Starting Suboxone Treatment TODAY....I'm Nervous

[sk8rvirgo]

Today is the beginning of a new chaper in my life and I'm nervous to say the least. My background has been, well, not good to say the least. I had a long run with Percocet addiction which involved doctor shopping and spending thousands of dollars on a habit. Eventually I moved on to Cocaine and continued use of the Percocet until I was caught. I went through treatment, had 2 years clean, but the chronic pain got the best of me and I went back to taking pain meds. This time it was Roxicodone, 30mg, 5 times a day.

About 2 weeks ago I finally had it and decided I was done with it all, I attempted to taper down but I didn't have much luck. Yesterday I met with a Suboxone doctor who told me to come back today for my first dose.

When we met I found the Doctor to be a great doc who knows his stuff. I was met with two other doctors along with him today within 5 minutes of showing up. I've never been treated that well by any doctor.

I was given a Px for a weeks worth of suboxone 8mg 1 time a day and was told to take half when I was as far into withdrawl as I could take. I have read up on this a lot and I know that if you are not in withdrawl when you start, it can be tons worse. I know the time frame when I took my last Roxicodone, it's been over 12 hours, and the Doctor said I should be ok to start. I know he is the Dr. but he also doesn't have to experience precipitated withdrawl if that ends up happening.

For anyone who has taken or is on Suboxone treatment, do you have any experiences you would like to share? Currently I am starting to feel the w/d symptoms...headache, sweats, chills, etc...but they aren't super strong, with the exception of the headache. I am supposed to call his office by 9 tonight letting him know how it helped so I am tempted to wait until 7 to take it yet I kinda feel like I could/should take half a dose now.

I know that no one is supposed to give advice but any experiences would be great. I really don't want to head into precipitated w/d since there is no going back if that happens. On the flip-side, I don't want to sit and suffer if I have the option of taking it now.

Hope to hear from some people soon!!

[whiskerkissed]

I've not been on sub...but I gotta let you know I'm pullin' for you. Plenty of others here have advice to offer in experience. I'm just offering support. I've read good things for the program...so hopefully your story will be added to the success list...:-)

[Impurrfect]

sorry, but I don't have any experience on the subs. If I were you, I would call him at 7, tell him what your symptoms are at that time and ask his opinion? Do you need to take it now? It sounds like he is very supportive, and I'm glad your taking this step.

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

[Munky]

Well, if you're worried about the precipitated withdrawal, my suggestion would be to let things go for 24 hours or so. I know they suck, but hey, it's better to be safe than sorry, is it not?

Best of wishes to you!

Munky

[bvaljalo]

In my experience (which is to say, having started subs MANY times), as long as you wait til you're really feeling tangibly BAD (not horrible, but bad), then taking the bupe will at WORST do ... nothing. You'll just stay along the same path towards feeling bad that you were already on. 12 hours, that's generally long enough in my experience to at least avoid making your w/d's worse than they'd ootherwise be. Unless you were taking oxycontins in their 'whole' form (but who the hell does THAT?!), or, of course, methadone. If you wait a whole 24 hours, then the subs will be like friggin heaven on earth. Anywhere between 12 and 24 hours it's more like a crapshoot as to how much they'll HELP you, but they're unlikely to make you feel WORSE than you'd feel with nothing.

[ccgirl2]

I started to post last night and wish you good luck, and my 6 year old came in the room and said "can you please get off the computer and cuddle me?" How's that for a shot of reality and how wonderful it is to be clean and sober?

[corazondefuego]

hello, I am brand new to this site and this is my first post. little history-started using at 17 began with pot and booze ended up with 2 year addiction to pain killers (31 now). I was on methadone 4 about another 2 yrs. last month I started suboxone treatment. so far so good. started at 8mg 2x daily and now I am at 6mg 2x daily. I didn't feel the change at all and in another 2 weeks I will go down another 2mg per dose. I am so happy not having to go 2 that damn clinic every day for the methadone. I have heard and read that the final withdrawal from this is a lot better than the latter. good luck

[ccgirl2]

cora, I heard the same thing.



