Bupe Suboxone/Buprenorphine FAQ & Megathread v3; 2010 - 2022

[crystalserenity]

Ok, I've got a question, now. It's been over 50 hours since I took suboxone [it was a one-time deal of 6mg] and I'm still unable to get high off of IV heroin. However, my pupils are still pinning out and I am a little nauseous like when taking a large dose, yet I am feeling none of the euphoric or pain-killing effects. Is this normal for the suboxone dose and time since ingesting it?

I have read elsewhere in either this thread or one similar that it is quite easy to OD on h or other opiates due to the fact that you can't feel them, yet they are still building up in your system to lethal doses. I would suggest waiting still longer for the bupe to run its course, rather than risk an OD.

 

[Bojangles69]

Hey guys I got a question to you all about whether this is possible with sub pricing and what not.

I just got back from picking up a pack of cigs at 1:30 in the morning and of course there are cops hanging right outside while I'm in wds. I wind up getting into a conversation with both of them as I'm walking out. I'm in wds, I'm thinking "you gotta be fucking kiddn me". Anyway, one of them wound up telling me it was his b-day and I've never seen 2 cops so happy before in my life. Didn't assualt me or anything. They actually looked high. But I just wanted to write that for anyone who's ever had to peak to police while in wds, (and may also have a record like I do) its not fun lol. I put a smile on my face, stopped fidgeting immediately and acted like I was working, guess it worked.

Anyway my question is this.

I contacted a bunch of drs and got responses on sunday easter mind you, I hate no idea these crazy mfkrs work on easter sunday lol. But I had wrote in my NAABT application that I have little to no money to afford treatment.

2 of the 3 drs that contacted me oddly wound up from being from within a mile of each other in Brooklyn. I live in central NJ but do not care about the ride. Even if I gotta go there more than once a week its only like an hour ride or so.

Question is, both drs have the same fee. They said over email its $60 for the office visit. I asked "but isn't it going to cost like $400-$500 just to fill the sub", and the one dr wrote back "im not sure where you heard that, its relative to your habit but you can fill the subs at whatever rate you can afford at your local pharmacy".

That sounds too good to be true. I pay $60 basically for the script, then can actually fill like 7 at a time? Do pharmacies actually do this? I guess Brooklyn must be known for doing cheap sub programs cause like I said it was 2 drs who must have read I had little to know money and both were from brooklyn.

So also as a word to addicts who may trying to get on bupe, if you're anywhere near brooklyn it will cost you barely nothing afaik.

I'm hoping they weren't pulling my leg and am setting up an appointment tommorow. The dr also said he wouldn't charge me for the visit if it turned out I didn't want to go on subs. I was like "wow, I got nothing to lose then". So I'm going to do it. Wish me luck all!! And if anyone can answer that pharmacy question I'd appreciate it.

I only need 1mg a day max and I've tapered off bupe before and imo its the easiest opiate to taper off of. No physical wds at all but paws was still nastly. This time I'm going to do a much longer/slower taper and start at the same dose. I don't actually care what they prescribe me as I know they always overdo it. Only thing I'm not excited about is I smoke pot everyday, and I'm sure as hell not stopping. I do have ways to avoid it although its a major PITA. Well I'll keep you all updated may be hopping on the bupee train soon.

 

[jnicolas1980]

I have long term success with buprenorphine. I also have real pain issues starting this year too and it's been very workable for me. Although challenging.

I have pain issues as well and am supposed to be getting surgery soon, though I keep putting it off. I have a (probably stupid) question regarding suboxone and painkillers like oxycodone. Is there any legal issue with being prescribed both simultaneously (by different docs)? I'm sure I'm just being paranoid, but I've always been afraid to have too much of a "paper trail," and have not attempted to purchase subs through my insurance (which I think covers it). Am I just being ridiculous?

 

[Sweetsomniferum]

Bojangles69: Subs are very expensive unless you're Medicaid or your insurance covers them. On the West Coast, 30 8/2mg pills run about $200 and you won't do much better w/online pharmacies. That $60 is for the office visit. Ask the Dr. about Here to Help--s/he can have only 3 patients on the program, this org will pay for the Subs (you cannot use this program if you have insurance).
One question to people exp w/subs: why am I able to get stunningly high off other opiates <12 hours after taking the Subs (24mg)? I expected a blocking effect similar to methadone.
Happy Easter to all; it's so beautiful outside right now, Nature is wearing one of her prettiest dresses.

