Suboxone Forum

7 days off subs and no W/D??????

Graced4 — Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:32 am

Author: Graced4

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:32 am

I was a heavy opiate user for about three years total. Oxycotin being my drug of choice...and by God's good grace I survived.....Thank you, God.

I was on suboxone for three months, tapering low and slow. Near the end, I dosed, .25 skiped a day, dosed .25, skipped two days, dosed .25 skipped three days and then I was done. And I'm not kidding, no noticable withdrawals. I did exercise every chance I got....it made me feel amazing.

And last night, I went to sleep on my own! A small milestone, I suppose...but not even having to have Tylenol Pm made me super excited!

A quick hint for those aches and pains...should they arrise.....Take three extra strenght Tylenol, and the equivalant of 800 mg Ibuprofen. (usually 4) I was a med tech...(ironic I know) and that equals one Darvacet....a secret the docs don't want you to know. LOL

Don't be scared...we are all in this together. And your story can be one of sucess, not unbearable pain. It does not have to be bad. And just think...a few days for the rest of our lives!!!!! Whoo- hoo!!! You are all so brave and amazing.

Take care...and let me know how it goes.

Generic Subutex

angelo212 — Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:25 am

Author: angelo212

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:25 am

I knew that. I thought it had a different name like suboxone, subutex and the generic was called something different beside the ingrediant buprenorphen.

Starting suboxone Friday and I have some questions...

jdhammond1982 — Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:17 am

Author: jdhammond1982

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:17 am

Hey man, you don't have to be in withdrawals to go on Suboxone. Some people don't even use opioids every day during their addiction, rather they are "binge" users who use massive quantities of drugs in a short period while maintaining a fragile abstinence for several weeks in between. Such people are still addicts. Then, of course, there are those who use opioids every day, or every day that they can get ahold of the drugs, like I did. And many people are in between. It's obvious, as you have said, that your addiction has cost you quality relationships and other negative consequences. The disease of opioid addiction is just as "real" and "in" your brain and body as when you have ingested many milligrams of painkillers. Suboxone effectively treats the craving and obsession of the mind on opioids, freeing the addict to live a normal life. And Suboxone doesn't make you feel "high", in fact, after the first few days most people feel either nothing or "normal."
When I went to my Suboxone induction appointment, I hadn't used an opioid in quite a while. But the doctor knew, as I did, that it was only a matter of time until I would relapse again, starting the self-destructive cycle of addiction all over again. Hopefully your doctor will be enlightened enough to realize that you've suffered untreated in your addiction enough! You deserve a treatment that works. Plus, you've already taken Suboxone and know it works, which might be a helpful fact to mention to your doctor. I hope you're successful in getting a legal prescription for yourself and a way to pay for it. Often times, state Medicaid programs pay for Suboxone. If you think you may qualify (low income), go into/call your local Social Services office to apply. Suboxone has changed my life, and I think it can change yours. Good luck!
james

Naloxone sucks

IrishSubs35 — Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:09 am

Author: IrishSubs35

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:09 am

I agree that it is inactive. Thats what I always thought. What is this I hear that it blocks natural endorphines? Is that true or is that person confused? I still feel good after a nice meal!!! I could not find anything like that online.

Too low dosage?

IrishSubs35 — Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:00 am

Author: IrishSubs35

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:00 am

anxiety is nothing to mock!! maybe some people throw that word around too much. but people who truly have it know that it is very frightening. Your chest hurts, your hart beats a miilion times per secound, its hard to breath. Anxiety is horrable, and so is the act of mocking it. Being on subs means that you cannot or should not be on anxiety medication so when someone is having an attack then they have to do other thing to calm themselves. adjusting your dose by 2mg at a time will not hurt your recovery. When I taper I go down by two. I went from 18 to 8 with no problems i couldn't overcome. When I went down to 6 the withdrawl sensation was a lot more intense then the other times. Those feelings came back and triggered an attack. nothing that a "exercise regimen" can fix. Every situtation is different and I wouldn't tell people that there anxiety is something they can "get over". or "Mock". Thanks

