...but the Dr. who is prescribing them to me is over-billing me to the point it should be criminal. And over-prescribing to my whole group. 12 mg. per day for most of us and more for some. JMO, but that is too much!
Here is my sub story: I was abusing oxys and knew I needed to get help. I weigh 100lbs and was taking 150-170mg per day. I confessed to my Dr. and my husband and asked for help. My Dr. has almost no experience with addiction but promised to find a way to help me. Dr. is also a friend of mine.
He wanted to send me to a methadone clinic. I asked him to please look in to other options, as I have used methadone recreationally and did not want to trade addictions. He found the sub clinic and I readily agreed.
It took 3 weeks to get in. I had called in advance to discuss financial options. I am self pay and I can usually receive a time-of-service discount for paying my balance in full on the day the services are rendered. I was told I could receive 10% off of charges for doing this. Well, they never discounted my visit. I always asked to pay in full for all charges on the day of mt visit anyway. My initial visit was $258, my second visit a week later was $90 and my third visit 2 weeks after that was $90. I was under the impression all was included. Saturday, I received a bill for $918 from the lab. I really should have known this was coming, I forgot about the lab. My day 1 blood work and urinalysis was $386 and the following 2 visits were $266 each. The $266 is for a drug test only! Come on! That is insane for a urine drug test! I have the money to pay but this is about the principle. This Dr. sees a large group of sub patients each Wed. He has other Dr.'s to assist him so he can see many more than the 30 patients most Dr.'s can see. The group consists of him asking all of us if we have used and if we are going to meetings. Then he writes the script. I have not even received counseling which I requested. I was told to go to NA first and see how that worked for me. I had to seek counseling elsewhere. My next and final visit is Wed. That will be 7 weeks clean for me. Now that I am on monthly visits my total cost per month would be $756, including the sub. I'm ranting again, but this is too much.
He wishes for me to stay on 12mg/daily of sub for one year. I have already cut my dosage back to 8 mg. I am going to use my month's supply to taper over the course of 2-3 months. Starting tomorrow, I am going down to 6mg. I plan on filling my script in increments and stopping as quickly as I feel I safely can. I made an appointment with my primary Dr. to discuss my progress and future. I plan on discussing the use of any meds needed to detox off of sub, and what our plan is in case I ever need narcotics again (let's hope not.)
Don't get me wrong, you can't put a price on sobriety. It is well worth it. I just feel horrible for others who cannot afford this, and I have been the first one to tell people it really isn't that expensive. I didn't know. I was planning on tapering after the holidays anyway. This is just my incentive. I refuse to pay this much anymore and I'm still gonna make it and now I'll be completely free of everything.
I'm starting to think sub would be best used on a short term basis, and I have been on it too long already. Wish me luck guys.
Sorry this is so long. I have had a horrible day and have just needed to vent. My question is to all the former sub users: How did you stop? How long were you on it? What was your dosage? And what am I in for? Can you please compare the WD from sub to the WD from your DOC?
My oxy WD symptoms were (in order of severity): hot flashes & cold sweats, insomnia, lethargy, racing heart up to 150, crawling skin, achiness & the inability to get comfortable, restless legs, no appetite, high blood pressure, depression, nausea and diarrhea.
Tell me guys, what am I in for? Please be honest. I need to know.
Thank you my friends, Atlas
I just want you to know I am thinking of you, and hoping all goes well for you. I have no experience with sub..so I can't give advice to ya.
I am so blown away at how much it costs you. I have to say I am very fortunate that thru my husband work we have our health insurance paid for, and no matter what meds we need we pay $5.........and all lab work and tests are $0..I could not imagine having to pay what you are paying. It is so sad, but thatis why so many go without and suffer so badly cuz they can't afford or don't have insurance to cover...
A friend of mine was telling me about her meds she takes for migraines that cost $100 a pill. I was gonna do research on it to just check and see if it is so. ( not that I don't believe her) but a $100 a pill is a trip..when I asked her what the name was and she told me, it was the same stuff I picked up from my dr. and only paid $5 for the 9 pills, plus I got 5 refills........unbelieveable......sure hope it works at that price.
