Asking for an approach to Suboxone and Lyrica and to stopping it

[firemanmedic]

I have read many withdrawal stories from many of you from every type of medication and my pray you all get better.I have come to the conclusion I too want to rid myself of these medications.I have been on Wellbutrin 150mg 2 times a day , Suboxone since 2007 and Lyrica for about 2 years.This past Christmas made me realize that this is not a life but a prison.I ran out of both for 3 1/2 days and thought if anyway possible I would just die please the withdrawals wereso bad. My wife is fed up with it.She asked me to leave the house until I can get off this medicine.She doesn't believe in medicine, my testostrone is very low which has caused concerns in our love life also and I understand her concerns with how I acted with them sometimes, sleepy.This last prescription of the 2 (8mg Suboxone a day) and 4 (150mg a day) I usually am running out by day 22 of a 30 day supply.Somehow I made a halfway plan to take 1 8mg Suboxone a day and take 3 Lyrica.Well its day 26 and I still have 12 Suboxone left and 4 Lyrica. I did good on one and poorly on the other.I am rather proud of myself and I read your post and experiences on ways to taper since my doctor doesn't care.My question is which should I try hardest to kick 1st? I see my doctor in 2 days and wonder what my next plan is and I am willing to do everything to beat this once and for all. I write down information, daily vitamins to take, I joined a gym. I would even like a MD to give some advice if possible too.The dropping from 16mg to 8 mg hasn't been the problem over a 4 week time just as I have seen others say.A few extra Lyrica on the other hand has covered maybe some of it.And to think this started when I needed help getting off Tramadol and Soma because of back problems.
I  am just asking for advice, ideas, what I have to look forward to and hope.It doesn't help I live in a hotel away from my family and am stressed about that also.

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

I so wish we could help you. If you call us, we can try to work something out. The sooner you are drug free, the better you will feel. The pain you feel may very well be caused by hyperalgesia due to prolonged use of opiates. You may become much more energetic and productive after you are drug free for a few weeks or months.
We will do everything in our power to make you better and help you succeed.

[firemanmedic]

  I have been studying up on Rapid Drug Detox and have some questions. After you wake up are you feeling withdrawals or none at all ? How long do you feel the withdrawals if you do have them after the procedure? I have a psychologist at home that I see every month.Would I continue to see him afterwards or go NA meetings or just stay clean? Thank you

[firemanmedic]

    Thank you for your information.It has been rough just trying to gradually taper.Not only wanting off all these medication keep my anxiety level high but being away from my wife and children has its toll on me also.I do have back pain in the form of sciatic nerve pain but I can't tell whats real and whats in my head and I have to work and my back is used quite often in my line of work.If I didn't owe so much on credit cards I would do the MDS Rapid Detox.Too bad neither of my Insurances will cover this or partially.I have both Blue Cross and United Healthcare and I don't think they would. I want so bad to be off this runaway train because I believe if it doesn't end soon I will lose everything.

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

I do believe that most of your issues are caused by Suboxone, not Lyrica and Wellbutrin.  I am in no ay saying that these medications are free of possible side-effects, but the ones you mentioned are mostly related to opiates like Suboxone. 8mg is still a high dose and tapering down from it will be a challenge. I would strongly suggest that you stay on both Lyrica and Wellbutrin while you are tapering Suboxone. Doing one thing at a time will make it somewhat easier for you.
You can try making a chart for yourself and cutting strips of Suboxone in half, then in quarters, etc..There are tapering charts available on internet that you can follow. But none of it is easy. There are people that just are not able to get off by themselves. If you can, I will be very proud of you.
Take some time to read my blogs, especially the last one which is written by a recent patient of mine, who has a story very similar to yours.
And again, don't worry about the other meds for now, you will actually need them for a few months after you get off the Suboxone for the residual depression that is an after effect of withdrawal from opiates.
Good luck to you and my very best wishes.