changing meds

[queenbug]

I WANT TO GET OFF METHADONE AND GO ON SUBOXENE HOW DO I DO IT  SAFELY.how do I do it

[mheadey]

How about you just quit the methadone and stop using altogether.  You need to realize that subs are dangerous and just as addicting as opiates themselves.  You are just switching one for another,  come to the realization that this is not a solution to life,  it is a temporary numbing of life itself,  once you become truly sober and off everything that almost becomes a drug in itself,  you forget how awesome life is without ****, its the little things in life that are precious,  and dealing with your life sober makes you feel like you can accomplish anything

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

I am so glad that you  quit Methadone, but you are absolutely correct, switching to Suboxone is just going from one devil to another. People find it just as difficult to taper and quit. One of the patients in our clinic, who we had to detox from Suboxone, was so addicted, that no matter how far down she titrated this drug she could not get off. At one point she was literally just licking the 1 mg strip, but she could not give it up. I find that most have the same problem with both of these drugs.
In case you are curious, it takes us about three to four days to get a patient off of any opiate including Suboxone, and feeling well.
See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep and Klonopin which will be helpful for sleeplessness and anxiety. It will make your withdrawals easier.  Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to downregulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue.