[Katwantshelp]

Originally Posted by LaurasAngel

I have been taking Suboxone for about 4 months now and I started out with 16mg a day. I went down to 4mg a day about two months ago, then began experiencing minor withdraw symptoms like hot sweats, mood changes. It's definently harder to detox than I thought. Last time I went to see the doc he upd my dose to 14mg. I feel like that is going to take me forever to stop. Its like I depend on it now.

Tuesday was my first day of suboxone. I think I ended up taking 16 or 24 mg that day. I am not sure how strong the ones were the dr gave me at his office. Ayhown these last 2 days I follow Robert's great advice and only took 2 4mg doses. Yesterday I did great. Today I was a little more anxious but I had a lot more time on my hands also. Anyhow I truly believe 16 or 24 mg a day is totally unneccessary. Oh yea, did I mention I was up to 50-60 10mg Lortabs a day before I sought help 3 days ago? IT CAN BE DONE, just try. Lots of luck,

Kat

[sobermama08]

Originally Posted by sadlilmom

Sometimes ppl do what they have to do. Im a widow with little money and no insurance. Doctors got me hooked on pain killers over the years and i have tried on my own to stop but too much pain. I dont know what mg they are. Thier called (stop signs) and there orange. I take a half "melt it under my tounge" when i wake up and another half later on in the day. Ive been doing this for about 3 weeks now. I came to this site for help but i feel like im beeing judged. U dont know me or the hell ive been threw over the last few yrs. I sit hear with tears in my my eyes because im trying so hard to hang on to hang on to this life and once again ive been made to feel like a cheap pillhead.

I just got home after a month-long stay at a rehab facility, Fairbanks, in Indianapolis. It was the first time, AND the first place, that I have felt loved, cared for, and totally understood. I'm going to get a big bad BOOOOO for saying this, as most hate 12 step programs(including myself) but Fairbanks is NA based. Not only did this wonderful team of drs and nurses detox me, the company I kept were some of the most supporting men and women I had ever met. There is unity among fellow recovering addicts that I haven't experienced elsewhere. First and formost, we are NOT CHEAP lol look at what we have spent on pills/other drugs over the years to get our fix...I know that I myself could be riding in a new car(probably paid off) right now. I can't change my past, only take care of myself daily here in the now. I'm taking Suboxone, and while I'd love to lower my doseage, all I can do for now is take as prescribe(and some days even less than that) and keep asking for sobriety every morning, and say my thanks every night that I stay clean and sober.
NA helped save my life, and seriously, I would reccommend finding a meeting in your area and check it out.
I wish the best of luck to you

[Katwantshelp]

Originally Posted by pilladdict

after 5 plus years of norco addiction (140-180 mgs a day or 14 to 18 325/10's) my doctor put me on Sub yesterday. 32mg per day. I took my first dose yesterday. I dissolved (4) 8 mg tabs under my tongue.

First I have to say I feel great. its about 17 hours later. I was suffering moderate withdrawal before taking the meds and that is gone and i have no w/d or craving to use.

After reading the horror stories on this site, i am a little concered about sub however. It sounds like the dose i am on may be way to high, and i dont want to over medicate. The plan is to get off the drugs right?

I also realize my drug addiction is heavy. Can someone give me an alternative gameplan? I am paying cash for these drugs and dont want to be spending this money for months and months.

Robert seems to be very knowledgeable and would appreciate his feedback as well. I am committed to stopping using but like everyone here i have a hard time with the withdrawal and have a good job that I need to be present at.

Help!

I was up to 50-60 10 mg Lortabs a day when I sought treatment 3 days ago. My dr set me up with 24 mg suboxone per day. The first day I ended up taking 16-24 mg (unsure because I am not sure what the dosages were he gave me in his office). For the last 2 days I have take just 2 4mg doses with Robert's advice. Yesterday I had a busy day and I felt great. Today I was a bit anxious because I had a lot more time on my hands. It was purely mental though, NOT physical. I have not felt any physical discomfort from taking only 8 mg a day. My pain has returned. OH WELL, I will live with it. I took a regular Tylenol today for the first time in 2 years. Kinda humorous in a way. I know all about the cash flow situation. I am on the brink of financial ruin. I have a good job though and within a little time I will get back on my feet. Spending a couple thou a month on that stuff is SO insane. I could have paid cash for a brand new Mustang. It's so amazing how those little pills have such control over our lives. I will NOT go back to that way of life. Nothing will ever have a hold on me again like that. I am sorry to ramble. Best of luck to you. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Kat