Virgo, how is it going?

[kj3880]

Update us please, Virgo.

I decreased my dose yesterday by another .5, and am down to 2.5 mg a day, divided into 2 dosed.
I feel a twinge of achiness, but took some motrin and am at work and doing just fine. I started out on 16 mg. 97 days ago. So I think my slow taper is right on track for me. My doctor thinks I'm doing just great, so that's all I need.

I get a bit of judginess from some NA members of the "cold-turkey quit mafia." But don't let that discourage you from going to NA if you want to. The program has been a lot of support when I've felt tempted to rest at the same dose and not keep working on decreasing slowly. The fellowship is great. I've made some really good friends. And started step work, too.

My only other advice is to remember to make sure you dissolve the pills for 15-20 min so you get the full effect before you swallow your spit.

And don't step off of it too fast. You didn't become an addict in one day, and you aren't going to be well in one day either. It's a process. Reward yourself as you go. You should start to see your normal life, including money in your pocket more, returning!

KJ

[sk8rvirgo]

Originally Posted by ccgirl2

cora, I heard the same thing.



Virgo, how is it going?

Things are going ok...a lot better than I'm sure it would be if I had quit cold turkey. I've been getting headaches pretty bad and of course the stomach upset that is bound to happen. The good news is that I have a wonderful doctor who is right there for me.

I don't know about anyone else however I've never had a doctor speak directly with me on the phone yet I called yesterday and he was on the phone with me in under 3 minutes. It was a checkup to see how things were going and when I let him know that I was still having some issues, he said to go ahead and up my dose to 12mg/day. It is really nice to know that there are still Doctors in this world that care about their patient enough to speak directly with them.

So all in all, I'm struggling, not with the thought of using, more just with the physical w/d symptoms but I suppose that is to be expected. It can only get better I hope..

Thank you for keeping in touch with me and making sure I don't just disappear...it really means a lot.

[sk8rvirgo]

Originally Posted by kj3880

Update us please, Virgo.

I decreased my dose yesterday by another .5, and am down to 2.5 mg a day, divided into 2 dosed.
I feel a twinge of achiness, but took some motrin and am at work and doing just fine. I started out on 16 mg. 97 days ago. So I think my slow taper is right on track for me. My doctor thinks I'm doing just great, so that's all I need.

I get a bit of judginess from some NA members of the "cold-turkey quit mafia." But don't let that discourage you from going to NA if you want to. The program has been a lot of support when I've felt tempted to rest at the same dose and not keep working on decreasing slowly. The fellowship is great. I've made some really good friends. And started step work, too.

My only other advice is to remember to make sure you dissolve the pills for 15-20 min so you get the full effect before you swallow your spit.

And don't step off of it too fast. You didn't become an addict in one day, and you aren't going to be well in one day either. It's a process. Reward yourself as you go. You should start to see your normal life, including money in your pocket more, returning!

KJ

KJ

In your experience, is it more effecient to take whatever dose you are going to be taking, in my case 12mg right now, and divide the dosing into 2mg doses throughout the day or to just take it at one time? I mentioned to my Dr that when I took my first dose, I only took 2 mg so that if by chance it instigated precipitated w/d's I wouldn't have a full 8mg in my system. His response was that this probably did nothing for me however I have read in different resources that breaking the doses up into 2 mg throughout treatment helps with curbing cravings and any serious w/d symptoms.

My Doc is very educated however he has never been addicted to pain meds and has not had to go through this treatment. That is why I am wondering if you have an opinion or an experience regarding this.

Thank you for your support and I look forward to hearing more from you!!!

[sk8rvirgo]

Originally Posted by kj3880

Update us please, Virgo.

I decreased my dose yesterday by another .5, and am down to 2.5 mg a day, divided into 2 dosed.
I feel a twinge of achiness, but took some motrin and am at work and doing just fine. I started out on 16 mg. 97 days ago. So I think my slow taper is right on track for me. My doctor thinks I'm doing just great, so that's all I need.

