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Getting off Subutex, help!!
I am terrified. I only go one day without it and I get depressed, feel anxious and lethargic. Is there not an easier way? I know this sounds stupid, but what about methadone for a few days? I have been on it for 10months for pain management and currently using 3mg.
At the moment I am taking 4mg. I am on 4mg for about 2months now, because I used opiods as well for the full ten months due to chronic pain, but luckily I do not have the pain anymore. I still crave a lot daily, so I am not ready to get off. I don't know if going a little higher will be of any benefit. My neurologist hardly phones me back and going to see him everytime I have a question is pricey. They say 2mg-4mg is what most people prefer to stay on.
I started on Suboxone (Buprenorphine/naloxone) at 16mg per day about a year ago. I've been doing a slow taper pretty much since starting.
The drop(s) to about 4 mg was pretty easy, but getting beyond that is pretty tough.
Having said that, I have managed to get to about 1/4 to 1/6 of a 2mg tab now.
I tried stopping totally at 4mg and it was a bit of a nightmare by around the 48 hour point
I'd recommend going as slow as possible and being aware that you will still have some relatively mild withdrawal symptoms as you get to the lower doses.
The tiny amounts that I'm taking at the moment really only have any real effect for a few hours, but it allows me to function for part of the day. The nights are rough, but bearable.
On days when I need to be fully functioning all day, I just take another small dose later in the day to keep me going.
Some (but not all) Doctors will tell you that doses below 0.5mg are of little therapeutic value, but I've talked to plenty of people who have gone as low as 0.5 every second day before stopping.
So basically, my advice is to take it as slow as you can, but don't set yourself any hard and fast rules, If you're struggling, just up your dose very slightly.
It is going to be unpleasant at some point but stopping at 0.3mg has got to be easier than 3mg.
Oh, please forget about any ideas of Methadone. It makes Bupe withdrawals seem like a walk in the park.
The drop(s) to about 4 mg was pretty easy, but getting beyond that is pretty tough.
Having said that, I have managed to get to about 1/4 to 1/6 of a 2mg tab now.
I tried stopping totally at 4mg and it was a bit of a nightmare by around the 48 hour point
I'd recommend going as slow as possible and being aware that you will still have some relatively mild withdrawal symptoms as you get to the lower doses.
The tiny amounts that I'm taking at the moment really only have any real effect for a few hours, but it allows me to function for part of the day. The nights are rough, but bearable.
On days when I need to be fully functioning all day, I just take another small dose later in the day to keep me going.
Some (but not all) Doctors will tell you that doses below 0.5mg are of little therapeutic value, but I've talked to plenty of people who have gone as low as 0.5 every second day before stopping.
So basically, my advice is to take it as slow as you can, but don't set yourself any hard and fast rules, If you're struggling, just up your dose very slightly.
It is going to be unpleasant at some point but stopping at 0.3mg has got to be easier than 3mg.
Oh, please forget about any ideas of Methadone. It makes Bupe withdrawals seem like a walk in the park.
Mary is right there will be less withdrawl if you taper all of the way down to a crumb ... You have been on it for almost a year so you may experience some withdrawl even tapering all the way down .
Jumping off 3mg of sub would probably be like going cold turkey from a 100mg perc habit. Slow taper is the only way to go with the sub. I have found it pretty painless to taper on the sub, but it must be done long and slow.
I think the general consensus is that if you can slowly taper down to a lower dose before trying to go cold turkey or doing a rapid taper is generally a bit easier on you.
Subutex (buprenorphine) has a mean half-life of about 37 hours.
Methadone has a mean half-life of about 30 hours.
There's not enough of a difference that Methadone would really be to be any benefit. And if anything, withdrawal would be slightly more abrupt on methadone.
The half-life is a double-edged sword. A long half-life will 'ease' withdrawal - but not lessen withdrawal. Meaning it's onset is more gradual but will last longer in duration. This can be beneficial in a slower taper, or excruciatingly long with a short taper or cold turkey.
Subutex (buprenorphine) has a mean half-life of about 37 hours.
Methadone has a mean half-life of about 30 hours.
There's not enough of a difference that Methadone would really be to be any benefit. And if anything, withdrawal would be slightly more abrupt on methadone.
The half-life is a double-edged sword. A long half-life will 'ease' withdrawal - but not lessen withdrawal. Meaning it's onset is more gradual but will last longer in duration. This can be beneficial in a slower taper, or excruciatingly long with a short taper or cold turkey.
I do know most taper off...could u maybe try a slow taper? cut down like 1/2 mg a week or every several days...whatever is comfortable for u...someone will help that has more experience
personally i wouldnt recommend methadone because detoxing that is even harder than subutex. unfortunately i dont have much experience with subutex so i dont want to falsely direct you but i want to wish you the best of luck and there is a lot of people with a great deal of knowledge on this that will be on tommorow. it is 3:45 in the morning in the united states so more people willl be able to help a little later so keep checking back to your post. i hope you find the answers youre looking for
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