I am so blown away at how much it costs you. I have to say I am very fortunate that thru my husband work we have our health insurance paid for, and no matter what meds we need we pay $5.........and all lab work and tests are $0..I could not imagine having to pay what you are paying. It is so sad, but thatis why so many go without and suffer so badly cuz they can't afford or don't have insurance to cover...
A friend of mine was telling me about her meds she takes for migraines that cost $100 a pill. I was gonna do research on it to just check and see if it is so. ( not that I don't believe her) but a $100 a pill is a trip..when I asked her what the name was and she told me, it was the same stuff I picked up from my dr. and only paid $5 for the 9 pills, plus I got 5 refills........unbelieveable......sure hope it works at that price.
Atlas,
First off I want you to know how much I like you. You always post the nicest things to people who need some cheering up, and sem to have such a good head on your shoulders..I know you will do well.
Its disconcerting to hear about the financial aspect of your Tx....we are so spoiled here in Canada, so used to having everything covered, that we b**** about the price of the tv rentals in the hospital....lolol...we can go in and get any type of surgery, without a moments thought of the thousands and thousands of dollars SOMEONE...( goverment) is paying for, so we complain about things like the cost of t.v.'s.....I for one sure am grateful when i hear stories such as yours....even our Prescriptions are covered, well thats a slidingscale and depends on your income, but no one goes without medication due to finances..
Want to move up here to Canada?lolol
I have no experience with sub, but from what ive read it can be tapered from. I would find a sub specialist to find out, and in fact there are many here that can share their tapers onsub...From tapering myself off a narcotic, I can honestly say that I expected much worse....and oftenhave no idea if my symptoms are withdrawal or just plain old problems...ie my constant backache....i asked my Dr today if it could befrom withdrawal and he said "Could be".lololl
Honestly the emotional is the worst, the very THOUGHT of withdrawing is terrifying.....but it sounds like youve had experience with going cold turkey and would assume that a taper would not be as bad.......
Friends that I know that were CAPABLE ( thats the hard part) of tapering, and stuck to it, had almost no withdrawals......I havent been THAT lucky myself...
Know that I support you and that I know you can do this. You are strong and determined, and you have the love of your family to help you through...
Keep posting and if there is anything I can do for you please dont hesitate to ask.....
Im right here...lolol
Hugs.
Ali
First off I want you to know how much I like you. You always post the nicest things to people who need some cheering up, and sem to have such a good head on your shoulders..I know you will do well.
Its disconcerting to hear about the financial aspect of your Tx....we are so spoiled here in Canada, so used to having everything covered, that we b**** about the price of the tv rentals in the hospital....lolol...we can go in and get any type of surgery, without a moments thought of the thousands and thousands of dollars SOMEONE...( goverment) is paying for, so we complain about things like the cost of t.v.'s.....I for one sure am grateful when i hear stories such as yours....even our Prescriptions are covered, well thats a slidingscale and depends on your income, but no one goes without medication due to finances..
Want to move up here to Canada?lolol
I have no experience with sub, but from what ive read it can be tapered from. I would find a sub specialist to find out, and in fact there are many here that can share their tapers onsub...From tapering myself off a narcotic, I can honestly say that I expected much worse....and oftenhave no idea if my symptoms are withdrawal or just plain old problems...ie my constant backache....i asked my Dr today if it could befrom withdrawal and he said "Could be".lololl
Honestly the emotional is the worst, the very THOUGHT of withdrawing is terrifying.....but it sounds like youve had experience with going cold turkey and would assume that a taper would not be as bad.......
Friends that I know that were CAPABLE ( thats the hard part) of tapering, and stuck to it, had almost no withdrawals......I havent been THAT lucky myself...
Know that I support you and that I know you can do this. You are strong and determined, and you have the love of your family to help you through...
Keep posting and if there is anything I can do for you please dont hesitate to ask.....
Im right here...lolol
Hugs.
Ali
Thanks Krazy. I am very fortunate to be able to pay for this. I am counting my blessings as we speak. It is so sad that so many will be unable to get this valuable tool because of the outrageous cost. I give to charities, but maybe in the upcoming year I can find a way to help fund this for someone who needs it but has no chance of affording it. I think that would be more worthwhile than some of the organizations we donate to.
