Aa
I DID IT!!!!! I've got my appt for suboxone
I've finally had enough with being sick, being stressed, continually worrying about when the next script is due and if the doc will deny it. I am recovering from a hysterectomy so there were some heavy duty drugs given out after that which I of course abused. So, I finally took the plunge and found a doc that didn't make me jump through a million financial and emotional hoops. I've got an appt Wednesday. I'll break down how it works for those of you who might be interested.
Paid a $50 deposit over the phone
1st visit is $500 and will take 1 hour. This is when the script will actually be written.
2 weeks later I'll go for a follow up, then monthly visits after that. $90 each
Random drug screens will cost me $320 each.
For those of you already on it:
I've heard from others that I'll need to be in W/d's before starting the sub. Is that true? Is it horrible to think I'll get to blow through the rest of my vics guilt free? How many of you have slipped back into the old life after weaning off the sub? Did the go back on it without any problems? Why do they do drug screenings? Doesn't the sub keep me from getting high even if I do have a weak moment?
I'm excited that this is a brand new start to my life but I'm scared too. I'm scared my family won't like the "new" me since I was so much fun before. Especially my husband. I had alot of sexual energy when high and when I'm not, I have absolutely no desire at all. This is one of the main reasons I'm choosing now to get straight. I can't have sex for 6 weeks because of my hysterectomy so I won't have to worry about that for a while.
Paid a $50 deposit over the phone
1st visit is $500 and will take 1 hour. This is when the script will actually be written.
2 weeks later I'll go for a follow up, then monthly visits after that. $90 each
Random drug screens will cost me $320 each.
For those of you already on it:
I've heard from others that I'll need to be in W/d's before starting the sub. Is that true? Is it horrible to think I'll get to blow through the rest of my vics guilt free? How many of you have slipped back into the old life after weaning off the sub? Did the go back on it without any problems? Why do they do drug screenings? Doesn't the sub keep me from getting high even if I do have a weak moment?
I'm excited that this is a brand new start to my life but I'm scared too. I'm scared my family won't like the "new" me since I was so much fun before. Especially my husband. I had alot of sexual energy when high and when I'm not, I have absolutely no desire at all. This is one of the main reasons I'm choosing now to get straight. I can't have sex for 6 weeks because of my hysterectomy so I won't have to worry about that for a while.
Congratualtions on your decision! You are taking a step towards the positive. The desire to stop using is a bigger deal than most think. However you achieve getting clean and staying clean is the correct choice for you. There is no "right" or "better" way to do this. There are things you can do that will greatly reduce your chance of long term sobriety, mind you, and that is where getting with other recovering addicts (however you want to do that) will help.
I think you will find the bupe an odd creature, as most of us who use it do. It has an effect, but then again it does not. Hard to explain, you will see.
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But I'm still so scared that I will somehow abuse the sub and have no options left.
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I really would not worry about that at all. Sub/bupe is not any fun. There is no high, though you might feel a slight mental fog while finding your best dose. First and foremost, bupe stops opiate WDs. That is what it is for.
The bits you read about bupe around here are not really horror stories, but more I think reminders that it is still a powerful opiate that needs to be treated with respect. This is easy to forget once you are on it, as you start to feel quite normal, and bupe seems rather "easy" and "playful". This thinking that people fall into can be counter-productive, and that's where the "horror" stories come from.
Having kicked methadone, heroin, hydro, oxy and bupe at one point or another in my time, bupe offers the best control over the process. Nothing is painless, this is true.
Fishmeal said something very important a few posts ago, and I would reiterate this: less is more. The smaller the dose, and the less time you are on it, the better. I hear of people taking 32mg for years, and this just strikes me as medically irresponsible; try to taper down to as low a dose as possible, and then take it slow. I'm now taking 1mg per day, and it still has an effect, but the side effects are negligible (as in I can think more clearly). The US distributor is applying to the FDA to sell 0.5mg tablets, as overseas markets have 0.2mg (Temgesic (tm)) already. This should tell us all something.
