Suboxone taper from 32mg - advice

[AnythingEverything]

Hi
No, im not trying to feel something out of the bupe at all, I gave up on that years ago! I used to muck around with it and snorted it, tried to potentiate, would go days without just to feel something, and like I said above, the reason i first tried plugging, always of course thought about IVing but held back. I've never felt anything from it woule be a bit silly for me to try now. As I said above, when j first tried other methods, over 2 years ago, that's what I was trying to do, but not now, there's no point and im not chasing anything from it now at all. And I'll never touch a needle again. My first experience getting clean was when I was 21 (now 38 ) and that was the last time i injected and I still think about it. But I won't go down that track ahain, I have too much to lose.

I am reducing my dose. Previous to my relapse I had over 14 years clean and sober (completely abstinent) in which time I did NA meetings nearly everyday, other therapy, got married and had 5 children, ran a business and volunteered as well......and my relapse after all that time due to PTSD nearly cost me the world - my precious children - I tear up just writing those words ?. I have nothing to gain with dishonesty?

I am back in therapy (actually really never left) and have several people I support on a personal level. I also volunteer for street vans, feeding, talking, whatever people need, plus im a busy mum with 5 amazingly talented children who need my personal, emotional, physical, spiritual, etc support every moment of every day.

I've also said above i really want to reduce my dose and that was the point of this thread. It starts today actually But I also metabolise bupe differently and my dose ended up so high because of this, so I am worried but I doubt I will feel any different from this drop.

Gotta go, school drop off time

 

[zeldaron]

I've found you just get used to the taste - do you have film/strips or tabs - the film is better than crushed tabs - I get 6 takeaways a week - wake up pop em in and sleep another 30 mins so they dissolve.

 

[manboychef]

You are doing awesome. The volunteering is amazing. Supporting others is the cornerstone of being sober. When I was an addict I was very selfish...well not so much selfish as I was self motivated. When I came to my senses I realized that quite a number of people had helped me to get sober...it was time to give back.

If you don't mind the question, how old are your kids? I have a six year old son. My ex kinda screwed me over very badly and I rarely talk to him, and have seen him three times in the last four years. Actually what led to my relapse that lasted six years was my inability to cope with having him taken from me in such a underhanded way. It still gets under my skin thinking about it, but I know I have to forgive if I want to set my heart free.

PTSD is really hard to deal with. I know quite a few people with PTSD and it shapes their life and habits. For some reason the ones that smoke pot usually have a much more fulfilling life, or easier time dealing with it. I remember I stuck up a conversation with a fellow at a OCD support group meeting and he told me the VA had him on a shit ton of opiates, benzos, anti-psychotics etc. and pot actually helped him get off those other drugs and eased his mind a lot more. Pot isn't for me though. Too much anxiety.

I didn't notice any significant changes from dropping from 16mg down to 8, and then down to 4. It wasn't until 2mg and sub-2mg that I started noticing the edges weren't so rosy anymore. All I can say about dropping is be prepared to feel strange for a day or two, and then fine again. Usually the bupe stays in your system long enough to make the transition easier. If you are a fast metabolizer might I suggest split dosing. I had to do that when I got down to 4mg because I noticed I would feel edgy at the end of the day.

Keep up the good work homegirl.

 

[AnythingEverything]

I've found you just get used to the taste - do you have film/strips or tabs - the film is better than crushed tabs - I get 6 takeaways a week - wake up pop em in and sleep another 30 mins so they dissolve.

Im the opposite. I found them fine for the first 2 years. Now coming up to 3 years it's making me sick. I was forced to have them before breakfast in hospital when I had pneumonia and ir made me throw up and ever since then I nearly vomit everytime Have always had the strips. Mine are all takeaways, weekly pickuP, have never had the tablets. I split my dose into 3 or 4 and don't have that much time to sleep lol

 

[AnythingEverything]

You are doing awesome. The volunteering is amazing. Supporting others is the cornerstone of being sober. When I was an addict I was very selfish...well not so much selfish as I was self motivated. When I came to my senses I realized that quite a number of people had helped me to get sober...it was time to give back.

If you don't mind the question, how old are your kids? I have a six year old son. My ex kinda screwed me over very badly and I rarely talk to him, and have seen him three times in the last four years. Actually what led to my relapse that lasted six years was my inability to cope with having him taken from me in such a underhanded way. It still gets under my skin thinking about it, but I know I have to forgive if I want to set my heart free.