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by sobermama08

I was started on Suboxone last month in rehab(taking in excess of 30 percocet a day. The dr has me on 16 mg a day, and one of his patients are up to 24mg/day. It does seem ridiculously high, even 16mg is too much(they make me nod worse than the percs did). I have expressed concern, but he told me that he would eventually taper me down. In detox, they used Darvon, and had me tapered to 1 pill 2X a day...then had me on 16mg the very next day.
I would love to start a personalized taper with Robert. I'm willing to do ANYTHING to stay sober, and the sooner I'm off of this med, the better.
Thank you!!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving

I replied to your other post under suboxone dosing. I will help you with the taper if you want. Check the other post.

[determined76]

Hello all
After a two year struggle with painkillers I decided to stop snd heard of subox. I paid the dr 200 for the initial visit thinking it was worth it. I was using 10-15 percs and vics on and off for two years. This was exactly 3 weeks ago. After asking me a few questions he dosed me at 16mg every day, and to take another one if i needed it. I did not do my research on withdrawls, he said its not addictive. I took 60 of these pills in three weeks. Upon going on this sight i realized i was dumb to not do more research and he had no clue what he was doing. He wants me on it for a year!!!! After asking around people with much bigger habits were given less of a dose then me, and they are fine. My question is wil have bad withdrawls from only 3 weeks of use. I could see him tuesday but im scared from what i'm reading here. I have none to taper off with, I do have a bottle of klonipin , which i stopped taking when i started subox. I dont think i want to continue taking them but i cant afford severe withdrawals.

Will I have bad withdrawals from only 3 weeks of use?
Does the klonopin help?

Thank you people for all the good advice I read. I dont want to be on any opiates at all

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by determined76

Hello all
After a two year struggle with painkillers I decided to stop snd heard of subox. I paid the dr 200 for the initial visit thinking it was worth it. I was using 10-15 percs and vics on and off for two years. This was exactly 3 weeks ago. After asking me a few questions he dosed me at 16mg every day, and to take another one if i needed it. I did not do my research on withdrawls, he said its not addictive. I took 60 of these pills in three weeks. Upon going on this sight i realized i was dumb to not do more research and he had no clue what he was doing. He wants me on it for a year!!!! After asking around people with much bigger habits were given less of a dose then me, and they are fine. My question is wil have bad withdrawls from only 3 weeks of use. I could see him tuesday but im scared from what i'm reading here. I have none to taper off with, I do have a bottle of klonipin , which i stopped taking when i started subox. I dont think i want to continue taking them but i cant afford severe withdrawals.

Will I have bad withdrawals from only 3 weeks of use?
Does the klonopin help?

Thank you people for all the good advice I read. I dont want to be on any opiates at all

You've been taking too much but don't freak out about it. It hasn't been that long yet. It's definitely time though to knock off some of that current dose and start to taper down. I would drop about 25% or 4mg immediately and stay there for about four days before reducing again. That works for lots of people here. Read some of the suboxone threads, they're everywhere. God bless.

[aam165]

Hello all...after spending hours reading this and other posts, I've discovered a few things tonite that have me awful worried. I attempted quitting OC's cold turkey and failed miserably...16 months ago, a friend told me about the miracle drug, "suboxone" and I thought I was on the right track...unfortunately, i didn't do any research...my dr. started me on 16 mgs and kept me there for 8 months! I moved down to 12 mgs, then to 8 mgs and finally 4mgs, which is the dose I am currently on and have been for the past week...I'd like to go into a diatribe about how I should have never got hooked on pills, but it's too late...i'd like to complain and say i should have never got on suboxone and did my research, but again, it's too late. Reading these threads has me so anxious, i mean, my life is basically over and will never be back to normal. Fortunately, it sounds like there are some very helpful people on this thread, I hope someone can give me a hand.

Here's a little background, I became a junkie about 5 years ago, I was on OC 80s for 4 of those 5 years...when i quit last year, i was up to 3 80s a day. I have to admit, this last year and a half (apprx) have been the closest return to normalcy I've had in over half a decade...I planned on quitting the suboxone, but I remember the wd from oxy and there's no possible way i could go through that with an office job...I finally have a decent job and don't want to lose it...i could go to rehab, theoretically, but that stigma will ruin my career chances, the reason I started suboxone was to have a seamless transition back to normalcy, but now it doesnt seem worth it...is there anything I can do? Obviously, my dr. wasn't well versed in this wonder drug, or else I would still be on it 16 months later...from what i've read and experienced personally, i don't see any chance of surviving the wds and still having a job...can someone please help me? or is my life as good as over?