Well, if you like to read, do a search for "The Bupe diatribe" and see if that achingly long post of mine from a couple weeks ago pops up, it has some useful information in it about bupe and such (really ;-).
Good luck and do let us know how you are faring when you start.
P.S. Yes the cost (in money) seems high for your initial treatment, but if you compare that to either buying pills on the grey/black market or the amount you would pay for you WD to go away, you'll see it's chump-change. Besides, after 6 months clean it will seem like 2 cents.
Again, I'm excited for you, and I believe we are all pulling for you to rejoin the living.
-------------------p&F
I think you will find the bupe an odd creature, as most of us who use it do. It has an effect, but then again it does not. Hard to explain, you will see.
---------------------------------------------
But I'm still so scared that I will somehow abuse the sub and have no options left.
---------------------------------------------
I really would not worry about that at all. Sub/bupe is not any fun. There is no high, though you might feel a slight mental fog while finding your best dose. First and foremost, bupe stops opiate WDs. That is what it is for.
The bits you read about bupe around here are not really horror stories, but more I think reminders that it is still a powerful opiate that needs to be treated with respect. This is easy to forget once you are on it, as you start to feel quite normal, and bupe seems rather "easy" and "playful". This thinking that people fall into can be counter-productive, and that's where the "horror" stories come from.
Having kicked methadone, heroin, hydro, oxy and bupe at one point or another in my time, bupe offers the best control over the process. Nothing is painless, this is true.
Fishmeal said something very important a few posts ago, and I would reiterate this: less is more. The smaller the dose, and the less time you are on it, the better. I hear of people taking 32mg for years, and this just strikes me as medically irresponsible; try to taper down to as low a dose as possible, and then take it slow. I'm now taking 1mg per day, and it still has an effect, but the side effects are negligible (as in I can think more clearly). The US distributor is applying to the FDA to sell 0.5mg tablets, as overseas markets have 0.2mg (Temgesic (tm)) already. This should tell us all something.
Well, if you like to read, do a search for "The Bupe diatribe" and see if that achingly long post of mine from a couple weeks ago pops up, it has some useful information in it about bupe and such (really ;-).
Good luck and do let us know how you are faring when you start.
P.S. Yes the cost (in money) seems high for your initial treatment, but if you compare that to either buying pills on the grey/black market or the amount you would pay for you WD to go away, you'll see it's chump-change. Besides, after 6 months clean it will seem like 2 cents.
Again, I'm excited for you, and I believe we are all pulling for you to rejoin the living.
-------------------p&F
Hon, just take the suboxone like it is prescribed. Tell your doc of your fears of abusing it so that he or she can help you stay on track. It is going to be fine. Don't let anyone rain on your parade or shift your confidence. I have know lots of folks on methadone that have horror stories of the withdrawals from that. Those who have used sub have some withdrawals but nothing like methadone or other opiates withdrawal. Remember, this is a controlled taper.
Think of it like going to Jenny Craig vs triying to diet on your own. When you are in an environment where you have a goal and someone helping you control your intake and stay on track you have every chance to win. You will do fine.
tzt
Think of it like going to Jenny Craig vs triying to diet on your own. When you are in an environment where you have a goal and someone helping you control your intake and stay on track you have every chance to win. You will do fine.
tzt
thank you so much! I was so excited about this step and now I'm reading all these posts on this site and others about the horrible w/d's from sub. I'm back to the crying and hopelessness. I keep trying to remind myself that it's likely only those people that are having a hard time post on the web. Those that are doing great are out living their lives, not posting on the internet. Also, I've gotten to the point that even if I have to stay on sub my whole life it's better than where I am now. But I'm still so scared that I will somehow abuse the sub and have no options left. Right now I still have a great job, gorgeous house and of course my wonderful family. If I keep this up though I will begin to lose things.
Congratualtions! You are on your way to a drug free life! Your are very brave and I am so proud of you for taking this step. You don't have to explain your way to anyone. I don't see a huge difference in the relapse rate between those who go cold turkey and those who use suboxone as directed. You will do fine!
tzt
tzt
there was just another posting and someone replied who said they worked in insurance. She/he said that files are "flagged". I guess it doesn't matter, the bottom line is I will be too scared to try and get another script if I know I've admitted my addiction by going on suboxone.
