quitting suboxone

Question

Hi Everyone!

I was on here a few years ago when I tried to go off of Vicodin.  Ended up starting suboxone, hoping for a quick taper and now it is 3 years later.  I can get down to 2mg but below that is sooo hard.  I have a seven year old daughter and no family or other support right now.  I tried Clonidine and clonopine for the hydrocodone w/d's but they made me feel worse.  honestly, the best help when I tried going off the vicodin came from this group so here I am again, looking forward to helping others and getting support to FINALLY stop altogether!!  

Thank you for being here, Lorrie

IBKleen · Answer

Yes hun, I did a very quick taper on it and it worked good for me. It is when you are on it for years like you that it becomes a problem. That is why you need to taper as low as you can.

desp_needsupport · Answer

thanks for the quick response!!  I almost feel like jumping now (between 1.5 and 2) and just being done with it--benedryl didn't work for me either, really nothing(medical)  helped that's why I thought of pot--I'll Pm you soon!  take care!

desp_needsupport · Answer

I've mentioned several times recently that I'd like to taper and they tell me I can just stop at 2mg and that if I have ANY pain then I need to be on it for the pain?!--that's why I don't trust that they really know enough about it--everywhere else I've read to go as low as possible first, they're not supportive about me stopping, or so it seems

brandiroars386 · Answer

You will have WD, no doubt. Try to get lower and then try to go every other day if you can, then just jump.  WD s*cks, keep in mind subs last about 21 days in the body.  For sleep, ummm, prayed!!!  Baths, didn't try to fight it.  Took Benadryl, didn't do it for me.  In my opinion smoking weed is not a good idea, you want to clean and clear, right?  I think it's all just part of the journey. You can always send me a PM if you need to!  Good luck.

desp_needsupport · Answer

Thank you IBKleen, I remember you!!  :)  I honestly don't even remember it, I know it had "lori" in it, is there a list somewhere?--if I saw it again I'd probably recognize it.  I was on a lot back in 2009 when I was still on the vicodin for fibromyalga and wasn't able to stop (had kids and a prescription so it was too easy to keep filling it and not feel horrible.... went on suboxone cuz was told it's easier to go off of, now I'm not so sure....were you ever on sub?

IBKleen · Answer

Get as low as you can get and take time between drops. At 2 mg you will really feel the withdrawal. Your doctor needs to give you a taper plan to get you down to .25 mg. Ask him for help with this. Let us know how you make out.

desp_needsupport · Answer

Thank you Jimmy--

I don't have a specific plan.  I've been taking 2mg (some days less) for quite a while now and can't seem to find how low I should go b/4 I jump--ny pain mgmt. doc says I'd be fine now but from what I hear it's best to go as low as possible (.25mg even...) have a daughter to take care of or would just bite the bullet and find out...  been taking vitamins, exercising, etc. all along but worry about the emotional part.....

desp_needsupport · Answer

Thanks so much for your response! I tried clonidine (and clonopin for anxiety) and they did nothing really, the clonopin seemed to make my anxiety even worse. I really don't have a plan yet, very confused, my pain dr says I'm on such a low dose I could stop now and not have ANY w/d's --that's why I turned to you guys--they're not very encouraging with me going off at all. I know what so many say about exchanging one addiction for another but when I was on this site yrs ago a few people found a smoking marijuana just at the worse time and when you need sleep (I have a seven yr old to take care of and no family help) What did you do? I get very very depressed during w/d's but need to function!!? Thank you so much for your time and please stay in touch, I'm too old to stay addicted any longer.....

brandiroars386 · Answer

Hi and welcome!  I quit opiates and started suboxone and was on that for about 1 1/2 years.  I agree anything below 2 is hard, really hard. My doc helped me a lot with the taper plan and I cut down like a quarter at a time from 2.  WD from subs is crazy in my opinion.  I used Clonidine for help with the RLS.  I have 102 days clean today.  You can do it, it s*cks, but I know it can be done!  What are your plans?  Is your doc helping?

IBKleen · Answer

Welcome back! Why did you start another screen name? It would help us old timers if we knew who you were before and remember your story.

In the meantime, what are your plans to get off Suboxone? Are you tapering under your doctor's care? What is his/her plan?