 

[bwanajzj]

Q: Can I still get high on other opiates if I'm on bupe?
A: This depends on what dose of bupe you're on. You will most likely be able to shoot through a low dose of bupe (1-2mgs). Though some might be able to expect the full effects of the opiate you're shooting through with, it is often only partially felt for many people. Even at higher doses, if you take enough of the opiate you may feel it. This is not recommended, as you may overdose before reaching the desired recreational effects. It is better to wait until bupe is no longer effecting you, or to stick the course with bupe treatment.

So yesterday I was out of bupe, and the clinic is closed until tomorrow, so I can't get a refill before then, and since I was wd'ing already yesterday, I went out to get benzos so that I could sleep at least, but ended up copping heroin, and snorting, plugging and shooting what I got. It gave me the chance to get through most of the day on a normal basis, however I decided to crash at around 7 P.M. only to wake up at 11 P.M., wd'ing again. I know that most of you know this, but heroin has little effect the day after the last dose of subs, whether you feel like shit or not... It might keep the wd's at bay, but the euphoria is really lacking, and the short half-life compared to other opiates really should leave H as a last resort while on bupe (even when gloomy days are ahead with no DOC, due to lack of willpower and abuse of the bupe), because it most likely will not be able to satisfy you. Anyways, slept like shit, and all the while, I had the above question and answer in mind, and today I really wish I had stuck it to the course of my bupe treatment... yesterday was wishful thinking, that the heroin was enough to get me through 2 days... and it really isn't worth going through that evil cycle of copping, getting high, and then back to square zero again... Anyways, hope everyone's treatment is going well, and I just wanted to re-enforce the above Q&A as it is a very well-thought out answer. With that in mind, I am supposed to be at 1 mg buprenorphine / day, but have been at 1.5 or 2 per day during the second half of last week, thus I ran out, as I only had 7 mg for the week... and then this easter thing has got the clinic closed...

 

[BanginMyLifeAway]

i dont even wanna say what i did i fell like a piece of shit now i been in pain for the last few days and my boy was posed to bring me a sub and he kept stunting on me.. and some how somebody had a rc30 and i ended up gettin that and IV'n ..there goes 2 months of bein clean i dont know if i should just try to get more bupe or just say fuck it and start chasin dope again im disappointed n myself

 

[bwanajzj]

^same feeling here... don't go down the road again,as I said it's a vicious or evil cycle that will just have you chasing that rush you so desperately convince yourself that you 'need'... And that feeling of being disappointed in one self is horrible in terms of staying off one's DOC, because it so often leads to the 'fuck-it-all' feeling that inevitably leads down the road of addiction again... I'm nearing the end of my bupe tapering scheme and I feel more strung out than ever, even though the wd's I get nowadays are nothing compared to the H wd's I'd get a few months ago... I guess it just sometimes feels like we are in a hopeless situation, and end up giving in, but if we are strong enough, in the long run we'll make it, and get our appetite for life back, without opiates... don't feel like a piece of shit for relapsing, many do so along the way, and still make it through. I'm not ready to give up, because I relapsed, or because I fucked up my tapering scheme... I'm on my way out, and it may take longer than I expected, but the choice to become clean, and to stay off of opiates is such a big decision, and it can take years to be able to make the claim that one is a year sober... hell a week is a big win! So you're two months:1 relapse ratio is still pretty good compared to many, and I think you should not let yourself convince yourself that A) you need the opiates, or B) that you are a piece of shit for relapsing... it happens to the best of us!

 

[cire113]

ne question to people exp w/subs: why am I able to get stunningly high off other opiates <12 hours after taking the Subs (24mg)? I expected a blocking effect similar to methadone.

Depends on the person and metabolism.. I can get high 8 hrs after taking sub... Although if you wait 48-72 hrs you will definetly get higher... also depends if you the sub is built up in your system if you have been taking it daily or not..

