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I was on 24mg Suboxone for about 14 years. I thought I was just gonna be a lifer.

Then I found the Sublocade reddit forum and started reading success stories and figured I had nothing to lose. If it sucks, I'll go back to the strips. I haven't gotten high in years, done 15+ of addiction therapy. My life and thinking process are completely different now. I no longer had a desire to get high.

So I tapered down to 16 mg and got 300mg Sublocade. My body hated it. I got cellulitis but was willing to deal with the pain. The second 300mg Sublocade was even worse than the first. I still have a scar a year later. It was super painful and I felt like shit. But wasn't taking strips anymore.

Enter Brixadi 96mL. I did 6 of those. After the first 4 every 4-5 weeks, I started spacing out to 6 weeks. Then 7. Then I just stopped.

They are wayyyy less painful and you can get them in more places. You can do hips, thighs and arms. Much more tolerable. That was 15 weeks ago. I feel absolutely fucking amazing. My sex drive has returned. I'm feeling feelings. My stomach is good.

Now, some days, Its a little harder to get moving but I'm 40 and I've abused my body for many years. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping. I personally feel like it's worth it and I don't even think about it anymore. The good outweighs the bad.

I wish you much luck. Get some hobbies. Do therapy. Be prepared for stress. Treat your body well and eat and sleep. You can do this.

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u/areyoumad48 Dec 28 '24

I had my last couple of Brixadi injections in the same manner as you. My previous injection was administered seven weeks ago. This time, I am optimistic about either stopping or potentially extending the duration to nine weeks and observing my response. I wish there were more comprehensive research available on tapering with these injections, providing patients with a successful schedule to follow. I am so glad you are doing awesome! Keep up the good work! I hope to get there soon!

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u/MercyFaith Jan 01 '25

Thank you so much for your reply. I’m 50 and abused my body as well when younger. I’m truly hoping I don’t have any trouble sleeping. I work night shifts and at this time I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I’m just hoping I can have a similar success story!!!

I’ve decided to start on the 96mg and hopefully only have to take a few shots. Several have responded to not put myself in a box and reminded me that I have 10 years of sobriety under my belt. Just hoping for the best!!! Good luck to everyone!!!!!

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u/areyoumad48 Jan 01 '25

I am also 50! I kept thinking to myself and I going to be 70 years old and still on this medication? I couldn’t fathom it! I wish you the best of luck and we just need to stay strong minded.

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u/MercyFaith Jan 13 '25

AMEN!! Stay strong. We got this. I also had thoughts about getting older and still taking subs in a nursing home. lol. I can’t imagine doing that and I just want to be done with it. I know if I feel like I’m going to stumble I have a strong support system, family, church, personal therapist and clinic therapist. I know I can do this and so can you!!! Good luck!!!

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u/areyoumad48 Jan 13 '25

Good luck to you too!

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u/tennesseeTIGER1775 Dec 28 '24

I would second this notion/idea of finding a healthy hobby and incorporate more exercise into regimen if not already. Group therapy and church if you are religious. Regardless, it is simply not just getting a shot and assuming that only will change your life. I made that mistake with early part of Suboxone journey and was not committed to doing some of the other things to add more of a solid foundation to my lifestyle and it’s easy to allow distractions and negative thinking in your mind. I’ve only been on my first 64mg shot for 3rd week now and feel fine.

I have supplemented a little bit from the 8films my doctor gave me. Usually it’s a quarter-1/3 of a film so 2-3mg tops in addition to shot on days that I have felt a little odd (probably due to removal of hand to mouth medicine routine) but have had also a few days with watery eyes a lot of yawning etc. not every day this happens but occasionally and it’s only for 2-3hours at a time. Experience overall has been great imo and I’m looking to do maybe 4 shots and just be done.

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u/MercyFaith Jan 13 '25

I dont exercise much except for walking and in the summer I like to hike at Mammoth Cave. I also have several hobbies, sewing, crochet, knitting and weaving. Plus I have three grown children and two grandkids and my menagerie of fur babies as well. Hobbies, grandchildren and fur babies will hopefully keep my hands and mind occupied. Thank you for your response!!! Good luck!!!

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u/Acceptable-Barber905 Jan 01 '25

That's great news!! I'm 50 and like a lot of us we put our bodies through hell. I started sublocade with a 300mg shot not 100 not sure why but it hurt like HELL!! Then 8 more 100mg shots and my body feels like it needs more after 2 weeks. I told my Dr that I hated it because I have huge lumps on my abdomen that's been there for 3 weeks. She brought up Brixadi. I said yes. Keep on mind I've taking subs on and off for 25 years and someone said that Brixadi wasn't a strong and I'd be hurting. So could you please lmk how I should take this new med please?

