Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Switching from methadone to suboxone ***NEED ADVICE***

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!
Need methadone switching to suboxone advice!!
I have been going to a methadone clinic for a little over a year now. I have been on 55mg daily for that long. I took my last 55mg dose of methadone this past Saturday. (3 days ago) I've talked to a few different friends that have walked off the methadone clinic all of them on at least 60mg daily for 9-18months, from everyone of them I have heard nothing but horrifying stories of not being able to sleep, having bad anxiety & depression, and just an overall horrible withdrawal.
    Today I think I'm really starting to feel the early stages of the methadone withdrawal. I have an appointment with a suboxone counselor (@ a local hospital, using medical insurance/ not a clinic) tomorrow morning, although I won’t be able to see the doctor for the actually suboxone prescription until the following week. Therefore, I will at least be at Day 8, ((if Mon Dr. appt.)) possibly even Day 9 or 10, ((depending on how early in the week I get in with the doc)) without taking my normal 55mg methadone dose, or any methadone at all period....NONE! I just completely stopped coming to the clinic without taking the medical advice of the clinic, of doing a slow progressive tamper to come off the methadone, or even doing a rapid 7 days methadone detox.
   Until this morning/today I haven't really had any seriously bad withdrawal symptoms (possible b/c I’m only @ about 65 hours without anything besides smoking a little pot). The passed 2 nights however I haven’t been able to get much sleep at all, even though my body is exhausted, I've only slept a few hours each night (& I’ve always been a gReAt sleeper!! L0L) & haven’t been able to eat much at all either.  After getting out of bed early this morning I started feeling anxious, like I couldn’t sit down, couldn't concentrate or focus long enough to get anything done. When I sit down my heart starts racing, almost feeling like it's going to jump out of my chest. I described it to my husband as "having ants in my pants" and not being able to sit still. I tried doing several different simple task today like straightening up my house, unload/ load my dishwasher, do homework, shower, take a short walk or drive, all different things and every time I attempt to do thing I'm just really shaky, my heart races and the weird way I've been feeling intensifies so much I can't complete anything I start, not even something as simple as vacuuming my floors.
I feel like I am just having a lot of severe anxiety and I don't really understand why. Is this normal for just coming off of methadone after one year?? Is this maybe just the beginning of the methadone withdrawal? What do I have to come, and is there anything I can do to help make this weird feeling go away??
My reason for quitting the methadone clinic is to switch over to suboxone to hopefully soon be free of any type of withdrawal medication. I thought going to the methadone clinic was just what I needed to stop using Oxy's (opiates period) but the addiction to the methadone was 100X's worse! I’m now hoping that suboxone will be my answer because I HATE living with the addiction, and the withdrawal of having to go without.

Has anyone been through a similar situation?? If so, can someone PLEASE give me some advice on what I should do about quitting the methadone and starting on suboxone, or anything I can do to help the methadone withdrawal??
*** I'm worried about how soon I should begin taking the suboxone after taking methadone. I've heard taking them while you have the other still in your system can cause you to feel worse and bring on withdrawal. Anyone know how many days after taking methadone would be safe to take suboxone?

Thanks a lot!!

32 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
In my experience from going methadone to suboxone it takes about 72 hours to safety switch between to two without throwing yourself into instant withdrawal especially if you're on methadone first. The best thing to do is get a light benzodiazepine if you can for those 3 days.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry for the reposts , Henry.  New to this forum. :-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That's a great testimony. I enjoyed reading it. God Bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That's a great testimony. I enjoyed reading it. God Bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That is a great testimony... I enjoyed reading it. Good for you , God Bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That is a great testimony... I enjoyed reading it. Good for you , God Bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Be careful, a length of time should not be used to determine induction of subs. The Buprenorphine is the partial agonist, the naltrexone does nothing, when used as prescribed. A woman had precipitated withdrawal after waiting 48 hrs after last methadone dose. Google COWS scale and start a new thread for yourself. Please get more info before using subs. This sounds like your a last resort, I want it to work. I used subs to get I'd methadone, private message me if you want. You can do this, but some of your info is not correct. Keep posting .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
but if it doesn't work and i get energy, not feel fat, lazy, sweaty, exhausted LAZY, i will give up codeine in a heartbeat, I think! I am excited for this change, I have tried everything, ibogaine, you name it to end up upset. So I really hope I feel better on subs!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i dont know, i was surprised, maybe cause they are weak, also there is subutex and suboxone, one i know doesn't contain the what is it called, um, naltrexone! Which ingredient that causes the withdrawal making subs either partial of full agonist/antagonist? But still i have to wait 48 hrs plus to transfer from methadone, i also asked pharmacists and he said yes as well, which was the huge deal of not switching a wile ago because i was sure i wouldn't be able to take the codeine! Maybe because i have been with them so long, they no obviously i don't abuse percs or harder opiates so they trust me i know that, I worry, if one was ever in an accident, then what would happen, i.e. pain control?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
and yes all the while feel lazy, fat, sweating like a pig, i look sickly, bones, teeth hurt, I hope to God I have energy, right now I feel like a lazy wife to my husband and I hate methadone. Thank you Henry for light at the end!
Helpful - 0
1416133 tn?1351123217
This thread is pretty old.  I'm not sure these members are still checking in on the forum.  Good luck to you.  Oh, and I don't really understand when you say the pharmacist tells you you can take subs AND an opiate at the same time?  I'm pretty sure that's not right.  Folks use subs to get off the opiate.  This makes no sense to me.  But again, I wish you good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ummm, i hate to say it but i agree, quitting methadone whether cold turkey, or weaning, if you are able to even get out of bed, still take care of two yr. old, clean your house........!There is no way i wanted to shower or brush my teeth, my house is dicusting, i haven't showered in days, I am never like this and not even really in withdrawal ye, but have been for months and then again for 2 years as mentioned, with no desire to live life at all, totally depressed! Eat, you need a days sleep, and you need support right now big time!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
wtf, that makes no sense, he justs wants your $$$$ with every visit! INSANE
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
can remain in fatty tissue for 7 years! This all is good but sounds like an ad for narconon, lol!, sorry! been there done every trick in the book, surspisingly most people say subs are easier, on here it is meth, METH IS A LIVING HELL I I could never get off of if it is 99.9% impossible to kick, what makes some so special!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have never heard of that, lol! Depending whether on subs, which like i said never seen, or methadone being on a ridiculous dose, which one doesn't need to slip away from life perhaps or mixing will other pills, Methadone would make me nod all day long, almost burned house on fire! Yet methadone is NOT the same as it was 10 years ago, and i have talked to hundreds of people throughout the years that would describe the exact same thing! I kind of like it the way it was, besides nodding, i had energy, now i feel like **** despite methadone everyday, so if you dont enjox subs, go back on the meth, no big deal!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
NOPE was clean from methadone for two bloody years as her post said had to go back, now i am switching to subs as well, currently on half, so 30 mgs then have to me off meth completely for 48 hours to switch! I assume 24 hours since last dose or i will really be an unhappy camper, also I am on codeine for pain so that was my issue with subs, now he and pharmacy said i could take both! Thought it would put me in withdrawal. Confused! SUBOXONE IS VERY NEW AND VERY $$$$$$$ in Canada, we don't get month scrpicts for either also! Which *****! Clonidine and any Benzo, 3 times a day plus plenty of vitamins and minerals, making you wait a week is freakin torture!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank You Henry! I went to this site to get some hope, however I couldn't see any, everybody saying the same thing that both drugs are Hell to get off of. I m going to be taking my last dose of 31 mg of methadone and in three days I m planning to go on suboxine to finish my detox. Thank You for giving me some hope, I was pretty scared about the whole process  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
what you said was that a joke? ive been on both subutex or methedone for 10yrs on and off. subutex is the best without a doubt. methedone makes you sweaty, anxious, rotton toothed, over weight, lazy, and as you said it "zombiefied", you may aswell stay using opiates if your on methedone, infact people who take methedone usually do use aswell (clinics normally give methedone to the end of the road junkies). i know each person is different but methedone *****. its so difficult to cut down on, where as subutex is just a nice and easy flow, you dont even know your going down. subutex gives you a zest for life again, metedone just masks it! im currently on 20 mls of meth and i wish to god i wasnt i hate the way it gives you a false sense of security one minute and then withdrawls the next. im hassling my key worker as much as i can about swapping over to subutex and compared to how meths making me, a small withdrawl to feel alive again is a price to pay...sos if i went a bit over the top (im de toxing and i remember it being less difficult with subbies)....thing is also subutex are dearer and in the uk we have the nhs so they like to dish out meth more x
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi I've been on methadone for 20yrs I have been on 20mg- 4mls for the last 2yrs and I am so over it...I start the suboxone tomorrow morning I did have a dose of done this morning a very watered down 10 to 15ml give or take a few mls and I feel a bit sketchy already.. The doc told me it would be ok to start the Sub 24hrs after the done seen as Im on a low dose. I was doin fine until I read some of these post Lol...I hope I dont get many side effects or withdrawls. My sis is on bupranorphine and says she has more energy then when on the done and it lasts longer and the selling point for me 6 take aways a week..Anybody got any advice or insight into what I may expect tomorrow...Thnks Suz
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i accidently posted my reply in the wrong spot
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I AM VERY SCARED...I AM ON ABOUT 20 TO 30 MG A DAY OF METHEDONE...I HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR 3 YEARS...AND WANT IT OUT OF ME...I AM LOOKING TO GO ON SUBOXONE SO I CAN AVOID THE HORRIBLE WITHDRAWS AND STILL GO TO WORK...IS THIS GOING TO WORK??
Helpful - 0
569676 tn?1315641158
I was on methadone maintenance for 7 years before switching to suboxone for 2 years.