Is there any legal issue with being prescribed both simultaneously (by different docs)? I'm sure I'm just being paranoid, but I've always been afraid to have too much of a "paper trail," and have not attempted to purchase subs through my insurance (which I think covers it). Am I just being ridiculous?

Um dude i got in alot of trouble for this reason... I was on BUPE got oxy's from my other dr.. and fucking all my dr's called me the pharmacists called me... Said i could die if i take sub and oxy lol...

Im paranoid as hell... I doubt im gonna get "busted" for just seeing 2 different docs but its definetly not a good idea... i bet i got flagged by wal greens i already hate them

I still have a script for 90 oxy 15's... considering how hard it is to fill i think im gonna just destroy it so im not tempted and just stick to my happy sub..

Those oxy's would be a nice 3 day binge of IVINg but it will lead to the same bull shit honestly... then ill probably be tempted to see my dr again...

Im better off staying on SUB....

I just got new insurance 90 subs cost me nothing now! It usually costs 45$ but there is a new 45$ discount card for the strips replacing the old 75$ one..

Its weird i feel guilty about taking sub still because its still a "powerful" opiate and im still addicted to opiates... but no matter all the bullshit i tell myself its WAY better than being strung out every 3 hours and IVING oxy 16x a day .....


The thing with Sub dr's is alot of them are greedy... Alot of sub drs make you come "once" a week or make you do some bull shit therapy that ends up costing more money... It took me a while to find my dr hes really cool i meet with him for 20 mins.. he perscribeds 90x 8 mg a month(i take 4mg a day max)... Dr visit does cost 140 but the subs are free with insurance...

Alot of drs try to take advantage of the sub thing and try to make you sign a contract saying you will sign up for their "program"... Usually i see psychiatrists doing this more than addiction drs. .. I tried getting my dr to perscribe subutex and he wouldnt even discuss it with me ... LOL dumb drs still think the nalaxone does something

 

[Captain.Heroin]

Hey guys I got a question to you all about whether this is possible with sub pricing and what not.

I just got back from picking up a pack of cigs at 1:30 in the morning and of course there are cops hanging right outside while I'm in wds. I wind up getting into a conversation with both of them as I'm walking out. I'm in wds, I'm thinking "you gotta be fucking kiddn me". Anyway, one of them wound up telling me it was his b-day and I've never seen 2 cops so happy before in my life. Didn't assualt me or anything. They actually looked high. But I just wanted to write that for anyone who's ever had to peak to police while in wds, (and may also have a record like I do) its not fun lol. I put a smile on my face, stopped fidgeting immediately and acted like I was working, guess it worked.

Anyway my question is this.

I contacted a bunch of drs and got responses on sunday easter mind you, I hate no idea these crazy mfkrs work on easter sunday lol. But I had wrote in my NAABT application that I have little to no money to afford treatment.

2 of the 3 drs that contacted me oddly wound up from being from within a mile of each other in Brooklyn. I live in central NJ but do not care about the ride. Even if I gotta go there more than once a week its only like an hour ride or so.

Question is, both drs have the same fee. They said over email its $60 for the office visit. I asked "but isn't it going to cost like $400-$500 just to fill the sub", and the one dr wrote back "im not sure where you heard that, its relative to your habit but you can fill the subs at whatever rate you can afford at your local pharmacy".

That sounds too good to be true. I pay $60 basically for the script, then can actually fill like 7 at a time? Do pharmacies actually do this? I guess Brooklyn must be known for doing cheap sub programs cause like I said it was 2 drs who must have read I had little to know money and both were from brooklyn.

So also as a word to addicts who may trying to get on bupe, if you're anywhere near brooklyn it will cost you barely nothing afaik.

I'm hoping they weren't pulling my leg and am setting up an appointment tommorow. The dr also said he wouldn't charge me for the visit if it turned out I didn't want to go on subs. I was like "wow, I got nothing to lose then". So I'm going to do it. Wish me luck all!! And if anyone can answer that pharmacy question I'd appreciate it.

