Suboxone Reduction

has anyone come down from suboxone slowly with no ill effect?

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yes ,i was on 115 mgs of methadone @ swithed to suboxone,it was much easier to ween down from sub than methadone,i'm on 4mgs,down from 16 mgs,it's a good treatment and you must ween down slowly,2mgs every 2 weeks,no sickness,that wasn't the case with methadone.

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Suboxone is very popular for this very reason, a slow taper makes it much easier to get off and stay off drugs.

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i am down to one suboxone a day now after being on three for about 6 months...i cannot afford it anymore so i plan to be weened on in a month or so...should i split my films in half for 2 weeks then to 1/4 ? will that help with withdrawal symptoms....i am scared of the symptons cause i work and go to school and do not want to be or feel sick around anyone...does anyone know how long u will feel withdrawal symptons after stopping completely? help with advice?

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Can u slowly taper down on suboxene? I want to get off so expensive, trying to take less and less. Is that possible to taper?

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as with everyone else I too would love any information on the tapering I am doing it now only on 1.25mg daily but dont think I will be able to go much lower already doing pretty bad, dont get me wrong I am just sick and confussed, not like I am dying ill, very tire just out of it like I am higher than hell on something. Do not like this at all guess that is why I never did alot of drugs, even pot mad me feel this way I only ever taken norco for pain and that is it until this wounderful drug suboxone haha it is the kind of joke that you wished you had got to hear the punch line first. Because it is the end that we were not told about!

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i cant even think to spell correctly I am sorry for that, the brain just is not working at full power today, or maybe my hands are going slower not sure which, but i think you all get the picture. going to go do what everyone says talk a walk see if that can wake me up a bit let the sunshine on me for awhile need the vit.D anyway I just wont go far lol

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Steffie I've been on it a little over a month but I did not go to my last appointment. I figure the shorter amount of time I'm on it the easier to grt off. I just wish I knew a good way to divide the film.

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I started on 12mg. in middle of March. Tapered to 8mg then to 6mg then to 4mg. Today started on 3mg. Dr. put me on the 2mg. strips so it will be easier to devide them. I have yet to feel any discomfort bettween tapers.

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Joyce, fold the film in half then cut it, it you need to fold it in half again do the same thing. Remember if you are on the 2mg film, the first cut will make it 1mg, then the second cut will make it 1/2mg. I found that to be the easy way to do it, just make sure your hands and sissors are dry

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sam and joyce I am glad that your tappering is going well and I hope you do not give up, It can be done, so I am told. Suboxone was a nightmare for me, I was not started on it the right way, after meeting so many people I do believe that if it was done correctly this would have worked, I tired it for 7 months, felt bad the whole time, I got down to 1mg and jumped with the help of a bad thing, I took 1 and 1/2 norco a day for a week and now I am lower it to 1 then 1/2 then none, I have never went over my limit. before all this started I was only on 4-5 norco a day for servere pain from some back and injuries to both knees, what a mistake it has been for me, I was sick from the get go and yes I waited along time to start the subs 5 days to be correct, they should have never given them to me at such a high dose, for what I was taking 16mg was way to much, but I didnt know, and I really didnt know how to tappering all the way, I think I was so scared about being so sick again that I used the norco just so i didnt have to face the WD from the subs. No, I would not say that it is a smart thing to do because you must have great controll, so I give my meds to my husband so I can never take more than that amount anyday, so I have help. Just get help when you need it, ask questions like your are, visit different sites if you have to, the subs work great for some people I know, and if it works for you, great. If you no longer are in pain and feel you are (and your Dr.) ready to get off them, then start now, dont stay on them because of fear like I did, it will only make harder, I know some people say 6 to 9 months, I am not sure I agree with that, I think each case is different and depends on you, the drugs you were on, how much and for how long you took them, and the biggest reason why you took them. I think that if you can anwser all those above with honesty then you will know when the time is right for you to come off subs, until you can do that do not let anyone rush you. Remember the final out come of all this is all up to you, and only you can decide to stay clean or not, so take your time and think about everything before you take each step, if you do that I believe you will have success

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i WAS ONLY ON SUBS FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS, AND IT'S TAKEN MORE THAN 2 MONTHS TO TAPER DOWN. I'M NOW 1/3 EVERYOTHER DAY, AND AM SOOOOO NAUSEOUS I CAN'T EVEN EAT, THE HEADACHES ARE SO BAD, I JUST WANT TO DIE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE I CAN TAKE. I WANT IT TO BE OVER WITH AND NOT MORE PILLS FOR ME. I HAVE SERIOUS BACK INJ. ON WORKERS COMP. BUT ALL THESE PILLS ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN COULD, BUT I WILL PREVAIL, HOPEFULLY. GOD BLESS YOU.qk

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Probably the benzos you might abuse...also very psychologic, if you think about it all the times, you will have a bad time, try to change your method.

