Do all Dr's require the huge initial payment for sub?

[j3705]

I have been on Methadone for 6.5 years and am in my 14th day of cold turkey.  The withdrawal is so bad still I cant see the lite at the other end.  I checked on starting subutex or suboxone but all the Dr's I called require a huge 500, 600, or 700+ dollar initial payment to get started. Is this the case for everyone or just me?

[j3705]

Thanx for all the support.  I have no one to talk to about my disease "addiction" who understands.  You have all been awesome. God bless you guys for doing your best to help me and for your info.  

[SOCAL742]

Mine was only $100 first time and is only $100 every month after that, once a month. Have you gone to the suboxone website and found all doctors in your area, print it out and just start calling down the list to see who is taking new patients (the current law is 100 sub patients max for each doctor) and who is the cheapest! I also have found the popular pharmacies (riteaid, cvs etc..) are alot more expensive than the average mom and pop pharmacies. I love that story above about a doctor that really cared! I was so scared of being judged and being treated like a junkie thats what took me so long to get help!

[lifesaride]

ya gotta shop around, my dr. was 200 first, then 100 each month

[didittomyself2]

i agree with Friend999...i went thru subutex wds and they were much worse than hydro wds...now i never took meth but still there will be some wds from sub i would think...and you have come this far already why substitute with another drug...if u do get subs...stay on short amt of time and taper taper taper..down to a crumb...good luck to u..

[Friend999]

I truly don't want to restart the suboxone controversy, but I was surprised no one suggested to J3705 that if one is two weeks off methadone then best to continue the cold turkey.  The length of time on methadone might mean a longer physical withdrawal period (longer than 3-4 weeks) but it seems to me that unless one just uses the sub now for only a short period of time then sub withdrawal is in the future.  Sorry, J3705, but I just was trying to get additional input from other people on this.

Maybe Sadinmichigan did in her pm.  Any thoughts on this?

Friend999

[sadinmichigan]

going to pm you....

[j3705]

Thanx.  I will call all the Dr's that I found online that can RX it and try to find a decent one. I hope.

[NautyOne]

I would definitely shop around.   l live in an upper-middle-class neighborhood.  Soccer Mom's and SUV's......I always call out of my area, because thats the way it is...if they can get it.......they can.   I don't know where you live, but if you live in a similar type area,  I would call outside your area.  It may be worth a little drive.

Luv,
Nauty..........

[j3705]

Yes.  I have been on a herbal/vitamin regimen for about two weeks prior to my quit.  I am trying to rebuild what the years of Methadone have taken from me.  I have been trying to eat a high protein diet and all the right things but It's been a real B****. I've heard my symptoms could last for months being I've been on it for so long.  God I hope not.....

[GoingToMakeIt]

Hang in there. I know methadone is a bear to get off of. Keep posting.
Did you check out the Thomas recipe in the Health Pages?

[j3705]

lol. Just wish I could find a good Dr. to get through this. I think the worse is over but who knows???

[GoingToMakeIt]

What a good story! It renews your faith in mankind again. Thanks for sharing that.

[j3705]

Im still having wicked bad withdrawal.  The pain is unbelievable. Not to mention the slew of other going on's with my body.

[j3705]

Yeah. As I said there are alot of Dr's where I live.  I found a list of them that can RX it but the ones I called said it would cost from $500 to $750 to get started. I just dont have that much cash.  I was hoping that I was wrong about the cost...

[TrayCee]

yes, its like that in my city too, very costly

[j3705]

There are alot of Dr's around here that can RX it but man the cost is crazy.

[cattalina]

GTMI hit the nail on the head - alot of docs take advantage.  Definitely keep checking around - the doctor I see charged me and initial 100 bucks then 55 every visit (I don't have insurance).  You'll be able to find one that doesn't want both your legs!  Have you been searching online?

[cathy5841]

i do think that is pretty much standard.  i actually took my daughter to the dr today to start on sub, the initial fee was 550.00.  when we got ready to leave the dr looked at me and said "there will be no charge".  i about fainted.  he was the most awesome dr we had ever met. he ran an ekg, did blood work and urine test.  i could not believe it.  he sat and talked to us for almost 2 hours.  some drs really do care.

[GoingToMakeIt]

I would shop around. The prices go all over the place. Some of the Dr are taking advantage of people.