I only need 1mg a day max and I've tapered off bupe before and imo its the easiest opiate to taper off of. No physical wds at all but paws was still nastly. This time I'm going to do a much longer/slower taper and start at the same dose. I don't actually care what they prescribe me as I know they always overdo it. Only thing I'm not excited about is I smoke pot everyday, and I'm sure as hell not stopping. I do have ways to avoid it although its a major PITA. Well I'll keep you all updated may be hopping on the bupee train soon.

If they told you up front, you aren't charged if you don't get on Suboxone, then yes, that is how it works. I wasn't told this one time, the doctor turned out to be like "you have to wait 3 more days" = fuck that shit I was already in withdrawal, (the "program" started on a Monday; what a fucking retarded ass stupid shit doctor) so I just demanded I get my money back as they did not help me and I got it back.

I have heard of pharmacies that will let you fill some of your prescription now, and let you get the rest later. That's normal. I have never attempted to do this myself - other people will have to fill you in about it being a reality for them.

 

[bwanajzj]

@Bojangles69: Lucky you, that you got sorted out during easter... I wish I had the same service at my clinic... lol... just 4 days closed, and a little bupe fuckup on my part, had me strung far out... damnit... From the way I remember the NYC/NJ ride, it is an awesome drive or bus/train ride, whichever, I tried all, and the views are amazing, and the roads and bridges are awesome! Would love to try take a ride through NYC to Brooklyn, or vice versa, while the bupe takes effect... Never did opiates while there, but a bunch of drugs... Getting high in NYC is great And not getting high is great there too... once thought I had got some acid blotters at Washington Sq. Park (JUST AN AWESOME place to get ripped off, btw! ), and sat there sucking on a piece of cardboard and nothing more, all the while palcebo like mad, because I had never done acid before... lol! Anyways, good luck with the subs and the doc, and be safe!

 

[jnicolas1980]

Depends on the person and metabolism.. I can get high 8 hrs after taking sub... Although if you wait 48-72 hrs you will definetly get higher... also depends if you the sub is built up in your system if you have been taking it daily or not..





Um dude i got in alot of trouble for this reason... I was on BUPE got oxy's from my other dr.. and fucking all my dr's called me the pharmacists called me... Said i could die if i take sub and oxy lol...

Im paranoid as hell... I doubt im gonna get "busted" for just seeing 2 different docs but its definetly not a good idea... i bet i got flagged by wal greens i already hate them

I still have a script for 90 oxy 15's... considering how hard it is to fill i think im gonna just destroy it so im not tempted and just stick to my happy sub..

Those oxy's would be a nice 3 day binge of IVINg but it will lead to the same bull shit honestly... then ill probably be tempted to see my dr again...

Im better off staying on SUB....

I just got new insurance 90 subs cost me nothing now! It usually costs 45$ but there is a new 45$ discount card for the strips replacing the old 75$ one..

Its weird i feel guilty about taking sub still because its still a "powerful" opiate and im still addicted to opiates... but no matter all the bullshit i tell myself its WAY better than being strung out every 3 hours and IVING oxy 16x a day .....


The thing with Sub dr's is alot of them are greedy... Alot of sub drs make you come "once" a week or make you do some bull shit therapy that ends up costing more money... It took me a while to find my dr hes really cool i meet with him for 20 mins.. he perscribeds 90x 8 mg a month(i take 4mg a day max)... Dr visit does cost 140 but the subs are free with insurance...

Alot of drs try to take advantage of the sub thing and try to make you sign a contract saying you will sign up for their "program"... Usually i see psychiatrists doing this more than addiction drs. .. I tried getting my dr to perscribe subutex and he wouldnt even discuss it with me ... LOL dumb drs still think the nalaxone does something

Thanks for the reply. I don't have enough posts to PM you. I would like to ask you a few more questions, mainly because I'm also in SF and looking for a new doctor. Are you in PBC by any chance?

 

[Bojangles69]

Got on the bupe train today and the doctor was the best I've seen my whole life. NY drs seem a lot "looser" than NJ drs thats for sure.

Guy gave me ambien, clonidine, motrin, and the sub strips. Cost $60 for the visit, $20 for each additional visit. Its only going to cost $48 a week for the subs. Wayy cheaper than I could have ever imagined.