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If money is a major concern go on the manufacturer of suboxones website, get the 1800 number, call and request that forms be sent to you regarding the free program. Bring the forms to your sub Dr, if your Dr does not already have 3 patients on the program you may be eligible. If that doesn't work go to heretohelp.com ( not sure if it is .com or .org). This is a suboxone website that offers guidance, advise, money saving coupons etc.. To address your other question, tapering off is the goal of the program. It is relatively easy ( for most) to taper down to the lowest dose. The hard part is getting off completely. The longer you put it off the worse it usually is but you should also devise a plan for getting off completely. Expect to feel not so well and try to time it to coincide with some time off from school and work. Drink a ton of hot tea, water and cranberry juice, all liquids. I actually made up a little kit. Everything was within arms length. I drank a lot of liquids, stocked up on movies, took a ton of vitamins and took a hot bath a few times a day. It's a great thing if you have a hot tub! There's no miracle unfortunately, so I had to try different things in order to come up with the best methods of alleviating the depression and discomfort that inevitably accompanies getting off the subs. You will have insomnia, whatever u do, don't take sleeping pills, Nyquil etc. They all have an adverse effect and intensify the insomnia. I just realized that I didn't look at the date of your post and it could have been years ago. Anyway, if this helps you or anyone that's great. I researched and tried everything when I decided to get off of subs so I know that I was extremely interested in what others who have experienced it had to say. Good luck and God bless!

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i feel as if i cant stop the suboxone ive been on it a month or so but before i was on h for 4 years can you help with any infor for me i know this is your thread but if anyone has helped you mayb you could help me

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blumist, i have just stopped taking subs after being on them over a year. I notice that a lot of people post about what they have been on before subs, and im her to tell you it DOES NOT MATTER!!!. What you have to do is decide to live in the here and NOW. To take charge of your life no matter what you did in the past. Learn from your mistakes, accept who you are and be proud only then will you draw the will power to conquer getting off the subs and staying off the junk or pills. I have never stepped foot in a rehab, admitted to anyone but myself i have a major issue ( it was obvious) or turned into a hipcritical bible thumper. I'm not saying these things are no good, I just believe that the power to get clean, stay clean is within us all and only we can make it happen, its a personal journey. you have to pick your path and you have to get there so man up.
I stopped by tapering down to a very small amount after using them for almost 2yrs. I then used advice from internet that suggested immodium pills with 1 zantac to take edge off of w/d's and it WORKED. I took 4-6 immodiums 2x's for first 2 days, 3-4 x 2immodiums for the next two and 2-3 x1 for next 4 days. I have now been sub free for 4weeks and feel GREAT!. I feel 25 again..im 35. Take bennadryle and zzz quil or tylenol pm to sleep and goto doctor for high blood pressure medicine or steal some from mom or dad. thats one of the most uncomfortable things you will experience, your bllod pressure will be thru the roof. cut out the salt and s*** food, drink tons of water and above all EXCERCISE and drink protein shakes.
Remember its all about time, and passing it. set your mind to getting clean and rediscovering the world around you, do something you have always wanted to do but never make the time, you will discover that the days will go fast, and you will feel better every day. thats all i have for you good luck!!!..

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Exacto knife.

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All this info has been very helpful. ive been on methadone almost 3yrs just switched to subs bcuz i cant be sick for months as i have a 3yo. ive heard subs are an easier withdrawal. the doc had me come down to 5mg meth then 4 days off b4 starting me on 16sub. rough transition and 16 is way too high its my 3rd day and ive only been taking 8 which seems too high too. i want to only stay on long enough to get through the meth withdrawl im thinking 2 months. has anyone else done this? i want to stay on the lowest dose i can for as short as possible as i have to take care of my daughter and cant lie in bed for days,

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Hi m2sub,
Theres no secret way or silver bullet for tapering off subs. Most people will agree that if you want to get off subs with the least wd symptoms you need to taper slowly.

The longer you wait bettween each drop the better.
Subs have a very long half life so at the least you should wait a full week bettween drops.

You,ll need to taper to the smallest dose you can. Like .25mgs.

Don,t rush it. Just drop a couple mgs each time. The longer time you give your body to get used to each drop the better.

Why not try and get your dr. on board?

