Trying to get off suboxone, again

[LearnsTheHardWay]

Hi!  This site is great from what I've been reading these past 2 hours. I was prescribed. Suboxone to avoid WDs from Avinza. Avinza is a continuous release morphine pill that a pain clinic dr prescribed me for severe & chronic pain. I was on a very high dosage of Avinza and could not function. When I asked to get off of it they put me on suboxone. . I wasn't given an option. I've been on it now for approx 3 1/2 years. My 1st attempt to
taper off suboxone was he11! I didn't sleep for a month, was in the worst pain ever. I was in such a bad state from the WDs I was hospitalized & put back on it.
My current sub dr says I can use it for pain management. I don't have an addiction to pain pills but my body is addicted to the sub. I want to get off of it bc I feel like I've been conned by the doctors & the company that makes sub. There's no reason for me to be taking this.

So my question is (if you are still reading this, sorry had to tell all my info) "for those of you that have been on  suboxone for an extended period of time, similar to my 3 years, how long did it take to wean off?

I hope to find more suboxone discussions & get advice from someone who's gone through this mess.

Thanks for your advice!

[LearnsTheHardWay]

Thanks for the info!
I wanted all of you to know I've gone from strep throat straight to getting the flu so that us why my replies are so slow. I received an email that I had not responded and felt horrible! I'm sorry!
It's good to hear its possible to quit after taking suboxone so long. I'm also relieved to see so many responses. I was beginning to feel hopeless about any support.  Thank goodness I found this group.
I've gotta get more sleep but promise to reply more tomorrow.
Thank you again!

[clean_in_ks]

LOL...and my heart stopped beating for a minute there....hahaha!
"fer gettabout it" ....rough days still taking care of me...lol

[Brightfutureahead]

Lol- Nurseygirl I had a funny picture in my head when I read what I first wrote!  Great advice to the OP!

[nursegirl6572]

We're sending KS our kiddos?  Cool!  I have two for her!  LOL

OP...you've already gotten some great advice.  It's so very hard to manage chronic pain, and opiates really serve their purpose with pain issues, but of course there are the downfalls of tolerance and dependency.

Sounds like your problem is with physical dependency versus addiction.  While the two share some similarities, they're also very different.  Addiction involves a much greater mental component, with cravings, abuse of a prescriptions, and often negative behaviors and consequences...an addict will seek their doc despite doing things they know are wrong.  People who are dependant do not display those kinds of behaviors, they will usually not abuse their medication, nor will they have mental cravings to seek more.

My advice to you would be to get a second opinion from a new PM doctor.  While Suboxone CAN be used for chronic pain management, I personally think there are probably better options out there for you.  The primary purpose of Sub is to treat chemical dependency and addiction.  If you don't have any history of addiction, or abusing your meds, I just don't think that's the best fit.  The instances where Sub is used for chronic pain management usually involves patients with a history of addiction.

I hope you find a doc who can give you some options.  It doesn't sound like the one you have now is very receptive to your needs and concerns.  Very best of luck to you...let us know what happens!

[Brightfutureahead]

Lol *kuddos

[Brightfutureahead]

Hi there. I Was on subs for over 2 years. I stopped at .5 mg 2x a day (mistake #1 as I diverged from the plan the dr and I had laid out). It was he!! on earth, for me. I had extreme anxiety, sadness, and even a thought of hurting myself!?! In addition to the physical withdraws. (Before this I'd never had depression or any,sellf-harming thoughts). I was like, WOAH! So, I after 5 or so days of the above I went back to percs (mistake #2 as I went back to using my doc), tapered down *somewhat (I'm an addict so I was still using and abusing...thinking about myself do a successful taper makes me laugh), then finally got real and quit cold turkey from percs a few months later. I've experienced withdraw from both subs and percs and I can tell u for me, the sub withdraw was so long and agonizing, even at such a low dose. I would never touch subs again with a 10 foot pole.

HOWEVER, I am simply just telling you my story. As I noted, I made some mistakes along the way I somehow managed to scrounge my way up to be a better, clean person- now taking it day by day with the help of others. I am in No WAY suggesting you trade in sub and go back to Avinza- I just wanted to share my experiences with sub as my dr was so - ugh- and by the end I felt so trapped.

Well, nice to meet you...please kit.

How long we're you taking Avinza? You mentioned ur body is physically addicted to the subs. Are you aware of any mental aspects that may have crept in over the 3+ years you've been on them? Lastly, will your dr help you lay out a taper plan?

Leanne

Ps- kiddos to clean_in_ks for sending you that great article.

[deweyseth]

drug addict for 20 years, last 5 years on suboxone, to minimize the withdrawl seat down and plan a slow taper, every 21 days drop 1mg until you get to 1 mg a day than drop ,25 of a mg every 21 days, this is way came off 32 mg of suboxone, now going on 5 months clean and fell great, exercise and eating right is key, you will still feel some withdrawl, but alot easier, and be patient stick with the plan before you know it you will be drug free, post any questions you my have, it may not work for most people but it did for me and working everyday and being a father it was doable....god bless!!

[LearnsTheHardWay]

Thanks so much for the info! It's hard to find info on it!

[LearnsTheHardWay]

Thank you!

[clean_in_ks]

Welcome to the forum!  I was only on subs for a total of 28 days and my knowledge of ANY info about subs was ZERO going into it.  The psych dr prescribing the subs was a complete wacko and I had NO respect for him at all....only saw him a total of 3 times and never went back.  Did the rest on my own, in complete ignorance, but I DID get thru it LOL  My experience was not a good one and neither was my w/d....but I have since learned a ton about subs and found this article in the health pages (bottom r.h. of this page) to be full of info that can answer A LOT of questions.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Addiction/Suboxone-Subutex-FAQ-Part-One/show/14?cid=66

It's a long one, but answers MANY of the questions I'm sure you're having.
Wishing you well~

[HarveyG]

Hi
I'm on day 11 now, been on subs for 4yrs, I did try to tapper down, which took ages and in the end I jumped off from 2mg,
First 2 days as the subs are still in the system the WD weren't too bad,
But from the 3rd day onwards you really feel the WD, hot showers/baths have really helped me, plus the support from this site, even reading only post help keep your mind on track and keep you determined,
It won't be a easy ride but if you want off then you'll need to stay strong and stick with it...