[morganmay]

I have been abusing opiates for the last 4 years. During this time I have gone a few weeks, maybe even a month or 2, without using. However since July of 2008 it has gotten worse and I have tried to quit on my own but wasn't successful. I finally gave in and went to a treatment clinic Friday morning (3 days ago) to get on suboxone. Today is my 4th day and the drug has really helped with withdrawls and cravings. I take 8 mg every morning. I'm worried about my dosage because it makes me very tired. Does this mean that I need less? Although I do feel pretty good I'm afraid to cut back on my dose because in the evenings I get muscle aches, especially in my legs. I should be through the worst part of withdrawls, so maybe it would be ok to go down to 6mg or even 4? Any thoughts or suggestions???

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by morganmay

I have been abusing opiates for the last 4 years. During this time I have gone a few weeks, maybe even a month or 2, without using. However since July of 2008 it has gotten worse and I have tried to quit on my own but wasn't successful. I finally gave in and went to a treatment clinic Friday morning (3 days ago) to get on suboxone. Today is my 4th day and the drug has really helped with withdrawls and cravings. I take 8 mg every morning. I'm worried about my dosage because it makes me very tired. Does this mean that I need less? Although I do feel pretty good I'm afraid to cut back on my dose because in the evenings I get muscle aches, especially in my legs. I should be through the worst part of withdrawls, so maybe it would be ok to go down to 6mg or even 4? Any thoughts or suggestions???

8mg could be a little high for you but I'm actually happy you're not taking any more than than like most people who end up here. Before I changed the amount I would split the dose. Take 4mg when you get up and the other 4mg late afternoon/very early evening. I bet that will help a little.

After the fourth day after the induction according to the process we recommend you should reduce your dose by 25% and then remain on that dose for about ten days or so. THAT will be when you are actually past the worst of the original opiate detox. Then you would start a slow taper down to give your brain a little time to heal. Read the following link ... if you want some help with this let me know after you read the link. I would be happy to help you. God bless.

http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-...apy-50887.html

[morganmay]

Thanks for the reply Robert. I wish splitting the dose was an option. However, the program that I am in requires for the first week that I show up to the clinic everyday to get my pills and I must take them in the presence of the nurse.
When I go in the morning I am going to ask to be lowered to 6 mg and that would be my 25% reduction. I do appreciate your help and would like to follow the schedule you suggest. After I stay on the 6 mg for 10 days a 25% reduction would be 4.5 mg. Would it be safe to cut to an even 4 mg or would that be too much?

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by morganmay

Thanks for the reply Robert. I wish splitting the dose was an option. However, the program that I am in requires for the first week that I show up to the clinic everyday to get my pills and I must take them in the presence of the nurse.
When I go in the morning I am going to ask to be lowered to 6 mg and that would be my 25% reduction. I do appreciate your help and would like to follow the schedule you suggest. After I stay on the 6 mg for 10 days a 25% reduction would be 4.5 mg. Would it be safe to cut to an even 4 mg or would that be too much?

That SO annoys me when some places do that. Just shows they don't really do this the way that is best for the patient. They're acting like you're going to a methadone clinic. Are you????

They will probably gripe about you going to 6mg but if they agree to it that would be good. Whatever happens just smile and nod appropriately when they ask a question. Once you get past the first week we can get you going right.

There should not be ANY problem going from 6mg down to 4mg. That is what I usually suggest in fact. This isn't so exact at this point that it would matter. When you start taking smaller and split doses at home though you will need to get a single-edged razor so you can slice the pills easily. They turn to powder breaking them into little pieces. God bless.

[morganmay]

I tried to go down to 6 mg yesterday but the doctor told me to try a couple more days. When I went in this morning I was so tired and I told them I had to go down on my dose. The nurse did the COWS scale on me and saw that I only scored a 2. (I got a point for minor leg cramps and a little runny nose). I told them I felt great other than being extremely tired so they finally agreed and cut me down to 6 mg. So I need to stay on this dose for 10 days, is that right? I will get my prescription to take home at the beginning of next week so I'll be able to dose myself. Once I start dosing at home should I split my dose and do some in the morning and some in the afternoon?
Also I have another question...I have a friend who is also addicted to pain killers and she has seen how well I am doing and is interested. She doesn't have insurance and doesn't want to go to my doctor because of it. She knows where she can get 4-5 8mg subs from someone else and thought that as long as she got through the withdrawls she would be fine. I am a little worried and told her that I didn't think that would be enough and she would be in pain after she used them all. I realize that the best thing would be for her to find a doctor but she thinks that she will be fine with just the 4 or 5. I am worried, have you heard of anyone using the subs for just a few days?
Thanks for all the help!!

[Robert_325]

Sure I hear of people buying a few subs on the street but seldom is it successful. Your friend isn't talking about buying enough of them to properly do this with and will likely only waste the money spent. It's possible that it would help get through part of the detox but unlikely.

I would stay at the current dose for about ten days. When you take your meds home you can begin splitting the dose then. It won't be hard. It will be two equal doses. Just let me know how it's going if you're having any problems this week. God bless.