Surgery, pain, and a long term high dose of suboxone..>>

Bella1 — Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:02 pm

Author: Bella1

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:02 pm

Lathedude, your story is eerily familar as your wife's diagnosis is exactly what I've been diagnosed with. Back and forth with positive ANA tests, strange symptoms that at the surface would not be xpected to be related to lupus or Fibro, and varying opinions from a group of doctors that can't seem to agree on much of anything....except for the fact that I certainly have some mixed auto-immune disorder. I appreciate your feedback because I do sometimes forget the levels of pain that I experienced when I was not in remission. While reading your post I had vivid memories of not being able to kneel because of the pain in my joints, crying every morning because I couldn't deal with the pain, and the feeling that things were never going to get better. I wasn't a big believer in natural remedies until I was so fed up and overwhelmed that I decided I had nothing left to lose. I never believed it would work but I've had amazing results with changing my diet, taking supplements, and exercise. Don't get me wrong, there are days that I still have moderate joint pain, migraines, and some intermittent strange symptoms. I just thought I would mention it in case you guys haven't considered it. I don't want to sound like the crazy person that says the cure is in making simple changes to what you eat....because that certainlynot the case and we all wish it was that simple...lol. My reality is that by eliminating all of the foods with preservatives and mostly eliminating refined sugars and caffeine, I was able to have the occasional remission and a lower level of pain. Now combine that with a high dose of sub, I am at a place where I can clearly think, exercise moderately but consistently, and live a life with manageable levels of pain. I can't remember a day of my adult life without pain (I'm sure when I was abusing pain meds I had days that I was pain free but I was soooo high that I don't remember them) but things seem a bit brighter.

One thing that I'm started to realize is that I'm going to be OK either way....if I decide that I should start tapering off the subs or if I decide to get to a manageable dose of sub and stay on it long term.

You are all amazing for giving me your honest feedback regarding your personal experiences and I'm grateful for your kindness.

How many Dr's appointments can I expect?

jdhammond1982 — Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:46 pm

Author: jdhammond1982

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:46 pm

I hate hearing about these docs that require multiple unneccesary repeat appointments and only take cash. Doctors that do that are IMMORAL. It's not that the insurance companies won't pay for Suboxone related visits, because the visit is billed as a regular office visit just like any other. The reason the doctors want cash is because they are predatory and know they can take advantage of the less fortunate in society who must pay them high cash prices to find relief for their burdens. My doc takes insurance, requires only one intake appointment, and requires only one check-in visit every three months. There is no reason to even require a compliant patient to come in once a month. I pay no co-pay for my visits, insurance covers all of my pills, and he gives me a 30-day prescription with 2 refills every time I see him. He told me to never go to a doctor that only takes cash for prescribing Suboxone or any other drug, as this is a dead giveaway that the doctor doesn't give a damn about the good of the patients, but only cares about lining their pockets. And a good doc will be able to titrate you up to the correct dose in one day or two at the most. You don't need to come back every week for the first month and every two weeks after that and all that crap. What a bunch of bullsh*t. It's so sad.
JD

ps....Suboxone is NOT only for people who are currently taking opioids. It is also for those who chronically relapse and are at a high risk of relapse. I had just gotten released from my 6th stay in jail, a 13 month sentence for prescription fraud (trying to get painkillers illegally) and I hadn't used opioids for over a year when I went to my Suboxone doctor for the induction visit. However, It was a matter of days before I would have used illegal means to get prescription painkillers. My doctor said it was absolutely appropriate to prescribe Suboxone to someone who wasn't currently "using" because I still had the disease of opioid addiction with the intense and uncomfortable cravings, which for me inevitably resulted in substantial life consequences such as jail time, overdose, and further alienation of my family. So for me it was either legal Suboxone or illegal oxycodone. And 5 months later, my life has totally turned around, and my future looks wonderful. Also, I have Medicaid/Medicare and that's what pays for my doctor visits and 100% of my Suboxone. I'm in Virginia, so before you give up on Medicaid paying for Suboxone make sure you verify that that's really the case!