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by aam165

Hello all...after spending hours reading this and other posts, I've discovered a few things tonite that have me awful worried. I attempted quitting OC's cold turkey and failed miserably...16 months ago, a friend told me about the miracle drug, "suboxone" and I thought I was on the right track...unfortunately, i didn't do any research...my dr. started me on 16 mgs and kept me there for 8 months! I moved down to 12 mgs, then to 8 mgs and finally 4mgs, which is the dose I am currently on and have been for the past week...I'd like to go into a diatribe about how I should have never got hooked on pills, but it's too late...i'd like to complain and say i should have never got on suboxone and did my research, but again, it's too late. Reading these threads has me so anxious, i mean, my life is basically over and will never be back to normal. Fortunately, it sounds like there are some very helpful people on this thread, I hope someone can give me a hand.

Here's a little background, I became a junkie about 5 years ago, I was on OC 80s for 4 of those 5 years...when i quit last year, i was up to 3 80s a day. I have to admit, this last year and a half (apprx) have been the closest return to normalcy I've had in over half a decade...I planned on quitting the suboxone, but I remember the wd from oxy and there's no possible way i could go through that with an office job...I finally have a decent job and don't want to lose it...i could go to rehab, theoretically, but that stigma will ruin my career chances, the reason I started suboxone was to have a seamless transition back to normalcy, but now it doesnt seem worth it...is there anything I can do? Obviously, my dr. wasn't well versed in this wonder drug, or else I would still be on it 16 months later...from what i've read and experienced personally, i don't see any chance of surviving the wds and still having a job...can someone please help me? or is my life as good as over?

First congratulations taking yourself down to 4mg from 16mg. Thats a good job. You've been on the suboxone for a while longer than is usally necessary but you just have to taper down slowly. Suboxone has a very long half life. It will likely take you a little longer than someone else but don't worry yourself about it. If you are ready we can work you out a taper plan. But we have to communicate daily at first to see what is happening with you. It's an individual thing. I will try to help if you want me to. You have to follow the instructions precisely but you will get off the suboxone with little or no discomfort. We can communicate everything on this thread as we go. God bless.

[aam165]

Hi Robert...wow i had no idea that i'd get a response that fast...as far as the parameters you set, I have no problem abiding by those, im so done with worrying about this pill stuff...ok, so i'll give you a little more info to work with and then check nightly to see what your response is...

Basically, I wake up every morning around 8:30, get ready for work by taking 2 mg...then, at lunch, around 1:00 p.m., i take my second half...i'm not on any other drugs, prescribed or otherwise, though my dr. wanted me on lexapro...but i didn't like the way it made me feel...too weird...any way, that's about it...

Thanks so much, I can't believe you got back to me so quick...i can only imagine what people would do without someone like you...god bless you, my friend...

[crzycool35]

I had been on suboxone for a year and then lost my job and also my health insurance. I knew I could not afford the visits or meds so I took what I had sparingly. I am not sure of the does I was on, but I know it was the same dose for the entire time. I think it said 8/2 or something like that. When I could no longer afford to see the dr I started taking just one, then half then 1/4. I have been without for 3 weeks now. Most of the symptoms are gone, but I am still sweating terribly. The doctor gave me a few clonodine which helped alot, but he will not give me anymore even if I do go see him. Has anyone on here been on suboxone that long? How long is the sweating going to last? is there anything over the counter that would help? What can I do? I have to work a full time job, go to school and raise my kids...I have to be able to function..please help!