I get a bit of judginess from some NA members of the "cold-turkey quit mafia." But don't let that discourage you from going to NA if you want to. The program has been a lot of support when I've felt tempted to rest at the same dose and not keep working on decreasing slowly. The fellowship is great. I've made some really good friends. And started step work, too.

My only other advice is to remember to make sure you dissolve the pills for 15-20 min so you get the full effect before you swallow your spit.

And don't step off of it too fast. You didn't become an addict in one day, and you aren't going to be well in one day either. It's a process. Reward yourself as you go. You should start to see your normal life, including money in your pocket more, returning!

KJ

KJ

Update as of Saturday

As mentioned I spoke with my Doctor on the phone who in turn turned me up to 12mg a day. I've felt crappy but nothing like if I was just jumping cold turkey. I've had a job I work from time to time installing fences and today I worked doing that. I noticed more pain and struggled with that but ya know, I've been on oxycodone for over two years, quit in one day, and because of the miracles of Suboxone, I am able to function at a very physical job and not drop over from w/d pain.

So all in all, I think that things are going well. As of with my family, I am having a hard time because they ask me over and over, how long I am going to take the Subs....they don't understand that it would be worse for me to stop them then to taper down and quit. I think they are mostly mad that I took pills knowing that I have the personality to become dependant very easily. My relationship with them will be a work in progress as will my recovery.

sk8r

[Munky]

I also have a very addictive personality, which is the reason I decided to go cold turkey. But, from what I've read on Suboxone it seems very different from Methadone. I mean, at least Subs won't get you high, and in the past the high was the reason you continued to do opiates, is it not? Your family simply cannot imagine what you are going through (or have some of them been through this as well?), and I find it difficult to comprehend how they could be angry with you for trying to better yourself. Not everyone can quit cold turkey, especially when you need to keep an income coming so you can survive. I don't want to start any trouble, but, ask them if they'd rather see you dead on the side of the street somewhere.

Bah, I'm getting angry as I write this post and that was not my intention. I'm pretty close to my family and yet I had a difficult time with them about it as well. I won't go into details about it, but if they're not going to help you and support you, then you need to go out and find someone who will. I don't think anyone can do this completely alone. This forum is a great start to sharing stories, but sometimes having someone in front of you that you can talk to about anything helps a great deal. My friends up north have been the greatest. Always so proud of me for quitting and just being generally supportive. Cooincidentally these friends I used to do Oxy's with....though they now know that they'll never be getting them from me again.

Sk8r, always remember you are doing this for YOU. Of course others have an influence, but when it comes right down to it YOU need to quit for YOU, no one else. That may sound selfish, but for most its the truth. Hang in there chief, we're all here for you.

[kj3880]

Munky,
Thanks for being open-minded about suboxone. Hardly any addicts who didn't detox with it are as open-minded as you are.

Virgo,
Yes, I would take only the first 6 mg when you wake up. Wake yourself 1/2 an hour before you need to get out of the bed. Have the pills within reach. Wet your mouth a tiny bit with a sip of water, swallow the water, (it's hard to dissolve pills dry-mouthed in the morning) then put your 6 mgs under your tongue. Let it stay there (time it) while it slowly dissolves for about 20-30 minutes. Don't swallow at all during this time. The nasty orange flavor will kind of numb your mouth. Then swallow it all. In another 5-10 minutes when you get out of bed, you shouldn't feel so achy and cr@ppy. Repeat this excercise while driving home from work with the remaining 6 mg.

This, in my opinion, is the best way to get the most pain relief from suboxone and least cravings. In the morning, it makes you feel a lot better, I think. Wait a month or so and stabilize before you think about decreasing. I waited to decrease and I'm glad. Mentally I'm ready to get off it now, but I know I need to take my time, I don't want to get ill and relapse. SO, 5 mg decreases, about every 8 or 9 days, is as fast as I'll go. Slow and steady wins the race, my doc says. And he's done a lot of this work. You can do it.
KJ

[bvaljalo]

Let me just add my usual spiel here: bupe is a very unique opioid drug. It kinda starts 'fixing you' almost right away in terms of lowering your tolerance. You typically only need big doses the first few days, in my experience.