Your not a sucker or weak and your right,,any step forward is positive,,again gl
Did you miss my answer to your na question? NA.org,,,,you"ll find meeting schedules there and like any support group you may have to find one you like
it just felt like you were being very judgemental and negative. As a fellow addict I'm sure you can appreciate how hopeless life can feel. That and the fact that I just had a hysterectomy last week so I'm feeling very emotional. Just taking the first step toward SOMETHING made me feel like I had some hope in the world of changing this crappy life I've made for myself. I expected well wishes and constructive advice, not a comment that made me sound like I was a total sucker and weak for not going cold turkey. I've read your other posts and many have this same tone so I'm not going to take it personally. I'm guessing it's just your writing style.
I didnt knock anyone but now I"m wondering what sub has to do with willpower and who said my issues were under control? Rather I"m here or in a na meeting its because my recovery doesnt stop because I may think I have my issues under control. Quitting no matter how many times you do it is the easy part,maybe you should start working on not using again and your not gonna do that till you quit using but gl in whatever you do
I've quit c/t many many times. Unfortunately I kept going back when my next script was due. Now not only will this put a mark on my insurance record which will keep other docs from giving me meds but it will help me with the willpower. Don't knock others for trying to get better. If you have your issues so under control then why are you on here????
suboxone -- 50 over the phone,500 1st visit,90 per visit,320 for each drug test. Quitting ct ---0
I had called another dr at one time and they were even higher! They are a preferred provider w/insurance so it won't cost me anything. I'm am very lucky to have awesome insurance. Not sure about the actual prescription though. The pharmacy told me the pills are like $17 each! I keep telling myself that I can't put a price on my sanity/health so whatever it is, I need to do it.
The part about the weekends is really scary. I guess there's no way to completely remove willpower from the equation. No pill will be a cure. I've always had issues with depression so I'm thinking I should be on some kind of anti depressant as well because even my "normal" isn't that great.
The part about the weekends is really scary. I guess there's no way to completely remove willpower from the equation. No pill will be a cure. I've always had issues with depression so I'm thinking I should be on some kind of anti depressant as well because even my "normal" isn't that great.
hey! i'm happy for you. and i think you will still be "fun" to be around. you wont get that high feeling, but at least you wont be sick and depressed. THATS when you're no fun!
I waited 30 hours the first time 20 hours the second time before taking suboxone after no vics, oxy's. First visit is 500 dollars... geeze what is he really doing? Sucks and wish you had found a doc that was cheaper but, hey you're on your way and you will be amazed at the difference. Less is better on suboxone. You could try to take little 2mg increments and see what happens. You'll be shocked that so little can go so far. Try to find a cheaper doctor????? I guess he's not all that bad after you get going.
Blessings to you and please post about you experiences with the subs.
Blessings to you and please post about you experiences with the subs.
First question... yes you need to be in mild to moderate WD's so about 12-16 hours after your last hydro.
I have been off of Sub for 32 days... I used in for a 10 day detox... I have not slipped at all so I can't answer that..
They do drug screens because they A) want to be sure you are not taking any drugs at all..no pot, no coke nothing...B) they want to make sure you are trying to be a "weekend warrior" with your Sub.. there are people out there who take Sub Mon-Thurs then take their DOC Sat-Sun...
High doses block opiates from attaching to your receptors.. It has been established that doses higher than 8mg per day block opiates..
I have been off of Sub for 32 days... I used in for a 10 day detox... I have not slipped at all so I can't answer that..
They do drug screens because they A) want to be sure you are not taking any drugs at all..no pot, no coke nothing...B) they want to make sure you are trying to be a "weekend warrior" with your Sub.. there are people out there who take Sub Mon-Thurs then take their DOC Sat-Sun...
High doses block opiates from attaching to your receptors.. It has been established that doses higher than 8mg per day block opiates..
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