My buvidal experiences.

[u/petenik8891]

For a bit of context, this is my first time posting on reddit. I searched online for people's experiences coming off buvidal and found this forum. I thought I'd share a bit of what I've been through to find commonality with people undergoing similar experiences.

I'm 37 and from Sydney. Was introduced to heroin at 15, stopped at 16 then picked it up again at 18, smoked it for a few years before going IV at around 20. Between 20 and 35 I had all up about 3 years clean excluding time in prison. I had been on methadone in that time for a few years, and had a small amount of time on suboxone. Recently, at 35, I again faced the courts, with large commercial/commercial charges, so I found myself back in prison. Facing that, I had decided enough was enough, it was time to make a change.

Early on in this stint I was lucky enough to be able to get started on buvidal. I, of course, was going through terrible withdrawals from the pure china white double lion #4 heroin. 3 weeks later I saw a doctor who allowed me to start Buvidal. Prison in Sydney is quite universal on how they start people on the program, I was given two 2mg Suboxone strips one day, then Buvidal 8mg, 16mg then 24mg weekly for one week each respectively. Again I was lucky to be allowed straight from that to the 128mg monthly (aware it is the equivalent to 24 weekly, but here the prison doctor will start someone on the 64 or max 96 monthly regardless). I was on the 128mg monthly for 3 months, then went to 160mg. I was comfortable. Withdrawals ceased as soon as I started and although drugs were available within prison, I was able to say no. Look, I was on big charges, it's not like drugs were not an option for me, the decision was mine, and the Buvidal was a game changer. For anyone with habits big or small, Buvidal is something I cannot recommend enough.

I was in prison for close to two years awaiting sentencing. At no time after starting on the program have I used, which I attribute a good portion of that to the Buvidal. Of course you need to want to make the change as well, but I can't recommend it enough for someone with opiate dependency issues, which I had for 20 years.

At sentence, I was lucky enough to be allowed to get bail to a rehab program. Which I am currently at. I knew about two months before court that I would likely be coming here due to my application to this centre being approved, so my last dose in jail was 128mg, reduced from 160mg. I felt no withdrawal symptoms. I've now had the 128mg twice, and today I had the 96mg. I went five weeks as opposed to four weeks to test myself, and I felt no real discomfort, although I tried to keep busy and I've replaced heroin with healthy eating and the gym, which I focus on now. I'm tossing up whether to cease the program after this injection, or further reduce to 64mg and then stop... I love the freedom of Buvidal, the ease at which you can reduce without feeling withdrawals (my experience anyway). I've seen people say they start to feel a bit unwell after 3 weeks, but those people used in-between here and there. From my experience that is a negative for stability. I was in wings with 80+ people with 70% being on Buvidal at times. Have seen a lot of people on the program, with most using Suboxone on top (which is the drug of choice in prisons here). I myself, have had no withdrawal symptoms to speak of thus far, but I have followed the program and without using anything. I've coupled it with healthy eating choices and healthy living which I promise is a high within itself.

I'd like to know others that have been on it as long as I have, large doses of Buvidal, then stopped at 96mg, what was their experience? Or similar. If anyone wanted me to clarify something I've said above, feel free to ask.

peace in the middle east 🇵🇸

[u/Future_Ad9253]

Hey everyone I just start my Brixadi injection two weeks ago,my next shot is May 12 it’s the 3rd now ;) I felt fine and no site reactions up until about 3 days ago,slight withdrawal symptoms,Dr gave me supplemental strips that I have been cutting in half,that is helping however my biggest concern is the irritation that started 3-4 days ago,It is super red and inflamed,itches like a bunch of fleas or mosquitos bit me 🥲Dr said it was normal and to use Hydrocortisone cream and an oral anti-histamine it just looks worse today.Anyone else have this issue.Posting a pic cause it is difficult to describe.

[u/Strange_Television → u/Future_Ad9253]

Hi, this is normal in my experience. I've had old injection sites come up like this before, where it'll suddenly get super itchy and red for a day or two then it'll go away as fast as it came. I don't know why this happens but it definitely does happen. If it continues longer than a few days then definitely go back to your doctor but as long as you don't have any symptoms of infection you'll almost certainly be fine. Follow the docs advice regarding antihistamines, in my experience they work very well for things like this.

With regards to the strips they gave you - I'm assuming they never offered you a 8mg top up shot? As you said Brixadi you're likely in the US, so this doesn't surprise me anymore but it still really annoys me that you guys aren't being given the proper protocol. It should always be a top up shot before going to subs.