Can You Take Benzos While You're On Suboxone? (Page 10)

I've been seeing a lot of posts regarding taking benzos while on Suboxone. It is ok to take a benzo w/ suboxone - as long as you're taking the prescribed dosages you'll be fine. Now if you're taking 3 or 4 8mgs of Suboxone and say 5 or 6 Xanax that's not good, that's where the reported deaths have come from. I've been on Subs for 5 yrs. I've also been subscribed klonopin and am currently taking valium w/ it and it's fine. I'm on a low dose and only take what I am prescribed.

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BTW, does anyone know how long you have to be on Suboxone to taper it down to nothing? Or do you have to take it for the rest of your life? Just worried and wondering about things. My anxiety is high right now..lol!

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For me, I am a seasoned drug addict. For me I'm not saying any on, I take suboxone and I mess up time to time. Part of recovery. I'm lucky to be alive.. I would never recommend mixing drugs but I am a weak willed person wo love to feel good. It's a curse that to feel good I need drugs, or so I think. I have taken suboxone regularly and I have taken 39 mg of Valium at a time. On other tons I would take a couple Xanax totem poles 4 mg. I just feel great and sleep. Also I sometimes take like 30 mg of Valium and it makes me feel great. I just get happy and believe it or not, very generous and caring. Something, I actually lack. However, Klonopiin (cleptopins). When I take those ones, I feel the intense urge to try to steal. Stupid s*** too, like a 2$ screwdriver from a hardware store. I will go into a grocery store and open up a box of ice cream snickers and only take one and leave the box with one missing. I know what you are thinking but I would never ever steal ever unless lol opine are involved. Before you start judging people and making you sound so pompous and rude. What happens if he is depressed and followed through? I enjoy drugs. Doesn't make me bad person. You know the bikers and people on welfare are usually down to earth. It's the people who are "better" or so they think, are judgmental sad people.. Maybe him feeling high is very comforting and and he likes to do it. I CHOSE TO LIKE DRUGS, it makes me happy. To each his own. I DONT RECOMMEND DOING DRUGS UNLESS YOU WANT TO.

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I recently had a situation where my previous physician (this was 1.5 months ago) decided to stop prescribing Suboxone & gave all his patients 30 days to find a new doctor.

After calling a plethora of physicians, I found that it became increasingly more difficult to find a Sub doctor who would agree to see me while presently taking Sub and Benzos together.

I've been on Bupe and Klonopin for over 5 years and have never had a problem. I'm aware of the risks. And obviously since I've been taking the 2 meds for so long without issue, I've also taken them both responsibly and as prescribed.

However, after exhausting close to 30 physician phone calls & finally finding a doctor whom I saw just this morning, he told me he'd be "very disappointed" if my urinalysis turned up positive for Benzos. It's not a condition of being released from his program according to the contract I signed, but it certainly would cause friction and "possible discharge" depending on circumstances.

I happen to think that perhaps just recently, and I have no evidence to support this, the medical boards and "powers to be" have made certain changes regarding Controlled Substances, & perhaps have implemented new policies regarding the usage of Benzos with Bupe. It's just speculation on my part, but I never had a problem up until just recently. Also, some meds I've been on for ages, like my SSRI, just required a Prior Auth and that's just odd. So my sense is that they're starting to get very strict about this issue.

It disappoints me because I do suffer from GAD and Klonopin has helped me manage my symptoms for over 4 years now. And as difficult as it may be for me to give up my Klonopin, I will not jeopardize my doctor/patient relationship and my ability to get my Subs. It's simply not worth it IMO.

I still believe, very passionately, that the 2 can be taken together responsibly without issue. But there's not much I can do at this point. Sacrafice my Sub or my Klonopin is the question. Painful answer- goodbye Klonopin.

I wish others well in their journeys, and I know there are a few doctors that still allow it, but my sense is that will come to a stop sooner than later.

Good luck everyone!

