Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
My experience with buprenorphine
by Bodymechanic, Dec 11, 2002 12:00AM
I am posting this for anyone who might benefit from my experience. If you have been around here any length of time you know my story. Here it is anyway. Fourty eight year old chiropractor with chronic pain in shoulders, wrists, hands, neck and back from 15 years of practice (being a chiropractor beats the hell out of your body). Long history of drug abuse, depression, sleeplessness and burned out on anti-inflamatories and cortisone.
It has been over 10 days including the "detox" that I have been on buprenorphine. So far it has been a god send for me. There are a few reasons why; 1) It completely took away all of my withdrawal symptoms from both ulram and oxycontin 2) I have very little physical pain, anziety or depression 3) I tried to take an ultram while on the buprenorphine and I felt real shitty for about 5 hours(great news for me, I won't try that again) 4) I tried to double the dose from 2mg to 4mg and I felt really shitty for about 7 hours (even better news for me, I won't try that again either).
My experience so far is that it works and there is no point in my abusing it. It only makes me feel worse. Still, I know how I am and I have it under lock and key with my wife giving it to me in the morning. So if you havent found something that works for you yet, keep trying. There is something out there for you if you just keep looking. Like they say in AA, don't give up before the miracle.
Peace
It has been over 10 days including the "detox" that I have been on buprenorphine. So far it has been a god send for me. There are a few reasons why; 1) It completely took away all of my withdrawal symptoms from both ulram and oxycontin 2) I have very little physical pain, anziety or depression 3) I tried to take an ultram while on the buprenorphine and I felt real shitty for about 5 hours(great news for me, I won't try that again) 4) I tried to double the dose from 2mg to 4mg and I felt really shitty for about 7 hours (even better news for me, I won't try that again either).
My experience so far is that it works and there is no point in my abusing it. It only makes me feel worse. Still, I know how I am and I have it under lock and key with my wife giving it to me in the morning. So if you havent found something that works for you yet, keep trying. There is something out there for you if you just keep looking. Like they say in AA, don't give up before the miracle.
Peace
Related discussions
-
Oxycontin Withdrawal Symptoms - Can anyone help or recom... (158 replies):Can you help, please? My doctor prescribed Oxycontin a...[more]
-
Vicodin Withdrawl (84 replies):I got hooked on Vicodin after a serious knee injury in A...[more]
-
Hydrocodone Withdrawal... (154 replies):Everybody, Thursday will be my last day of taking hyr...[more]
-
how long will the withdrawal last from hydrocodone? (165 replies):I am on day 9 of my detox from hydrocodone 10/650, about...[more]
-
Withdrawal from Vicodin (160 replies):I've been taking about 6 Vicodin a day for over & year &...[more]
-
Addiction to oxy. (59 replies):Yes I am 24 years old with a college education and I tea...[more]
-
What is the best way to detox from narcotic pain killers... (194 replies):I began taking pain killers recreationally two years ago...[more]
-
how to wean off oxycontin without a clinic or another dr... (72 replies):My husband is trying to wean off of oxycontin. The probl...[more]
-
VICODIN/PERCOSET WITHDRAWL (33 replies):I have been taking vicodin ES for three years now, I am ...[more]
Post Comment
Related Communities
Recent Videos
Related Expert Forums
Recent Activity
Most Popular Trackers
RSS
Expert Activity
Community Members
Most Viewed Health Pages
Just keep it under lock and key, and you'll be safe. I'm glad it is working for you. I just don't want people to think it is a miracle for everyone...it is dangerous to think that way sometimes.
You made it through another night. I know it is real shitty now but you need to realize that you are half way through the worst of it. Treat it like you have the flu. In just a couple of days you'll start to feel better. Part of the difficulty is the anxiety and depression that accompanies detox. I remember feeling frantic about the pain I was feeling. Much more frantic than I would have normally been. It is your brain telling you it needs more of the drug. Detox is a battle with yourself. You are winning the battle right now because you haven't used in two days. As your brain starts producing its own endorphines things will settle down. It will get better soon. Don't give up.
You mentioned that you are going to the doctor. Tell her/him the absolute truth. My doctor was very supportive and gave me encouragement. Be warned, however, that this is not the experience of all the people here. Where you are trying yourself to get clean. I would think (hope) that your doctor would be supportive. There are many things that can help ease the pain of detox. You may discuss a clonidine patch or pills. This is a drug that is actually used to decrease blood pressure but has been found to be effective in treating opiate withdrawal. It makes you feel very lethargic. It helped me a ton when I detoxed. Also, you may ask for a muscle relaxer like soma. Somas are addictive so be careful. Finally, you might ask about some valium or such to help with the anxiety and to help you sleep. I am no expert but these items were all that I received when I detoxed and helped me out a ton. I am sure there are many here that can give you better advice. It is a concern for some to treat an addiction (to oxys) with potentially addictive substances (like soma and valium). Just keep on your toes.
