Tapering to a lower dose(GONNA MAKE IT)

Most of you know that I have been struggling with my tapering plan to make the pills I have last until my suboxone appointment.  Well, I am proud to say that I have not bought any more pills and I took out what I had left and spread them out on the counter.  Then my fiancee and I worked out a tapering plan that "if i take correctly" will last me until my SUB app.

I am going from abusing over 350-400mg per day to startinf off at cutting that into more than half right away!  I am starting at 175mg for the first few days and then after that I will go to 150mg for most of the days. To some this might still seem like alot, but compared to what I was honestly abusing it is much better and safer.  I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS LAST AND WORK!  I will keep everyone posted on my sucess with this taper as it progresses// Thanks to all those supporting me!

[mimi1313]

Good luck with the taper. I hope all goes well. That's really great that your fiance is helping you. That will make it easier for you and make you more accountable.

[IBKleen]

That's not a taper, that's a leap off of a bridge!

Be careful hun, be really careful. You are definately going to feel the effects of it. I am just concerned that it is too much for you to handle. I really hope it works for ya, I know you are waiting for your appt. GL

[dove3053]

oxycodone was my drug of choice. It's been over a week now and I feel good.

Dove

[oxyaddict420]

IBKleen, I know what you mean totally, but at this point I cannot spend one more red cent on these Fuc$ing pills!!!  So this is the best I can do with what I have to work with.  Today is the first day on the 175mg daily dosage, and so far it isn't too bad, but then again it is very early and my first dose was on an empty stomach.. The true test will be going like 5-6 hours between doses rather than every 2 hours.. plus smaller doses as well.  I KNOW I CAN DO THIS!  I just have to stay positive and make sure to keep busy as much as possible.. I will post as much as I can for support, and try to do other things around the house also..

[oxyaddict420]

Thank you guys for the support.. Im glad to hear that you are a week into your recovery and still clean.. oxycodone has been a bear to fight against.. I cannot wait until my appointment so that I can at least shoot a tranq. dart into that bears a$$!  lol

[Chi_Chi_Lover]

Are you really set on the Suboxone? If you are tapering do you not want to try going CT and WD? Don't you have to WD off Suboxone at some point or do you plan to stay on it long term? I know a lot of people do that stay on it short and long periods of time. These pills are a hard thing to stop I know. It's great you have someone there with you for support.

[oxyaddict420]

I have a thread that has my enire story on why I am getting on the suboxone and why I am going to try and get and stay on it long term as a maintanace drug.  I would rather manage my addiction and live to some day get totally clean, than do over and over again what has failed for me everytime.  That is either tapering and quitting, or quitting cold turkey.. Getting clean for me isn't the hardest part, it is STAYING CLEAN!  

I will bump my suboxone threads to the top so that you can read in detail about the reasons behind everything.. Someone posted that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.. So going on suboxone and managing my addiction, and then getting aftercare for it to help figure out the deep rooted issues for the reasons behind the abuse is much more important as well as something that has not yet been tried before by me personally.. I need professional help for me recovery.. The reason I am tapering is only to keep myself from overdosing or killing myself from the massive abuse of oxycodone per day.. I am doing this to help me get to my suboxone appointment..

[liscamdave]

Well, the best of luck to you. If you truly want it, you will get it....

Take Care, Lisa

[bmc1976]

Way to go on making the decision to finally stop taking pills. I've read many of your other posts and it sounds like you have a game plan that will work for you. I know you can do this especially because you want it so bad. How much longer do you have until your appointment. Is it on the 23rd or around there? I'm sure you might feel a bit uncomfortable until then from dropping your dose so much but your appointment isn't too far off. Best of luck to you!
Brian

[toxictome]

Sounds like you have a plan...I know you want this very badly.
If nothing else, you are trying something that may work for you, as opposed to something you know hasn't worked previously....
Best of luck...will be waiting to see how you're doing!

