Suboxone or Methadone?

[fretboard]

How does suboxone make you feel as opposed to methadone?  What is the advantage of being on suboxone?  I'm new here and very familiar with methadone, but I know nothing about sub except that you take it less often than methadone.  later

[louise65]

hi i was on sub and basically for the 8 months i took it i felt like my pre drug self. no high or drowsiness just normal, but like methadone its a bit of a bugger to get off,you need to do it slowly.

[worried878]

havent taken either...some on the forum have taken both...i hear much better reviews on the suboxone if that helps at all

[misterkangfish]

I haven't been on sub. but I have been on methadone. Last dose was May 15 and I'm still sucking wind. Unless you never want nor intend to get completly off drugs you want no part of methadone. I've withdrawn from alot of opiates. Most in fact including H and I'd rather go through w/d from any of them twice or even 3 times than methadone once.

[theeagle]

Methadone is a monster to get off of.....it does produce a high or euphoria .....sub doesnt do that - - - if you want to take it and get off, use sub. There is a reason they call it methadone maintanance.........

[fretboard]

I am not on methadone maintenance although I did travel that bumpy a$$ road a couple of different times.  I am prescribed methadone from a doctor for my osteoarthritis, I know what a struggle methadone can be to get off of as I've had to travel that road as well.  Prior to getting away from the H monster in January of 2003 I was offered sub as I had two incidents when I had abcessed and I couldn't go to my regular doctor for the fear that he would cut me off of the methadone cold turkey.  I am prescribed 60mgs. a day now after being off everything for a year and a half or so.  I was just denied entrance into a telaprevir study due to the methadone script.  I'll tell you, I am just getting too old to even consider getting completely off, I mean I could most likely get completely off in about a year or longer, yes two years to get totally off.  I can't and I won't even consider doing a quick release plan.  Anyways, I'm gonna taper down soon, stabilize at 40mgs. for awhile, and see what happens from there.  Fortunately for me I have insurance so I will just be going to my hepc doctor for treatment.  Hey there, theeagle I didn't know we had this in common LOL.  later

[theeagle]

Yes - and I am sorry that we do have it in common. A friend (successful liver transpalnt) is looking at hepC treatments and I have been doing the legwork foe him. I found a clinical trial at Mayo when I was treating - lots of new things will be approved within 2 years.....if you ever want to talk about, I am here............................

[fretboard]

Yes, it is a sorry situation that we are on here, no doubt.  I did try and was sucessful in getting down to 40mgs. just a couple of months ago.  Unfortunately with the added accessory of the HepC hammering away at my energy level I was in a very vulverable position.  I stayed on the 40mgs. for only about 10 days, then I got leery and jumped it back up.  This methadone is a definite "don't do it" type of drug, everyone who has any kind of experience or knowledge knows that to be true.  With that said, I'm spiritually connected to a powerful source who guides and watches over me.  I appreciate your offer and will most likely get back to you in my time of need.  Ugh!!  I'm in that rut again and I thought I was doing so well, the reality is I am a drug addict and I will most likely start hitting those 12 step meetings everyone loves so much.  LOL  they really do empower me, and that is not a joke.   God Bless

[SoInLove31106]

  I just started taking suboxones and I am on my 3rd day of detox, I was real skepitical of taking them....but let me tell you they are wonderful....im only taking them for detox (2 more days)..,..i havent really felt sick at all only in the mornings then a take a pill and i am fine :)... they even help decrease my cravings i dont want to get high isnt that shocker....

[worried878]

a 5 day detox will be safe...u should not be addicted to sub after 5 days...just dont forget aftercare

[fretboard]

Well I'm glad it works for you, did you take that over a methadone maintenance detox?  I've also been on Trexan before and that worked very well, but I haven't slammed for alot of years.  I don't even know if they still call it slammin' anymore and that's not something I worry about.  When I wrote that word "vulnerable", it wasn't in the sense that I would use.  I meant that I didn't feel the same energy wise, and that worried me.  God Bless

[mr.lucky66]

I was on methadone (on and off) for years and years. I also have HVC and they have a great forum for hep c here. I see a trend where people go from methadone to sub and stay on sub for long times. I don't like this as I'm seeing people having big problems from long term sub. Always a new drug come along that is supposed to be safer than the old drug. Heroin for mophine. Methadone for Heroin. And now sub for methadone and even vicodin. I like what the last poster said about only staying on it for 5 days. all the best

