how much is enough????

Hi can any1 help us out?My partner has been prescribed suboxone for a herion addiction he had 8mg 1st day 16mg next day an 20mg today.How do you know when your dose is right??? Doctor wasnt very helpfull dont think she was very well informed on sub just handed over the scripts!!!! can any 1 help. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lostdreams]

I'm sure that when my ex went onto this he had to find the point where he didnt need to keep using 'h' on top of the subuxone. Dont quote me on that though. But i remember him saying he had to keep going back to the dr to ensure he was given the right dose to maintain a comfort level. I agree with sunnyone, he should try to keep the dose as low as possible but as long as he is comfortable. Keep us updated on how he gets on! Take care, i'l be thinking of you both.

[klee1]

Hi thanks 4 your post.He has felt ok each day on a different dose.No he isn't having withdrawl (withdrawal) syptoms (symptoms) he did a full blown cold turkey last week which was awfull.I have read lots of posts on here bout sub an keeping dosage low.Must admit its blocked out all cravings an he seems a hell of a lot better but how do you find a comfort level if the dosage keeps going up??? Due to go up again tomra.

[klee1]

HI he isn't smoking herion anymore 11 days clean today.  :-)

[klee1]

Gets his tablets in a morning from chemist.Has to ring his doctors tomorow for new scripts 4 next week :-/

[lostdreams]

11 days clean is brilliant. tell him to keep up the good work. I also went ct from 'h' so i can relate to him and 11 days is a massive accomplishment.

Going up the dose shouldnt be necessary if he is comfortable.

[hopsing94]

How many does he get in the script? If he is comfortable at 8mg then by all means only take the 8.If the doctor is telling him to take more when he is comfortable at 8 don't take more. Tell the doctor he's taking more but don't take it. Only take what you have to,to be comfortable

[klee1]

Think i'll take a trip to chemist with him tomra to find out what dosage is an what there going to give him 4 weekend.1st day he seemed fine an 2nd but today just seems a little dozy to me.

[hopsing94]

Is he only getting enough for 1 day or a 1  week supply ?

[lostdreams]

Maybe it is too much for him, i'm not sure though because i've never taken it but if he is dozy maybe he doesn't need that dose and should stick to one he is happy with.

[klee1]

hi how are you getting on with the sub? Glad all went well at docs 4 you. I said if he felt comfy at 8mg to stay there atfer reading posts on sub on here,but he has taken it as they have prescribed it just worried if they take him up to far its gonna be quite hard to come off. An watching him go c/t last week of herion was awful dont want to see him suffer an go through that again.

[klee1]

1 day dose at a time. Think he gets weekends dosage all together tomra.

[klee1]

Maybe eh :-/  just seemed very quiet an not quite with it

[lostdreams]

See how he get on!! Keep me updated.

I think you are a great person for being there for him in his time of need. You have my respect.

[klee1]

THANKS!!!!!!!!! :-)  will keep you informed .gotta go to bed so i'll say good night 10.45 here in uk lots of people in here are from america there just starting the day. :-)

[lostdreams]

Night night, talk soon. Check your p'm box tomorrow when your on, gonna mail you in a min. Take care

[hopsing94]

Actually we are just getting to the end of our work day

[flmagi]

Like everyone said, if your friend is comfortable at 8 mgs, don't go higher. And if hes feeling sleepy, he's takeing to much. Even if their giving him more, he doesn't have to take it (stock pile it for later). It could take a week to get used to the Sub but he shouldn't be feeling tired, that means to much sub. If he feels any withdrawel symtoms (symptoms), that means not enough.
Good luck to your friend.

[MikeWithFamily]

Hi Klee
THe Suboxone dosage is not an exact science. There are many reasons for taking it; and there are two particular elements that dictate how much to take - 1. Eliminate withdrawal effects. 2. Eliminate cravings. You can take one 8 mg tab and it will eliminate your cravings for the whole day. The shelf life for Sub is extremely long and it should lastyou well over 24 hours. I would focus on the second  element and that is to measure his cravings. The cravings are the biggest thing that he has to get past. If after taking one 8 mg tab and he still has cravings, then take another 8 mg tab about 8 hours later. If after 8 hours of taking the 2nd tab he still has cravings, then take a 3rd tab. Continue to adjust your intake within a 24 hour period until his cravings have stopped. Once his cravings have stopped and he does not have any withdrawal effects, then you are now on the money and need to just stay there. Again, add to your dosage if he experiences cravings and try to make all of your adjustments within a 24 hour period. The Sub has a very long shelf life in the body. It may last even longer than 24 hours, but I would have to believe that if you adjusted within 24 that you will find the correct dosage. There is no exact science to this so take it as needed for the big two reasons and the rest will take care of its self.
Best of Luck.
God Bless
MikeWithFamily

[wait2long]

finding the correct dose can be tricky the first week, maybe a split dose would benefit him better...it seems it works better for a lot of people this way.  being tired can be from too much or not enough, its tricky. he will have to find what works for him.  but no cravings and no withdrawals should be evident.  if he is still having cravings, i would up the dose for a little while, sometimes the first week more is needed. and then can be reduced to a smaller dose once he is comfortable with the suboxone over all.

[lifesaride]

i was just listening, (reading) in on this conversation about doses, does anyone know how much sub will i need if i been doing oc's 80 mgs about 6 months now, oh been doin 4-5 aday six somedays. going to sub dr at 130 this afternoon, just wondering? thanks Teddy

[wait2long]

there is no way to tell this hun...its pretty much trial and error at the beginning, some people do great at 2-4 mgs a day and others need the maximum dose of 32 mgs...your use was high, so my "GUESS" would be you may need more the first week or so, like 16-20 mgs daily? just a guess..but after your first week or so, it is possible to  lower your dose considerably...this has been MY experience...although i transitioned from methadone and was on the full maximum dose of 32 mgs for almost 6 weeks, i am down to 8 mgs now...
good luck to you and keep us posted with how your doing...