[dionysus555]

I have been taking a plethora of drugs for nearly five years, but for the paST SIX MONTHS have weened down consistently. I was taking between 3 and 400 mgs of morphine as well as two to three 30 mgs of roxicodone. Finally I just gave up on it and decided to get on suboxone--no meetings nothing. Personally, I think this disease stuff is a bunch of nonsence, and I cannot whatsoever find myself in any rehab center, since they focus on higher powers. I'm a computer programmer with game development (i.e, freelancer), and a devout Atheist. so these circle jerk sessions they have just make me want to wretch. Anyways, I'm sorry if I offended anyone who believes in that stuff, I'm just angry they haven't revised their antiquated and obsolete system. Here's my question and I hope someone could help me...I'm helpless too, regardless of y assanine attitude. I started suboxone about a week and a half ago. The first two days were tough for me, but now I feel normal. I'm on 16 mgs, and I want to be off in less than three months. PLEASE: is this possible. Dark Ideas have come and passeds, but the idea of spending between 800 to 1000 dollars a month on a doctor and a pill have me reeling with the Urge again, either to shut down forever, or merely pull the plug . HEEEEEELLLLLPPP. I feel fine right now, and I'm soooo glad there's no high with this suboxone stuff. That really helps. But I want this over with--YESTERDAY. Anyone have Any CLUE how long it takes to ween down from 16 mgs. I was considering just telling tyhe dr-"hey, I'm done" next month and seeing if I could rough out the withdrawals. Is that possible. I'm new to this new and very expensive drug.
Thanks,
Cloud9isGoneForever:

[Robert_325]

I'm not sure exactly why you find it necessary to place so much emphasis on your militant athiest attitude here. This forum is not about religion. I don't judge anyone for their spiritual beliefs or lack thereof as I believe Christ died for you the same as He died for me regardless of how you personally feel about Him. God doesn't need me to protect Him ... He is a big boy. You are entitled to believe what you choose. I also fail to see what being a computer programmer in game development has to do with any of this.

Describing all current methods of treating addiction as "antiquated, obsolete, and circle jerks" because a Higher Power is involved is personally offensive to me. Be that as it may I suggest you read the following link. It's my explanation of how to use suboxone/subutex successfully including the taper down. Many people have been successful starting on suboxone and being off entirely within a 6-8 week period.

You will notice when you go to the following link that you are probably taking too much suboxone currently. You can follow the suggestions in the link, but your chances of staying clean long term are reduced dramatically without some form of self-improvement type of recovery program. That is what the statistics show, perhaps you will be the exception to the rule. Best of luck to you. God bless.

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

[Robert_325]

I'm not sure exactly why you find it necessary to place so much emphasis on your militant athiest attitude here. This forum is not about religion. I don't judge anyone for their spiritual beliefs or lack thereof as I believe Christ died for you the same as He died for me regardless of how you personally feel about Him. God doesn't need me to protect Him ... He is a big boy. You are entitled to believe what you choose. I also fail to see what being a computer programmer in game development has to do with any of this.

Describing all current methods of treating addiction as "antiquated, obsolete, and circle jerks" because a Higher Power is involved is personally offensive to me. Be that as it may I suggest you read the following link. It's my explanation of how to use suboxone/subutex successfully including the taper down. Many people have been successful starting on suboxone and being off entirely within a 6-8 week period.

You will notice when you go to the following link that you are probably taking too much suboxone currently. You can follow the suggestions in the link, but your chances of staying clean long term are reduced dramatically without some form of self-improvement type of recovery program. That is what the statistics show, perhaps you will be the exception to the rule. Best of luck to you. God bless.

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

[scully006]

I have been SLOWLY tapering off of 4mgs of suboxone over the past 8 months. Unfortunately there is no way to quickly taper off of this drug. From my experience, I have realized that most withdrawal symptoms are psychological. The more you think about it, the worse it is. Every day I push myself to go another hour before taking my tiny chunk and i feel great! I am kind of stuck at the 1.5 mg mark. Though I am preparing myself to stop taking it all together by excercising every day and I started yoga classes. I eat healthy and keep busy. If you decide to quit and you get yourself thinking its going to be a horrible experience, it will be! A friend of mine quit a 2mg a day habit and simply said he was a little restless and it took a few days for his pupils to adjust and he is fine now. Believe me when I say, it is all in your head. Reduce your dose and keep it at that for at least a few weeks. You will feel stable and then reduce it some more. It has to be SLOW. None of us got into a full blown pill habit over night so you aren't going to get out of it by taking suboxone for a week and then quitting. The drug is simply to help you get into a stable routine and get you out of the practice of finding pills or other drugs every day. Just be careful and dont be a hypochondriac and keep busy! Mind over matter!

[Robert_325]

scully006 .... While I agree with some of what you said I DON'T believe suboxone w/d symptoms are "all in your head." When it's used inappropriately or for too long those w/d symptoms are as real as they can possibly be.