I know that 150mg of oxycodone seems like a lot of dope (for some, it certainly is a lot), but believe it or not, 12mg of bupe has a LOT of power in terms of 'covering you' from withdrawals, perhaps even too much for someone with a 150mg/day habit. And taking too much bupe has a strange way of actually making you feel dopesick rather than better, oddly enough.

I know this may sound strange, but if you *dont* find yourself feeling better from upping your dose, I would seriously consider lowering it instead. I've seen that work, many times, including with myself. As in, if you weren't feeling great on 8mg, there's probably about an equal chance you'd feel better on 4mg as there is on 12mg. Especially since 150mg/day is not *that* huge of a habit to start with.

And definitely, I recommend the 'splitting your dose' approach as well.

[Munky]

KJ, I'm probably the most open minded person you're ever likely to meet. I don't really have a choice, being gay (doh...flamebait...) and living with a transgendered M->F doesn't leave much room for closed-mindedness. LoL, have any idea how difficult it is when you're in college filling out paperwork and it asks for your parents names, and then having to sit and think whether to write under mother or father....

[kj3880]

hehe, Munky. Thanks for sharing that, very funny image in my head now....wasn't there a funny movie about that with Robin Williams?

Virgo,
Where is my update???? C'mon, I put a lot of time into my suboxone tips, lol !!! How are you doing? Any better? Relapsed? Just let us know, we're here either way and I promise not to judge, just to try to listen and help you find your way if I can. Don't give up.

KJ

[sk8rvirgo]

Originally Posted by kj3880

hehe, Munky. Thanks for sharing that, very funny image in my head now....wasn't there a funny movie about that with Robin Williams?

Virgo,
Where is my update???? C'mon, I put a lot of time into my suboxone tips, lol !!! How are you doing? Any better? Relapsed? Just let us know, we're here either way and I promise not to judge, just to try to listen and help you find your way if I can. Don't give up.

KJ

KJ

I apologize I am a little late at putting my update up for today! You know it's really cool to know that someone I have never met, who has no personal interest in me, and is dealing with life as it comes on their own, is keeping me on track! I can't thank you enough for this and I hope that you understand the gratitude I have for this.

So update wise...Things are ok on the dependence-front however I am still struggling with my family and them understanding this whole process.

To jump off topic for a bit, I started my Suboxone treatment prior to running out of my Oxycodone, so currently I have roughly 300mg sitting here and not one time have I been tempted to take them. My Dr. moved me to 12 mg each day of sub however I know that since it is an opiod, there is going to be a w/d from it as well. My ultimate goal is to use the mind over matter approach, along with the support I receive just from someone caring and understanding (kudos KJ) and I am going to work my hardest to keep my dose of Sub as low as possible and withdraw from it in the shortest time possible. It is so right that you don't become an addict overnight so you can't be "cured" overnight either. That being said, since the Suboxone works so quickly, I am not taking it until I truly feel crappy and then I'll use the 2mg dose until I get feeling better. Is this a good idea do you think?

In the past few days I've taken as directed and have only experienced being sick on the first couple of days, probably the adjustment to a "new" medication being introduced to my system. Other than that, I have actually felt more with it and when I have started to hurt, Tylenol it is. That has happened twice and both times the pain went away very quickly and I didn't take any Suboxone with it.

Something that is bothering me though, and maybe someone, ANYONE, can share insight on this, since I have started my treatment it has felt like my tongue is swollen thus making it harder to talk. This is bothering my family because they say I am "slurring" my words when in actuality it is only from a feeling similiar to running your tongue on your teeth and making it hurt. Does anyone have an idea if it is just a withdrawl symptom that is subtle but is there or if it is from dissolving the Suboxone under my tongue?

