Hi Everyone,
I'm so glad to have found this site, as I'm struggling...and don't want to go it alone. Actually, I've been around long enough to know I CAN'T do it alone.
I've been on Suboxone for 2 years, successfully putting an end to my oxycontin addiction. I started on 24mg. Suboxone and have s l o w l y gotten down to 4mg. I'm having a hard time getting down to 2mg., and my Dr. wants me to get completely off, ASAP. I tried last week to stop completely and ended up in bed for 3 days, anxious, unable to work, go out in public,etc.
Is there anyone here who has experience in what I'm trying to do? Do you know the best way to get off these last 4 mg. of Suboxone? I know that there are many out there facing a much more difficult detox than I am, and detoxing from oxys was 10 times worse when I did that...but I'm having a real hard time...
Thanks for any input...
hellcat,welcome
Im alo a sub. user.Im been on it for 5 months maybe alittle longer.Im on 4mgs and have tried just as you have to tamper off.I have deprestion problems and im going to seek help for it .im hopeing that i can come off as soon as i get help for my deprestion.I know many here has done this tampering off suboxone and they will be around tomm.Maybe someone can help i will check back tomm. to bump up your thread up for you if you dont get back before i do in the morning.How has your doctor told you to do the tampering?mine has said 2 mgs once a week.Or do it 2mgs once ever 2 weeks.Which i have never been on more then 8mgs and after one week of sub. i was down to 6mgs.Then stay there for a month or two.I have been fine on 4mgs since.I have tried like i said to come down two more mgs.By the end of the day i would feel really bad.And deprestion 10 times worst.Just stick around if no help tonight someone will give you ideals tomm.i know some sub. doctor put some on diff. meds. to help come off the sub. my sub. doctor doesnt do this ethier.But,some can tell you what to ask the sub. doctor to give you.Have a good night,crystal
Im alo a sub. user.Im been on it for 5 months maybe alittle longer.Im on 4mgs and have tried just as you have to tamper off.I have deprestion problems and im going to seek help for it .im hopeing that i can come off as soon as i get help for my deprestion.I know many here has done this tampering off suboxone and they will be around tomm.Maybe someone can help i will check back tomm. to bump up your thread up for you if you dont get back before i do in the morning.How has your doctor told you to do the tampering?mine has said 2 mgs once a week.Or do it 2mgs once ever 2 weeks.Which i have never been on more then 8mgs and after one week of sub. i was down to 6mgs.Then stay there for a month or two.I have been fine on 4mgs since.I have tried like i said to come down two more mgs.By the end of the day i would feel really bad.And deprestion 10 times worst.Just stick around if no help tonight someone will give you ideals tomm.i know some sub. doctor put some on diff. meds. to help come off the sub. my sub. doctor doesnt do this ethier.But,some can tell you what to ask the sub. doctor to give you.Have a good night,crystal
Thanks, Crystal.
I used my sub., thinking it would be a breeze to stop....but was wrong. My only possibility of getting thru Thanksgiving in one piece was to find a substitute, since I couldn't get any suboxone. I found some methadose and am fine on 10 mg. and will try to go lower today, maybe 5 mg. if possible. I've been doing this since the day before Thanksgiving, but want to be careful not to make things worse.
Just a note: doing oxys again is NOT an option, no matter how bad it gets. I can't survive another bout with that!
Thanks,
Shawn
I used my sub., thinking it would be a breeze to stop....but was wrong. My only possibility of getting thru Thanksgiving in one piece was to find a substitute, since I couldn't get any suboxone. I found some methadose and am fine on 10 mg. and will try to go lower today, maybe 5 mg. if possible. I've been doing this since the day before Thanksgiving, but want to be careful not to make things worse.
Just a note: doing oxys again is NOT an option, no matter how bad it gets. I can't survive another bout with that!
Thanks,
Shawn
Hi Shawn:
You are at 4mg Now?
Try cutting .5 mg each week until you get to 2mg. Then cut .5 mg every 2 weeks until you are off.
Good Luck
Jeff
You are at 4mg Now?
Try cutting .5 mg each week until you get to 2mg. Then cut .5 mg every 2 weeks until you are off.
Good Luck
Jeff
hey jeff
i wanted to ask you the other day if when you came off the sub the first time, did you go through any w'd's and could you sleep? i was thinking about what redd is going through--- i wasnt sure about the sleep thing--fire
i wanted to ask you the other day if when you came off the sub the first time, did you go through any w'd's and could you sleep? i was thinking about what redd is going through--- i wasnt sure about the sleep thing--fire
Good Morning Fire:
No I had no problem but that is because I was put on serequel. I take 200 mg and sleep like a baby. It has some side effects but my sleep outweighs them.
Have a good day Fire
Jeff
No I had no problem but that is because I was put on serequel. I take 200 mg and sleep like a baby. It has some side effects but my sleep outweighs them.
Have a good day Fire
Jeff
thanks jeff
you have a good day too!!! :)
you have a good day too!!! :)
Jeff,
To reduce by .5mg /wk. or two sounds like a good, slow way to do it, but what do you do? Break a 2mg. tab into 4 parts..or are there even smaller pills than 2 mg.?
