I have been taking 12-16 mgs of suboxone now prescribed to me daily for almost six months. While I am still an addict I replaced my opiate and upper addiction with suboxone and energy drinks. I consume upwards of 5-6 drinks daily coupled with my dose of suboxone. Initially when I started the suboxone treatment I had very vivid dreams which I later discovered was the result of sleep paralysis. The dreams were very intense but after several months eventually dissipated. Now I have noticed they are back again. Also as I doze off to sleep I have what I can only describe as a mild lighting storm in my head. I have had a more severe version of this happen when I was using meth several months prior. It was so intense it felt as if my brain was being electrocuted and I was almost fearful to fall asleep for fear of waking up. I now attend 12 step meetings and although I have slipped up once in the past seven months (three weeks prior) certainly want to get off of the suboxone and lead a healthy and sober life. I know I need to cut down on the energy drinks but am very curious as to why this has been happening and if there is any chance of serious healthy risks. Thank you to anyone who can offer me some clarity. A.J.
Taking 16mgs of suboxone w/ lots of NRG drinks daily. Lighting storms in my head when I sleep. Why?
Question posted by JohnnyNo1 on 8 Sep 2011
Last updated on 16 May 2021
Answers
Hey Johnny, welcome to the site. Those energy drinks have supplements and herbs that might be causing these sensations, I think you are having what is known as brain zaps and you can look that up in wikipedia.org under brain zaps. Those are known to come when a person quits an antidepressant, and may happen when other meds are stopped as well. Look them up and see if it sounds right to you, about what you are experiencing. Then do some research into the ingredients of the energy drinks, you may find that it is caused by them or something in them. I am off subs now, but took it for 2 and 1/2 years, I never had this sensation. What other meds are you on, or recently quit, that could be causing the brain zaps. I know many people do think they are switching addictions with subs, but if you do it correctly, you are not switching addictions, you are recovering. You must do the addiction therapy to properly use subs, and get off, if that is your goal, some elect to stay on it for life, and that is ok too. Patti
Well thank you very much Patti. Certainly a relief to realize that it may not be life threatening! I will certainly do more research into "brain zaps" haha so scientific. None the less let's see what I can find. May I ask how long it took you to get off the subs and what you did to taper?
I tapered over a year and came off fine, just for shiggles, click my avatar and read my profile story and it will give a lot more info on my subs use. Basically, i had gotten to taking 4 to 6 lortab or perc tens per day and felt I needed to get off of them, went to an outpatient clinic, where I was led to believe I was the worst opiate dependent they had ever seen, and sent to subs dr. He put me on one 8 mg pill but told me I might need another pill, take when I felt I needed it, then write down the time. I didn't need it, was actually over medicated on one 8 mg per day, but was too stupid to know. I went to group counseling at the outpatient center and did maintenance therapy, and actually loved it. It taught me a lot about subs and addiction, changing life patterns to overcome triggers, I mean it covered everything, but I didn't know I was getting the best care I could get, thought everyone got the same counseling, they don't.
I was told subs was safe for a lifetime ( and it probably is, don't get me wrong here) that you could just stop it at any point and no withdrawal. I got to researching, came here, found out you need to taper down, got some great advice and more importantly, support, here. Subs is part of your recovery, embrace it, do some reaching out and you are going to feel much better. I never had the brain zaps, but have read of it many times here. I am serious, look up each ingredient in that energy drink in wikipedia, heck, you can't probably look the drink itself up and you might find that some have ssri effect ( like an antidepressant) and that is likely the cause of the brain zaps, when the drinks wear off. I am not a dr, I am a hairdresser,so, if you feel like you really need to get checked out, call your subs dr and get him/her to check you out. Please update us and you are so welcome to stay here for support. I think I would freak out and call 911 if I ever felt a brain zap.
Hi Johnnie... Many kudos to you for wanting to stop the endless cycle of opiate addiction. I think Pattshan and Jilly gave you most of the info that u need... they are great reference and support gals... they have been there for me whenever I needed support and encouragement... do come to this site for that.
I wanted to reference your NRG drinks. Many if them have high doses of ephedra which is what is in the medication (ephedrine aka pseudo ephedrine) used to treat low blood pressure. If u can, try to take your Blood pressure when u r having a brain zap... it could be that it is high... something u would WANT to know. As Pattishan said... read the label as other herbs are also in this nrg drinks and pills that also speed u up to a lesser degree than ephedra, but when all working in unison, could get your BP way up there... let us know how u r making out... DO convey to your doctor all of this... especially the brain saps... hugs to u...
Well thank you both very much for your support and your information. I certainly will keep and eye on my blood pressure. Since I'm 27 years old I never thought I would have to worry about my blood pressure at this age but after doing some research on the Energy Drinks I did see several articles mentioning the dangers. When I get a chance here at lunch I will review your profile Patti and see what I can dig up in regard to the taper. I know my doctor has recommended a two month taper stepping down 2 mgs weekly until I'm off completely. My concern of course is that I could taper down to quickly and of course feel lethargic and experience withdrawel symptoms for the next few months. I step down 2 mgs starting on Monday so I suppose I can keep you guys posted as to how things are going. I will continue to do my own research. I am so great-full for this site and for the compassionate people such as yourself willing to take the time to educate and help.
As you stated you are a hairdresser Patti but none the less I usually find that I get more reliable information from people that have actually experienced the problem at hand than perhaps a doctor that has merely read about it. I am sure not everyone experiences the same symptoms or has the same experience as we are all different but for some reason I feel a sense of reassurance and comfort hearing from another addict. Again thank you Patti and thank you pup!
Dear Johnny, subs have been known to raise blood pressure, so start checking it often, just to rule that out, THANKS PUP, and also, it can lower your testosterone level and bottom it out. Not sure how long you have been on subs, the testosterone thing can happen and then again, it may not. Pup sounds like she has a medical background, I don't, but I do understand how medications and diseases work better than most and I usually have the memory of an elephant, so if I see something written or read something, I remember it for LIFE, believe me it is a curse. It has something to do with my maternal grandmother having this talent and also my dad, and it also has something to do with my synthesia, look that up, it is a trip to have, trust me. I have one of the rarer forms, never been diagnosed, thought everyone understood that the number 5 is blue, and the Van Halen song, Jamie's Crying, makes you feel like you are skating backwards and forwards every bar change.
Anyway, off subject I know, I do happen to check out my subs findings before I randomly spout them. Thanks to Pup too, you are a dear. Patti
Oh patty... u r too funny... & cute!!! I did not know about subs raising BP. And this synthesia... need to look that one up!!
U r a wealth of knowledge, very smart, and very comforting. As far as me having a medical background... a little... And I will leave at that. Will send u a pq to explain!!! Hugs...
Related topics
suboxone, opiate dependence, sleep disorders, addiction, sleep, opiate
Further information
- Suboxone uses and safety info
- Suboxone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Suboxone (detailed)
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