Starting week 3 on Suboxone - sort of

[lurker]

Well, two weeks ago today I took my first Suboxone dose.  I took 12-16mg a day for 7 days.  Then the sub doc told me to stop and just take it as needed for pain/cravings.  So I didn't take any from Friday at 6pm until Sunday at noon when I started having back pain, Tylenol didn't work so I took 4mg of Sub - felt fine.  I've taken 2-4mg a total of 7 times this week.  I really don't have any cravings and only use it for pain.  Unlike the 100's of Vicodin's I took, this drug doesn't give me any high and I don't have any desire to take more than I need.  I never thought I'd get to that point  in my life with a narcotic of any kind.  I know Sub is not a full narcotic, but it is meeting my needs right now.  I am so grateful that I found this site and got into a pain management doctor who happened to also prescribe suboxone for his pain management patients.  He's a sweetheart.
Thanks to all of you for your continued support in this process.  I wish anyone who wanted it could use the suboxone and get off their drug of choice and have such an easy time (after the 2 days of awful withdrawals)  I will continue to be here to give and get support from all of you wonderful folks.

[lurker]

You have to be in "mild to moderate" withdrawal to start the Suboxone or it will make you really sick.  All you need to do is take your last narcotic dose 15-24 hours before your sub dose.  you will only have mild withdrawals but the sub will work.  I am working and taking care of my family and being free of my drug of choice feels fantastic.  Good Luck

[angie269]

I have a question..........I am getting ready to start taking sub next week to stop taking hydros, am I still going to have withdrawl symtoms?  That is what I am trying to avoid.  I cant handle all the pain and anxiety that comes along with withdrawl.  I have to work and take care of my kids, Im scared!  Is this going to work?  I am so tired of my addiction.

[lurker]

I took your post exactly the way you intended - I was not at all offended.  A lot of folks don't realize the difference between methadone and Suboxone.  both are narcotics, just different mechanisms of action.  I really don't get why I have no desire to abuse the sub like I have with every other narcotic I've ever seen in my life, but I am thrilled about that fact.  I haven't taken any for 48 hours and I feel just fine.  I pray I will be able to get totally off it after I have my epidural steriod injection into my back in a few weeks.  

[notmenow!]

If your looking for some professional information about the treatable chronic disease of the brain, Go to the following: www.naabt.org,
It is estimated that over 4 million Americans are currently addicted to drugs and medications called opioids. The nice thing about suboxone is that you can be treated in the comfort of a physicians office, as opposed to standing in a methadone line each and every day.

[retiredrn]

Thank you for your answer, I'm glad that it's working so well for you, I didn't even know about it when I quit opiates. I now see re reading my post that it could have been taken the wrong way, NOT the way I meant it, and I'm so glad you were able to see that I just needed info.

[lurker]

There is no difference - I'm still taking an opiate but it isn't one I'm abusing and that is the big difference.  According to a paper I read on the AMA website if I need narcotics on sub, I'll need a higher dose.  According to my sub doc, I just wait 8 hours and then take the higher dose of the other pain med - I know someone whose done this and it worked fine.  I can go 4-5 days without a suboxone whereas with Methadone i'd be in withdrawal inthat time period and with Vicodin I took 30 a day.  thats the difference

[retiredrn]

I fail to see the difference between methadone maintanence and sub the way you're describing----you are still addicted to an opiate, which is ok by me, because it's obviously helping you---I see nothing wrong with taking opiates for pain or depression except that tolerance occurs and withdrawals are horrible, does tolerance develop with sub?.  I wonder what will happen to all those on sub if they get in an accident---Is it true that if the opiate receptors are full with the sub, then no analgesic will work until the sub gets out of your system, a long time to be hurting?  

[lurker]

Thanks - I really never thought I'd get over my Norco addiction - I was taking up to 30 10/325's per day and was only able to taper down to 10 per day - couldn't get under that level.  I wish I'd just started on the Sub when I originally wanted to quit - the pain of that 2 days of withdrawal before Sub was awful and I could have just done that six months ago and been done with this whole thing sooner.  Staying clean is the hardest - I really appreciate all of the people on this forum for helping me get the courage to take the Suboxone route.

[notmenow!]

My pain management M.D., also uses sub for pain which is why I am on it as well except when I went through induction I had no problems what so ever, I take suboxone and Lyrica for nerve pain the two meds together have worked fine for me after I had spinal fusion surgery, I transitioned from 120mgs of oxy and 8 norco per day, but she started me at a much higher dose 32mgs , 1 tablet every 6hrs, You are doing great and are a true role model for those who think they are helpless. Keep spreading the word to the sick and suffering--------------------NOAH