Oxycontin detox with suboxone

[AaronDaly]

Hi, I really need some advise or direction. I am wondering if anyone can help. Wondering if anyone has input from experience. I had been taking 300 mg of oxycodone for several months. I have tapered myself down to taking only two 30 mg pills a day (60 mg) over the past 2 months or so. Been on 60 mg for about a week now. It has been a battle withdrawing on and off between my scheduled dosages and dropping it constantly. i feel at the end of my rope now and can't keep doing it. Tried to get admitted to an in-patient detox center today adn now my insurance says they will not pay cuz I have detoxed down so far already adn my dosage is now within the normal range of a valid prescription (my dr. script is for 4 pills a day). I met a friend at a NA group who said he detoxed himself by going off the oxy adn then taking 2 mg of suboxone per day for 4-5 days and then stopped suboxone altogether. Said he did not suffer bad withdrawals. I know he is not a dr. but I am desparate. Any ideas? I am 31 and weigh 135 pounds (lost 20 lbs due to oxy). If you have any input that would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[AaronDaly]

Thank you ochooked and kittykat58. It is really  helpful to know people that have been through this. I got percocet today from my Dr. to continue my taper down process. I figured it would be easier to cut that up into smaller doses since the oxy pills are so tiny yet so strong. So I am going to attempt tapering on that until I can see a Dr. to see if I can get a script for suboxone. Then I will try taking the suboxone for 4-5 days. I have an appt. witha Dr. on Sept. 4th and hope to get the suboxone. I am afraid though that if I tell her I am down to 60 mg a day, down from 300 mg a day she will not prescribe suboxone though. Any ideas? I don't want to go on to it for good, just want to try that few days of it to see if that will work to get myself off oxy altogether. But do you think 4-5 days is too short on suboxone? I was told by the guy I met at NA that 4-5 days should be enough and not to take it any longer than that or it will be major trouble. Do you guys check this board much in case I need to ask a question once I start this? Like I said, I am hoping to get the script on the 4th if all goes well. I will keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again!!!!

[ochooked]

Good for you kittykat58 --  ---  I have great admiration for anyone who can come off of that much opiates with plain ole will power ---  That is an awesome testimony -- and you are to be congratulated.   I love your post cause it gives so many others hope and encouragement.   Best to you.

[kittykat58]

my above post was meant for you -- looks like ochooked is well on his way!

[kittykat58]

hey oc, you were so nice to reach out to me I will do same here.

I tapered down from ~120-150mg combo of oc and percs over a few months after surgery and after one year of using same for the pain the surgery was meant to cure!), and I relate to the battle of cutting down. it was like being in exteded wds for weeks and weeks and weeks. I finally got down to 4omg percs and then 20mgs (I went through the oc first) and then jumped off -- and I guess there's no way around wds altogether but tapering def cuts the severity. my first day I felt bad and desperate, and day 2, too. day 3 I had some runs which immodium helped with enormously. I also got some catapres which took some of the edge off -- ask your doc if you can have some, if they know you are tapering. day 4 I felt a little better, day 5 & 6 I worked like a dog and borrowed 1/4 tab of hubby's adderral to get through it -- both WRECKED me for day 7, 8 & 9. day 10 I felt a little better as long as I took things slow and made an effort to focus ont he positive,, and now I am starting day 11, feeling about the same as 10.

you can do it, you just have to face that there is a jumping off place you have to go through if you want OFF and you just have to get through it. you have to exercise (just take walks or swim) and force yourself to eat (even just spoonfils) of healthy food, and remind yourself that this will pass. also try to consider the fact that if you choose wll, day to day, YOU NEVER HAHVE TO FEEL THIS WAY AGAIN!!!

hang in there -- good luck.. :)

[ochooked]

Welcome to the forum - -- I hope you will stay and read the stories and post your own from time to time.  I was also on Oxy and did what you did - tapered down to about 70 mg/day.  Then I got some 8mg Suboxone tablets and began to use them.   I found them to be well worth the money (about 400 bucks) b/c they do allow you to to get off the opiates without severe W/D's.   When you start, you must have already started into W/D - otherwise it will throw you into immediate W/D.   I waited about 13 hours since my last use and then took 2 mg of Sub.  Within a very few minutes the W/D's were gone and then I began a regimen of tapering down on the Sub.  I caution you that many doctors will over prescribe Sub -- Always take the minimun that will take away the W/D's and not more - - your own body can determine this - by taking a small piece and waiting about 30 minutes - if you are out of W/D's then you have established your need--  If you need more then take another 1mg piece and see what happens.  That is so important so that you don't take more than is necessary - - Sub is one powerful drug and can quickly become addictive.  Since you were serious enough to taper, you should have no trouble in getting off of Sub in the time many similar people with doses like yours recommend - the 21 day rule - - on and off in under 21 days.   I congratulate you on your desire to get clear of opiates and you have made a great start  - just posting -- you will find support and encouragement here.  This site made all the difference to me.   Sometimes you may have to wait for a couple of hours after you post to get an answer but someone always comes along with an idea or something that may help you.  You will not find any criticism or judgmental attitudes on here -  almost all of us have been where you are - -and well you know - -we all live in glass houses - so we don't throw rocks :).  Wish you all the best -  keep posting