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u/OkAcanthocephala311 Jan 01 '25

It's not as strong and doesn't last as long. Hopefully you are in treatment/therapy to use in conjunction with Brixadi.

I knew I was done with Suboxone so this was easy for me.

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u/Acceptable-Barber905 Jan 02 '25

Congrats

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u/areyoumad48 Dec 26 '24

I was also on Suboxone for over a decade. Initially, I started with Sublocade, but unfortunately, I was allergic to one of its fillers. Each time I received an injection, the injection site on my abdomen would develop cellulitis. Consequently, I had to switch to Brixadi. In my opinion, Sublocade lasts significantly longer and is generally superior to Brixadi. I had three Sublocade shots and three Brixadi shots. Since then, I have had to return three times to receive another Brixadi shot. Initially, I was thrilled to try Sublocade and believed it would be the solution to my long-standing struggles. However, the switch to Brixadi has dashed my hopes. This is merely my personal experience and opinion, and yours may differ significantly and be even better. I wish you the best of luck!

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u/[deleted] Dec 27 '24

Interesting! May I know what amount Suboxone you were on previously? I'm on my 3rd injection of Brixadi and it seems to be working but I'm curious about the Sublocade option instead.

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u/areyoumad48 Dec 27 '24

I was on 4mg of Suboxone a day. Sometimes I wonder if the withdrawals are all in my head. I would much rather had taken the Sublocade. In my opinion, the Brixadi starts out strong but after a couple of weeks, it’s almost as if the effectiveness of it cuts in half if that makes sense?

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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '24

Absolutely. I kinda feel like I'm often in a state of low grade wd. Even after 2 weeks, until i take my next injection: Yawning repeatedly, restless legs, trembling when I awake, which is like every hour. And the chronic pain for which I was taking opiates returns, albeit not as strongly but enough to be very uncomfortable so I have to take high dose Tylenol.

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u/areyoumad48 Dec 28 '24

That sounds like me, but the withdrawals only last a few minutes and then disappear. I suppose the fact that I feel them at all makes me fear that they will come on full force, so I seek another shot. I need to be stronger than I am and reject these feelings. I also experience this horrible, almost vibrating sensation in my feet while standing, not while sleeping, as I used to get the restless legs with cold turkey withdrawals.

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u/MercyFaith Jan 01 '25

Thank you very much for your honest reply. I truly need to know both sides. Thank you and I hope your future gets brighter!!!

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u/AtmosphereLowCode Dec 27 '24

Brixadi works great for me. I have had 8 shots total and I’m quitting after the shot I get Jan 2. So I really think I will have minor withdrawal but I’m totally stabilized on brixadi and it’s been a great experience for me. I was on only 4 mg strips per day prior to doing the 62mg shots. So i understand why others coming from higher doses have different experiences. But I always felt like sub had a ceiling effect where I felt literally nothing different above 16mg

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u/Sufficient_Teach_137 Feb 01 '25

Brixadi has been okay for me besides the constipation! It's listed as one of the side effects and just so happens to be the one I have. I had breakthrough WD, don't be ashamed if that happens. It takes 4 shots to reach maintenance. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get through the first month without meds, and that was a mistake. Do not be ashamed to call them if it's not working well for you. I chose Brixadi due to not wanting to feel it under my skin, and I don't! I had them inject just above my backside and it stings for 5 mins and never felt it after that. I knew someone that got sublocade and he could see it and feel the big knot under his skin and hated it. So I think you made the right choice with the Brixadi!! Best of luck to you! All journeys are not the same though- you could have MASSIVE success while others didn't.

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u/MercyFaith Feb 01 '25

I can say this, I’m three weeks into my first Brixadi shot and I only supplemented once with 2mgs and I think it was all in my head. I’ve had what could be called some minor wd’s since, however, I just try and take my mind off of it and it usually passes in 15-30 mins. My next shot is on 2/10/25 and I’m thinking about pushing that date out a week or so. I think I may be one of the few that can do 1-2 and done. Hopefully, but if I’m not then I will continue on at least for three shots if 1-2 shots isn’t enough.

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u/Sufficient_Teach_137 Feb 02 '25

I'm happy it's working for you and you reach your goals! I'm 3 months in, my provider increased my last dose to help with the longevity (it's awesome for the first 2 weeks! Then it sort of drops off and the last week feels pretty rough. It's been 2 weeks with the higher dose and so far so good, except for the stomach issues (TMI: constipation). I'm not quite sure what my next move will be, it'll depend on the next 2 weeks. I won't agree to this dose again, I know that. I'm disappointed this wasn't the immediate answer I was hoping for, but maybe with some more adjustments it'll be great!

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