[TonyK]

This is my first post, and I am hoping Robert_325 can help me to taper off of the Suboxone so I can quit! To make a long story short...I was on 90mg of oxycodone and 90mg of morphine for over 2 years every day for chronic back pain. I started out slowly 2 years prior to that on lesser medications and it built up to that. I was also on 20mg of valium a day and taking AmbienCr 12.5mg every night. Since the end of December, I have been on Suboxone because I wanted off of the other medications, since I thought they were killing me. I started with two 8mg suboxones per day and within 2 weeks went down to one 8mg a day. After that I went to 3/4 of a pill for about a month and then a half a pill for a couple weeks. I was so determined to get off, but tried and failed. I lasted 7 days. I have cut it down to 1/4 pill for the last month and two weeks ago went down to 1/8 pill; for the last couple days have been on 1/16 pill and I am struggling. Last night sweats and up most of the night even though I took the Ambien. Last time I took Suboxone was 9 am yesterday. Today (25 hrs later) I am having sweats, anxiety, diareah, cold feet and runny nose. Can you give advise as to how I can get off of this or should I just stick it out (am I almost there). Please help. Sincerely, Tony.

[Robert_325]

I am happy to help you, just go along with my suggestions is all I ask. You've done really well but DON'T try to do this by stopping abruptly. If you're at 1/16 of a pill that is .5mg. You're at a critical point right now, so close, but not ready to jump off yet.

You need to take that .5mg dose again NOW. Get yourself stable for a few days. Just stay on .5mg and keep posting to me. Once you are totally stable feeling normal for a few days we'll decide if you're ready to begin the day skipping process or if you need to taper a little more. It will totally depend on how you are feeling.

I promise you can do this, just go along with what I ask you to do. We'll have you totally off the subs over the next two weeks or so and you won't have to go through a bunch of w/d problems. Stay in touch. God bless.

[TonyK]

Robert, thank you so much for answering so quickly. I will do what you ask me to do. The main reason I want off of this pill is because of the strange side effect I get from it. To put it bluntly, it feels like somebody is sticking a pole up my but, I get this feeling about 3 hours after taking the suboxone. Once the suboxone is wearing off (the following day) I no longer hurt, but I get the other w/d symptoms. Should I split the 1/16 in half and take in the a.m. and later in the afternoon? or just take it once in the morning and put up with this crazy side effect until I can get clean.

[Robert_325]

I don't think you need to start splitting it at this point you're taking such a small amount. Try taking it mid-day. Sounds like a strange side effect, can't say that I've heard that one specifically before. But continue the .5mg for the next three days. We'll see how you do during that time. Stay in touch so I know how your days are progressing. God bless.

[TonyK]

Hi Robert, First of all I see that your are a brother in the Lord and God will bless you for everything you are doing. He is using you right now. My last two post were narrated to my wife because I was to week to even get behind my computer. I took my 1/16th at noon and it has kicked in at 1:20pm. Therefore, I am now writing this post. First, when I started taking the Suboxone I was also on the very edge of total depression like another post I just read. Hang in there guy you need to get off the depressants! I ended up in the pain management office who was feeding me all the opiates (for chronic back pain) laying on the floor thinking I was dying. I was completely soaked in sweats and having chills in 70 degree weather along with all the other withdraw side effects. I could not believe it when 2 hours later I felt like a new person after they gave me 1 1/2 tabs of Suboxone. I thought this is a miracle. No one told me the effects of this pill. There are many positives about this drug but there are many negatives. I weighed 185 at Christmas. I am now 137. I lost all my appetite and did not realize I was not eating. For the last month we have been stuffing food down my mouth and counting my calories to maintain 137. It's scary. I should be 160. Can't seem to get my weight back up. That may be some of the reason about the pain in my rear. Been to another doctor because of the weight loss and blood work and x-rays checked out ok. Next, its the butt doctor....yikes, for a colonoscopy. Anyway, the doctors don't know enough about this drug and how powerful it is. They don't have a clue. I seemed to be functioning on 1/8th of the pill (1mg) for a week ok. The past 3 days have been brutal but I am so determined to get off I have endured much suffering. Do you think I went off the 1/8th to quickly? I almost took the 1/8 this morning but now I am starting to feel better. I have read about not being afraid to jump back one day and then going back to the 1/16th. But then that would defeat my goal in getting off this mess but if I have to I will. I also don't have the cronic pain in my back anymore and the doctors can't explain why according to my MRI's. I truely believe that God answered my prayers for healing in December when I was in such bad condition and didn't think I was going to make it. Thank you again. I give Him Praise and Glory and I thank Him for someone like you. It's now 2:00pm and I feel 100% better than this morning but still rough. Sincerely, Tony

[Robert_325]

I'm glad you listened and took some medication. There is no reason to make yourself sick doing this. That's why we use subs to start with so we don't get sick again. It's imperative that you stabilize at each dose or you'll be in w/d all the way down the taper.

Suboxone is a good medication if it's used right. There are so many new people here every week that are taking lots more suboxone than they really need to detox. They are consequently taking it longer than necessary as well. Almost everyone starts out at 16mg, like it's a one-size-fits-all drug. What a crock!

The deal with your weight loss is crazy. I've not seen anyone have that drastic of a diet problem from suboxone. Lots of people lose weight while stopping pain pills but you're talking almost 50lbs. Are you unable to eat with the subs? Do you continue to lose weight? This big of a weight thing isn't a symptom of subs that I'm familiar with. I think the drs are going to have to determine the cause of that.

You should stay at .5mg for long enough to where you have 3-4 days in a row at least of feeling good, feeling normal. If that takes 3-4 days, that's good, if it takes a week it takes a week. Don't budge until you feel good. Let's see how long that takes and then decide what to do next. I haven't seen yet how you react tapering to know what is best next. I would like to know what the deal is with your weight too if you learn anything.

And yes I am a Christian. If not for Him I would probably still be using today. God bless.