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It's a tappering down process that could take up 2 maybe 3 years, depends on you an ur tolerance ,I'm on zubsolv am at this point its a 2 year process u should talk to ur physican an ask him or her, that way there would be no doubts or worries,,good luck to my friend on recovery

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Nicki, the program & tapering schedule & length of time to get off Sub is completely a personal journey and one that you need to work closely with your doctor about.

How long to get off? Depends on numerous factors, for example your current dose, what you started at, the height of your addiction at its worse, where you are now, how aggressive you'd like to be in tapering, etc etc.

It's different for everyone. Some can get off Sub after a week, others it takes months, and still others years. I'm an advocate of doing it a pace you are comfortable with and that your doctor agrees upon, & also getting your personal life as stable as possible. Considered supplementing ur Sub with therapy of some kind?

So ur question can't be easily answered...yet that is.

Just planting some seeds in ur head to think about.

Best of luck, plz continue to post if u want....

Regards,

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I had been off Suboxone films since September of 2014 & was doing fine. Until I was prescribed hydrocodone (medical issue) & tramadol (trying to rollerskate past my "rollerskate retirement" age & ended up with a severely sprained wrist). Worst thing I ever did because it has been hell since. Withdrawals hit me like a bus-one that would leave but reappear from nowhere to run me down again.. I got fed up with the withdrawal rollercoaster & finally went yesterday to get back on treatment meds. I'm now on Zubsolv. The papers the Dr gave me said not to take any benzos with either Suboxone or Zubsolv because it can cause problems with breathing & heart rate that could end in death. The problems I'm having are insomnia & anxiety. Since i'm familiar with the meds (Subs), i know these problems i'm having won't get better on their own. I would very much like to know if any of you do/did have one or both of these problems. If yes, please tell me how you (as well as your doctor) were able to treat this. OTC sleep aids aren't helping. I feel like getting a good night's sleep would diminish the anxiety some. I've tried Tylenol PM but I end up buying just the sleep aid portion that's in Tylenol PM because I don't need the Tylenol part. I've also tried melatonin but when I take it, I wake up with a monster migraine & my head feels like TV screen fuzz). Please let me know what you found that works for you for insomnia & anxiety. I go back to my Dr in 2 weeks & if I'm still having those problems...I would feel more confident talking to him about treating them know what has worked for others like me. Thanks! P.S. this is my first time on this site. Wishing all encouragement & strength.

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PurplePeopleEater4Life -

I've been there. Honestly I'm there now to some degree. I suffer from Depression & G.A.D. and have been on generic Subutex for years, an SSRI for depression, & Klonopin for my anxiety.

Yes, the Benzo/Sub combo can be hazardous. In my experiences there have been 2 kinds of Sub doctors- those absolutely against the mix & those okay with it. The former seems to be gaining lots of momentum unfortunately.

I've been on the combo for almost 6 years & haven't had a single problem, but my current Dr wants me off the Klonopin. And that's terribly frustrating.

So I'm left with alternatives like therapy, mild yoga exercises, and other natural ways to cope with my anxiety. I'm not thrilled, but it must be done.

Maybe u can seek out some different Sub doctors who are okay with it- they ARE out there. In the meantime, I think it's imperative u discuss your concerns with the dr- it's the only way.

I wish I had the magic remedy or advice but I don't. Best advice I can give you? Talk about this openly & directly w/ your doctor & go from there.

I feel for you.

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Valium compared to zans, in combination with sub, the Valium a WASTE for me. So, yes, weak as heck. Sadly, while the sub treatment is the best thing for me, am still an addict. My doc frowns BIG TIME on the use of benzo's, so I have to kick in addict mode, and get them on my own. I love taking them before bedtime, just to knock that EDGE off I get from taking subs.

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This does not help with anxiety just sleep as far as I know. When I went to the "crazy house" they gave me trazodone 100 mg. I have insomnia bad and I am literaly a walking panic attack. I am manic depressive and trying to see now about being bipolar. Along with all of that I am a addict for pain pills. But you said it might help with some of the anxiety a good night sleep. I take that and I can get at least 8 hours of sleep a night and wake up the next day with no problem and function normal. If I don't take the meds I sleep for about 1 to 2 hours a night and then the anxiety is a whole lot worse. Hope this helps you. Good luck in recovery. God bless.

