has suboxone helped

[determined31]

I have been on pain pills for almost a year and when I tried to quit, I got really sick.  I have three young children and couln't seem to get out of bed to take care of them.  I found a clinic near home that said suboxone can help minimize the withdrawl symptoms and wean you off of drugs.  Well I started today, and I was wondering if it really is successful?  Also, can you have 1 glass of wine while on suboxone.  I know it is not recommended, however I am used to having 1-2 glassed at bed time to help me sleep....but I am scared to since I want to wake up tommorrow. I also am scared to take a flexorall muscle relaxer....the doctor I saw today was very vague, he gave me two 8-2 pills and told me to take 1/2 then, 1/2 at bedtime, 1/2 in morning, and I go back to see him tomorrow. I am still in alot of pain, but they seem to be helping.  Any insight would be great. Thanks.

[phatnnasty]

I never understood the idea of "getting off the suboxone as soon as possible in order to avoid becoming dependent on it"  The reason one is taking suboxone (usually) is because this person is addicted to opiates, the suboxone fills the opiate receptors to reduce/stop withdraw symptoms while lasting longer than normal opiates(to help stop the ''when's my next dose'' habit) and also by not getting you high, or AS high, as normal opiates....  therefore getting off the suboxone quickly should make no difference whatsoever if you were already opiate dependent when u started taking the suboxone.  Granted you would be "clean" and "drug free" sooner but you're not going to become more addicted than you already were when you started the subs...unless, of course, you start taking more than you're prescribed

[whitie]

yup, like mr lucky said, it will be harder to shake the sub if you stay on it for any length of time. its a narcotic opioid too. so get off it as soon as possible.......

[mr.lucky66]

You may not have a problem with alcohol now but you could be developing one. Sometimes these take years to develop but since you have the narcotic problem the chances are higher that you will develop an alcohol problem. How long are you planning on being on sub/ It is a replacement treatment or harm reduction and the longer you are on it the harder it is to get off. all best

[determined31]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I was up until 2:30 in the morning, however I didn't take anything else w/ the suboxone.  To answer your question about flexeril, no I do not use this very often.  In fact, hardly ever because It always nocks me out and I hate feeling sleepy.  Last night it would have helped though.  When I was taking hydros', they gave me energy or at least a bit of a mental pick me up. I also never really liked xanax, and hate sleeping pills cuz they make me feel so groggy the next day.  I used to take adipex diet pills for years until I found out that I had really high blood pressure....then I had to quit right away....which helped my downward spiral with pain pills. I guess I used those in place of the speed.  I am not a heavy drinker, however I have had an average of 2 drinks a night for the past year (usually wine or beer) after I get my three beautiful girls to bed (I don't like them to see me drink too much).  I didn't feel like I had an alcohol problem cuz I didn't need to get drunk and I didn't drink all day or to the point that I would have a hangover.  However last night I found out that I really depend on my merlot or budlight to relax me.  I hope the doctor will say its okay to have a drink, but I fear he will not, and that will be the hardest part of suboxone for me.  Not taking any chances on mixing without talking to him though.  I am really scared about using suboxone after reading some of the horror stories about withdrawl.  My doc said that he will gradually wean me off w/o major withdrawls, but after taking it this morning I feel very happy and capable of getting through the day. This makes me think this program is too good to be true and that all of the negative posts about suboxone might be true.  I plan to discuss this with him at noon also.  Thank you for your responses. I look forward to staying in contact on this site. My husband has never been addicted to anything (except the t.v.-ha, ha) so he can't understand what I am going through.

[bkwrm679]

Sorry - got a little sidetracked - to answer your question, yes suboxone should help in your situation. You will be able to transfer over to a maintenance medication that will help you avoid the worst of the withdrawals. The lower the dose of suboxone, the clearer you'll probably find that your mind is as well. You can taper down and actually stop taking it eventually, although that's a process in itself. For now, I think it sounds like a good fit for what you are describing.

[bkwrm679]

I've taken Flexeril with suboxone (because I had back pain and it seemed to take the edge off) but like the other person said, since you're seeing a Dr. anyway, just ask them. I definitely wouldn't drink and take the Flexeril and be on the suboxone.  Do you abuse the Flexeril? I personally couldn't stand how stupid and tired I felt if I took too many (feeling stupid and tired isn't my thing), but some people enjoy that somehow. If you abuse it then maybe talk to your doctor about OTC alternatives. One of the funny things I realized after opiates is that stuff like Advil, Tylenol, etc. actually do work for some things.

[more_fiend]

I agree that it could be dangerous.  But it is awesome that you have started a program that will help.  I have noticed that suboxone sometimes keeps my husband awake and we discussed that fact with his specialist.  He informed my husband that the ambien cr could be taken with the suboxone.  I was still a bit nervous so of course my husband slept beautifully with me watching each breath to make sure he didn't suffer respiratory distress...I believe that suboxone reaction depends on the individual and your best bet would be to open up more to your doctor because he knows more about you than anyone here could. I know with our doctor he basically stated that the only things not to take with the suboxone where the percocet and kadian due to the withdrawal effects.  I listed all of the other meds he is on and he said that it was all fine.  If you are still worried after talking to the doctor than maybe you should call your primary and do a double check.  Just a thought.  Good luck, let us know what happens please!!

[avisg]

The worst thing you can do is drink wine and take muscle relaxants on on sub.They are all questions your doctor needs to be giving you answers too!!.Part of getting clean is changing adcitive traits and habits mixing pills is a big one.

Here it is in black and white from the drug companys

Deaths have occurred when buprenorphine/naloxone has been misused, especially when used in combination with benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam) or other depressants such as alcohol or additional narcotics. Also report the use of other drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., temazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.