Atlas,
As you know im on sub. 4mgs a day.I have tried 2 times in the past to come off and craveing,sweats and just feel really bad and tired feeling.I went back on sub. and back at 8mgs and back down to four mgs pretty quick.JMO,i would do a tamper off before i jump off though.I know what you been posting and feeling i really do.I feel just as you.but,i choose to stay on it until i tamper after the new year ...Hopefully ,off for good.I went to my health dep. and got my blood work free so no charge for my blood work .They couldnt do they full blood work.he just said get them to do whatever blood work they could.That was to save his butt.i told him i couldnt afford the lab work he was asking plus ,vists,and scripts.he dont even urine test me and check med.He dont make sure your in meetings ethier.he just advices you to get in them.i payed $285.00 first vist then second vist to be put of sub. was $185.00 ...Then $75.00 dollors after.I clearly told him i couldnt come in monthly no way ...he agreed until last month.Now,i go i monthly and i pay whatever i can he said he needed to see me even if i didnt have the money.I payed $10.00 today and got 2 scripts i havent even used.Im planing on going next month and thats the last time.I hope......I will have 3 scripts 270 pills .....I plan on comeing off first of the year,But,i will have these for backup in case i need them to keep me from useing DOC again.I feel i have a bad case of depession and hope to find what will work for me....I wish you best of luck......Take care of yourself,crystal
As you know im on sub. 4mgs a day.I have tried 2 times in the past to come off and craveing,sweats and just feel really bad and tired feeling.I went back on sub. and back at 8mgs and back down to four mgs pretty quick.JMO,i would do a tamper off before i jump off though.I know what you been posting and feeling i really do.I feel just as you.but,i choose to stay on it until i tamper after the new year ...Hopefully ,off for good.I went to my health dep. and got my blood work free so no charge for my blood work .They couldnt do they full blood work.he just said get them to do whatever blood work they could.That was to save his butt.i told him i couldnt afford the lab work he was asking plus ,vists,and scripts.he dont even urine test me and check med.He dont make sure your in meetings ethier.he just advices you to get in them.i payed $285.00 first vist then second vist to be put of sub. was $185.00 ...Then $75.00 dollors after.I clearly told him i couldnt come in monthly no way ...he agreed until last month.Now,i go i monthly and i pay whatever i can he said he needed to see me even if i didnt have the money.I payed $10.00 today and got 2 scripts i havent even used.Im planing on going next month and thats the last time.I hope......I will have 3 scripts 270 pills .....I plan on comeing off first of the year,But,i will have these for backup in case i need them to keep me from useing DOC again.I feel i have a bad case of depession and hope to find what will work for me....I wish you best of luck......Take care of yourself,crystal
hey Ali what time you have right now...............I am never on this late but am tryiong to stay awake so I can go and pick my hun up at airport.........even though I have been awake since a little after 4 am ...but oh well I will tolerate it since he is finally coming home..
you both have mentioned blood work........why is it they do that???
when I was on methadone, I would get it monthly, the only time I saw my dr was the first visit..............and then maybe for the year and half I took it, she called me twice.............I did have to sign a form when I got my script. but other then that nothing. makes me wonder what was up with the pain clinic I went to.( It is thru our insurance, but reading others people comments on methadone they were watched so closely.....could it be since I was taking them for chronic pain and not becuz I was coming off of another addiction such as herion??
when I was on methadone, I would get it monthly, the only time I saw my dr was the first visit..............and then maybe for the year and half I took it, she called me twice.............I did have to sign a form when I got my script. but other then that nothing. makes me wonder what was up with the pain clinic I went to.( It is thru our insurance, but reading others people comments on methadone they were watched so closely.....could it be since I was taking them for chronic pain and not becuz I was coming off of another addiction such as herion??