I know you are young. You have the world in front of you. Think about what you could lose if you don't stop now. It will only get worse. Many people that get into an oxy habit when they have no prescription end up running out of money and turning to heroin. I have personally seen this happen to 5 of my friends--people that would have never dreamed of using heroin before starting on oxy. Even with a prescription the addiction can become very expensive.
Something you'll read often on this board is that pills addiction eventually steals your soul. This is very true. Stop now G. Come back here often and post how you are feeling in detail. You can do this. We are here for you.
You should be able to see a little light ahead of you this time tomorrow. You ARE going too feel pretty poopy but it should be a little less than today. Like it has been said before, it will get better. I've heard a lot about "BUP" but don't know a thing about it. Detoxing with other drugs, for me, would've been just as bad as detoxing with vicodin. I took no somas, ultram or valium & have full bottles of all in my cabinet to this day. This is a personal choice on my part. You said you have scholarship potential earlier. DO NOT ruin that for the little high you may feel you or the relief of withdrawl symptoms. You WILL get through but give it time.
you have know idea how much it helps to talk to others thank you. I don't know what to do about taking other pills becuase I think I might abuse them but If my parents keep them then it may really help. I need somthing, I don't know how evryone fells about this subject but here goes, I smoked alittle pot this morning and it made me fell alot better but I still think about the oxy and deffenietly feel the need. You might be against this so im sorry if I affend any of you im sorry. i am feeling really shitty and confused. Finished- one of my best friends is staring to ride profesionaly in motorcross, he to has a problem with oxy too.
You need to do what you need to do to get clean. If smoking a little weed here & there will keep you from snorting a pill... by all means hit it. Again, I myself did it with nothing to help with the symptoms so I know how you're feeling right now. Helplessness is a very common emotion while getting clean. Do not give in at this point though. If you take just one little oxy, you've just jumped right back where you were & eventually will have to start all over again. Do not ruin your future over this ****!!! You will lose everything you've worked so hard to get...meaning potential scholarships etc.
As far as your friend...I STRONGLY suggest you share my story with him. He will ruin his career & believe me...its NOT worth it!!!!
I will share the story with him if it 's all right.
Sounds like life stinks right now. This may be too late for your doctor appointment today, but considering your age and length of time on Oxys, without some help, you're going to get much worse before you get better. A supervised Buprenorphine detox would be just the ticket for you. Perhaps your doctor can bill it in such a way that detox doesn't show up in your medical records.
I have a method for self-detox from opiates. However, it still requires you to obtain one prescription drug. It's posted a lot on this forum but I will send it to you if you write to me at:
***@****
In the meantime, stop beating yourself up for becoming addicted to oxycodone. You are in very good company, believe me. You don't need to be looking to abuse or become addicted to drugs to get reeled in by Oxys. Oxycodone is so powerful, especially as delivered by OxyContin chewed, snorted or shot, that the drug does all the work. You need to know that being an addict in itself is not cause for shame. You've recognized your mistake and are now trying to do something about it. You've also confided in your father, which, assuming he's supportive, is even better. So, give yourself a break. You're doing what you need to do now. Sure, it would be nice if it just went away like a bad night of drinking, but you're coming off a year-long habit. It's going to take a lot of small steps toward your goal now. Believe it or not, you've already taken all the big ones!
As I said, a bup and clonidine detox would be very nice right now if you can get it. Use of Bup for detox is still new to this country, at least to the medical establishment. Let me know if you want the recipe. Even if you do a medically supervised detox, there are still measures in the recipe -- physical and nutritional -- that can help you recover your energy and morale after you've weathered the acute withdrawal phase. I'd repost it here, but people already have it coming out their ears at the forum. Good luck at the doc's.
Thomas
Just wanted to post to say I am on Day 3 and doing OK. I flushed all remaining opiates Monday and even if I wanted more I have no more to take.
G-Rhymes - Hang in there, it will slowly get better each day.
Rex1 - Thanks for your posts and words of encouragement, they really do help. Please let us know how your doing, your on day 16? now....
Methman - thanks for the post, the questions to asks yourself really helped me keep strong.
As far as Buprenorphine goes, I have used this in the past to detox off hydro and it is wonderful, no withdrawal symptoms. The trick I learned was to buy only 50 tabs at a time for each detox, this helped me keep it under control. The problem is , it is really difficult to find now, most sources I know of are dry.
Good luck to everyone in the forumn and I hope we are all still on track to a pill free 2003. I will be doing my best...
Take Care and God Bless.
