What to Expect

[Cleanliness]

I started the Suboxone program June 29, 2010.  I have been on averaging 11 mg per day since the program began.  My Dr. perscribed me 16 mg a day until now.  I will basically be cutting back 2 mg per month for the next 8 months.  However, after witnessing so many folks struggling thru withdrawls I have decided to start cutting back at a much quicker and controled rate.  I took 10 mg approximately 2 days ago and haven't had anything since. I'm not having any withdrawls at this time but I'm wondering what to expect.  However, I should note that I plan on taking 2 mg if things were to get extremely bad.  Also, I plan to just take 2 mg every three to four days for a week or so then start tapering to say 1 mg every three or four days to hopefully reduce the effects of withdrawal.   I have read several posts and people have scared me to death.  I have went through withdrawal hundreds of times from hydrocodon and the wd symtoms lasted no longer than three days, but from what I've read about suboxone withdrawals are not as mild as my Dr. stated!  Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

[udoschoices]

IB knows what she is talking about... I suggest you listen. Your body has a massive amount in your system due to the 37.5 hour half-life and taking for that long there is so much in your body that you could go a week without taking any and still have a big amount in you and would just start feeling discomfort. Going down that fast can be a recipe for disaster.. The drop to 2mg isn't the hard part for long-term sub users... It's that last 2mg to 0 that some people take 2-3 MONTHS to drop down to, taking a crumb at the end... It is not fun, I know many people that gave up trying to go too quick. I, like IB, did a short 18-day sub taper from 12mg to 1 then off after a 35-40 a day habit of 10mg norcos... I had a week of heaviness an no energy then ok.. Now I'm 68 days clean. No way your doctor could get you down from 16mg in a week no discomfort.  

I would read up and see peoples experiences tapering... Heck, there are lots of sub articles in the health pages upper right that say all of this... If not, you will find out the hard way. Good luck just trying to save you some misery.....

[Cleanliness]

Sorry, today is day 2 on 2 mg not day 3!!

[Cleanliness]

O.K. so I said I would post yesterday and I'm sorry I didn't.  Well, I have found another chat room that seems to be geared more for my specific drug.  I'm sure some of you know where I'll be. :)  Anyway, after gaining insight from other folks that have been through the wd from suboxone, I have decided to taper at 2 mg for the next two weeks and continue to reduce my daily intake from there.  As for the day before yesterday, well I didn't have any wds but I started taking the 2 mg per day later that evening just so that I don't screw up too many receiptors at one time.  So, today is day 3 on 2 mg per day and all is well.  I seem to have much more energy than before, I'm sleeping much better, and in all around better mood.  So, I think this is going to work for me.  However, let me say, just because this works for me it may not work for anyone else that maybe reading this post.  We all motabolize drugs differently and some of us regulate our daily intake differently.  Normally, going from 10 mg to 2 mg ends up not so great for many folks.  Oh, by the way IBKleen, thank you so much for all your insight, understanding, and prayers.  I'll will check back from time to time.

[IBKleen]

Good for you being involved in a group and getting the recovery care that is so important.

I know not every doctor is going to do it "right" or have the best intentions so you may be correct about your doctor. While I surely know it is a money maker, I would hope they were in it for all the right reasons.

I hope you prove me wrong but I doubt you will avoid the withdrawal. The length of time you were on it (still on it) indicates that you will detox. For some, a taper down to 1 mg can prove helpful. For others, they remain stuck on that 1 mg for long periods of time.

I have detoxed more times than I care to count and what I pray was my last detox, I used Suboxone short-term. I have heart problems and each detox was getting scarier. I did not feel much in the way of withdrawal except the usual lack of energy and the inability to sleep. I haven't slept well in years so it was no different. I also had support people and a group in place so when it was time to jump from the Suboxone, I had arms to catch me so to speak.

I cannot condone what you are doing but I also can't change your mind. That being said, I hope it all works out for you. I will say a prayer. And yes, hang around here. It is quiet today but more members will come and go and share their experience with you.

Be good to yourself.

[Cleanliness]

Actually, I'm an active member in Church, have a personal relationship with Christ and attend Celebrate Recovery (CR) and have been for over four years.  I really don't think my doctor has my best interest in mind.  For example, my Dr. told me at my last visit that he could have me off Suboxone within 1 WEEK with only MILD withdrawals and nowhere near the same as a hydrocodon withdrawl.  I just don't believe him after researching this information and it appears to me that if I'm going to have to bite the bullet then I should do it now.  When I was self medicating I was SELF Medicating (Up to 10 - 10 mg hydrocodon a day).  I don't see it as self medicating now, but I do know what you mean based on my previous post.  Did you take suboxone?  If so, how did you taper and how were your withdrawals.  I really feel stupid now for even going this route.  I wish I would have quit the Hydrocodon, but hey that's in my past.  I guess what I should say is that I should of done my homework on what I was getting into.  I will leave an update on my condition tommorrow.  This website is a Godsend, it like a meeting at your finger tips.  I would love any additional insight and thank you so much for responding.  Godbless!!

[IBKleen]

That is why I asked the question. I had a feeling you were taking this into your own hands.

First off, Suboxone is not just a pill. It is a complete program and the doctor should have set you up with some type of counseling and group meetings. The time you have spent on it should have been the time to get your life in order. Then you begin the taper.

I understand that you want to get off but since you have been on for so long, a proper and slower taper is probably best. Suboxone has a long half-life and that is why you are not feeling the withdrawal. It may just hit you and you may find yourself upping your dose again.

You may not like the doctor's plan but self-medicating is old behavior and that is one of the things that needs to change in order to stay clean.

I am just concerned that you are going to find yourself in a sticky situation. I have to suggest that you follow the doctor's taper and be patient.

[Cleanliness]

No!  The Dr. is reducing my medication by 2 mg a day for each month over the next 8 months.  However, I have not taken Suboxone the typical way.  The Dr. perscribed 16 mg per day over the last year, but sometimes I take 8 mg per day, sometimes, 4 mg per day, sometimes 12 mg per day, but never 16 mg per day as the Dr. recommended.  I though 16 mg per day was an overkill.  According to the Dr. I will start taking 14 mg this month, 12 mg the following month, 10 mg the thrid month, so on and so forth until I get down to 1 mg per day for a month and then I will quit cold turkey.  However, I feel that I don't need it every day or even every other day.  The last dose I took was on Tuesday morning and I haven't had any since.  I have plenty of medication but I don't want any.  So far, I haven't experienced any withdrawal symptoms and I feel better than I have in months.  What should I expect?  

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

Since you have been on Suboxone for a year now, you will have withdrawal either way. Certainly tapering is an option and may reduce the symptoms for you.

Just wondering, is this the plan the doctor put you on for tapering?