And gagrl28: I get very depressed also, but only when I try to taper down or stop doing suboxone. Would it make sense for me to try and get a script for an anti-depressant? Or a pill for anxiety, since I get wicked anxious when my sub. is gone? Or is that just adding fuel to the fire and feeding my addiction?
I'm very grateful for your help...
Shawn
To reduce by .5mg /wk. or two sounds like a good, slow way to do it, but what do you do? Break a 2mg. tab into 4 parts..or are there even smaller pills than 2 mg.?
And gagrl28: I get very depressed also, but only when I try to taper down or stop doing suboxone. Would it make sense for me to try and get a script for an anti-depressant? Or a pill for anxiety, since I get wicked anxious when my sub. is gone? Or is that just adding fuel to the fire and feeding my addiction?
I'm very grateful for your help...
Shawn
Hi Shawn sorry to jump into your post but I wanted to ask the same questions you just did about cutting down.How do you get.5 & know that it is.
Also I wanted to ask if you have ever been told you have depression?One of the reasons for my asking is that alot of addicts become that way because they have depression or whatever & try to self medicate.
I would suggest being online go to different web sites as far as depression & the meds for it.That way you can talk it over with your Dr.Good Luck to you...mj
Also I wanted to ask if you have ever been told you have depression?One of the reasons for my asking is that alot of addicts become that way because they have depression or whatever & try to self medicate.
I would suggest being online go to different web sites as far as depression & the meds for it.That way you can talk it over with your Dr.Good Luck to you...mj
Shawn, What is the rush to get you off of it ASAP after 2 years? Do a slow taper, like what Jeff/Suboxman advised. Even slower if needed. I have been on sub 12mg. daily for one month, and plan on starting a very slow taper after x-mas. Please keep posting so I have an idea what is in store for me. Welcome to the board. Good luck, you can do this. Remember, no matter how rough it gets, it will be a walk in the park compared to oxy WD, which is a living hell. Take care, Atlas
Hello MJ,
You know, I never knew what depression felt like 'til I got caught up w/ oxycontins. I also never..or rarely, at least..ever experienced heavy anxiety before. The good thing, though, is that I'm now much more sensitive to others who suffer from those types of illnesses. I know what they're talking about so I can really empathize and be there for them like I couldn't be before.
I just want this to all be over sometime in the near future!
You know, I never knew what depression felt like 'til I got caught up w/ oxycontins. I also never..or rarely, at least..ever experienced heavy anxiety before. The good thing, though, is that I'm now much more sensitive to others who suffer from those types of illnesses. I know what they're talking about so I can really empathize and be there for them like I couldn't be before.
I just want this to all be over sometime in the near future!
My original Dr., (there are very few who can prescribe sub. where I live), lost his right to practice, due to veerrrrry bad judgement on his part.....(Affair w/ patient!)
My new Doc would only take me temporarily, as he had a full patient load---30 patients maximum according to our local laws/rules governing sub. and methadone. That's why I need tpo get off the sub. SOON. Seems funny though, Drs. can, an DO, pass out as many percs. and oxycontins to as many patients as they like!
My new Doc would only take me temporarily, as he had a full patient load---30 patients maximum according to our local laws/rules governing sub. and methadone. That's why I need tpo get off the sub. SOON. Seems funny though, Drs. can, an DO, pass out as many percs. and oxycontins to as many patients as they like!
Shawn, I have thought about that too. They can all give out oxy, but none of them can help you get off of it. And I don't know the reasoning behind the 30 patient per Dr. rule, but that's BS. Help should be readily available for those who need it. In my opinion, if a doctor is trained to prescribe pain pills, they should be trained to get people off of them. Maybe if they had to detox people often enough they would think twice before writing unnecessary scripts. JMO
J,
I can see that we think exactky alike on this subject. It makes me angry to think about the injustice there...but ultimately, I made the decision to stick a straw in my nose.
The 30 patients/ Dr. max. IS BS. The theory is that a single Dr. cannot effectively administer and oversee more than that # of addicts. True? False? Who knows...but that's the way it is right now. Drs. need to take a special training course to get licensed to prescribe...and apparently most Drs. simply aren't interested. After all...addicts are the dregs! ( Even though Drs. did help us to get this way in a lot of cases!)
I can see that we think exactky alike on this subject. It makes me angry to think about the injustice there...but ultimately, I made the decision to stick a straw in my nose.
The 30 patients/ Dr. max. IS BS. The theory is that a single Dr. cannot effectively administer and oversee more than that # of addicts. True? False? Who knows...but that's the way it is right now. Drs. need to take a special training course to get licensed to prescribe...and apparently most Drs. simply aren't interested. After all...addicts are the dregs! ( Even though Drs. did help us to get this way in a lot of cases!)
Shawn, My opinion is FALSE. They can oversee more than that. My husband is a doctor, but I used to call him Mr. stingy pen. He focuses on wellness and only prescribes if absolutly needed. He dosen't prescribe sub, but I don't think the doctors should have a choice about taking the sub certification. If they can get you hooked, they should be able to get you off of the stuff. Especially the doctors who over-prescribe, which is most of them.