Brian
Here's the plain, harsh & simple facts. Alot of people here will say things like you HAVE to taper before quitting. This is NOT true. Some people probably should taper because it will be easier to stick to the recovery. Withdrawls from opiates such as vicodin or oxy are no more physically dangerous than having a bad case of the flu. Mentally, any shock to your system can throw your emotions through a loop but you need to handle that area the best way you can. I stopped an abuse schedule of 20 to 30 vicodin es 7.5/750 a day COLD TURKEY! I am still alive & here to share this with you. You're damn right it hurts & it sucks but it's really no more than uncomfortable for a few days. I not only detoxed drug free (other than immodoim for the squirts) I also got through the emotionally hard times drug free. I'm not saying that taking Prozac or other mood altering drugs is wrong. Like I said...DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET CLEAN! What I'm saying is that it can be done drug free, therefor a taper program is not necessary for ALL. If you honestly feel that you can't make it through a couple more days of being sick, then by all means, taper away. If you need to take Prozac to feel better in the head, there is nothing wrong with that & absolutely no shame in doing so. You need to get clean. How you do it is up to you.
Again in regards to your friend. He is entering a profession that many would kill to be able to make money in. Riding a dirtbike has made me well over 5 million dollars in my 8 year career. I ruined that career by taking pills. Granted, I am a physically beat up individual & the cause was the motorcycle itself but this is where my addiction started. It took about 6 years of honestly taking the medication responsibly before the abuse started but it started nonetheless. If your friend wants to ride professional motocross, he better clean up because you can't do it while on pills. Trust me...I know. His motivation & training regiment will suffer. The most important thing in riding & actually being able to compete at a professional level is TRAINING. Anybody can ride a dirtbike. Get your friend on track...no pun intended. He will kick himself everyday he has to punch a timeclock because pills were more important than his potential career. I'm lucky enough to still be in the industry & still able to make money riding...but nowhere near the money I made winning a Supercross. He as at the beginning. He will not be as fortunate as me. I rode for many years before becoming addicted so my contacts were established. Kick him in the ass if he wont do it himself!!!
FINISHED- I really don't want to take any other meds to kick this, I know myself and I would abuse them. Thats so sweet that you got that high up into motorcross. my friend is so good too, theres know tellin how far he could go
Thomas- I would take any advice you can give me as far as your recipe
Thomas
To me the cool thing about tapering is, ya get to take drugs while your doing it! Just a pill or two less per day. This is what worked for me. Just setup a schedule and tell yourself, today I can take drugs, and say that everyday. That's not so cataclysmic as today I am taking 12, and tommorrow I am going to take ZERO. Just tell yourself that you CAN AND WILL take the lowered amount today or you will be faced with cold turkey - which sounds better.
Also, it makes no sense to me that over a three year period I upped and upped my dosage slowly but surely, but now I am going to jump of the perverbial cliff to go to zero in a 24 hour period. It took time to get to the level your at, it makes sense to slowly get down to a normal or lower level when clearer thinkg will prevail and then you can go from one to zero instead of 12 to zero.
There are several advantages to finished's approach though. If you can tought it out, I think his mehtod would have the shortest run time from start to finish. Its likely over sooner, so if time is an issue, consider ct.
Second, it has more of a finality factor to it, and I know this will sound wierd, but the immense pain you may go through can actually serve as a warning that "Holy **** I aint never going through this again". I got that feeling on taper though as well...
What we are saying is look at both plans and see which one, for you, has the highest likelihood of succeeding. Note, I did not say, which one you like best. The tougher road may be the better road because it will be the road you never want to drive again.
Again not disagreeing with Finished, but tapering worked for me...
Rex
I believe I can speak for Finsihed? when I say, whatever method you pick, we'll be here if you have questions.
Good luck and God's grace and love...
Rex
Unfortunately, there is a much larger issue at hand. The fact is that we have all stepped over a line that once crossed there is no going back. Whether by choice or through a medical problem we have all developed an addiction problem that will most likely haunt us the rest of our lives. You can refuse to accept your addiction, never talk or even think about it again, but it will always be there. Drop your guard for just a minute, make a bad decision and it will be right back at you.
What I mean is that sobriety is a marathon and not a sprint race. Myself and most long term addicts have many years of sobriety between relapses. I myself can get through a year with absolutely no problem. It is sobriety over time that is so difficult to maintain. The important things to remember are
1)If you relaps and statistically you most likely will, don't be too hard on youself. Especially, don't let pride stand in the way of getting the additional help you need. 2) Have a plan for what you will do when things get rough, surgury, pain or just a bad day. 3) Return to this board or go to an NA meeting once in a while. It will help keep your past fresh in your mind. 4) If you have a sense of spirituality now is the time to practice it. God has a way of keeping us clean when all else fails.
