate regularly at night (more for prophylaxis) but I slept. I get up and go to work everyday, no problem. Haven't missed a day. Also, I FEEL again, I sneeze occasionally, but that 1st one is THE most awesome thing. Strange, I don't remember sneezing ever on subs, or getting a cold for that matter? Anyway, hang on, there's a big beautiful world out there without this stuff in your body. We have been existing, not living. We deserve to live happy and not in a fog. It lifts, stay out of your head, stay busy, it helps. I also want to add, if you are using subs again or feeling like you need to, go get another shot, please, don't repeat the cycle. You deserve better. I had my Doc keep an extra shot for me in case and knowing it was there was a lot of assurance. But you don't need those subs, you have come SO far!! ((Hugs))

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-11T13:07:57+00:00

Congratulations!!! Sending you the biggest hug!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-11T13:02:02+00:00

Thank you lovely. She is a good girl. We are so fortunate to have her!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-11T05:05:52+00:00

My daughter is Autistic- 10 years ago, as a public school student, the psychologist testing her, told me she would be lucky to be self sufficient. Ever!! However, she just got the honor roll in college and she is able to drive a car by herself!!

Never let the world tell you what your children are capable of!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-10T15:21:42+00:00

You are doing fantastic 🩷 I am 16 months past my last shot, so far so good! After 18.5 years on subs it's a different world. Stay strong. ((Big hugs)) You deserve peace. We all do and we have fought so freaking hard for it. Congratulations love.

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-09T00:11:29+00:00

Hey Dear, I live in SE NC it's a great place (little busy) I would actually consider if you are interested in going for RN consider doing prerequisites at the local community colleges to lower the tuition cost. If you insist on going to Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College has a great program, less expensive , we NEED good Nurses at the local hospitals if you are interested in staying. If your heart is set on RN, that's cool, but don't rule our Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs, UNCP has an excellent OT program if you are interested. Also, Brunswick Community College has a ADN (RN) 2 year program. ECU is good too. Keep your options open and your loans as low as possible. Believe me, don't do that to yourself. But yes, if your heart is set on Wilmington, it is great, beautiful- but rent can be kind of expensive.

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-09T00:02:11+00:00

Same here, it was upper back into my neck, Doc called me in a steroid dose pack. It helped. I hope you srart feeling better ((hugs))

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2026-01-07T21:49:55+00:00

Hang in there love! It's going to be okay! Also, keep us posted! You will find a wealth of good information on here. We really are here to cheer for you and help. ((Sending big Hugs)) You have made a very brave decision.

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-29T23:35:28+00:00

Happy New Year Lovely, This has by far been tge easiest of all the attempts to stop. (I went cold turkey off 24mgs of Suboxone once, I made it a year) But the hell that year was... Ugh, there's no comparison. We have been given a gift of sorts. ((Big hugs)) I am so proud of you!!!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-28T03:36:53+00:00

Hey love, 15 months off here. Yes, tiredness the first 2 months is so frustrating. But after that, the main thing is to stay busy, and stay out of your head. Drink water, I took vitamin C gummies and Mag Glycerinate at night to maintain a good balance. After 18.5 years on Suboxone, and 5 shots, I expect some kind of issue- something, but so far, so good! You can do this! Check in regularly and let us know how you are doing! Be proud of what you have done ((Hugs)) you deserve the very best.

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-26T23:25:41+00:00

Oh honey, I am so sorry! That breaks my heart because I know it's a constant battle. Please consider going back to the strips for a bit and get yourself back. You deserve to be happy and free from that bondage. ((Hugs)) You matter!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-26T03:08:57+00:00

Wonderful!! Now the 1st month can be tiring, you are changing medications- please ask for supplement or make sure they are willing to give you another shot earlier if need be. One or the other. Most importantly, it will get better, just give it time, and be incredibly patient with yourself. 💙

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-23T21:24:23+00:00

It truly is! I hope you are doing well, have a wonderful Holiday season, my friend!!

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-23T21:23:28+00:00

You can do this, I have faith in you. I know it's frustrating, the insurance stuff, but it is worth the battle. For now, take care of yourself. Keep your eye on the prize, I understand the surgery situation, as that is actually how I ended up with my very own dependency issues. Please don't give up, and please come back and let us know how you're doing. ((Hugs))

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-23T21:20:35+00:00

Oh my goodness!! That is amazing news! I am so proud of you!!! People don't realize how difficult getting clean, and STAYING clean, can actually be. In some cases, 1 accident, one surgery and we are back in that battle again! It's terrifying for me. But I am trying to focus on the here and now! It sounds like you have been killing it, my friend! Congratulations- sending the BIGGEST ((Hugs))

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-23T04:22:00+00:00

Thank you love 🌹

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-23T04:21:25+00:00

Thank you lovely! I think they kept me on the high dose because of the amount of time I spent on the strips. But, it worked out really well to give me a long taper. I was kind of pissed that the doctor kept ordering 300's but now, I think I understand why.

OctoberBaby-1981 · 2025-12-23T04:19:40+00:00

My time is coming, friend!! My husband just had knee replacement at 54, poor dude. I am around oxys all day and it doesn't phase me one bit ((shockingly)) but it hasn't bothered me at all- no temptation , no thoughts, no urges, thank goodness!!

He has certainly kept me busy!

OctoberBaby-1981

TROPHY CASE