I just went through in-patient detox last week as those of you who have read my posts know. I was given subutex IM (shots) then released w/subutex pills, THEN given 1 scrip of suboxone pills (about 4 days' worth) THEN switched (changed docs, conferred with new doc) back to Subutex, because he didn't thinl the Naloxone (only diff. between the 2 drugs) was needed.
Today, I moved from the Suboxone to Subutex and w/d's seem slightly worse (a little more achy, little more down, little more tired) but not severely so. New doc also told me (good advice, I think) to "listen to my body" and not take a dose according to the clock, but when my body feels like it really needs it; so I've been trying to do that (still be close to 4 hours -- i.e. 5,6,7 max). So, that of course could make my symptoms worse.
My question: is anyone aware of w/d's from Naloxone itself?
I KNOW w/d's are worse w/Naloxone IF there are any other opiates (other than buphenorphrine ... or however you spell it; main ingredient of both these meds) in your symptom -- that is NOT the case with me. Last time I used Hydro was a week ago Thursday, in the AM ... so that's not an issue.
Any help / info on this would be appreciated; have done my own web research, and haven't found anything that specifically addresses this. Thanks!!
SAT
Dear SAT,
I use to be on methadone and then switched over to Suboxone, too. I've always suspected that the Naloxone causes some withdrawal. I know they use to tell us at the methadone clinic that it takes about 30 days for all of it to be out of your system, but when I started the Suboxone (which, as you know, also contains Naloxone), I noticed that it didn't take that long for the methadone symptoms to disappear, but when I weaned myself off the Suboxone, I definitely noticed that it seemed to take a little longer to get all the way out of me. I would ask your doctor about this if you can. You know, all the drugs we are speaking about here are fairly new to most of the medical world and they may not have alot of information on it just yet. I think I'll try to look it up on web and see what I can find for you. I think the advice of listening to your body is a good idea, but just make sure your body doesn't WANT it all the time, you know what I mean? I successfully got off the Suboxone and did experience slightly more withdrawal than I orginally had thought I would, but overall, it was much easier than trying to get off of anything else. If I were you (and no I don't know your whole situation), I would try to take as little as humanly possible towards the end. That really will make it easier. I kind of stayed on it a little too long, I think. But my doctor didn't mind writing me the scripts, of course. I'm the one who finally said enough! Good Luck to you and I'll keep you posted if I find anything out, ok? If you find anything out, let me know too, ok? Thanks:)
Rachel REB
I use to be on methadone and then switched over to Suboxone, too. I've always suspected that the Naloxone causes some withdrawal. I know they use to tell us at the methadone clinic that it takes about 30 days for all of it to be out of your system, but when I started the Suboxone (which, as you know, also contains Naloxone), I noticed that it didn't take that long for the methadone symptoms to disappear, but when I weaned myself off the Suboxone, I definitely noticed that it seemed to take a little longer to get all the way out of me. I would ask your doctor about this if you can. You know, all the drugs we are speaking about here are fairly new to most of the medical world and they may not have alot of information on it just yet. I think I'll try to look it up on web and see what I can find for you. I think the advice of listening to your body is a good idea, but just make sure your body doesn't WANT it all the time, you know what I mean? I successfully got off the Suboxone and did experience slightly more withdrawal than I orginally had thought I would, but overall, it was much easier than trying to get off of anything else. If I were you (and no I don't know your whole situation), I would try to take as little as humanly possible towards the end. That really will make it easier. I kind of stayed on it a little too long, I think. But my doctor didn't mind writing me the scripts, of course. I'm the one who finally said enough! Good Luck to you and I'll keep you posted if I find anything out, ok? If you find anything out, let me know too, ok? Thanks:)
Rachel REB
Satyadas
The Naloxone in Suboxone makes absolutely no difference, it is only added to Buprenorphine to stop people crushing the tablets and using it IV http://www.suboxone.com.Naloxone is not absorbed sublingualy. It may be relatively new in the States but has been used for opiate detox and pain control in Europe for quite some time. I think any difference one feels is purley subjective and may be just making a difference psychologicaly. There should be no reason to take the drug as your Dr describes i.e by listening to your body it was designed to be a once a day dose, some in europe take it once every two or three days for example if they are prescribed 16mg a day then they will take 32mg every other day. I think Taking a varied amount when one feels like it and at various times keeps you in the mode of a pill poper. If you are anything like me you will stash some for a later date or have some when one wants to go out or for an energy boost. For me they were the triggers for taking pills and we need to get out of that way of thinking. Sub has a very long half life and does not give the rush and euphoria of pain pills so there is no need to take it like this. It maskes it easier to get out of the pill popping habit which is a big part of the addction, taking something for a quick fix.
I often hear people from the US talking like this about Subutex/Suboxone. What I have described is information I get from training videos, manufacturers web sites,other web sites directed at Sub users and personal experience. I understand that Dr' in the US have to do only 8 hours training before they are able to to prescribe. However I am not a Dr and take no responsibilty for the information I have provided, always consult your Dr but your own research on "official" sites is invaluable.
Neon
The Naloxone in Suboxone makes absolutely no difference, it is only added to Buprenorphine to stop people crushing the tablets and using it IV http://www.suboxone.com.Naloxone is not absorbed sublingualy. It may be relatively new in the States but has been used for opiate detox and pain control in Europe for quite some time. I think any difference one feels is purley subjective and may be just making a difference psychologicaly. There should be no reason to take the drug as your Dr describes i.e by listening to your body it was designed to be a once a day dose, some in europe take it once every two or three days for example if they are prescribed 16mg a day then they will take 32mg every other day. I think Taking a varied amount when one feels like it and at various times keeps you in the mode of a pill poper. If you are anything like me you will stash some for a later date or have some when one wants to go out or for an energy boost. For me they were the triggers for taking pills and we need to get out of that way of thinking. Sub has a very long half life and does not give the rush and euphoria of pain pills so there is no need to take it like this. It maskes it easier to get out of the pill popping habit which is a big part of the addction, taking something for a quick fix.
I often hear people from the US talking like this about Subutex/Suboxone. What I have described is information I get from training videos, manufacturers web sites,other web sites directed at Sub users and personal experience. I understand that Dr' in the US have to do only 8 hours training before they are able to to prescribe. However I am not a Dr and take no responsibilty for the information I have provided, always consult your Dr but your own research on "official" sites is invaluable.
Neon