For what it's worth I think jumping off cold at 1.5mg is way too high of a dose and you'll probably have an unpleasant experience. That is what my experience says at least. I sincerely hope that I'm wrong and it works for you however. Let us know how you do. Good luck and God bless.

[Ftballqrtbck05]

ROBERT.. I had spent hours going through and reading all these posts last nite and i cant believe some of the people on here first off.. Getting on suboxone treatment for taking 5 750MG viks? THats just stupid, isnt subs meant for ppl who had been taking high doses for a long time? and all the ppl on here bashing suboxone and the w/d symptoms i dont understand.. Well no ******** cuz you been on suboxone for 2 yrs and started out taking 24 mgs, my goodness! So i need and want your help, just from reading all these posts it sounds like you have helped many many ppl and i had no clue that you could w/d so bad from subs, but i guess thats just the idiots who dont kno what there doing huh!! So heres my story for you, I WAS addicted to oxycontin for many many years (5) and for 2 of those yrs strictly only took oxys, i went to rehab was sober for a month then relapsed.. From there i was never as bad as i used to be w/ OC, so i would take oxy about 2-4 x a week, and inbetween those days i would take suboxone and I HAVE NEVER TAKEN MORE THAN 2MG OF SUBS IN ONE DOSE, NEVER! I had never seen the need to take so much when i didnt need that much yah kno? not even 4mg ive taken at once, I would take 2 mg in morning and 2 mg at nite but that was the highest i ever got on subs.. And then approx 22 days ago I quit OC and WEED and have never looked back since and have never been more serious about quitting both of those drugs.. So i have been on Suboxone only for approx 3 weeks.. and in that tiem period i believe i havnt used more than 4 8mg suboxone, I would do more certain days.. like before i was going out on a friday or sumthn would do a 2mg just cuz i thought it made me feel better and more energy but only did that a few times in this 22 day time period that ive been on the subs completely ( oh and i have been sniffing them, i kno not good.. so starting today i started under tongue again ) LIke i said i have never done more than 2 mg in one dose, i would actually say its more like 1 mg cuz now it hink about it when i break a 8mg into 4 pieces, i think those pieces are huge adn break those down to either 2 or 3 lil pieces.. so my doses have never been high and have always been really really low just cuz i had no urge to take more and havnt neeeded it and becuz i didnt go to doctor and bought off street i believe has helped me cuz sound like a doctor trys to get addicts on such a high dosage which is not necessary and did not give then adequate information as to how much they needed, i believe starting out lower than higher is much smarter becuz u can always take another smaller piece untill u feel no w/d! So my friend i kno its kinda complicated buit i need and want your help becuz i have only about 2-3 mg left, but are broken into about 5-7 lil pieces.. and duno if i can get more subs, im pretty sure i can but if i do only going to get 1 or 2! Like today, its hard to judge the MG, but i'd say i definetly did not take more than .5 mg, so help my friend so i dont experience w/ds becuz i just want to be done and over with any ?????g drug and any dependancy i have on anything! I dont want to rely on sumthn to make me feel good ne more! I kno my w/ds will obviuosly not be as bad as someone who has been taking 16 mg for a year but i kno i will still have some? So whats best way that i can not have NE! THx bro you are a savior, just like suboxone has been a savior in my life!! Jason

[Robert_325]

Jason ... I posted on the new thread you started. Check there.

[sobermama08]

Originally Posted by mpvt

I think and know that ORT (Opiate Replacement Therapy) works very well and is far more successful then NA and AA's 5-10% success rate.
Methadone and Buprenorphene(subutex,suboxone) are the two drugs in the fight right now but from what I have read there is more on the way as the medical fields are realizing that this is the best way tkoo help a recovering addict.Good luck with your recovery!!!I'm 5+ years on daily methadone and my life is better then it ever has been.It takes alot of work above just taking methadone but it's worth it.......Dave