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

[oxyaddict420]

thank you two so much.. Yes my appointment is on the 26th of this month and it seems like it has taken a lifetime to get there.. I have a solid gameplan set in STONE!  I am going to do this, and I am commiting myself 100% to whatever it takes.  Yes, I am planning to stay on it long term "if the DR agrees" so that I can manage my addiction in a way that keeps me from abusing so harshly that I am in true fear for my life ending.  I need to be able to meet some goals and get back on track.  Once I am down the line and have met alot of my goals as far as getting and staying back on track, also getting the aftercare I need to combat the triggers and/or whatever I might need help with to control not abusing in the future! Then and only then will I consider tapering off the sub slowly and going through my final withdrawl (withdrawal) off opiates and then stay clean for good!

I have also read from many people that have successfully came off a longer term maintenance plan that if you taper very slowly and correctly by the DR order that it can be hardly NO WITHDRAWL (withdrawal)!  I think it depends on the individual and also how well you can taper effectivly!

[oxyaddict420]

Exactly... That is exactly what alot of people dont undestand.. They come in and read maybe one post of mine " randomly" and then decide to judge me based off of that.. There is alot more to the story and only My loved ones, close friends on here, and myself know the whole story and the truth about how severe my addiction really is.

Thank you for putting that into words that I wish other people could realize!  Yuo hit it right on the head with that comment! THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!

[mr.lucky66]

I think this sub is over rated and is no miracle drug. There are not always  drug solutions to drug problems. For me it was better to use some non opiate type meds to detox from strong narcotics or just taper down and bite the bullet. It seems like some are having a tough time getting off this sub. all the best

[oxyaddict420]

That is great for you.. What about the other addicts that have done the "bite the bullet scheme" over and over and over again to have relapsed and went back to abusing so many times they cant count?  Maybe just try one more time?? Sure then that might be the time they clean for good, altough it might also be the time the die from abusing it so badly also..  So in this case which is better?

1. Do the same thing over and over again that has proven to have never worked, and only produced relapse time and time again?

2. Try getting professinal help for the first time ever, and then manage the addcition so that the abuse is not there anymore, and be able to manage your life in a reasonable way, and also make sure that the abuse will not kill you?

For me that is an easy hands down question.  Also what you are failing to comment on is the many many posts that have been about aftercare, and also for the addiction counsling that I will be getting along with the suboxone treatment.  

I am curious as to what your opinion is based on?!  Mine is off of at least 20+ people that have used suboxone longer term and have went from abusing themselves to the point of near death, and ruining their lives finacially, to now being able to live without abuse or the fear of death.  For them it has been exactly that "A MIRICLE DRUG"  That gave them their life back.. I hope I can add my name to that list!

[addictedme]

Quick question,,how long is long term and whats the longest of the people you know? Just curious,,gl,,hang in there

[oxyaddict420]

My DR will have to tell me if I am even eligible for a longer term treatment.. So I am not sure..  As for the others, I talk to a guy at leat 2 times per wekk that I met on here, and he has been on this since it came out, which I think is over 5 years or so( not 100% sure) but I know it has been for years.. Suboxone has many many uses other than just a quick detox tool to helo with withdrawl (withdrawal).. I think it gets a bad rep mainly because in this forum alot of people use it, or try it for the quick detox tool, and if it doesn't work like a miricle for them then they just bash it..

For me I am also interested in it for pain relief of my chronic pain..It can be used for many things other than what people dog it for..

[flmagi]

I think some people have a problem with the sub because they feel your not really getting clean by useing one drug to get off another. But I think it's another option, it's a means to an end. I'm on it and doing great. I have also gone the cold turkey route and relapsed. And I would have no problem going cold turkey again. Like you said Oxy "getting clean is no problem, it's staying clean thats the problem". Same for me. It was also immpossible for me to take the time to do the cold turkey right now and then go thru the lack of energy thing and the bad depression I went thru after. I can make no gaurantee that this will work for me, but damm, I'm gonna try my best to make it work. I plan on being off it all together sometime in April. I've already started a very slow taper. The point being, everyone is different, what works for one may not work for another. You do whatever it takes to get clean. The end result is the same, life without the drugs. Even if it takes awhile to get there, just get there.

