what happens if you suddenly stop taking subboxone?

[Jen1101]

Hello,
I just sat here for about 30 mins bearing my soul and explaining my situation with the addiction problem I have been dealing with, for my laptop to **** out on me and I lost everything I just wrote. I have 2 small children that have been very patient while I was typing my question, and unfortunalty I do not have the time to write it again. However, long story short, I have been taking subboxone for almost a year for vicodin addiction. I have recently moved to New Jersey, and can NOT find a doctor that accepts my insurance for the subboxone treatment. I have about a week left of my subboxone, and when its gone, its gone! I have been warned by several doctors and nurses that I can NOT suddenly stop taking this medication, that I can have a seziure or end up in the hospital. I have 2 small children that rely on me, and I live in constant fear that when my meds run out something bad is going to happen. Please if anyone can give me some advice on what to do next I would really appreciate it. And if anyone knows what happens when you suddenly stop subboxone, and can share that with me, I think it might put my mind at ease. Thank you so much in advance for those that have took their time in reading my question and sharing with me some helpful information. Take care and may god bless all of you on the road to recovery.
Jen

[Ballgame]

This thread is from 2009. If you need help might be better off starting a new thread. Older thread rarely get a response
Good luck and let's us know how you do

[ginny20]

I am looking for suboxone treatment in nj that will begin immideiatly.if you are awAre of any available doctors please contact me

[LisaHarvey7]

Hi Jen...I am also from NJ and the doctor I used for suboxone was very reasonably priced if staying on Suboxone is still an option for you. You can message me what part of NJ you are from if you'd like. Best of luck to you!

[penneydog2012]

I was on suboxone for over a year...8 mg and I knew that it was all over when I chose to move out of state. I did what I knew I needed to do and I tapered myself off the correct way because I have heard that withdrawal from subs can be just as bad as opiate withdrawal. To make a long story shorter, since I have been off of subs, my energy level has gone to ****. I have gained 50 pounds and I am miserable. The doctors say "it is all psychological". I beg to differ. I hate to admit it but I miss feeling normal. You all know what I mean. Whether it be from opiates or subs, I feel like I am lost. Unorganized and NOT the person I used to be before I started taking prescription meds up til getting help and taking subs. Everything feels like a chore. Everything used to be effortless. By any means, I have been clean for two years and do not wish to go down that dark path again but I just wanted to know if anyone is going through the same thing...post drugs and post suboxone?

[IBKleen]

Hi Jen,

I am sorry, Ia m at work and cannot read this whole post right now. I just wanted to ask if you called the number you were given above? They will be able to get you in touch with a doctor in your area. Let us know if that works out. You shouldn't have to be driving around the country when there is help right where you are.

Check back in a bit.

[Jen1101]