First day on 4 mg for maintenance, how low do you go?

jdhammond1982 — Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:28 pm

Author: jdhammond1982

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:28 pm

I've come down from 16 mg to 8 mg, then to 6 mg, and finally tonight to 4 mg, all in about 5 weeks. So far I've felt no withdrawal. I'm really excited. I'm not trying to get off Subs at all, I'm just trying to take the lowest possible dose for maintenance. What's the lowest dose people get away with for maintenance?

Codependent-Want to understand

setmefree — Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:35 pm

Author: setmefree

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:35 pm

Hi 2bblessed! I want to join the others in welcoming you to the forum. I've been out of town for several days so I missed your post. I'm trying to get caught up with everyone!! I'm so glad to have you here! I think you'll find that you can get lots of help if you'll spend some time here on the forum. Please encourage your daughter to get online and read around on here. I cannot say strongly enough how blessed I feel to have found this place! I hadn't been on Suboxone for very long before I found it and I literally love it! My doctor is great and touched the high points in educating me about my medication, but it wasn't until I found this forum that I really got educated about it. Plus the support here is just incredible. So really, please introduce your daughter to us.
As far as NA....It's great that she's going to meetings. Any and all support and reinforcement she can get in her recovery gives her that much more of a chance at success. However, if they are discouraging her strongly to stop doing something in her recovery (taking Sub) that is obviously helping her stay on the right path, that is flat out WRONG in my opinion! I attended NA for many months at least 3 times a week and have done some step work, had a sponsor and the whole thing. There were things about it that I liked and things about it that I didn't care much for. I was not on Suboxone at the time, so that part wasn't an issue, but I know that almost all NA groups discourage the use of medication-assisted recovery. If you'll take some time to read around the forum, you will find some discussion about this very thing. Apparently the belief is that if you're taking meds to help you, you are somehow not "as clean" as those who are not. I personally strongly disagree because Suboxone is not mind or mood altering to the opiate addict. There are some who will disagree with that statement but my experience has been that it in NO way alters my mind or mood. The thing is, what a tragedy it would be if your daughter (or anyone else for that matter) had been stable on Sub, was getting their life together and went to NA for support and friendship, only to be told they were not clean and needed to get off their medication......then did so and relapsed and died. Sadly, the odds are that a relapse would happen. Especially given the fact that your poor daughter has been fighting this for so long and has had multiple relapses already. In my opinion it would be very foolish for her to even entertain the thought of getting off Sub. As the others suggested, she probably needs to just keep the fact that she's on Sub to herself, find another meeting group, or perhaps seek support somewhere other than NA. Just my opinion.
As far as what you should expect from her....probably more than you're getting from the sounds of it. Most of us who have been on Suboxone for more than a month or so are able to work full time, go to school full time, be full time mothers or fathers and/or combinations of all the above! Her mood should be relatively stable and her sleep schedule should be relatively stable. Now that is provided that she has no other physical or psychological diagnosis going on. Is she under the care of a doctor? Has she been worked up thoroughly for medical problems? Or for psychological issues? There are a few I've heard complain of the sleepiness...some quite profound, so it wouldn't be unheard of for the sleepiness to be due to the Suboxone. If so, sometimes it can be helped a lot by a dose adjustment. The other thing I would wonder about is whether she may be using or abusing some other type of drug.....maybe benzos or alcohol, anything else that might make her so tired all the time. It may just be that she's depressed. Now that she's thinking clearly and off drugs, she may be feeling a lot of guilt, shame, embarrassment over what she's done and the fact that she's not accomplishing anything in her life. I don't know...just some thoughts.
Above all, she has to want her life to be different. She has to want to be a good mother, want to participate in her life, and want better for herself and her child, before things will get much better. You can't do it for her....I'm sure you know that. Make sure she is well to the best of your ability....that she's evaluated by a doctor, that she's eating well, maybe get her on vitamins, go to the gym with her, take walks, etc. It sounds like you're doing what you can to help....you're to be commended for that, especially looking after the baby. The baby shouldn't have to suffer because mom is so sick.
Anyway, I'll wrap this up....I'm rambling again! lol!! You're right to be on the lookout regarding enabling her as that will not ultimately help her. If it were my child...I'd like to think that I would be willing to do anything I could for her as long as she is doing the right thing. I would not wait much longer before I'd put my foot down (if everything checks out medically) and say "Hey you've got to take care of your kid yourself and go to school or get a job" It really will benefit her in her recovery if she stays busy and feels she's accomplishing something. Lying around all day and having no accountability is definitely NOT going to help her get better.
Again...glad you're here and encourage your girl to come join us!

