Tapering off suboxone

[Eebb26]

Ok, here's my question. I've been waiting since Monday for my dr to call me back (Addictionologist) they gave me suboxone. Had ne start with mg 4-2 x a day, then go to 8mg-2x a day. I honestly never felt I needed the full 8. I want to not stay on too long. I honestly don't even want to take them when I'm due or have a
Y urge to. I assume that's the suboxone talking or is it? I feel great. Am I suppose to feel I need the suboxone? How quick cld I taper off with little WD? I can't even join an outpatient rehab while I'm on Suboxone. I've only been on it for 10 days. I do NOT want to become dependent on these. When I stop, will I want the percs again? How long after I stop the suboxone will I start to feel WD it cravings. Everything I read is different. U guys are the experts in my opinion. I know I need to talk to my dr.  But I don't want to go inpatient anywhere and I have great support system at home too. Any expirience/advice would be appreciated. Ty

[vicki595]

OxyJim-   Okay...I'll try to answer but please know I'm not the authority on Suboxone.

Yes,the amount of Sub is determined by the doctor based on the amount used.

Mostly,Subutex is used for pain in a medical setting.

Cheaper?  I don't know. It just depends on your reference point. If you spend $100.00 a day
on Oxy, then Suboxone is cheaper.

When you taper the Suboxone and stop it, the withdrawals you feel are related to the drug you were on ,the amount, and the length of use.   In your case Oxy.  To say what's worse is purely subjective and it just depends on you!

The question you didn't ask. Where do I get Suboxone?   ONLY from a physician who has a great understanding of how Sub should be used;not on the street.

Good luck!!

[Oxy480Jim]

I have some questions 4 U;

Does the amount of Suboxone you need to stabilize on depend on how much oxy you were taking?

Is Suboxone used for pain management?

Is it cheaper than Oxy?

Say a person opts for a 21 day sub taper; which wd's are worse, the oxy or Subs?

[Eebb26]

I'm on my phone so I can't see upper right corner pages. Lol. So if I taper off slowly a d steady, I should not have it too bad? I was only in WD for 10-12 hours when I took the first Suboxone and it was awful. I was crawling out of my skin and could not function. The first few days on the Subs, I felt lousy. I think I was Still going thru WD from the Percs. I was a mess. I know it would of been much worse had I not had the Subs. I honestly have many health issues so my only options were going in the hospital for 5 days and coming out on nothing or doing this at home. My Insurence also won't cover any substance abuse so I'm stuck and I will have to rely on NA/AA.

[vicki595]

Okay,I might confuse you even more so I'll say this: You will feel like you don't "need" to take the Suboxone because you're not having withdrawals. The Sub covers those receptors in your brain. But,you still need to take it so it continues to cover those receptors. That's why you feel okay. When you stop the Sub you will have withdrawals if you stop at this current dose. You have detoxed from the Percocet but your brain is still addicted and will be for a while. That's why you need to seek additional help with aftercare.
After you taper off the Sub,you will feel differently and you'll have withdrawals but they are manageable and won't last very long.

I hope this helps and I know it's confusing. Try to do some research on the subject. There's some good Sub info in the Health Pages,upper right.

[Eebb26]

Thank u both what I don't know is, if I am only on suboxone a couple weeks and taper down, will I have WD and how long after I stop will they kick in? Should I feel like I don't need them??? I have to remind myself to take it. Is that normal ? What am I gonna feel like when I'm off. I'm I detoxed from the percocet? I'm so confused.

[vicki595]

Hi-  You really need the doctor to answer this for you...I'll try to help a little.

You should always follow what the doctor told you to do. I assume he knows what he's doing and you've paid him!  You won't get cravings on the Sub if you take it right. Yes,you still take it even though you don't feel a "need".  The taper off Sub needs to be slow and then there will be some withdrawal symptoms. If you are in a program of recovery during this time and working hard at ending your addiction, you'll have less cravings when you stop the Sub. You'll have them but you'll know how to deal with them.

Being on Suboxone is a whole,entire program of recovery. It's one of the tools that can be used. It is not a panacea. Nothing is...

Good luck!

[Sad_Woman]

Yeah don't let them give you absurd amounts of sub. 8 is probably more then you need. Tell your doc you want to Stabilize on the lowest possible dose and taper from there. I am down to .5 and did a quick taper. If you have any questions shoot me a message. I think you have the right idea in not wanting to stay on it too long. But one thing-you'll need aftercare. It'll make a huge difference trust me. A reasonable taper will make it so you don't suffer horrible wds. You'll feel it sure but nothing unbearable. It's a process believe me. Your mindset has everything to do with how you'll do post detox.