I do appologise for not going into too much detail in my first post. Like I said, I explained my situation, and it took me almost 30 mins to do so, and then my laptop froze up and I lost everything I typed. Anyways, long story short:
My vicodin addiction began after the birth of my 2nd son. I had natural labor and was left with what they call a 3rd degree laseration. This was the FIRST time I have EVER taken any kind of pain medication!! I was given vicodin on a daily basis for about 3 months. Once I healed I was fine, and came off the medication no problems asked. Then long and be hold, I was goofing around on the trampoline with my older son, and fell off. The fall left me with a torn rotaters cuffs, and once again the docors put me on vicodin. They continued to dose me pain pills for alittle over a year, when what they should have done was refer me to an orthopedic doctor so I could have surgery to repair the cuff. After a year of taking pain pills, my pain tolerance was pathetic!! I was the one that did 2 natural labors NO DRUGS what so ever..and now I would cry over a stubbed toe! They finally sent me to an ortho doc for surgery and the pain afterwards was so severe they implanted a pain pump. Once again I was back on pain pills for another year. We moved from Texas to Virginia, and the doctors there werent too giving when it came to vicodin. That is when I realized "hey something isint right here" I started doing research and reading about vicodin addiction. I had all the signs and symptoms of vicodin withdrawl, it was aweful! I had a great life, I was always full of life and happy to be alive. My husband and I had the best marriage you could ever ask for, I loved being a mommy and was damn good at it. But everything started to crumble around me, and anything I touched i seemd to hurt emotionally when the withdrawl took over my life. My marriage took a turn for the worst, I lived in constant fear that my kids are going to suffer from this addiction problem etc etc. After doing some research I found a suboxone doctor in my area and began the treatment program. OH MY GOD!!! The first day on my medication I felt like a whole new person. I finally remembered what it was like to live again with out being under the influence of prescription pills. I wasnt worrying about how many pain pills I had left, and where I was going to go to get my next script. I wasnt sitting in an ER with 2 kids for 6-8 hrs waiting to get a script everyday like I use to. I was using the time I had to take my kids to the park, and enjoy life! I feel like I was given a 2nd chance at life! With in a year of being off the pain pills I lost about 100 lbs, I was going to the gym and felt awesome. About 2 months ago my husband came down on orders and we had to move from Virgina back to TEXAS (where the problems began!) Fear took over my body and my emotions ONCE AGAIN! Currently I am staying in New Jersey with my 2 children until I am ready mentally for the transition back to Texas. And for the past 2 months I have been searching for doctors that prescribe suboxone and take my insurance and have had no luck so far. I have less than a week left of my medication and still no doctor to see. I have been going around and around with my insurance company and the military base here in New Jersey trying to get some kind of help with this situation, and seems like no one is willing to take the time to help me find a doctor. It has now came down to the point where i am going to run out of meds and be forced to come off of suboxone, and I am terrified of what is going to happen next. It sickens me that it is easier to go see a doctor and get a script for vicodin then it is to get a little bit of help from the insurance company to stay on the right track!!! If anyone knows of any doctor in new jersey or anywhere thaqt I can see that is willing to work with my insurance I would really appreciate any help or advise you could give. I am willing to drive anywhere at this point then to be faced with having to stop my meds suddenly. I even thought about driving to VA to see the doctor I was seeing there, just to buy me some time until I find a doctor here. Does anyone know if I went to the ER, if they would be able to help me find a doctor or be able to prescribe my medication to me? I appreciate everyone that took their time in reading my first post and offering your kind words of support. I do wish you all the best in your journey of recovery, and please know that your not alone!! If we all come together and offer each other help and support we can all get through this. Thank you all again very much and may god bless.
Jen

[Wolverine819]

Jen,I am on Suboxone and live in Jersey too.Do not just stop,it might throw you into a wicked withdrawal.Let me know where you are and I may be able to give you a Sub Dr who takes insurance

[IBKleen]

Like everyone has said, it depends on your dose. It does not sound like you have enough to do a proper taper and you will feel the withdrawal. I have never heard of anyone having seizures from Suboxone withdrawal but it can be uncomfortable.

Certainly take Magi's advise and call the hotline. See if they can't find you a doctor who can help you do a proper taper.

Best of luck.

[BIKERDAD1963]

Well first of all it depends on the amount you are currently taking and whether you have begun the taperring yet. Normally you start at about 4-8 mg and then start tapering after a while. If you are still on the original amount then it could be bad. WD from sub last about 30 days and if you havent tapered yet there could be rather severe withdrawals. Have you looked for a pain management doctor, They usually can subscribe sub and bupe. Go onto the sub website and it will show all the doctors in your area that can perscribe sub and start calling. Also dont take any other opoid meds. Mixing them with sub would also be bad and will bring on withdrawals quickly. The sub will remain in your system for about 30 days after your last dose and then very slowly leave your system. Cant beleive you would move and leave your doc during your treatment, but i dont no your situation either.

[flmagi]

Here is a phone  # to call  866-973-4373 It's called "Here to Help" a program put out by the Suboxone Company. Tell them your story and they should be able to recommend a doctor or some kind of help.
I don't know what dose you are at, but jumping off Sub at anything higher than 1 mg will be heII on you. If all else fails,when you're going thru withdrawals, go to the emergency room.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Sub is an incredibly powerful drug......most pain formularies (RX'd in Eurpean countries) are in the microgam amounts. 4mg of sub a day should keep you going until you find another Doc - - Its also a long lasting rascal - try a dose every other day -   From all that I know and have read --- stopping sub cold turkey will not kill you........you do sort of trade the ferocity of other opiate withdrawals for the chronicity of the sub........

[mom_of_two136]

What dosage have you been taking? How much to you have left? That will make a difference. It can be tapered off at a 25% reduction every four days until you get to 0.25mg then start skipping days. You probably will not be able to do this if you only have a week left. I have not heard of getting seizures if stopped abruptly. Don't know about that. I would suggest starting to taper now. I know people who have jumped from 2mg and had a bumpy ride for awhile. I did not have any problems but I jumped from a very low dose and was skipping days. I am so sorry you have to go through this especially with two small children to take care of. Maybe find a doctor who can prescribe some comfort meds or possible talking to your old sub doctor. He may have some suggestions to make it easier for you or suggest a taper plan. I know there is a website that can help you find a doctor through naabt. I hope you can find a solution.