[Chi_Chi_Lover]

I did a lot of research on Suboxone before I got off the pills. I was terrified of WDs and just didn't think I could handle it at all, I have been lucky so far and feel very strong in staying clean.I really don't know how I got through the first few months. I want to cry when I think about the pain and mental pain but somehow I did it.
For someone that has relasped I think you have to look at other options to get your life in order. If Suboxone or other med is the answer then do it. I don't think anyone should  "dog" any person for having a different view or plan. We should all be here to support eachother and if we don't agree or have different opinions maybe we should keep them to ourselves. Making the decision to try and get clean and the first few months of being drug free are hard times and we are very weak and irritable during this time. Let's lift eachother up. You have a plan Oxy that's why you will succeed this time:)

[addictedme]

I dont have a problem how anyone gets clean simply cause its none of my business. I do think that the most important thing is having a program ,a daily program rather you ct,taper or use sub cause without one then odds are a person will use again regardless of how they got clean,,,happy v day to all

[oxyaddict420]

I am very glad to have a good solid plan in place.

Also well said Chi-Chi

[allaboutmary]

Hey bud, I'm just up having a quick smoke then back to bed.  Just wanted to say a quick hello.  Most people walk out of sub doctors feeling great, and some it takes a few days or even a week to get their dose right, and to feel normal.  So just wanted to say, don't be discouraged if your not feeling the greatest the first week.  I had a really bad first week but am doing really good now.  Keep going on that taper. Take care.  Mary

[oxyaddict420]

I just read on the website that 78% of long term suboxone treatment leads to people getting and staying clean.. The % for short term usage was much much lower, as not even 20%!!!!!!!!

This to me is GREAT NEWS SINCE I WILL BE TRYING A LONGER TERM PLAN.. PLus I am so motivated and skied out to do everything it takes to beat this for good!! I know this is my time!!  Thanks to all the great positive posts I have recieved from everyone....

[Flutterby111]

You always have such kind words for all....Now it's your turn to hear them.  Follow the advice you so kindly give.  I hope and pray you find the strenght to follow your plan.  I know you can do it.  You have a wonderful fiance to help support you.  I asked my husband to help me taper a couple months ago, and he totally blew it off....all I did was take even more!  And if you've read anything about me lately, you know I went through hellified wd's last week.  Stay strong.  Beat the **** out of this disease.  Peace and love.

[worried878]

u go girl!  keep us posted!

[feohmoon]

Hey man Methadone got my life on track. Structure is what I call it and without structure it is next to impossible to quit using. I have been on done for about a year 110 mg a day. Well now we have our life on track we are tapering off. We are down 39mg a day and have not had any wds yet but since we are now dropping 2mgs a day I know they are coming. When my fiance and I get through this I will never take another narc pill as long as I live.And I know that she wont either. We have battled with this demon for too long. The suboxine can work. And you can come off slow enough to feel normal so good luck and god bless!!! I know you can do it.

[feohmoon]

Also gotta cousin in NY on suboxine from percs and oxy and he is doing great. But we all know there are long term effects from any med. But its better than the alternative.  DEATH

[wait2long]

you've been doing your homework!!!  so good to see this....awesome!!
cant go into a doctors office without a plan in place and have the mind set that if i take this suboxone...all will be fine and dandy...these are the ones who will not work the program the proper way and will most likely fail...and your percentages are accurate, so i know your doing your homework!! you will have nothing but success with this...i am certain hun...your doing it the right way...and yes, according to the guidelines,you are a candidate for long term maintenance. no worries hun...
congrats to you oxy!!!...you've done your time...
now it is your time!!