[worried878]

Mr Lucky has taken alot of flack about his views on sub...he really has...but very often he is right...just maybe blunt  LOL   r u a capricorn mr lucky?  LOL   anyway....on this forum suboxone is much preferred over methadone ...i have seen some 60 mg a day hydro users go on sub and are still on sub...i have seen it abused, seen it snorted, seen it stopped for a day or so, so the person can use...i have also read some horrid posts on methadone wids that would make ur skin crawl...slow taper recommended from each...i have seen a few success stories with each...most of our subbers are still subbing so we cant really tell yet what the outcome will be...triedeverymed got off sub without too much trouble...pm her....penelope kicked meth.oth the back door..pm her   the best way is on ur own with a taper or CT...but when this can not be done people turn to sub or meth...people start sub and they are "so happy" on the drug...others feel awful from the get go...tis a chance u take,,,try on ur own with tapering or CT...then study these aftercare narcs...stonger than what ur body and receptors know ...your brain will throw u a party feeding them these heavy duty narcs...this is an exerpt from an addicts story i found online:  
"so now u r not cutting me back...u r feeding me PRIME A stuff."..couse i am happy... I am so happy...please dont take my aftercare narc away/my legal narc...it feeds me...my dopamine, seratonin and noepinephrine are fed and happy...take them away and the depression will hit and take me for a downward tailspin..  the longer u feed me the slower u better take that PRIME A narcotic away from me...my brain just loves this stuff over those hydros u took...wow....why did u ever take hydros...i love this stuff!

[mr.lucky66]

I'm sorry to hear that. Case and point, don't use gasoline to put out a fire

[fretboard]

As I get my ducks in a row so to speak, I am actually a member of the HepC forum, that's where I know your name from.  No I have no intention on switching to sub.  Why would I switch something difficult to be on something difficult?  If I had to get on something else to keep away from the opiates, I would get back on Trexan.  Really I'm for the most part very ok being on methadone as it does help me with the pain I am in.  It was a bit upsetting to be nixed from the Telaprevir studies b/c of it, that's all.  We'll see what happens.  God Bless    

[SoInLove31106]

No I actually got some suboxones off a friend....I've heard horror stories about methadone I would never consider going on it....Yeah subs are working very well for me...I've taken them in the past and I don't remember them working like this but I was also detoxing with my fiance, i'm detoxing by myself now since he is away and I think it works better for me....

[fretboard]

I think they're both difficult, however that's not the case for you.  At least it seems like you're doing well, so hopefully this is a good thing for you.  Kind of a quick release from whatever your problem was, good luck.  Hopefully you stop whatever you were doing and quit messing around, the feeling H brought me was all I needed to stay in that scene for over 30 yrs.  It was truly upsetting to see youngsters coming into the methadone clinic I used to go to, last time I was on maintenance was like 1997.  I was always thinking, if they only knew what they were getting themselves into.  God Bless.

[mr.lucky66]

I was on that merry go round for years, detoxing all the time, methadone etc. It is upsetting to see kids in the clinics that I started seeing in the late 90's and many were pill addicts. I hate to see people who are hooked on vicodin end up being hooked on sub or methadone. It's happening too much

[fretboard]

Agreed!!  That's exactly how I feel, however we were once young as well.  The cycle of addiction is a cycle in so many ways we could just talk and talk.  Youngsters, unfortunately they will do what they have to do.  My hope is they don't take it as far as I did, that was just plain overkill on my part.  Also, just so ppl who read this know my H addiction started as part Codiene #4's and stuff.  The new codiene is vicodin, oh and Reds, anybody remember the Reds?  later

[mr.lucky66]

Yes, I remember reds but not fondly. I also started on codiene (cough medicine) and quickly moved to street dope. I hate to see people who took pills and really didn't get into the lifestyle go to methadone clinics and meet Ali Babba and the 40 thieves. I also don't like to see people go on long term sub for vicodin or even oxy.

