do i change rom methadone to suboxone??????

hi all  from australia!! ive been on methadone for 10 yrs .ive been going down at 2.5mg per week rom 100mg.im down to 15mg now. i have been to rehab (which is free) and only lasted 30 hrs i was put back on my done. i have a doc appointment today and he wants to putme on subbies since the withdrawewl is cleaner than done.what do you think? are health system in aussie land is incredible.we dont have to pay anything except for $5.00 dispence fee everyday which wirks out to be $35 per week.what do i do methadone or subutex plzzzzzzzzzzzz help or email me on ***@****

[vicki595]

Hi and welcome. I vote NO on the Sub.  It may be cost effective but you will pay in other ways...The withdrawal from THAT can be a bear.

You've done great tapering on the Methadone. Just continue with that and when you get low enough where you think you can handle it...just jump. It's tough at first but you'll need to do that sooner or later.

Just my 2 cents. Gnarly will see your post and advise you,as well. He's the guru on this subject!

Good luck!

[dominosarah]

In my opinion you would just be changing meds, both with their own set of issues.       sara

[ImDONENoMore]

I don't think it's a good idea - it's basically just trading one addiction for another.  You're so close now and I think if you talk to your Dr. about your next step, he/she would be there for you to help you get through the initial days after you've ended the methadone.  

After everything you've done so far, do you really want to have to do it all over again with the subs?  Considered how much you've tapered so far, you're probably a lot stronger than you think!  :)

[paying_it_forward]

Hey fellow Aussie...If i was in your situation i would definately swap to suboxone. Although i haven't been on Methadone before, my doctor (really good one in melbourne...know's his stuff....written 7 editions of the Australian drug guide) and he said suboxone is a bit easier to come off. I was on suboxone for a little over a year i kept reducing my dose. I started out at 10mg and worked my way right down to .25mg... and 33 days no suboxone... i had minimal withdrawals, just lots of headaches and fatigue...though everyone has a different experience...i thank my lucky stars that my withdrawals weren't as bad as some others.

Have a good talk with your dosing doctor and see what they think is the best. I know alot of people on here don't like suboxone (each to their own!) but for me it really has saved me from a 30 pill a day nurofen plus addiction.

Keep in touch and let me know how you go!

[groundhog_day]

Hi fellow aussie here too. I would say if you have had the discipline to taper from 100 to 15 then just keep tapering - go slower as you get lower, but keep going. I reduced from 85 to zero, and I have to say that it was totally doable - i was very strict with not using or not mucking around with my dose, talked with my doctor all the time and I truly found it managable - even that final jump off 2.5 was fine. I think so much of it can be psychological around those low low doses - the fear of being without the done, the fear of being totally drug free, the fear of a new life, all the horror stories one has heard about coming off done. When i jumped off 40 it was hell - when I reduced carefully it was just fine.

Are you attending meetings, counselling, anything - to help with the transition?

great job on reducing your dose 85% - you are so close! well done.

[hellc@mst]

Hi there. Here in NZ suboxone is often used in this manner, as a way to complete a methadone taper. When used short term( less than 3 weeks) many have found the suboxone to markedly reduce the severity of withdrawals long associated with methadone detox. Having personally completed a suboxone taper after a prolonged period on methadone, i found it extremely beneficial and would endorse this method without reservation.

Many countries in Europe as well as Australasia, South Africa, South East Asia,have employed suboxone in this manner for some time now and i am suprised the American medical fraternity is mostly oblivious to this proven detox paradigm.

I wish you all the best. kind Regards Jeremy

[gnarly_1]

HI.....if your doing fine reducing on the methadone stick it out if they start you on sub it will be a higher dose and take longer to get off and the problem with sub is you never know how your going to come off it we have had several members jump off at 2mg and only go therw mild withdrawals then we have had members take it sown to crumbs and go there sever withdrawals  you wont know till you try and get off what your going to get with the done you know where your at I recommend jumping off at 5mg because tapering is miserable below 5 and my final withdrawal was no worst then tapering below 5mg so get a head start on your recovery....expect arond 7 days of feeling like he!! and some symptoms lingering in to two weeks then it the post withdrawals that ruff it can take a wile to feel better 30 days is better the ths first week 60 days a bit better but it was around 90 days that things trued around for me keep in mind I was on 150mg for most of 6 1/2 yrs and had 10 yrs of pill abuse b/4 that so I broke a 16 1/2 yr habit if you been on the done for several yrs expect to go threw a recovery that last some time you will eventually get better it just takes time just know it is so so worth it to be free from the stuff I have helped other break this habit so if you get discouraged or need help im out here to lend a hand good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[keter]

I'm with Jeremy (Jan 19, 2011 04:29PM). Here in Holland it is fast becoming the preferred way of coming of methadone. The withdrawal is reported to be a lot easier.
Ten years ago I've had a forced withdrawal from methadone (I was incarcerated and went from 90mg to 0mg in 6 weeks) and it was very unpleasant. I've been weaning myself since a few months (down to 50mg from 120mg) and when I get below 20 mg I will definitely switch to suboxone.

You might want to think about checking yourself into rehab for about a week when making the switch since there can be some slight withdrawal effects while your body adjust to the change from methadone to suboxone.

And finally, try to limit your alcohol intake. I've found it makes tapering methadone a lot harder and drink might become your new addiction. It is way more damaging to the body than opiates. And since it is easier to get and socially acceptable, a lot harder to quit :(