Up here in Vermont there are only about 15 Drs. in the whole state who are certified for suboxone treatment of patients, and each one can accept a max. of 30 patients by law. There is a huge list of suffering opiate addicts who can't "get in", even though they want to. It's a crime, but for now it's reality. Methadone treatment is a little easier to start, but you've got to be willing to travel if you're not in one of the 2 "bigger cities", and if you are, be willing to stand in line every day at the clinic---Not for me!
I've been pretty lucky up 'til now, so I'm not complaining.
I've been pretty lucky up 'til now, so I'm not complaining.
There are people trying to get the laws changed regarding SUB.
Its a joke.
The drug is not for evreybody. we all have circumstances and health issues. I would prefer to go C/T but I could not back in June of 2004 as I was one step from a grave.
Regarding cutting--take a 2mg cut in half to 1mg pills. then when you get to 1mg break them again. It works. Best way IMO to get off. No rush this is where people relapse. Some people get scared when coming off work with your doctor and the job of weaning becomes easier. All doctors are not monsters.
JMO but I hear lots of people blaming ther doctors for there problems. B.S you went to the doctor and YOU filled the script. My doctor who wrote me all my pills for 5 yrs came to me by my life insurance agent. He is DEAD 2 yrs? -3 yrs I forget. His Liver went. He was eating thousands of pills a month and his liver went bye bye.
I took responsibility for my actions and begged this woman to help me. She saved my life.
Nothing in life is free or easy--Fight for your recovery like you fought for them drugs and I bet you will kick the $hit out of ADDICTION.
Jeff
Jeff
Jeff
Time to stop blaming other people for our problem. I used the same energy to score drug and found a good doctor. They are out there.
Its a joke.
The drug is not for evreybody. we all have circumstances and health issues. I would prefer to go C/T but I could not back in June of 2004 as I was one step from a grave.
Regarding cutting--take a 2mg cut in half to 1mg pills. then when you get to 1mg break them again. It works. Best way IMO to get off. No rush this is where people relapse. Some people get scared when coming off work with your doctor and the job of weaning becomes easier. All doctors are not monsters.
JMO but I hear lots of people blaming ther doctors for there problems. B.S you went to the doctor and YOU filled the script. My doctor who wrote me all my pills for 5 yrs came to me by my life insurance agent. He is DEAD 2 yrs? -3 yrs I forget. His Liver went. He was eating thousands of pills a month and his liver went bye bye.
I took responsibility for my actions and begged this woman to help me. She saved my life.
Nothing in life is free or easy--Fight for your recovery like you fought for them drugs and I bet you will kick the $hit out of ADDICTION.
Jeff
Jeff
Jeff
Time to stop blaming other people for our problem. I used the same energy to score drug and found a good doctor. They are out there.
Jeff, You are absolutly right about taking responsibility, I should have also mentioned that. I just think that they should have to be trained to deal with addictions that they contribute to. Many doctors prescribe responsibly, but many do not.
Hi Atlas:
Your 100% right its a freakin joke. I personally know that there are good addiction doctors looking to make changes. It will happen as methadone is poison.
Buy the stock.
How are you doing. I am stuck at 6mg until tomorrow as I see the surgeon to see how my vocal cord and voice box look.
I am so sick of taking this stuff. Besides 3-4days of NO SUB i have been on it for almost 19 months. Hate spending the money.
Jeff
Your 100% right its a freakin joke. I personally know that there are good addiction doctors looking to make changes. It will happen as methadone is poison.
Buy the stock.
How are you doing. I am stuck at 6mg until tomorrow as I see the surgeon to see how my vocal cord and voice box look.
I am so sick of taking this stuff. Besides 3-4days of NO SUB i have been on it for almost 19 months. Hate spending the money.
Jeff
Hi all,
Day 2 is coming to an end...a little anxiety, but not bad. Sneezing like crazy, but energetic enough to do some chores around the house, etc., which is good for me.
My History: 2 yrs. on suboxone, down to 4 grams. Cold turkey 3 days...Not good, so I picked up 120 mg. of methadone and spread it out over 5 days. ..(40 g. the 1st. day, 20g. the 2nd. and 10g. after that.)Nothing since. 2 days w/nothing.
Should I expect things to get worse soon?
I'm praying to God that I've been thru the worst, but I guess I can handle what comes. Nobody's ever died coming off 4 grams of sub., I guess.
Thanks for being there...
Day 2 is coming to an end...a little anxiety, but not bad. Sneezing like crazy, but energetic enough to do some chores around the house, etc., which is good for me.
My History: 2 yrs. on suboxone, down to 4 grams. Cold turkey 3 days...Not good, so I picked up 120 mg. of methadone and spread it out over 5 days. ..(40 g. the 1st. day, 20g. the 2nd. and 10g. after that.)Nothing since. 2 days w/nothing.
Should I expect things to get worse soon?
I'm praying to God that I've been thru the worst, but I guess I can handle what comes. Nobody's ever died coming off 4 grams of sub., I guess.
Thanks for being there...