Tell him you been thinking about it and you just want to be off everything.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

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thanks. i just started the sub and am really using it just to get off the methadone. i think i will try ur suggestion of waiting longer between drops, i want to keep my tolerance as low as possible. called the doc. it feels so good to be off that crap!

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I was a suboxone patient in '07 and now am a prescriber. I went from 2.5 8mg tabs/(20mg)day to none in 8 weeks and had next to no dope sickness with the exception of mild hot/cold flashes for about a week. Went to 8mg BID x 1 week to 4 mg BID x 1 week and continued cutting my dose in half each week until done. Realize this...it is NEVER 10% free to get off of opiates but remember this and know you're going to have to go through some discomfort. For some reason we addicts seem to think we should feel good all the time and that there is always a pain-free way or treatment. WRONG! Just expect some discomfort, do it, and get over it. It will be done before you know it.

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Re: Joyce (# 7)

Do you feel comfortable with your doctor?

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Re: Verwon (# 2)

There is no easy way.

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Re: cookie (# 4)

I am taking 1 and 1\2 srips per day for about 3 months worked well but 2 days really naucios ishat normal?

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Re: steffie (# 10)

Very well said Steffie and I agree after being on so many types of opioids for buldged and herniated discs, Degenerative Disc Disease, Spinal Stenosis, most of all having a major compound fracture from falling off of a roof at work which completely took off my right foot from where the ankle meets the thalus, I was in shock, rushed to the Truama Bay and had an 8 hour surgery where they put a nail (long titanium rod down my Tibia up to my knee caps and then my thalus was shattered so badly they decided to put a plate in to connect the nail. 6 months later I was ridiculed by my surgeon for not bearing enough weight and was told to bear weight in Physical Therapy. I went to PT that day, went 100% and kinked the nail in four places winding right back up into the Truama Bay. By the end of my last surgery where they put a thicker gauged nail in I was on Hydromorphone 8mgs every 4 hours, 100mcg/he Fentanyl Patch, 30mg Oxy IR every 8 hours along with a concentrated powder type of morphine you mix and drink. I have had prior Opioids for my back so I was not Opiate Niave. I was on this regimen of Opioids for 1 year until my Dr. took me off the Morphine, slowly tapering at my own pace and then 3 months later the Hydromorphone 8's which was much harder of a taper so I did it slowly and not how anyone else told me.

After a discussion of a taper plan for the Hydromorphone I was lucky that I communicated and had a great Dr. to Patient relationship with my Primary Care Dr. that took me 6 months. Then I tapered slowly off the Oxy but my Dr. knew I would have breakthrough pain so I had a few post-dated scripts for Oxy 30s if I did experience breakthrough pain which I did even with my Fentanyl Patch at the highest dosage and eventually after a year I only experienced breakthrough pain at night and in the early morning. So all in all I ended up on 100mcg/hr patch that I was supposed to change every 48 hrs and it's a 72hr patch. So I kept the 1st Patch on for the last day while overlapping and applying a new patch which is a huge dose. Without the Dilaudid (Hydromorphone), Morphine Concentrate, and Oxy IR 30mg surprised I didn't die, but I did want to find a new type of medication.

I'm pro opioid all the way for those that really need it, but eventually I went on Subutex at 32mg which is the highest a Dr. can prescribe in my state, tapered very very slowly, felt no sickness but after dropping to 20 mg of Subutex I started having extremely major pain fits and I thought I would just heal and attempt to get off the patch with Subutex, well I finally found a medication that is still extremely potent and not technically in the opioid class because Methadone is fully synthetic analgesic and have been on 50mgs ever since, it helps like nothing else did and I know one day I may have to get off but I can at least walk now, with major gait issues and feel like my life is more full filled I am not thinking of the next pill or patch I have to take or if this or that will be in stock at the pharmacy because I purchase from the hospital pharmacy that always has to have Methadone in stock. Bottom line is that everyone has their own journey with pain. and sometimes it very well may be reversible or other remedies included like Accupuncture, Aqua Therapy, I even went into a hyperbaric chamber that uses air pressure too heal someway but I have tried to be consistent with attempting anything I haven't yet other than my exercise and medication routine. But all I have too say is please don't rush yourself off Buprenophine (Subutex/Suboxone) just to appease others or you want to stop your meds which I completely understand.

