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Is Suboxone The Answer ?

Hi :
I've been gone from this web site for a long time. Unfortunately (or should I say Fortunately?) now I'm back.
I fell down after being clean for 4 months.  When I fell, I fell big and now I'm back to try again.

Today for the first time, I called a "treatment center".  I have an appt tomorrow to see a doc
that prescribes something called Suboxone to treat symptoms of withdrawal .  I have been clean for exactly 34 hours....cold turkey.  I have been taking 2 - 3 750 Vic. everyday for almost one year.  Honestly, last night I thought
that I was going to die.  I am certainly not looking forward to trying to sleep tonight.

Can anybody give me any info or advice on Suboxone ?  Is it a good idea to try this drug ?  Or should I just continue with the cold turkey ?
Thank you in advance  
11 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hi :
Thank you so much for the advice, it helped So much.

I did go to see the sub abuse doctor. I didn't take the Suboxone.  I thought about what you said, and since I've made it this far c/t, I'll keep going.  Today was better than
yesterday.
I did get clonidine and trazodone (for sleep).  I haven't taken the clonidine ,I doubt that I will.  I took 1/2 of a trazodone last night and it worked to help me to sleep.  Hopefully
tomorrow will be even better.

Here's a Big question that I really need help with :  What happens (or what is suppose to happen) when you go to see a substance abuse doctor for help ?   I'll start another thread for this topic.
Thank You Again
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Like mom said your intake is minimal compard to some.  I am paying for my mistakes
which are on a totally different scale.  I am not trying to discourage you only telling the facts 'mam.  My habit was 600+ mg of OC per day for the last many years.  Total of about 12 years building up to that point.  Where you are however, I would hate to see you
jump from the frying pan into the fire.  Sorry for any scare.  Just trying to help.  guv
Helpful - 0
867096 tn?1252202513
IMO I would not go the suboxone route. The amount of vic's you take is small. I am on suboxone and it was the right choice for me. But I took a very large amount of norco daily and had tried so many times to stop with no success. Therefore, after researching and weighing the pros and cons, I chose the suboxone route. I have been on it for several months and working on my recovery. I have been slowly weaning my self off and have been very successful so far. I think that suboxone should only be considered as a last resort after trying other methods. Whatever you choose, I wish you the best.
Helpful - 0
864730 tn?1239484706
don't scare me guv338 lol i'm on 16mgaday ive been on subutex 6years now and i had a break amonth agao and was on methadone for 4weeks (long long story).so im scared of withdrawals and you guys are scaring me lol

has anyone heard od lofexidine???
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A agree.  Stay with the c/t.  The suboxone is only a bandaid and will only prolong your
agony.  I did 25 days of the Sub and after finding and reading this site, I wish I had tried
c/t.  I think it may be a little more intense Ct but the sub draws out a longggg time.  I'm
at 57 days post sub and still having trouble getting through the whole day.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree with the ladies. Sub would help the wds from the vicodin but NOTHING helps the withdrawals from sub when its time to come off! Sub is it's own monster and really in it's own category. Steer clear - you're halfway thru the worst part of the wds now by this time next week you'll feel so much better if you stick with it. And Clonidine is great - makes you sleepy so make sure you don't have to drive. It does lower the blood pressure so you have to stay hydrated so your bp doesn't fall too low. Hang in there!
Helpful - 0
214607 tn?1287677559
I have to say, if you are 36hrs into cold turkey, I would just stick it out..you only have a couple days left...then you will start to feel better and better...Going to sub will set you back...you can do this.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
PS - there are other things you can discuss with your doc to help with the withdrawals .. using valuim or klonipin short term (for only a few days!) can be helpful and Ive heard really good things about Clonidine.  Its a BP med but helps with the hot/cold goosebumps.. I didnt use either, but heard they are good.. Clonidine is safe and non-addictive too!   Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank You !!

My appt is at 2 today.  I have been reading and researching Subox.  I'm scared of the idea of being "hooked" on something else.  It's a vicious circle.

I don't think that I'll take the Suboxone.  It doesn't sound like a good idea for me.

I'll keep you posted - Thank You again .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey catlady.  I will give you my opinion only, Im not a doctor by any means, but I think that if your 34 hours into c/t off of 2-3 vicodin a day then Suboxone is by no means the way to go for you... Please do some research on suboxone. Its an extremely potent opiate and yes in the short term will help with withdrawals but its tricky because you can become easily addicted to it and end up with a much larger problem than 2-3 vicodin a day.  Read up, research, get advice before you make this decision.  I know how hard cold turkey is and the hell of withdrawal and maybe if you use a teeny tiny bit of suboxone it could be helpful, but I too wanted a way out of withdrawal myself when I started suboxone and I was stuck on it for years and ended up detoxing off suboxone with withdrawal 100 times worse than the one I was originally afraid of.  If you stuck with the cold turkey now, you only have a few more days of it and you should start feeling better. Its a very individual choice and you have to do what is best for you.. just be smart and educate yourself before starting any other drugs.  Suboxone has its good and bad qualities but like outtotown said, its not for everyone and lots of people were duped into the whole 'miracle drug' thing.  Its not a miracle.  It can be helpful, but it is definitely not a get out of jail free card.  Best of luck and keep us posted.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Suboxen is not for everyone DO SOME RESEARCH and ask the doc about side effects, and w/ds when its time to go off of it. I was on it for 13 months I done pretty good on it but it takes time I did what Dr said but I was laid off and had to stop a little to soon, so my w/ds were a little ruff. I started at 32 mg max dose your Dr should have you check in soon after starting treatment to make any adjustments that may be needed. Sub help me BUT LIKE I SAID IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE you can PM me if you want to talk about it ok
Helpful - 0
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