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I'm prescribed 60 8 milligram subutex and 30 10 milligram valium for sleep next visit I will be asking for an extra 60 more 10 milligram valium I have no problems with any side effects or health issues or breathing so I guess everyone is different or should I ask for 2 milligram xanax instead of the valium

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Easy ee,

If it were me, I wouldn't ASK- I would SUGGEST (remember the term "drug seeking behavior" from our days in active addiction?).

For those of us on Sub who legitimately benefit from Benzos for their anxiety and/or sleep (like myself) but are refused so by their doctors, I'd feel fortunate if I were you that your Sub physician is actually prescribing Valium for you.

There's nothing wrong with just being honest and telling your doctor you're not getting the relief you anticipated or hoped for from the current Valium dosage. He may simply adjust your dose as result.

Until just a month ago, I had been on 2-4mgs of Klonopin along with my 8mgs of Bupe (generic Subutex) for nearly 5 years. However, my new doctor wants me to taper off the Klonopin, even though throughout this period of time Ive never had a single adverse reaction or side effect.

So I'd consider myself blessed if I were you that your Sub doctor is actually prescribing you a Benzo. Mine told me there's a trend developing among Sub physicians: fewer & fewer doctors are allowing their patients to take both.

I truly hope the best works out for you, please revisit and let us know how it goes!

Regards...

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Suboxone is very expensive. it works though. but sucks when you taper off. once you start you become dependent real fast. people that take 3 to 4 subs a day are wasting 2 cause of the ceiling effect

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My brother has been on subutex for a disease called arterial malformation. Michigan University said he wouldn't live until he was 40 but he did. This disease causes many arteries to overwork his heart. He has a lot of panic attacks at night. The doctor other than the one that prescribes the subutex ordered klonopin. Both are aware of the prescription or prescriptions. Now the subutex doctor is trying to say it is illegal for my brother to take both. He does not abused either one. He takes less than 8 milligrams to 8 milligrams of subutex and wanted to milligrams of klonopin at night. He has been doing this for years and there has been no problem. It was the nurse that said it was illegal and then the doctor seem to be influenced by the nurse. I want to know if this is true. Is it illegal as the doctor has said? I want to print it out an article that is for my brother to show the doctor

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No suboxone with xanax is very deadly i suggest u stop taking the xanax for now then once u our clean from using the suboxone then if u dnt need subs anymore then talk to your dr for the xanax but he will not give u both at once

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you cant just sto taking meds like xanax, the withdrwals are like helllish and its never safe to just stop. seziures all kinds of things can happen.

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Suboxone is the best thing that ever happened to me. Defiantly dont try and go cold turkey, if u dont have to. Suboxone gets you back to normal..energy and all. Just be careful to not abuse it n take more than u should. I did that and ran out early every month, cuz at that point, I still wanted that" high" but all it does is give u a bad headache if u take too much of it. It can be harmful. Best of luck to u

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I have been trying to find a dr around here but there all against it. I take benzos all the time .I really need them. My psychological dr said so .But she can't because of the laws.

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I went thru this as well, i know your pain. Forcing us to choose between our sanity or our sobriety. Not fair at all..Only a suboxone doctor can write for both at the same time and you have to find one who is willing. What kind of wean did they put you on? Sending prayers your way.

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Sometimes they are weak. Name brand is the s*** if you have enough money.

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In my experiences, I haven't found that to be the case at all. Currently, my Sub doctor writes for my Buprenorphine whereas my PCP writes for my Clonazepam. This has been my regimen for over 6 years now.

As long as I keep both doctors informed (which IMO is extremely important) neither one of them have had an issue.

In can't speak of any new laws that may have been recently implemented, however as recently as a month ago, there hasn't been a single setback.

Admittedly, it does seem to be more more challenging as of late to find a Sub doctor that will indeed write for both (thanks to pressure from the medical board), but based upon my own experiences, nothing has changed.

My advice is to prescreen a new Sub doctor prior to making an appt and simply inquire about their rules. This has been invaluable to my success.

God bless all,

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