I work at a Methadone Maintenance Therapy Clinic and assess the patient when they first arrive and gather all pertinent info, so I have a lot of experience with what a good taper and bad tapper looks like and it is so individualized and different for so many people. They also utilize Subutex and Suboxone but Suboxone has Narcan in it so if you administer it intravenously or take a lot it counteracts and throws u into precipitated withdraws just like what the cops are using and first responders for the "Opioid Epidemic" I put the quotations there because they are counting people that use pills diverted from a source and die or can't take the withdraws and switch to illicit drugs and die in my state the numbers and statistics are far from truthful because people who have a history of Chronic Pain like myself only accounts for 3% of thier crusade to make pain patients Dr's scared as hell to write prescriptions with many digferentandates being passed down into even Pain Management Physicians and it's just not okay for the Government to stick their nose into Dr. patient relationship the way they are especially if they base it off the greedy Dr.s who are all about cash payment and major amounts of Opioids being prescribed plus the patient getting early refills more than twice in a certain timeline or the sheer volume of a certain prescription, other than that yes I believe life is better without having to be on Opioids but I guarantee many pain patients who are getting cut out of these practices just because the Dr. fears DEA interference SHOULD NEVER be a reason to not prescribe.

Didn't mean to write an essay, so my bottom line is if you need pain pills and you take them responsibly, have medical oversight, keep your appointments and your drug panels only show what you are prescribed, then the DEA and the CIA the DOJ can all eat a fat d*** because there are some of us who need their medications to actually get up out of bed let alone work, exercise, and be at the best rate of functioning a person can be at. Secondly do the taper for yourself, no one else, because at the end of the day you may have a very bad outcome such as weaning for someone other than yourself and going too fast off Subs will pretty much render you unable to do anything even if you are not a pain patient, but say a Substance Use Disorder patient. There are recommendations for tapering but that's all they are, so if you are tapering to be a better person to just make life better for those who feel that Opioids are too strong or have a baby and want to get off so they can really have every sense of this body, be able to parent a child or vice versa, you who are becoming new Grandparents and want to feel all the joy of that experience, trust and believe. You will not be able to if you don't take your own time. No one else's to wean or taper of Opioid medications. Hope you are feeling well and not ill and if you are ill then you are going way too fast. That is the first sign the taper is just too rapid, so slow down and wean very little at a time if possible. The outcome will be better for you and those around you.

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johngz (# 1) --

Please know im not trying to scare you. I've been trying to wean off subs for over a year now. A strip now lasts anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks. The dose is so small i cant really taste it. Everytime i try to stop taking it though i get sick, really sick or i would just quit. I've gotten off percs a couple times myself without near the sickness. If anyone has any info that can help me please share. These are the experiences i've been going through. Anyone in the same predicament?

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Kimberly, I am at 19 months off Suboxone after being on for 5 years. I am still not right and have been told by researchers at Unv. of Michigan pain Clinic it will take up to three years to get right ie hormone levels etc. I am past the malaise but still have occasional PAWS. It is a long road. Good luck!!

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I've been on Suboxone for TOO LONG!! I've taken it for approximately 6 or 7 YEARS. In the first several years I took 4 8 mg. Per day. Then, tapered myself down to 3 for a long time, then 2 for a while and in the past year or so tapered down to a half, and the last several weeks only a fourth. Last two days, none at all. Still terrified of having withdrawals. I'm feeling weak and restless tonight.

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Kimberly,

Congratulations you should be so proud of yourself. l'm certain your loved ones are ecstatic as well. you didn't mention your dosage, length of use or predisposition so it's impossible to say if the physical withdrawal is complete. these potent narcotics are notorious for paws and later euphoric recall but one step at a time. the sleeplessness may continue for sometime. my best advice is speak to specialist. there are many protocols that can assist you with these symptoms. the mental issues are sometimes harder to master BUT DON'T GIVE IN & YOU'LL NEVER HAVE TO ENDURE THIS HELL AGAIN IF YOU STAY CHEMICAL FREE.. Hang in there, you can do this!!!! God speed.

P.s. I failed to mention the biggest mistake we make is holding onto SPARES as you mentioned the Suboxone in your purse. if they weren't there that temptation would be removed.... something to think about... NO judgement just being real....

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I slowly tapered myself and today is the second day without any Suboxone. The last week I've only taken literally a sliver (equivalent to 2 grains of rice) per day up until two days ago. The withdrawals were very minimal. Last night I experienced mild pains or muscle spasms in my arms and tossed and turned all night with very little sleep. I'm feeling okay just a bit restless and find myself wanting to go to my purse to take my Suboxone. At any rate, I think I've succeeded. Surely, I'm past the withdrawals or the worst of it, right? I realize it's going to be mentally challenging for a long time.

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How do you sleep at night? Prescribe yourself some ambien? You cannot honestly think that prescribing "the masses" drugs to keep them under control is morally acceptable,

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