Hey Guys - I'm Back, FLaddict - question for you about SUB? (Or Anyone With Info)

[hopeless]

Hi guys,

Went camping last night with hubby and the kids. Just got back a little while ago. I had so much fun! Think this is what i needed.

Just wanted to check in with all of you and see how everyone is doing...I am not feeling to bad today, but having alot of cravings, and like i mentioned to all you the other day, really think i am going to need to get some help on this. The cravings are driving me nuts. This is all i can think about. So i really  think i need to talk to my Dr. and inform him that i quit cold turkey on June 3 and did great for the first 14 days. But since then i am going right back where i was again. I am scared to to do this, afraid of what he might say, but know i have no other choice.

Anywhos, i am going to call him tomorrow morning and talk with him. What i need to know is about the SUB? What if he won't prescribe it? Or how do i ask him for it? Do most Dr's feel this is a good thing? I never even heard of this before until i came here. So can you please give me some info on it? And let me know how to go about asking my Dr. for it?

Thanks
Hopeless

[hopeless]

Thank you FLaddict...

Few more questions

Will it make me sick?
How long do they usually keep you on it?
How will i get off of it when the time comes?
Will it help me to stay more relaxed than i am now? Cause right now all i can think about is about taking a damm pill. Will it give me the feeling i need so i won't want a perc or hydro?

I was taking percs for 4 years up to 10 or so a day, then i quit c/t on June 3..Did good for 14 days, (took nothing)

Then about 2 weeks ago i started again, now taking Hydros - 10/500, anywhere between 8 - 12 a day now.

I really need to just STOP this, so i know i need to talk to my Dr. just scared.

Do the Dr.'s usually think this is a good idea to use this? I am just scared if i ask him for it he might wonder why i want it, or not really understand what i am truely going through.

Any advice is Great...

Thanks Again
Hopeless

[hopeless]

One more thing,

What are Benzos? Hear alot about this also here and have no idea what it is for.

Thanks)

[FLaddict]

Docs all have a different opinion of stuff like this... For a long time doctors were not allowed to prescribe other opiates for the treatment of opiate dependence.. unless it was in a methodone clinic.. newer laws have made Suboxone more available but that does not mean that your doc will even know anything about it if he does not normally treat patients for Wd of opiates.. In fact since it has only been a few weeks of you back on pills he may not find it neccesary.. Check the doc locator or suboxone.com  to see if his name is on there.. like I said not all docs can prescribe this or treat patients... only certified ones.. see if he is certifed b4 you talk to him..

To answer your other questions...

It did not make me relaxed... it made me feel speedy.. sometimes anxious. I was able to sleep, but it was hard to fall asleep.

I do know of people who it made them very sick.. usually this is because the doc prescribed too much to them.. There is a member here who threw up for 3 days til she got her dose right.. she ended up taking 1/3 rd of what the doc thought she should..she then tapered off it 2 weeks and has been clean since.

How long??  Every doc is different.. I read that after 4 days of being on it you should start to taper... you body will become dependent on the Sub it is still an opiate.. the longer you are on it and the higher the dose will make it harder to get off without more Wd symptoms.. Tapering off is very easy since the half life is so long... but the longer you are on it the harder it will be since your body will adjust to the higher doses.. I would suggest no longer than 3 weeks. Doctors in the US have only been using this for about 3 years.. they are still under educated about it. And are still using on a trial and error basis.  the 8 hour course the docs have to take to get certified is run by the drug company that makes the drug.. not the doctors that have used it.. and not the FDA.. so they only really know what the drug company told them.

YOu will feel better at lower doses.. I know I did.. some of the speedy feeling I had got better when I tapered down to 2mgs.

It is said to help with cravings but the pamphlet I have here says it does this only by controlling the symptoms of WD from your drug of choice.. so other cravings will not really be controlled just by taking Suboxone.. they suggest counseling to help with the cravings and mental part of Wd's and dependence.

[FLaddict]

These are drugs like xanax, valium, adivan etc... they are used for anxiety..and panic attacks.. they do this by working on the GABA part of the brain.. which controls our abilty to relax..

[FLaddict]

What is suggested here in this pamphlet from Suboxone is that after a detox using the drug of a few weeks. the patient then switches to a drug like naloxone or naltrexone.. these drugs are NOT opiates but they block the opiate receptors reducing your ability to use opiates.. this is what is suggested for longer term maintenence..in order to stay off opiates.. Docs kind of distorted this and just kept people on Sub longer... which then made it harder for them to get off of the Sub since they were then dependent on it..

[hopeless]

Wow - Girl you know your stuff!

Thank you so very very much...

This has been very helpful to me, I did the Dr. look up thing and my family Dr. is not on there, i did a 60 mile radius and found alot around my area all within 45 min. that deal with this. I am DEFINATELY going to give one of them a call tomorrow and HOPEFULLY one of them will get me in right away. Will they prescribe this to me the same day i go in to their office? (If they feel this is what i need)...

I keep trying to tell myself, (since i am scared to contact a Dr.) That this is a good thing for me, and i am hoping the Dr. will feel the same way, Knowing i am admitting i need help. Just don't want them to look at me like i am a bad person since i got addicted to pain meds. Know what i mean? I hope they will be understanding and want to help me do what would be best.

FLaddict - You were so much help!
Thank you agin,
Hopeless           ( :

[pheggie101]

Hi, i posted a thread earlier asking about sub and my ex. She has been on it for going on 4 years.well, so she says, i know that as of decemeber she was cause i saw the orange tongue. she made the comment that her doc says she may be a lifer on it, or maybe she is bs ing me, im pretty sure she is back using oxy again, all the signs are there when i go get my kids or she shows up uninvited.......the flushed cheeks, then watery eyes,the agitation, and mostly the unsolicated denials.   From everything i have read and heard here and other sites being on suboxone for 4 years is unheard of. Makes me wonder and worry for my kids.......they talk of days or weeks, but years?.good luck

[techmer]

Sub has worked great for me. I am now at 2mgs every other day.

I have had a few chills & sweats but nothing i can't handle.

It did help with my cravings, have not had any to speak of......and i think you really have to have your mind set on quitting(not saying you don't)but i have a friend who does not, and trys to use, and or views sub as a fix all.

I'm afraid she uses it just to get through w/ds when she can't get any pills, she wont get rid of her ways of getting the pills and wont stay away from those ppl, places and all that stuff?

It still takes alot of work.

Only through Gods grace............for me.

[hopeless]

Wow!!  
I am so sorry to hear this, this must be driving you insain...With the kids and all.
I know when there are kids involved this can be devistating. Yes i had heard also from many people you should only be on the Sub for a few weeks, maybe a month!

4 years???? I would say is WAY too long!
Maybe she is just telling you this, don't sound right to me...

I wish you all the best, you and your precious kids.

Luv,
Hopeless

[hopeless]

Thank you this has also helped me...

Any advice is GREAT!

I really do want to STOP, but just finding it so hard, i quit c/t for 14 days i went through he** those days but i made it through them...I am so stupid for starting again, I hate myself for putting me through all this again, i was doing so well.

I know i need some kind of help now, so i am going to look into the SUB.
I hope it will help me with the cravings also, this is the worst part for me!

Again, Thank you - i need all the advice on this med. as i can get.

Hopeless

[FLaddict]

I would try to find a doc that is a addiction specialist on that list... They can access your situation and figure out a plan for you.. instead of just going to a doc that hands out Sub scripts all day long.. alot of them do just that.. they do it for the money and not to help people.. so call around and pick one that is a specialist in addiction.. get a few different options.. The doc I went to was not that good.. I was glad I had lots of research to go by..

They will give it to you in the office that day you will need to go 12-16 without a pill b4 your appointment. if SUb what you need.. Most docs make you take it there and then assess your symptoms and adjust your dose if needed.. Hopefully they will give it to you in 2mg doses.. I found that that was easier than the 8..  I never needed to take the 8 so it was harder to break them into smaller pieces.. Try to find a doc that gives you the pills at the office instead of filling a script.. it is usually cheaper that way.. Scripts of this stuff is really expensive.. they are 7 or 8 dollars a pill generally.. mine were included with the price of the visit to the doc.. so was the clonidine and the lunesta he gave me..

[techmer]

Been there done that...............we are so hard on ourself !!!  Relapsing is a part of recovery and we learn a little more about ourselves every time.

There are ppl that actually never relapse...go figure???  I am not one of them!!

We all understand how hard this is.

I never say never any more, but i can say NO for tonight!

God speed.

[techmer]

Been there done that...............we are so hard on ourself !!!  Relapsing is a part of recovery and we learn a little more about ourselves every time.

There are ppl that actually never relapse...go figure???  I am not one of them!!

We all understand how hard this is.

I never say never any more, but i can say NO for tonight!

God speed.

[FLaddict]

He would have to be certified to prescribe Sub to you... In order to take it you must be in WD's.. at least mild ones... It is used to get you through Wd's comfortably.. It does not take away cravings for everyone..  If you are only taking a few pills a day then being on a dose of 6mgs or so for the day to start will be good.. Doses of 12-16mgs a day are used for heroin and large pill habits.. It is not intended to keep you clean.. it is to get you through Wd's. Meetings, therapy and changing behaviors associated with taking pills is what keeps you clean..

I will be here most of the night to answer any questions..

[lonote]

Hi hopless. I think suboxone is a great idea for you to ask the doctor about....honey does hubby know? If not what about when the bill arives
and is detailed about the new things on your bill with the coverage. And he finds out? Just wondering if hubby knows yet. Don't want to see ya get in
trouble hon.        cathy