The "slurring" of my words, from my family's perspective, is really hurting my recovery process in more ways than I think they are aware. Since I am trying to find a job right now it distracts me from the job hunt plus it drags my self esteem down and in turn causes me to be nervous to talk with potential employers. I attempted to explain the Suboxone process to my family but since they know it all and have been through it more times than anyone....not....they feel it is just substituting one addiction for another. In all reality it is saving my life, I did it by choice, and they don't seem to want to understand that.

One last thing for now, I hope people who "lurk" on this board realize the value that is here. I used to go to 3 NA meetings a week and the thought of standing up and saying that I relapsed was terrifying. Here, on this board, especially due to the support of folks such as KJ and Munky, if I were to relapse, this would be the first place I would be and would not hide that fact because of the unconditional support. It is a feeling I never felt in the rooms because when someone would relapse, it became High School type gossip.

Thank you for allowing myself, along with others I'm sure, to feel ok with themselves and not like a social outcast.

KJ I promise to make sure I stay more updated and apologize for not doing so today. You did take a lot of time in putting together the Sub guide and that really means a lot to me and is very helpful.

In saying that, I do want to take a moment to offer prayer for those that are still in the throws of active addiction.....

<>
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>



Thank you KJ for your help...it is very appreciated!!

sk8r

[sk8rvirgo]

Originally Posted by bvaljalo

Let me just add my usual spiel here: bupe is a very unique opioid drug. It kinda starts 'fixing you' almost right away in terms of lowering your tolerance. You typically only need big doses the first few days, in my experience.

I know that 150mg of oxycodone seems like a lot of dope (for some, it certainly is a lot), but believe it or not, 12mg of bupe has a LOT of power in terms of 'covering you' from withdrawals, perhaps even too much for someone with a 150mg/day habit. And taking too much bupe has a strange way of actually making you feel dopesick rather than better, oddly enough.

I know this may sound strange, but if you *dont* find yourself feeling better from upping your dose, I would seriously consider lowering it instead. I've seen that work, many times, including with myself. As in, if you weren't feeling great on 8mg, there's probably about an equal chance you'd feel better on 4mg as there is on 12mg. Especially since 150mg/day is not *that* huge of a habit to start with.

And definitely, I recommend the 'splitting your dose' approach as well.

bvaljalo-

I am finding over the past few days that Bupe. is just as you said, POWERFUL. When I look at a habit of 150mg/day of Oxycodone, it seems very strong. The fact that I stopped taking it and started on Bupe. with a seemingly seamless transition, is amazing to me. I appreciate your input regarding the splitting dose approach since to me it made sense but to my Dr. it didnt. Of course I'm sure he didn't have to detox from anything to be a doctor so he may not know that less sometimes is better. I originally did it to avoid precipitated withdrawls but now I can see the benefits in that if you keep your dose at the lowest possible, you don't have to detox from a huge amount of Suboxone when you begin your downward taper.

Thank you again for your input; I hope that those who need help are able to find the information they need from people who are helpful and supportive such as you!!!!!!!! Big kudos!!

[kj3880]

I don't know, the swollen tongue thing, I didn't get that, although my tongue is always numb after I use it. Definitely, if it continues and immediately if it could interfere with your breathing, check with a doc or ER just in case you are the rare person who has some allergy to it.

I don't recommend going against medical advice and waiting until you are sick every day to use. In fact, for the first 45 days, my doctor, wants addicts to stabilize and get used to taking the same dose at the same time every day (for most, 2 times a day. Your doc sounds like he isn't responding to your needs. Does he have much experience with suboxone patients? He needs to listen to you or you should look for a doc who will. This is crucial with suboxone treatment. My doc was available for the first month 24 hours a day and encourages new patients to call with any problem or question. I was willing to pay more to get him.)


Anyway. I think you should stabilize, not let yourself get sick, stick with the same dose for a while, unless you have some compelling reason, like an allergy, not to do so.. And flush the oxys. too much temptation, my friend.
KJ

[Munky]

Originally Posted by kj3880