[dlr2007]

Wow, I'm glad i checked in today. I've spent lots of time on the Hep C forum, but haven't been on in a while. And every now and then I pop in here to see whazzup. I'm also on methadone, and have mixed feelings about being on it. The weight gain, fatigue and endless withdrawal for those who do venture off are terrible.
  I've never tried sub, but I tend to trust older drugs like methadone over the newer ones that are "all the rage", like suboxone. Who knows what info will turn up about sub in  few years time? That said,  I wouldn't recomend methadone for anyone except a hardcore addict who has exhausted every other option.
  Fretboard and mr.lucky, I hear ya on seeing those young kids in the clinic. I bothers me too- seems they're just getting younger and younger. I don't think they realise what they're getting into- most of them are not junkies, they've gotta mild pill habit that feels huge cuz they've never used opiates before. They could've kicked at home in 3-4 days and been done with it- but someone told them,"Get on methadone- you'll be jammed- it's great!" So they did.... It's sad to watch them spending their youth, when they should be filled with energy and vitality, on such a heavy duty drug that "takes the edge off" in such a powerful way. And yeah, I think that many end up shooting dope with the people they met at the clinic- people who are hardcore and never would have found their way into these kid's lives otherwise.
  Sorry for rambling, but you hit on a subject that I've hought about a lot. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to open my big mouth about it ;) .
-Dee
  

[mr.lucky66]

Dee, keep on rambling, you make a lot of sense. There is a trend where too many drug abuse newcomers are being steered to long term sub or methadone and it making them zoombies and in many cases hooked for life. I was also a long term methadonian and dope fiend (heroin) and have Hep C. and though I kicked all dope, I can't kick this omr. I'll wait a year or so until the new TX comes out as my liver isn't damaged yet. In the past,some have not liked my anti long term sub posts and maybe what I have to say about methadone and clinics. I only want younger people not to go through what I went through for 3o years. The last 2 posters seem to agree. all the best

[fretboard]

Nah, the reds really only tell how old somone is, I don't think anyone misses them.  I surely don't those damn things got me in alot of trouble.  Back to youngsters, it's terrible!!  There's like one major clinic here in town and the last time I was enrolled was back in 97.  I couldn't believe it, not only did I see the vicodin addicts and everything in between, but there was a small truckload of young ppl, like in their early 20's.  There were even cranksters using just to get on methadone, like it was a good thing to do.  Come on, haven't they heard of HepC, HIV, addiction, I mean serious addiction.  If you, meaning anyone reading this is thinking of going and getting on methadone.  You better think again, sure that's probably why ppl are going to sub, think again.  Hell the truth is when you are young you can kick at home.  "They could've kicked at home in 3-4 days and been done with it- but someone told them,"Get on methadone- you'll be jammed- it's great!"  Drugs aren't joking you, they are dead serious.  later

[Becky102]

My husband treated for Hep C while on methadone and is SVR.  I talked to you once before when you asked a question about methadone on the Hep C forum.  At the time I didn't realize you were already on it and I was telling you that I wouldn't advise you to take it.  I totally agree with you and Mr. Lucky about staying away from methadone if you have any choice.
My husband is trying to do a slow taper off the methadone and has gone from a high of 135 mgs to about 75 mgs per day over the last several months.  As he comes down in dosage he'll have to take it slower.  He already feels a little more clear headed at this lower dosage.  
Honestly, after all this time (over 12 years), I don't know if he'll ever be able to get completely off the methadone.  I hope he can.  I'm sure he never would have started at the methadone clinic if he knew that he'd be trading one addiction for another one that's almost impossible to kick!  He didn't want to even try tapering while he was on the interferon/ribavirin.  That would have been too much for him.  Now that he's SVR and feeling better he's ready to try.
It's a shame that they won't let you into the trial because of the methadone.  On the bright side, if you have little damage to your liver you have time to wait for the new drugs and hopefully the treatment will be for a much shorter duration than it is now.  I've seen some of your posts on the other forum so I know you know a lot about your options as far as the Hep C is concerned.

[fretboard]

Yes, I remember you well, glad to hear from you and I'm glad your husband is doing well.  When I found a doctor, well like a team of doctors who were willing to go ahead and take care of my pain then, I jumped on it.  It was extremely disappointing to get the boot, from the clinical trial ppl.  Hell, I was under the impression that they've tx'ed some methadonians from the clinic.  I should have known, when they asked me if I would consider getting off of it, I said no.  And the look they both gave me like I was a freak of nature, I couldn't believe it.  Like I've told you before I have been off of it before, that was awhile back.  I'd say I've been comfortably taking my meds every day for overe 5 yrs.  Time flys when you're busy living fairly well, I don't mean moneywise by any means, I mean by staying clean.  Well it's clean for me, well you read my story up top and you know me cause we talked before.  I'm just checking my options, I'm a bit too old to try to get off of this stuff right this minute, I can't do a quick release, never could do one, except you know when you're forced, by the law. LOL  Anyways, glad you stopped by and I'll get back to you.  God Bless

