Won’t bore anybody with too many mindless details. Basically, been on bupe now for about four years, lot longer than I’d planned for. Pretty much have to now admit to myself that it became just as habit-forming. Mainly because it helped me sleep. Don’t know how I did this, but I just wasn’t keeping track; in fact, I was supposed to be doing a self-taper, but somehow, I only ended up upping my regular dosage. So now, I’m almost certain I’m up to two 8 mg strips each day, when I used to be only at one 8 mg strip.
My doctor is very nice, but he doesn’t really get too involved with thoroughly helping people taper. I guess what im asking is how should I go about this. My insomnia is so terrible that if I couldn’t sleep, I would just cut off a thin piece from the strip with a Benadryl (which I also now have a physical dependence on) to help myself get tired; this, in addition to my regular dose…I think. I finally realised though how stupid this is and I have read that it is rare for anyone to be on anything higher than a strip and.a half (12mg) because there is just no benefit in this. I honestly can’t even tell how high up in milligrams I’ve stupidly gotten myself. I have been determining it by observing my pupils basically. I’ll look in the mirror and if they aren’t small, then I’ll reason to myself that that must mean I need to take a piece. Stupid, I know. Believe me. I’ve basically been taking it the way I would with regular opioids, which I understand is not really how suboxone is supposed to work. Another reason I think I allowed this to happen is because I have no steady schedule; my schedule is all over the place because I’m currently laid off and not doing much except for my schooling, which is online. So I’m never taking doses at proper, regular times. And I take one half as soon as I get up in morning, regardless.
Any suggestions? I don’t know why but I am admittedly a bit nervous about it. Like right now, I think I’ve had a strip and a half’s worth already, but I’m feeling a little bit of mild withdrawal, so what i usually do in this situation is, I’ll take another thin sliver off of a strip to settle it and make it go away. Please excuse my rambling on and on too much, I just want to know how I should better organise this. Any suggestions on an ideal schedule? I usually will take a half, then wait 8 to 10 hours, then take another. I basically have been taking a half every 12 to 15 hours tops, but sometimes even sooner. Am I not supposed to take them that soon?
From now on, I plan on getting up every day at the same time so that I can get the ball rolling on tapering again. Is there a way that I can effectively taper at home without going through agony and, if so, how long, realistically, do you think it would take me to get down to say…one half of strip (4mg)?? Does anybody with experience think that can be done effectively in say…a year or less?
My doctor is very nice, but he doesn’t really get too involved with thoroughly helping people taper. I guess what im asking is how should I go about this. My insomnia is so terrible that if I couldn’t sleep, I would just cut off a thin piece from the strip with a Benadryl (which I also now have a physical dependence on) to help myself get tired; this, in addition to my regular dose…I think. I finally realised though how stupid this is and I have read that it is rare for anyone to be on anything higher than a strip and.a half (12mg) because there is just no benefit in this. I honestly can’t even tell how high up in milligrams I’ve stupidly gotten myself. I have been determining it by observing my pupils basically. I’ll look in the mirror and if they aren’t small, then I’ll reason to myself that that must mean I need to take a piece. Stupid, I know. Believe me. I’ve basically been taking it the way I would with regular opioids, which I understand is not really how suboxone is supposed to work. Another reason I think I allowed this to happen is because I have no steady schedule; my schedule is all over the place because I’m currently laid off and not doing much except for my schooling, which is online. So I’m never taking doses at proper, regular times. And I take one half as soon as I get up in morning, regardless.
Any suggestions? I don’t know why but I am admittedly a bit nervous about it. Like right now, I think I’ve had a strip and a half’s worth already, but I’m feeling a little bit of mild withdrawal, so what i usually do in this situation is, I’ll take another thin sliver off of a strip to settle it and make it go away. Please excuse my rambling on and on too much, I just want to know how I should better organise this. Any suggestions on an ideal schedule? I usually will take a half, then wait 8 to 10 hours, then take another. I basically have been taking a half every 12 to 15 hours tops, but sometimes even sooner. Am I not supposed to take them that soon?
From now on, I plan on getting up every day at the same time so that I can get the ball rolling on tapering again. Is there a way that I can effectively taper at home without going through agony and, if so, how long, realistically, do you think it would take me to get down to say…one half of strip (4mg)?? Does anybody with experience think that can be done effectively in say…a year or less?
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