suboxone

[untwisting]

I'm hoping for some info on what to expect. My doc just put me on subox to help me get off oxys. He prescribed 6 mgs at night, but I'm only taking one 3 mg pill. It makes me feel really tired. But is helping with the nausea, aches, etc. Can anyone who has had experience taking subox tell me how it makes you feel?  thanks

[untwisting]

I should know better than to read a label without my glasses. Squinting just doesn't cut it! You're right, the pills are 8 mg - not 3. An 8 looked like a 3 to these old lady eyes (hey, that could be a new hit song, instead of Bette Davis Eyes, it'll be Old Lady Eyes).  My doc prescribed 2 pills at night - so 16 mg a day. I'm only taking 1 tho. Your mention of getting hooked on something else is my fear too. It has helped a lot with the withdrawals. I was taking between 10 - 15 vics a day. What is outpatient treatment like? I know I can't just take these pills for awhile and have my addiction disappear. I go to NA meetings, but I'm wondering how to learn to replace my pill popping in difficult situations.

Thanks everybody so much for all the great input!

[mr.lucky66]

I agree with Catalina that sub isn't a miracle drug or a solution. I think it can be a good tool in detox from strong narcotics but is untested for longterm . I think it's prescribed for too long a period in many cases and people have a real hard time getting off of it. These docs are keeping people on it too long and don't know what they are doing except fattening up their wallets.

[landbray]

Hi untwisitng,
I have been on suboxine since 6-24-08. I feel great. I used 2 days before my appointment & haven't used since I started it. I take 16mg a day, which I think is pretty high. I don't get sleepy from it but it  makes me not hungry. If fact, I  have lost 7 pounds since I started it. I have never seen a 3 mg, they only come 8mg & 2mg. Maybe you are taking the 2mg.?? I also stopped taking xanax after 20 years but I didn't feel much withdrawl from my doc, morphine, or vic's. I think the suboxone has helped with the anxiety. I had some body jerks, the first week after no xanax but they have stopped.
I do know a close friend that was at deaths door but started on sub's the end of 2003.
He stopped about 15 , 20 months ago. He had been taking 2 mgs every other day,for a while  then stopped. He had some mild anxiety, he thinks just from his mind playing that trick that he has to have something to  fall back on. After a while, he was fine. He went back to school, has a job, a home. It was life altering for him.and he was ready to be clean, so he still hasn't used . I doubt(hope) he never will!! I know that isn't that norm, & I know allot of people that abuse the sub's. They get in the program then sell them to buy their doc.That is frustrating for the people that really want to quit. I myself actually turned a girl into her doctor for selling the pills b/c she was getting her doc with the$$. My insurance actaully covers my suboxine ov & the counsleing plus the script. I pay co pays. Also in my state, PA,  medicaid covers it, also medicare... Suboxine is a federal program. Having the ins pays, and since I am not buying morphine anymore, I have more money in my pocket, (altought more now it goes to gas)
I am hoping this time I am quitting that it works for me. I belleive the subs help me get to work everyday, no missing b/c of withdrawl. Not being on the run all the time trying to score has made me less anxious,  My husband is an addict also. He did methadone for 4 yrs that caused us to lose just about everything, all my 401k, him 2 jobs, he has been on sub's for about a year. When he withdrawl from the metadone he was in the hosptial for 12 days without getting out of bed, so much phenybarbital (spelling) he basically was drugged through the 1st part of the withdrawl . it was almosy 2 wks before he even got counsling there.
It was the worst, but of course a year or les after that he was using. Since the sub's, that is all he takes. Some people need help to get off pills, some are weak, me included.
WE have no na meetings in my small town, therefore no sponser but the program requires you go to drug counseling. so I see this guy once evry 2 weeks. He is also an addict with allot of years clean. My husband is very stubborn, that is why I think he's still on he sub's. So far I am happy with the way I feel and I look forward to the day when I take nothing.
Good luck to you!
paaddict

[cattalina]

To be honest with you, I haven't been able to find a direct answer to that question!  Most of the info I've come up with generally gives the same generic answer...  Plus, I'm not sure if I should be posting what I do know.  I don't want to influence other people's decision until I know I have the most accurate information possible.  At the rate I'm going tho, I'll never have accurate enough info to post!!  I have another "research session tonight" if I find anything useful I'll definitely post it!  

[worried878]

Question...does suboxone continue to damage your receptors while u r on it?...I was just thinking that it would be hard for them to heal with the drug sitting on them all the time?  

[cattalina]

No prob.  There's no such thing as a 3mg pill. Suboxone is kind of a tricky subject...  I agree that long term sub can be detrimental rather than helpful, but not because people can still find a way to use.  The only way anyone can stay clean is if they are mentally ready to do the work it takes.  There is no pill on the planet that will "keep people clean" or "fix" anyone... and there's no such thing as a "miracle drug".  I can't wait to see what professionals and researchers have to say in 10 or 15 years about suboxone.  There's not enough information and knowledge on/about/for it for doctors to be handing it out like cotton candy at a circus.  And that's what it's all become - a circus.  

Sorry, I have strong opinions about how sub is being used and it's effects on people (obviously!!). I just hope that people make an informed decision about suboxone treatment, and that all addicts get involved with aftercare of some kind.  :)

[worried878]

Thanks catalina....3 mg did not sound right but i just know from reading...i do know my friend took it short term and made it...still clean...she skipped withdrawals...only used it for a week...the battle is mental tho and goes on for a long long time...unless u r totally mentally ready...the sub will not help with that when used short term...sub wont help with long term as people can still find a way to use on the sub....it can actually become a drug of choice for many....gotta be ready mentally and seek aftercare as well to keep u strong...

[cattalina]

Suboxone and subutex both come in 2 & 8mg pills... suboxone says N2 or N8, subutex says B2 or B8.  Are you sure it's 3 mgs?  Since you just started taking it you could be feeling tired because your body is adjusting to the med.  How much oxy were you taking before?  Are you feeling any wds at all?  There are many different side effects and everyone reacts differently.  It's very helpful in the beginning, but it's best used short term. Try not to stay on it too long because it has it's own set of problems that aren't fun to deal with!  GL

[Jayson620]

Hey there, well I have been off norco's for about a week and a half now and was given suboxen by my doctor. It has helped alot with the aches and helps with sleep for me but I have to say that I am scared that I am starting to like it to much. I guess you have to be very careful with any meds we take to help get us off opiates. You never want to trade one for the other, but it does help.

[untwisting]

thanks all!

[fishmeal]

It is very powerful and you would do well to keep at a minimum just to be comfortable.  Don't underestimate the power of this drug.... people when they are tapering off will get to a half a mg every other day for a couple of weeks.  That kind of long taper will keep you from relapsing.

[worried878]

i do know that pills come in 4 and 8 mg...never heard of 3 mg pill...check and see for sure.....overdosing can make u tired...if u were a lortba user or a low quantity user..sometimes 1-2 mg is enough and repeat in the pm if needed....shouldnt make u tired tho if the dose is right

[mr.lucky66]

I only used it briefly for a quick detox. It worked fine for that but don't let him string you out on it a long time as it could be a worse addiction and make him richer while he collects fees. all best

[lifesaride]

normal. loke you never took apill before