[Becky102]

I agree that it's easy to just stay on the methadone when it's taking care of your pain.  It just becomes a normal part of your life.  My husband gets his from a pain clinic once a month now too.  
I don't think those doctors know what they're really asking when they ask someone to get off methadone like it's just something you can decide to do on a whim.  It's the rare doctor that understands a methadone patient.  It's even hard for my husband to admit he's on methadone when he gets a new doctor because of the stigma.
I wish that woulld change, but I don't see it happening any time soon.  My husband is always worried in the back of his mind that they're going to ban methadone someday.  I can't believe that they would do anything that cruel and inhumane.  Nevertheless it scares him.  
And yes, there's always the worry that something will happen to his doctor or his doctor will be afraid to prescribe the methadone because of pressure from the DEA.  What if something happened and he ended up in jail?  There are all kinds of dire scenarios that go through your mind.
Anyway, I'm glad you saw my post.  it was nice to hear from you.

[Sunnyd210]

I just have to say methadone worked GREAT for me. I think it depends on the person AND the dr that prescribes it and how much u need to take. I did go see a sub dr who told me I was doing fine on the methadone. I was on a low dose and it didnt get me high at all and I had no problems tapering as directed a little withdrawel coming back but never once did I take more than I was supposed to. Good luck

[fretboard]

Sunny glad to hear that it wasn't a problem for you, how low was your dose and how long were you on for?  Some ppl seem to tolerate it alright, I think it has alot to do with your addiction pattern as a whole.  Of course I do keep a low dose now.  Becky, your husband did really well, he went down a bunch.  I remember tapering down once and hitting that wall at 20, ouch!  Anyways, yeah I had to retrace my steps, but back in 97, that's the last time I was around a clinic I remember they had Laam but, I don't remember any sub.  Maybe they had it, but I never heard about it.  Anyways, like I've said before, I don't worry much about using, well I'm on methadone I wonder why?  But really, I had that toxic thing happen to me prior to stopping this last time so I don't expect any problems.  It takes all the fun out of it when your liver clogs up and gets you all toxic.  Ugh!!  Anyways, good talkin'  God Bless

[Sunnyd210]

I started on 5mg 3 x a day for a week and then went to 2x a day for a week then 1x a day for a week and then 1/2 a pill for a week and I actually had pills left over can u believe that and I even lost one I never lost a pill before lol. I dont know much about the dosing but I would have to imagine on higher doses thats where the problem is and the drs that want to keep u on the stuff. I guess I should tell u why i was on methadone lol- My DOC was norco was on it for years probably about 6 at my worst I took anywhere between 6-9 10/35's or what ever i could get a day. I got busted getting more than one scrip from one dr and then only got from 1 dr but i was still taking about 5 a day which is better than before but i was still running out of pills, I did that for awhile and one day the pharmacy wouldnt let me pick my pills up early anymore and i was SCREWED sooo that was last year I never did that again i do have to say im a quick learner lol. so i was pretty much down to about 4 pills a day give or take for the past year until 2 months ago when i went down to 3 a day so thats where i was at when i started the methadone.

[mr.lucky66]

Sunny, you got on a meth clinic for hydocodone? We were talking about this on this thread earlier. It may be working and you may be doing well but know that the longer you are on it, the harder it is to get off. Methadone is viewed as harm reduction by health care people and is much harder to get off and addicxtive than hydro. With the meth it's much more about the time you are on it than the dose. I have kicked it several times and it a bi@# but easier when you are on it for a year or less. all the best

[methadonemunster]

I am so upset about how heavy i m now. My usual weight was 110 and i'm now at 160. I cant deal with the weight i have gained I actually feel suicidal. I was a model and dancer and that's how i survived and now i'm barely getting by. I am seriously thinking about getting back on heroin util the methadone is out of my system and the switching to suboxone because it's so much easier to switch from. I don't know what the helli was thinking by switching ffrom suboxone to methadone....
I'm fat & gross. I hate what methadone has done to me.... I'm better off on heroin. I'm getting off this evil drug. I'm even on high doses of phentramine (phentermine) and i never eat ad yet i still cotinue to gain.....Also i think i have HEP C. I'm getting checked for that and thyroid tomorrow.... I just can't live like this...
anyone have any advice?
lil