My sobriety date is 10/14/08..I was taking any kind of narcotic pain medication I could get my hands on, popping them by the handful, up to at least 20 a day(more if they were less than 10mg ANYTHING). I went to rehab, and they tapered me with Darvon, down to taking 1 pill 2Xs a day before they started me on sub. I have been taking the suboxone since about 5-6 days into my rehab stay.
In addition to the sub, I have also been attending meetings, even while I was in rehab. I have been home since November 7th, however i still attend both NA and AA(ecause there aren']t many NA meetings in my area) at least 3 meetings a week.
There is more than a 15% success rate with the 12-step programs. The AA Big Book states, "RARELY have we seen a person fail that has THOROUGHLY followed our path" AA/NA isn't just some meeting that you go listen to for an hour...the program is a whole new way of life..one that is easy to follow, as long as you follow it thoroughly.
Between both my meetings and the sub, I am once again a happy, healthy, functioning member of society. I began to taper down the sub last week, and I am down from 16mg to 2 mg a day. I coulnd't have done this without my program and the experience, strength and hope that I find there every time that I enter those doors and sit in those rooms.
I attribute my success to BOTH the med and my program...dont be so quick to discount ways that may work for others such as myself...each one of us is different, brought together by our common bond of addiction.
God Speed

[Robert_325]

Dave was not bad-mouthing NA/AA. But quite honestly here are the facts regarding success ratios regardless of what the The Big Book says. And let me add here that I've worked the 12 steps entirely in NA almost through the fourth time and twice in AA. I've held all kinds of NA group service positions as well as area level sub-committee chair positions. So I've worked the program diligently since my clean date of 6/6/02. I DO believe in recovery programs, I am not bashing them at all. But the actual facts are as follows....

Only one in ten addicts ever make it to a meeting. So only 10% of addicts ever even get exposed to a meeting. After one year less than 5% of those people are totally drug free. That is a fact. I can't help what NA or AA preaches, those are the facts.

The recovery programs that have the highest success ratios are actually faith-based programs where Christ is the focus, not some imaginary Higher Power. And I'm not trying to preach even though I am a Christian. Christian-based recovery programs (such as Celebrate Recovery) have a success ratio ten times that of traditional NA/AA programs. When addicts are reborn through Jesus Christ those are the ones who seldom fail after one year. They have the best success ratios long term. Even convicts confined behind prison walls have a success ratio of over 60% with Christian-based recovery. I've worked in prisons and rehab centers for years sharing the message of recovery, telling my story, etc. I've witnessed the difference time and again in tradtional programs vs Christian based recovery.

No way that I am against traditional recovery. Please understand that I am a supporter of addicts going to recovery meetings. They need all the help they can get. Whatever helps even one more person get clean is great and NA helped me too. But the fact is that I was part of that successful 5% and so are you if you are still clean after one year. The long term success ratios of traditional recovery programs suck. That is a fact.

I also recommend here on these forums that those new in recovery make meetings. Read my posts and you will see it. But it's still a fact that only about 5% of those who go to that first meeting will be clean after a year. I agree with you that if they make meetings every day, get a sponsor, work the steps diligently, do everything that is suggested of them that they will have a good chance of having a successful recovery. But sadly the fact is still that only 5% of all those who walk through the recovery room doors will follow through in this manner with the appropriate action and be successful. That is the bottom line.

No one is criticizing NA or AA. Whatever works is great but the line from the Big Book of ".... rarely have we see a person fail that has thoroughly followed our path ...." that you refer to does not talk about all the people who make a few meetings and relaspse. Granted those people didn't really work the program. The Big Book only discusses those who do EXACTLY as they are advised. Well any program works if you do exactly what is advised. But you have to take into account those who fail as well as those who are successful if you are going to accurately determine success ratios for the entire program. That is what Dave was referring to. He was looking at the entire group of people who walk into the rooms.

Don't be so quick to discount Dave's opinions. He has been around a long time and it just so happens his numbers are even a little TOO generous for the success ratios of traditional recovery. Success ratios for the total group of people who walk through the doors of the recovery rooms are quite discouraging. That is the way it is and that is the way it will always be as sad as that fact is. I wish you continued success with your recovery and your new life free from the grip of addiction. God bless.

[KK-NC]

Originally Posted by starryskies

After reading all this now im terrified to even try to get suboxone. Im going through vicodin WDs and I have been trying to get suboxone to get me through them. I had no idea that those WDs are worse then the ones im already going through. Is it worth it in the long run?

Now I'm scared, and I'm 3 days into sub...sub takes away that "When and where the hell is my next pill!!" ...feelings, and I don't feel so ashamed taking it. I feel I have more control....Oh. I hope I can get through this.

[seantheman21]

Originally Posted by ymccormack

It sounds to me like people are going on Suboxone for dependence to relatively small amounts of hydrocodone and the like....