5) Read some of the books recommended by Dr. Horvath (our board consultant). Knowlege is power.
As for me, I am a hopeless case. I am on buprenorphine now. The only way I think it can end is me retiring. Since my wife recently had a baby girl, I dont see that happening anytime soon. For me the equation is simple. If I want to work and do a good job, I need pain medication. The challange is to somehow learn to use it responsibly. Through gods grace and with the help of my wife, I am hopeful.
If you do taper, you must taper slowly if you want to be comfortable and function. If I were coming off snorting up to 160mg of Oxy per day for the last year, I'd want to taper for a month. Also, the lower your dose gets, the smaller the decrease should be. Think about it in terms of a percentage, rather than a quarter or half tab, etc.
If you can still get a large enough supply, that would be a good way to start. Certainly less painfull than self-enduced cold turkey and less expensive than medical detox. You could return to school and feel pretty much normal. Typically, opiate addicts who have been using high doses mainly for pleasure start tapering at 50 or 60 percent of their party dosage. That's usually enough. The trick is maintaining control and seeing it through. A partner seems to be the major factor in most addicts' success. Good luck.
Thomas
Anyhow, congratulations on finding your way off the Ultram and Oxys.
I would like to know if anyone (besides Mariposa) has detoxed from buprenorphine after being on it for awhile. I suppose tapering would be the best answer, but then the pain comes through. So far, 8 mg. is as low as I can go without having a substantial amount of pain. But I refuse to get onto any other opiate, so I suppose I will be on Bup indefinitely.
My goal is to never go above 1mg a day. One of the things I hated about other narcotics was having a mini withdrawal 4 times a day. The worst was waking up every morning all cold and sweaty from early withdrawal. Right now when the medication wears off I get the pain back but there is no withdrawal. The pain doctor tells me that if I stay on a low dose that won't happen. I hope he is right.
Sounds like it is working well and without the euphoria component, why up the dose?
Congrats on finding what looks like a promising solution...
Rex
I suggest you buy some Imodium (immodium) (over the counter) for the runs and take lots of hot baths for the muscle aches. The baths are a life saver, especially at night. Keep a card of the Imodium (immodium) in your pocket -- those runs can come at any time. Stay in touch, too. Let us know how you're doing. Good luck, G.
Thomas
Rex, you're welcome. I think it's good that two people can have two different views on things & it not turn into a "pissing match" as I've seen here before. The ONLY reason I'm here is to help with my own experiences. I've been clean a long time & plan on staying that way. Scratch that...I'm also here to stick to that statement & the members strength here has helped me to see the error of my ways & has made me even more determined to stay clean. I don't want to be misconstrued as "a perfectly recovered addict in my own mind..." I know the road ahead is long & I'll need help just as others do...I AM FAR FROM PERFECT!!!
To just hang in there and take it one day at a time is working the system. Think of the following example. Have you ever been running late to go somewhere, and the anxiety starts running wild in your mind? Well, don't you feel better once you're on the road, knowing that you've taken the first step, and if you keep driving eventually you will arrive at your destination.
You're on the road bud...
Rex
I'm shooting more for giving some STRENGTH!!!
I had no one around & it was hard to say the least. I found this site & much like you said about the store calling your name, the site called mine. Please feel free to ask me any questions. If I can help, it'll push me that much farther towards my goals of helping those that need it. If nothing else, I'm good for the cold turkey, unmedicated detox...I'll call it the FINISHED RECIPE. Best part is...IT'S FREE. IT KINDA HURTS THOUGH.
TAKE CARE.
Firstly I was on 60mls of methadone, I tapered down to 30mls and changed to 2mls of subutex, the first day and went up every day until I reached 7mls, stayed at that dose for just over a month, then came down.
I didnt sleep very well at all for the first month and a half, but its much better now, its been 3mths and 10 days since i,ve been off subutex, and the only symptom i,m still having is restless legs, i still feel as if i have an electric current going through my legs but its much easier compared to what it was.
I take daily vitamins and go to the gym 3 times a week, i also eat loads of bananas, If anyone knows of something to help with the restless legs, i would be extremley gratefull.
Thanx, Gem
I am taking 8 mg. per day, so I don't know how that compares to injectible. Mine are compounded for me, used sublingually.
Thanks
Good luck...Gem
I was naive to buprenorphine until it was prescribed to me.
I had intended on getting off methadone completely when it was prescribed to me. When I weaned the buprenorphine to 4 mg. per day, my back pain broke through to the point that I could not manage/handle it. When I went back up to 8, I felt much better. I do believe, though, that I am developing a tolerance to it, since I am having a lot of breakthrough pain at night.
I think I will probably be on it indefinitely. My back pain has worsened with each year that goes by. Getting old sure creeps up on you!