Best part was the dr handed me 3 strips for free in the office, and said "if you get pulled over you didn't get them from me". I was like "oh but you gave me a prescription". And he said "yeh but untill you have a bottle with your name on it, a cop can still arrest you for having strips w/out a bottle. The guy basically risked his license, but I think he knew because I was from outta state the liklihood of it getting back to him was nonexistent.

Feel like a million bucks right now. Extremely tired from not sleeping the last 2 nights but my body has finally calmed down thanks to the sub. I've thought it was like 110 degrees these last few days and it was only in the 70s. The sweat on my head went away, I feel cool, I feel content, this was a very smart decision. Plus the fact I'm only taking 1mg so tapering will be easy. Sub is truely a godsend. So are young indian drs that don't give a shit about losing their license lol.

 

[cire113]

^^^^ dam dude only 20 $ each additional visit wow... What kinda dr is he....

Glad everything worked out for you.. That guy sounds like the shit even gave u 3 strips I've never heard of that before...

@jnicholas. Nah man I'm in Miami ... Good luck finding a good sub dr down here they are all money and greed.. They won't tell u shit over phone and u gotta pay first before seeing em

 

[Sweetsomniferum]

$48 to fill the scrip? You mentioned that you are on a low dose, which may explain that attractively low price -- I'm happy that it's working out for you. For those of us on higher doses, look up "needy meds". This will connect you to the Here to Help program for affording subs. My Dr. is unaware of this program -- if I am accepted I can remain on Subs, if not, I will have to detox as quickly as possible which leaves me very vulnerable to resuming daily opium use. Experiencing Her beauty and power in its full intensity reminds me of those graceful pitcher plants who trap insects with their sweet nectar.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

Got on the bupe train today and the doctor was the best I've seen my whole life. NY drs seem a lot "looser" than NJ drs thats for sure.

Guy gave me ambien, clonidine, motrin, and the sub strips. Cost $60 for the visit, $20 for each additional visit. Its only going to cost $48 a week for the subs. Wayy cheaper than I could have ever imagined.

Best part was the dr handed me 3 strips for free in the office, and said "if you get pulled over you didn't get them from me". I was like "oh but you gave me a prescription". And he said "yeh but untill you have a bottle with your name on it, a cop can still arrest you for having strips w/out a bottle. The guy basically risked his license, but I think he knew because I was from outta state the liklihood of it getting back to him was nonexistent.

Feel like a million bucks right now. Extremely tired from not sleeping the last 2 nights but my body has finally calmed down thanks to the sub. I've thought it was like 110 degrees these last few days and it was only in the 70s. The sweat on my head went away, I feel cool, I feel content, this was a very smart decision. Plus the fact I'm only taking 1mg so tapering will be easy. Sub is truely a godsend. So are young indian drs that don't give a shit about losing their license lol.

That's awesome man! That's a really decent deal.

 

[cire113]

http://suboxonetalkzone.com/bupe.pain.pdf

Interesting link about buprenophine and pain!!

 

[DeLee]

I took my last dose of Suboxone 8mg about 12h ago. Before that I tapered down from 32mg to 16mg Saturday and Sunday and then 8mg monday. (yesterday)
Tomorow (Wednesday) I will enter methadone maintanence program.

It feels kind of funny hoping for withdrawals to start setting in so I can get most effect out of the Methadone.
Anyone have any tips or recomendations on how to speed up the Bupe WD's ?

 

[Bojangles69]

/\ Umm, why do you have to be in wds?

Going from bupe to methadone should be safe whether you'r in wds or not. I don't generally start to wd till hour 48, then by hour 72 it feels more like a typical wd syndrome. So you may have to wait 3 days before it works its way out.

I also thought that methadone was used at higher does to "clean off" a receptor site in operative conditions when bupe was used initially for the surgery. Like they give a bupe injection first, then 8 hours later will transition to methadone and it will rid the bupe from the receptors. That may be for IV use only though I'm not sure. I still don't know why you have to wait. Unless thats just a restriction of the program.

Edit: sorry you said "trying to get the most" lol. Should have known. Yeh well if thats the case I don't think you'd get the most till around the 72 hour mark, although I'd imagine 48 hours a decent amount will have worked its way out of your system.