I delivered a healthy baby while on Suboxone, pregnant again

Catie — Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:24 pm

Author: Catie

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:24 pm

Hi there,

I have been looking for information about breastfeeding while on Subutex. I have not found many places where it is suggested/advised to breastfeed while on Subutex, yet I see that most will assume it passes through the baby rather than absorb. Does anyone have any advise or links to information that suggests that breastfeeding is NOT contraindicated? I would really like to go back to breastfeeding, but since the pain meds from my c-section caused the need to be back on Subutex (and, for the record, I took the pain meds as prescribed. So much for following the rules and staying safe), but for now I am pumping and dumping with the hopes to get off the Subutex sooner rather than later.

Thank you for any and all advise on this matter!

My taper story - seemed to work well

gubulars — Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:32 pm

Author: gubulars

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:32 pm

Pola:

Keep it up!! I know these days seem like shit, but if you can just keep pushing through you'll be way better off. I know anxiety blows, i hate it.. I think it's the worse part of detoxing.. well besides night sweats, but that's really the things that drive me crazy.

So just keep telling yourself it's going to get better and better each day... after today tomorrow should be better IMO...

Keep us updated!

Only on 2mgs Suboxone - Can I have one beer?

LatheDude — Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:58 am

Author: LatheDude

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:58 am

I am so happy to read setmefree's reply. although this issue started out with a simple 'have a beer' question, it morphed. Anyway - I adopted a saying years ago regarding people's challenges (addiction, employment, personal health, etc.)

It goes along the lines of 'well of course we all want the best outcome, nobody is rooting for failure!'

So, I'm rooting for epicurean. I hope you understand the hurdles - and the honest truth people are offering to you, but 'I am not rooting for your failure!' I hope, as setmefree said, that you are able to return to your 'previous state' without opiates. I personally want that 'magic wand' for me too - but I tried it only to find out my 'magic wand' is broken.

It's not only broken for fixing my addiction quick and fast, it's broken for fixing other people's problems, and other people' health problems, etc. I wish you well, and please let us know how it goes!

Nurse Jackie.

setmefree — Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:51 am

Author: setmefree

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:51 am

I've never watched it but I've heard about it.
Don't think I can handle it.....too close to home for this gal!!

SAINTS WON THE SUPERBOWL!!!

TWINPLY — Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:41 am

Author: TWINPLY

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:41 am

Hi Marie,
From a PATRIOTS season ticket holder.... Let me say congrats and job well done.,
The Saints proved they were the BEST team.. Congrats and enjoy the celebration!!!

TW

Hello! Does anyone have advice on getting suboxone?

Vicodumb — Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:25 am

Author: Vicodumb

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:25 am

Welcome DryTide. Hello everyone else too....been away for awhile. Hanging in there. Couldn't sit still after reading DryTide's post and have to fight my knee jerk reaction to pontificate without having all the facts, but here goes. I found my doctor through the Find a physician link on the naabt.org (do I have this right?) website. In light of what you've posted, I'm really blessed with a doctor who understands and charges very fair rates. My initial intake cost around 350.00 and I see him every two months for the cost of 78.00 for a office visit. I am self pay and by far and away the most expensive part of the deal is buying the meds. I pay 196.50 for 30 tablets at a Walgreens. Some of the prices and requirements you talk about are amazing. Don't know too many people who could jump through all those hoops and fees. Good luck and hope you find some more palatable alternatives.