Thank you Ali. I enjoy your posts also. You are always so kind to everyone. I hope you do not think I was "against you" in the dilaudid thread. I was only agreeing with some of the general info. about not taking medical advice from posters. Nothing toward you, I tried to make that clear in my post, I hope it came across that way. I appreciate your support. My sub Dr. does not seem to really care for his patients. If I told him of my plans to taper, he would probably try to insist I stay on full dose. That's why I am getting one more round from him and going to my primary Dr. to taper. The whole sub clinic just rubs me the wrong way. Most of the people working there have a holier than thou attitude and seem to look down on us "junkies." There are always half a dozen or more med students at the clinic. Last time there was some private joke they were giggling about. We were waiting on his highness (Dr. sub) and they were having a grand ole time. And there was a young girl there who was in full-on herion WD. I found it to be highly inappropriate. I shot them a look and glanced at the sick girl and then kinda gave a sarcastic smile back to the med students. They must be smart beacuse they seemed to get it and they shut up. Even the financial people seem to have an attitude like I don't deserve a discount because of the nature of the treatment. I'm ranting again. It may be time for bed. Again Ali, Thank you. Atlas
P.S. Too cold in Canada for me. Too bad it can't trade places with Mexico. I'd be there in a minute!!
P.S. Too cold in Canada for me. Too bad it can't trade places with Mexico. I'd be there in a minute!!
Krazy, Interesting you ask about the bloodwork. I have no clue what they checked for or if it was normal. Nobody ever mentioned it again. I will ask on Wed for them to send a copy to my primary Dr.
Crystal, Thanks for your support. You are fortunate that he is letting you make payments. My hungry Dr. wants full payment before service is rendered. The $756 I mentioned is if he lets you come monthly. Some are coming weekly or bi-weekly. 2 times per month would be $1112 and 4 times per month would be $2180. I'm sure if they have good insurance they are coming more often. He put me on monthly pretty quickly. He also asked what I did for a living. I should have said that I'm not employed and neither is my husband. Maybe he would have let me come every 3 months. Ha! lol
Goodnight everybody. I sure am going to miss my restful suboxone slumber when it is gone. Trazadone here I come.
Crystal, Thanks for your support. You are fortunate that he is letting you make payments. My hungry Dr. wants full payment before service is rendered. The $756 I mentioned is if he lets you come monthly. Some are coming weekly or bi-weekly. 2 times per month would be $1112 and 4 times per month would be $2180. I'm sure if they have good insurance they are coming more often. He put me on monthly pretty quickly. He also asked what I did for a living. I should have said that I'm not employed and neither is my husband. Maybe he would have let me come every 3 months. Ha! lol
Goodnight everybody. I sure am going to miss my restful suboxone slumber when it is gone. Trazadone here I come.
I hope this goes well for you, Atlas. It sounds like you're doing the right thing. I don't have any personal experience with sub but it seems like a useful tool in getting and staying clean.
It's a shame everything is about money. A drug that could help so many and will get to so few.
Realistically, how many addicts could afford this? I'm sure some can, but when you think of all those who have depleted everything on their doc, I'm betting the numbers are higher in that direction.
I think you're a good soul to be thinking of helping other addicts, Atlas.
Love, Kat
It's a shame everything is about money. A drug that could help so many and will get to so few.
Realistically, how many addicts could afford this? I'm sure some can, but when you think of all those who have depleted everything on their doc, I'm betting the numbers are higher in that direction.
I think you're a good soul to be thinking of helping other addicts, Atlas.
Love, Kat
Good night and sweet dreams........
Trazadone.YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! took that will never take again..
Take care
Trazadone.YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! took that will never take again..
Take care
Atlas,
i wasnt upset at ALL with you.and knew what you were agreeing with..I agree too..God forbid someone thinks thay can take whati did at my MAX..
I just didnt like the ones that smacked of saying it couldnt be TRUE..lolol
I saw what the original tread starter said at the end...she posted again confrming that she was saying exactly that
..but didnt want to post on it and reply as others on there were way off subject and the fighting had started and I was reacting to it...not something i like or am proud to do..lolol..knew when to walk away..better late than never...lolol
Hugs to you,
Hope you found all the posts i bumped up..all on sub tapering...
Hugs
Ali
i wasnt upset at ALL with you.and knew what you were agreeing with..I agree too..God forbid someone thinks thay can take whati did at my MAX..
I just didnt like the ones that smacked of saying it couldnt be TRUE..lolol
I saw what the original tread starter said at the end...she posted again confrming that she was saying exactly that
..but didnt want to post on it and reply as others on there were way off subject and the fighting had started and I was reacting to it...not something i like or am proud to do..lolol..knew when to walk away..better late than never...lolol
Hugs to you,
Hope you found all the posts i bumped up..all on sub tapering...
Hugs
Ali