The problem is though you just tapered down from 32mg a few days ago, and chances are you have a truck load of bupe in your body merely from taking those amounts. I've seen people not enter proper wds with bupe for even longer than 3 days, depending on the dose really. G/luck with the MMT!

 

[bwanajzj]

^^I just had a bum-fuck of a weekend and Easter, because I abused my bupe and ended up having to supplement with a quarter gram of heroin 1st day off bupe (Easter Sunday!), and then methadone on day 3 and day 4 (respectively 40 mg, and then 20 mg), and today my pupils are large as fuck, I'm twitchy, broke, and hungry, but luckily I have an appointment at the clinic to pick up a weeks worth of bupe (7 mg's)... Sticking it to the coarse of the treatment from now on... hopefully... bupe works in wierd ways though, and all of a sudden I'm there, strung out on opiates again... I really have a love/hate relationship with that drug. The honeymoon phase is long gone, and I seem to have been able to lay to rest the filtering and IV'ing of the tablets, so now I'm left with the last leg of the taper, and I really hope I can make it through without finding some way to stray or abuse the ORT... and I feel like such a pathetic loser when I hear about all you guys dishing out wads of cash for your treatment, and here I am, covered by the insurance, I don't spend a dime at the clinic, and I'm abusing it... damnit...

Anyways, the transition from bupe to methadone was quite smooth... I felt almost the full effects of the methadone at 48 hrs+ off bupe, although I was suprised at the amount I needed to feel normal. Depending on what sort of opiate background you have, methdadone should work on most people with almost full effects within the first 3 days of bupe wd's... although everyone is different, and metabolisms vary and so on... Methadone is a really strong opiate, and it has high affinity for numerous opioid receptors, so you shouldn't worry too much about the transition lacking any effects... Gathering from the experience of other users who have compared bupe and methadone, the transition from bupe to a full-agonist is always easier than if one were to do it the other way round, and the effects more profound. Especially when you make a jump off a long-acting opiate onto another long-acting opiate... Funny though, that transitioning from let's say heroin to bupe can take days before the bupe has it's desired effects, but once bupe is stabilized in the system, it really seems that you need to wait a long time after the last dose to be able to feel any rush or euphoria from other opiates, and by long I'm assuming 1 week + here, although I haven't tried being off bupe for that long. The longest I've gone is 5 days, and tried morphine on day 5, and still didn't get that rush that it would have given before... So if you're looking for a euphoric rush from the methadone, then you might be disappointed, but you will definitely notice it's effects...

 

[bwanajzj]

^All good now, or at least so, so... asi, asi, en español... Anyways, picked up my meds, and went home to get them inside my body and mind... I was kinda freaked out though, because with all the fucking about that I have been doing, I cannot beleive that I have not experienced the precipitated wd's yet, it's just too good to be true, and since it was only just over 24 hrs since my last dose of methadone, I was expecting a little discomfort in the transition... But all went smooth.

At the clinic, they asked if I had lost weight, and instead of saying, yeah, of coarse I lost weight, I just spent the past 3 days jonesing, and barely having the appetite or money for something as simple as bread and fruit, all the while trying to fix myself and my wd's with heroin and methadone... I instead went the casual route, and mentioned that I felt a very neutralized appetite while on bupe, and my increased amounts of exercise lately, both have been contributing factors to me becoming skinnier...

...Anyways, the nurse made a good point (not that I was unaware of it, but it can easily be forgotten when one is in a wd'ing state), and it is something I'd like to express here: Do not mistake your hunger for drug cravings. Always, get the blood sugar levels where they're supposed to be at, by eating the amount of calories and such that are necessary to maintain a stable state, and then find out whether you still need drugs or not... She had had a patient once who suffered severe anxiety, and was prescribed a bunch of benzos to supplement his ORT, and all the while, it turned out that this anxiety was mainly due to the fact that the patient ate the first meal of the day late in the afternoon. Anyways, my point is, that a lot of the minor discomfort that comes around when in wd's from opiates, can be quite similar to the discomfort that comes about when blood-sugar levels are too low, so while it can be great to do drugs on an empty stomach, it may also be the wiser to eat first, and make sure that there is a natural balance in body, mind and spirit, before inducing an intoxicated state... Food for thought