The way I understand it....the suboxone would be harder to kick than say 6 vicoden a day for 3 months. I'm not belittling the dependence....but these people would be better served just going cold turkey.

It's people who are using large amounts of strong drugs over long periods of time that benefit from suboxone. They need the suboxone while the receptors heal.

Just goes to show....do your research!

YM

your right on man I was on oxycodone for a month which i know is not long but i got up to 30 mg every 4 hours along with 4 soma a day they gave me suboxone and just reading about it and only a month i decided to not take it, it sucked, flu for 4 days but now Im back to normal and so glad i didnt get on that stuff

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by seantheman21

your right on man I was on oxycodone for a month which i know is not long but i got up to 30 mg every 4 hours along with 4 soma a day they gave me suboxone and just reading about it and only a month i decided to not take it, it sucked, flu for 4 days but now Im back to normal and so glad i didnt get on that stuff

sean .... I didn't go back and check to see what advice I originally gave to you but I know that I would almost always suggest to someone in your situation to probably try to cold turkey first (possibly using the Thomas Recipe to minimize the symptoms) unless you had already made a decision and were simply looking for suboxone help.

But for whatever reason, if a person can't be successful doing a cold turkey, or if they repeatedly relapse, then ORT(opiate replacement therapy) like subutex/suboxone is not a bad alternative. It just has to be taken properly for the correct amount of time. It doesn't make a person a failure or wuss to do the sub route. Whatever gets someone clean and changes their life is all that matters to me ultimately in the end. I don't approve of methadone for ORT except in the most serious cases. But if it helps someone get clean and stay alive who otherwise would be living a life of crime then it beats the alternative for sure. That makes sense to me at least.

For what it's worth I think it's great that you stuck out the cold turkey and are clean now. I recall you posting a while back but sorry that I don't remember how much clean time you have. Each day is a miracle though for someone who has developed a real dependence to RX drugs. God bless.

[fuzzman24]

I have been on suboxone for about a year now, started out on I think 8 mg a day and have gone as low as 2 mg a day. I currently take 4 mg a day and am doing great, my drug and alcohol Dr is keeping me on it for the time being because of my problems with depression and OCD.

Anyway she told me and I have heard the same from alot of people that going from say 8 mg down to 4 mg is much much easier than going from 4 mg down to 2. I am not sure of the reason for this it just seems that the lower you go on dosage the harder it is wean. I agree that 16 to 24 mg a day is way too much at that level of a dose it can almost make you high (as I thought I sometimes felt on 8 mg) which is not what you want from a drug helping you to get off of opiates. I was on 10-12 10 mg percocet or lortab a day for about a year and also was a heavy drinker on top of it. I have now been totally clean for a year from both opiates and alcohol. It can be done and the drug is what I like to call a miracle drug for us opiate addicts, much safer then methadone.

I hope something in this post helped someone as I know I have recieved alot of help from other people on other topics from this wonderful web site.

Mark W.

[2young4this]

Hello everyone. I was wondering if I could get some advice, or see if anyone has around the same situation as me. I was on painkillers for about 2 years bc I have degenerative disc disease and a bunch of other things. I went from 5 mg perc 2x day up to 4-5 40 mg oc and 3 10 mg perc a day in a matter of 2 years. I decided to get off of the medicine bc I was concerned about how fast my tolerance went up, and couldn't even fathom what I would be on at 50 if it kept going up at that rate (I'm only 25). So I went to a private dr to get on suboxone. The clinic refused to take me bc I have pain so I had to pay a lot of money for the medicine. I saw the dr for 3 months, he told me to take 3 8 mg a day, I usually only took 2 or 2 1/2 a day bc I didn't want to be on it long. I ran into the problem that I was only taking the medicine when my back started to hurt, because that's what I did with the painkillers. So I always took a different dose. I hardly tapered, basically went down by 1 pill every 4 days. When I ran out, I went through 4 days of minor withdrawals. To me, withdrawals are tolerable so long as I don't get restless legs. That's what I can't stand. On the fourth day off, I decided to take 50 mgs of roxys. For the next two days, I had the really bad restless legs on top of everything I felt before! I got 12 more mgs of suboxone from someone and took 6 mgs one night, 4 mgs the next, and 2 mgs the next. I took the last bit two days ago. I am feeling okay, anxious and chills but definitely tolerable. What I am worried about is that the day after I took those roxys, I don't know if that was just how the fifth day of suboxone withdrawal was like bc the half life is so long or if I was going thru the roxy w/d. I don't think I can take w/d like that again. All I want is for this to be over. I can't wait for a life where I don't have to depend on pills to live. I am ready to deal with the pain bc its better than walking on feeling nothing at all! Pls help. I just need to know there's an end in sight.