I can only comment on my own experience with the two meds, as many have different views on each.

While on methadone I was far less productive and healthy than I ever was on sub treatment. I gained well over 100lbs, chronic sweating and fatigue, and damn near debilitating constipation. My cravings were still there despite being on doses well over 250mgs daily for most of the time spent at that clinic.

I had to taper down to 30mgs before starting my suboxone treatment. I waited about 72hrs before my first sub dose, and had no precipitated wd's. With each dose over the first three days I felt the wd's gradually melt away, and a relative glimmer of my old self begin to return, or at least my motivation anyway.

The wd's from each med are truly subjective. My methadone wd's I was sick sick sick. Puking, crapping, could barely get out of bed (Or off the floor in some cases) With the suboxone wd's sure I felt like I had been run over by a truck, but I wasnt sick.  I got up and out of the house every day, worked out, and went about my daily routine. Things I could never do on any of my methadone detoxes.  While the sub wd's were more mild, they lasted much longer, by day 10 I was back at work and working long haul International flights. It was about 34 days before I started to truly fell I was running at 99%.

To the poster that said that they dont know anyone that has ever successfully detoxed off sub, there are plenty of us... me being one of them.  I jumped off suboxone at 3mgs on May 18, and today I am 64 days clean, and feeling great!

I dont regret my decision to use methadone nor suboxone, as without either I may not be alive today.  Just do your research, and make an informed decision for YOU!

I also have to add, that the successful suboxone detox stories you will find that all of those patients participated in some form of recovery care while taking their sub. Counseling or NA/AA, and other options.  These are the key to success combined with the will and desire to get clean, pharmacologic treatment, as well as psychologic/social treatment!

Best of luck!
Henry
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
I have taken both drugs but never went thru wds from either as I never took them long enuf to wd from them.  I do know alot about these 2 drugs tho as I am in the medical profession and have worked in the addiction arena.

If u were looking to make things eay on urself, u may shoulda timed this a bit better.  72 hrs is the time span when most on methadone or sub will feel wds stongly as both drugs.  At day 8 u will be feeling bout as bad as u r gonna feel I would think but we r all different.  Mdone may last a bit tho...up to a mth for acute wd symptoms for some for methadone wd tho most say it gets better as time goes on. ,


Switching over is tricky so be sure u go to a good dr cos if u r not ready, the sub can make u really sick..I do know u have to be in full blown wds and methadone has a long half life so just pick a good dr and listen to him...be safe with the sub as it is powerful...It is no better than methadone in my opinion but the stigma is different.  Sub is a powerhouse of a narcotic and addicting as poop.  Be safe and be sure u have a plan.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can't speak for everyone, but I can speak of my experiences with both of these drugs. They are pretty much the same drug. Or at least they make you behave the same. The only difference in the two is that Suboxone wd's are MUCH WORSE. Sub binds with pain receptors in your body giving a false sense of no pain. When the receptors are uncovered, you feel (as my wife describes it) even the hairs on your arms hurt. They say that heroine is a monkey on your back and that methadone is a gorilla. With Suboxone, you can make that a 10,000 pound gorilla. It took my wife two weeks just to be able to function when she quit.  Look I went through methadone wd's and thought they we're bad. I haven't seen ANYBODY go through what she went through when coming off that junk. It hasn't been in your system long. You won't have wd's from it. I mentioned this to my wife and she said to ask you "please don't go down the suboxone route".
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.