My Suboxone/subutex experience

[fishmeal]

I thought it would be a good time at 5 months of buprenorphine, (suboxone/subutex) to describe my experience with it, that it might help someone contemplating this replacement therapy. I have never done methadone but some people liken it to methadone light.

When I first got on the stuff, I was around here touting it as a miracle drug and that everybody should go on it.  People like FLaddict remember that time, and 5 months later, I am still on it and realize it’s not for everyone.  It is for people like me who have tried everything to get off the hydros and could not.  I did have a period of 2 weeks off early on ~~ felt awful and had a short relapse of 90 norcos and went back on subutex.  

Well, after 5 months I have to say without a doubt in my mind it has changed my life for the better 100 percent.  At 5 months, I’m around 24mgs and sometimes I forget to take it and do maybe 16 to 20 in a day.  I’m back to work and getting up in the mornings feeling as normal as if I had never taken pills in the first place, for the most part.  I do get hot flashes once in a while that are weird, like sitting at the computer and just starting to sweat. It does have a little perkiness to it like drinking coffee in the morning but no high to speak of.  Essentially my life has stabilized without the hydros.  The aches and pains are there but nothing compared to being totally addicted to hydros and wondering how and when I will be able to get more.  I don’t run out of this prescription.  There are pills left over when it comes time to re-up.

Now that I am forgetting to take them is the time for me to start the tapering process and it doesn’t seem like such a daunting task anymore.  I should also say that early on, I had trouble getting out of bed and had clinical depression, which I believe was caused by the traumas occurring in my life at the time.  I told my doc about this and he put me on Cymbalta, (anti-depression) and Trazodone, (Sleep and anti-D) and those seemed to do the trick…. He told me to throw away the effexor prescription that I had and just do these, which I did and have been on for 3 months to now.

I hope this helps and if you can do a shorter stint with this drug like FLaddict did, I think that would be better.  The jury is still out on my story as I am not drug free, but I am so very glad I'm not the way I use to be.  The key is that dependence/addiction effects everyone in the family not just us.  That should be a huge motivation to get well.

God Bless everybody in his or her struggles with dependence/addiction.
Jim

[wait2long]

I am so glad everyone on this thread is doing so well, and sound great while working on our recovery...best wishes to all of you!!!  

[kyjobr]

thanks fish.  I will see what my doc says but hopefully he'll let me be on it for a while or I can find another doctor.  This guy doesn't even think sub is there to help with cravings so I don't think he's quite up to date.  Most all the doctors I called believe in short term treatment (meaning just to get you through w/d's) and then your counseling etc is supposed to get you through the rest of your life.  To me, I think the patient knows how likely they are to relapse so telling them they are ok doesn't do much good.  I'm so happy to see you on here and I'm loving the helping attitude of this site!

[wait2long]

we must have started around the same time..it will be 5 months on the sub. for me on oct 22, but it was 5 months off my doc (methadone) yesturday, oct 17...i am having some problems with depression and anxiety...but i had these issues before the addiction, so i guess its expected... but other than that i KNOW if not for the sub., therapy, supportive friends and family, and the support i have received on this forum (i have met some truly awesome people from all over the world here, who i will always be greatful for)...unfortunately i might not be here to day. so i am thankful for the suboxone EVERYDAY!!!  I actually sent my sub doctor a thank you for saving my life and family card.  CONGRATULATIONS FISHMEAL...WE ARE ALL PROUD OF YOU!!!!!

(if this drug was like methadone i would be in deep **** right now)

[fishmeal]

Oh yea Kyjobr you're here too. heehee... thanx all for the very nice comments.  It's funny but I haven't thought in a while how nice it is not to run out or call a dealer or doc shop or ???  I feel for some women to that there dealers expect other things besides cash... what a real drag for nice people to have to do things you don't want to becuase of the damn dee oh cee's!  I really did slam that last exclaimation point down cause some things just make me mad.  I almost lost my family over this stupid stuff and I feel for the people out there suffering not know what to do.  I know suboxone is very expensive and there is a free drug help for people that cannot afford it.  I think you can google it and there are other sites to with that information available.  Medhelp does not want me giving out url's but if you PM me I might be able to help.
best
Jim

[kyjobr]

hello!  I forgot we were post on this board too.  Congratulations on 5 months.  I started in July but had a small relapse so I honestly don't know what my anniversary date would be.  I am also hoping to use sub mid-long term.  I figure if I couldn't stay off the vics after going c/t several times then I obviously need something else.  I've seen the stats on success rates for c/t patients and it wasn't very hopeful.  I would really like to stay on it forever for the pain control and the detterant factor.  It scares the heck out of me knowing that someday I will need pain meds for something (surgery etc.) and I won't have the willpower to say no.  I had an issue a few weeks ago and the ER doc offered me meds even after I told him about the sub.  

anyway - sorry to hijack your post but I just think you sucess and sub in general is amazing!

[willruthie1965]

Keep me posted elimonnpee.I am in similar circumstances   RUthie

[AH6767]

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!! It does work different for everyone. And I dont care what people on here have to say but in my eyes YOU ARE CLEAN BUDDY!!!!!  As long as you are not using your DOC. You wouldnt call someone who has diabetes and using insulin everyday "dirty" would you?? Of course not! I have had freinds who have used it for short term detox and have never used there DOC again. I also had freinds who have been unsuccessful with short term detox, and had success with long term maintinance and have been able to taper off with little or no WD's!!! How great is that! Why suffer CT when you dont have to?? Thats why alot of people relapse. They go to a rehab that doesnt use a medically assisted detox. They wind up feeling like **** for a while and eventually you just get fed up with that **** feeling and go back to your DOC. I think more people should consider the suboxone route. I'll have you in my prayers buddy!!!! 5 months is fantastic!!

[wait2long]

I couldnt agree more with your post....thank you.

[fishmeal]

Elinmmopee is right about differences and I truly believe that if you can use this for a very short period, the better.  IBKleen and Georgia Guy very nice to see you here.  This forum is one of the main reasons I am well.
Thanx for the comments
Jim

[IBKleen]

Hi Hun!!!!

So nice to see you post. It has been awhile. I am glad that you are having a good experience with the Sub and that you feel it is time to start your taper.

I used to Sub for 16 days, but that is not for everyone. As you said, everyone is different. therefore, it works differently for each individual.

So, Good for you!! Take care and hope to see you post soon!!

[eliminnopee]

     I used the sub for a real quick taper after reducing from 80mgs to 20mgs of methadone.  I took 4mgs for 4 days then 2mgs for 3 days.  2 days ago I stopped completely and have had very very mild w/ds. Total today is my 10th day no methadone and my 3rd day with nothing.  I truly think this drug may work both ways as described on other posts in this forum.

[GA Guy]

I am so glad this is working for you. I continue to keep you in my prayers. God bless..