[Robert_325]

Yes there is an end in sight but you've got to do this the right way, you can't be switching back and forth from subs to oxy. That doesn't even make sense. Check out the following link on subs, then post again if you want my help. God bless.

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

[2young4this]

Today is the fourth day and I feel like all hell just broke loose. Before it was just anxiety and chills and now the leg/arm kicking has started. This is the part that I always give in and take something bc I can't stand this. I can't even sit still. How am I supposed to work like this? I really am hoping this part only lasts a day or so because I don't know if I can deal with it much longer than that. I wish I could have afforded another month with the dr so I could wean off but when I mentioned it to him he said he thought I should be on it for a year and that is just impossible for me, besides the fact that I figured I'd just be replacing the painkillers. I just don't know what to do. Why does it have to be so hard to live life the right way?

[kraig haimbaugh]

hi everyone I've been addicted to morphine sulfate 180 mg a day for the past 5 years. I hear all about this suboxone people are taking. I was wondering if you have to get a prescription for this drug and if you do then that means your doctor knows your goin through w/d. Im trying to quit on my own and its a living nightmare. Is there any other way to quit without my doctor knowing what Im going through? Please help I'll try anything to get out of this living nightmare. And yes Im a new member.

[Robert_325]

You don't use your regular dr. Go to www.suboxone.com and enter your zip code. A list of sub certified drs will come up. Your regular dr never has to know if that is important. Check out the following link about suboxone/subutex. God bless.

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

[xxhelzxx]

OK so here is the deal. I was on 100mg to 140mg of hydrocodone for about 4 years, I tried stopping many times. I made a week once, very very painfull, I could hardly walk, so I relapsed, then a friend who had the same addiction went to rehab and come out 14 days later clean. he told me they used suboxone. he stopped taking it 10 days in and left the clinic, the Dr's wanted him to stay, they wanted him to stay on suboxone for a way longer time the just 10 days. but he left. and is still clean to this day, he felt bad about 3 days after he stopped the suboxone, not real bad, just like having a cold for about 5 days then healthy and happy, SO, I went to an outpatient suboxone treatment. first day he told me to stop taking hydro's and wait till you are in pain, got there fast, about 18 hours, then 2 mg every 6 hours for 5 days, then I went back and he gave me enough to keep taking 2 mg every 6 hours but I didnt, I took 2 mg every 8 hours for 3 days, then 2mg every 12 hours, for 3 days. THEN I STOPPED TAKING THEM, it was sunday 5pm. I felt fine untill tuesday, it wasnt to bad, kinda like a mild cold. its Thursday now and I feel fine, my hands are a little cold but thats about it. then I talked to someone at the Agency who gives the DR's the right to RX this drug, lets just call them the DEAd heads, dont ask why or how I know this person, just know that this is true. the DEAd heads gives a dr the abbility to only take on 30 out patients their first year of being able to RX suboxone, AND the Pharmasudical companies give HUGE incentives to these DR's for RXing . SO with that said I call my DR as tomorrow is my next appt and tell him I stopped taking them sunday, well he asked how i feel and tries to convince me that I need to be on a maintenance dose of suboxone for a few months so I dont get any craving, and my little DEAd head buddy told me they do this to keep the RX's rolling. So I said thank you for helping me get off that evil drug, goodbuy. My Dr charged me $200 for the first visit which lasted 10 minutes, then $100 for the next 2 visits which lasted also about 5 minutes.

DONT LET YOUR DR'S FOOL YOU. YOU DONT NEED TO TAKE THIS STUFF VERY LONG TO GET PAST OPIUT ADDICTION.

now I cant speak for someone whos bangin herion for the past 10 years. Im just talking from my expierence with pills.

you dont have to do this but this is just what I did and what I suggest.
fool them, take what they give you and taper off in 10 to 20 days. they try to keep you on a maintenance dose to keep the cravings away, which it will do, but it will aslo addict you to suboxone, and from what ive read, thats a hell of a road to go down.

[xxhelzxx]

I found this to back up some of what I said about the Dr's

http://www.suboxone.com/hcp/certification/faq.aspx