So 10 days ago I took my last DAILY dose of around 600mg Norco and 8mg Klonopin. 7 days ago, I took myself into a clinic to go through the intake process and get some help. It wasn't a planned out thing, it was like the last day I took all my drugs I just knew I had to change. It was enough. I really didn't know what to expect at the clinic, hadn't done research before committing totally to this program. After long talks with my counselor and the doctors, they thought Bupe was the way for me to go. It took me all the way to 24mg to get a full 24 hours of no WD's. From what I've read, this is an extremely high dose and that freaks me out. My goal is to get sober and be able to wean totally off EVERYTHING (including the clinic) within at least one year. Is that total wishful thinking? Some people have said that doing that is nearly impossible and I will only relapse if I try to go off that fast. Any experiences out there?? Any advice or input on Bupe? Any really good people that can convince me that I haven't totally screwed myself and just switched from one addiction to another? Thanks for the kind words in advance!
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H&R Moderators: streaM Freak
SEEKING TREATMENT (The Clinic...)
- Thread starter JayJolie
- Start date
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
Yes 24mg is a high dose, but you don't have anything to really fret about. If you conduct a slow taper once you have stabilized, going down 1mg/week at the very least, you'll be able to get off it in a year. It will take a lot of planning and hard work now though. If you devote yourself to your recovery, you will absolutely be able to achiever your goals. Fuck the doubters, buprenorphine isn't some sneaky thing that you can't understand. Learn about it and how to taper, and you'll be just fine.
Captain.Heroin
Bluelight Crew
It's not wishful thinking to want to get clean in a year. You can do it!
manboychef
Bluelighter
Do whatever it takes to get clean. If suboxone taper works for you I highly suggest pursuing it. It will be the best thing you can do for yourself at this point. Just remember to ask for ancillary services that clinics generally have access too. Psychiatrist, therapist, drug counselrs etc. This is important. No one starts using in an addictive way because it is awesome.
cj
Bluelight Crew
24mgs is not an absurd dose at all. Frankly I am more concerned about the kolonopin taper then the bupe taper. You need to make sure you understand what you are getting into with the benzo taper before starting as it can be quite severe unfortunately. Have they discussed a taper regimen with you yet? You made a really good decision in seeking help so congrats on that!
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
More or less, but it depends entirely on the type of taper and your intentions in doing the taper to begin with. What are your goals regarding your taper, and how do you intend on accomplishing them?
My goal is to come off the Subs entirely within a less than 6 months. I don't want to so too quick as to risk a relapse, but I also don't want to be on them forever. This isn't a life maintenance plan for me, it was to help me get off opiates.
I guess I don't understand what you mean by how I intend on accomplishing my goals? I intend on following the taper down plan that is linked on here that so many people said has worked for them. Also plan on working with my counselor and Dr.
I guess I don't understand what you mean by how I intend on accomplishing my goals? I intend on following the taper down plan that is linked on here that so many people said has worked for them. Also plan on working with my counselor and Dr.
I have to say, I feel a little challenged by your posts. Like I'm kind of uneducated about everything and not very serious. Am I reading too much into this or is there some truth in that you think I'm like one among the hundreds on here that don't do any research, don't form plans, don't commit, etc.?
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
I don't think there isn't anything wrong with you my friend. I think you explained yourself very eloquently, and you have a really good plan. I'm sorry if my previous posts came across as anything but. Sometimes people just kinda wish things away, go with the flow, without really thinking them through or implementing some kind of strategic energy in their recovery. You, on the other hand, don't seem to be having that problem whatsoever. You have a good plan, and a good head on your shoulders to boot! Keep up the good work 
Just don't push yourself too hard. Remember to take your time, even if you want to get off of the buprenorphine. If you rush yourself, the chance of a lapse or relapse or something increases exponentially.
Just don't push yourself too hard. Remember to take your time, even if you want to get off of the buprenorphine. If you rush yourself, the chance of a lapse or relapse or something increases exponentially.
I don't want to relapse. That's my big fear. Tapering down sounds manageable. It just seems from everything I've read that there is a very fine line on coming off. You can't go too slowly or too quickly. So, I just am going to go with the plan of tapering by 25% every 4 days...as long as it's tolerable. I guess sometimes people hit a wall at a certain dose and need to try to maintain on it for a little longer than 4 days before trying to taper back down again? Also, am I right that I've read that the hardest part of the taper is going from 2mg to getting all the way to being off?
Hey, this is way off topic and, please, no one judge poorly for this question. I am so bloated and I'm not constipated so it's not from that and I pee constantly. So I really don't understand why I'm so bloated up. Especially my belly area. I've only been dosing 10 days (technically 9 because I didn't dose today as my Dr told me it would be good to giv myself breaks) and I can't even button my jeans! The scales show zero weight gain so I don't get it. My skin is also like sore to the touch from being so like stretched, I don't know. Is there any way to deal with the bloating? I know OTC diuretics aren't great to use, but has anyone ever taken an OTC diuretic or used a natural diuretic that has helped? Will Subutex and a diuretic even mix well? I'm not trying to do anything dumb here...just wondering if anyone has experienced the bloating and if you've had success with getting rid of it and how??? TIA!
I've had bloating like that before, just from other causes. If it's severe, see a doctor to make sure it's not the medication. What I do when I get that way is to drink more coffee and water. Coffee is a mild diuretic, and additional water ironically will help with water retention and bloating. It's also possible but medication changes can change the gut flora, causing an increase in certain flora that produces more gas, etc. however, the stretched skin feeling sounds like water retention, so I would definitely step up water consumption and more coffee:yea. I've had that level of bloating before and hated it - I had to wear sandals because I couldn't get my feet into shoes. It took a few days to remedy itself. Again, if it continues or gets worse see a doctor. I hope you feel better!
Thanks lady!! I know it's a VERY minor issue considering why I take Subutex. But I feel like if you're uncomfortable in your own skin while you're also going through sobering up and recovery, that's just going to bring in another set of issues to deal with. It's really not a vanity thing, you know? Just...weird things have happened to my body since I started on the medicine and I want to know why. And you can research literally every topic you can think of, you're going to get conflicting answers back.
Off track...I could probably handle this level of feeling bloated for the duration of my time tapering off (crossing fingers for 8-12 weeks), but if it gets worse, I've got to find an answer. It's weird, not in my face, hands, or feet (yet...), just in the stomach. I look like I'm 3 months pregnant. My stomach is just sticking out and really hard. And, as I said, it's not from lack of using the restroom (TMI)! So I'm slightly concerned at this point, gets any worse, I'll have to get checked out.
Off track...I could probably handle this level of feeling bloated for the duration of my time tapering off (crossing fingers for 8-12 weeks), but if it gets worse, I've got to find an answer. It's weird, not in my face, hands, or feet (yet...), just in the stomach. I look like I'm 3 months pregnant. My stomach is just sticking out and really hard. And, as I said, it's not from lack of using the restroom (TMI)! So I'm slightly concerned at this point, gets any worse, I'll have to get checked out.
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
No one around here is going to judge you for anything my friend! You're a very welcome addition to SL, I hope you are successful in your current endeavors and you always feel like you can ask us anything whatsoever if you have any questions (about anything)
Hey! Thank you. Really appreciate those words. I'm at the clinic now. Decided to go ahead and do my first drop in dosage. So I went from 24mg to 16mg. I'm sure everything will be fine...you just kind of psych yourself out mentally, you know. But I know I'll be fine. It's nice to have a place to go and vent and get advice. Thank you guys very much.