PTSD is really hard to deal with. I know quite a few people with PTSD and it shapes their life and habits. For some reason the ones that smoke pot usually have a much more fulfilling life, or easier time dealing with it. I remember I stuck up a conversation with a fellow at a OCD support group meeting and he told me the VA had him on a shit ton of opiates, benzos, anti-psychotics etc. and pot actually helped him get off those other drugs and eased his mind a lot more. Pot isn't for me though. Too much anxiety.

I didn't notice any significant changes from dropping from 16mg down to 8, and then down to 4. It wasn't until 2mg and sub-2mg that I started noticing the edges weren't so rosy anymore. All I can say about dropping is be prepared to feel strange for a day or two, and then fine again. Usually the bupe stays in your system long enough to make the transition easier. If you are a fast metabolizer might I suggest split dosing. I had to do that when I got down to 4mg because I noticed I would feel edgy at the end of the day.

Keep up the good work homegirl.

Thank you . Im soinf my best, well close to it, always room for improvement!

Im sorry to hear about your child ?. I have 5 ( 5,7,9,11 and 16) and they are my world. I can't imagine being separated from them nor denying them their father if we were to split up, im sorry, that would definitely wreak havoc on anyone's mental health. My relapse (stack of Benzos, opiates, alcohol and pills) due to PTSD was from nearly losing our youngest at 12 days old to meningitis, she was airlifted, then whooping cough at 6 weeks, a massive seizure at 2 and several hip operations at 20 months. I was in recovery the whole tkme I was having my children and luckily I put myself in detox not too far into my relapse but im still on all that suboxone.

I also have OCD tendancies, not full blown as my brother has that and it's horrid, depression, anxiety, eating disorders spanning 20 years (1 year into recovery) which did stunt my full recovery, borderline personalily disorder and thinfs I did during my relapse lead me to being suicidal on many occasions. Just for a bit of background. So I've had to constantly work and fight my whole life. I have always had a heart for the underdog, I can't stand by and watch people suffer alone ?

I am a fast metaboliser, confirmed by blood test, which is how I ended up on 32. But I was never told by my dr to try splitting. I was still waking up in Pain at 32 until I was told on a forum to split my dose. I believe I could have stayed lower had i split earlier. I now split my dose anywhere from 2 to 4 doses and it's much better. And yeah, I think getting down to 16 or less should be relatively ok. Im not going to worry about the ebd yet as I know it will be the worst but that's years away yet, when the time is right.

Thanks for the encouragement and replies, I reallt appreciate it . Keep up the good work, sounds like uoure on a good path despite adversity you have faced

 

[Opiatehell85]

It works the same for me, I have never felt anything from bupe anyway, I just find it easier. This is kind of not talked about a lot and sorry for TMI but I actually find the easiest way is intra vaginally . I don't dissolve them, just pop and forget lol! It has the added bonus for me in that I am one that gets side effects from swallowing the naloxene (I have to spit it out after the BUPE has dissolved or I get terrible headaches and nausea, took me ages to work that out), so taking it the way I do, the naloxene isnt absorbed through my stomach and I don't get sick. Not sure how that works as im clearly absorbing it but it does .

I've looked into negative side effects of doing this and can't find much at all so happy doing this for now. I'm finished having children so not worried about any reproductive effects. I also find being on the go constantly with 5 childen, taking it this way is simpler. I know that for some it can be 'addict behaviour' and if im honest, when I first tried it, it was for me, I was desperate to 'feel something' but I don't and never will so it's pure convinience

wow, I've never heard of doing it this way before, but yeah I've finished having kids too. Doesn't the vagina have a different ph to the anus tho? I'm not sure if it would destroy some of the BA ?? But you say it works so I believe you, are there others that do of this way too? Sorry for the questions I'm intrigued xoxo

 

[Opiatehell85]

Oh and also, I've just read all your posts on here, you are amazing! You're doing so well, I wish I had half the strength of what you have. As you know I'm a busy mum too, with three kids one whom is disabled, I run a business too. It's so hard isn't it? But we're doing it for our beautiful children, I too was very selfish, put opiates before anything and anyone. I too got tears reading your story as it's exactly how I feel. I get weekly pick ups but in tablet form, I'm also not seeking a high from the subs, just sometimes find that sublingual can be a pain in the ass, it's hurting the underneath of my tongue and all my tastes are gone! Hence why I'm looking for another ROA xoxoxo

 

[manboychef]

I noticed that too when I was taking the films. It seemed to dull my sense of taste. As a chef I couldn't have that happening. I tried switching to subutex, which still gave me nasty mouth all day.

Keep up the good work AE, and OH. Everything gets better with time and enough hard work.

 

[AnythingEverything]

wow, I've never heard of doing it this way before, but yeah I've finished having kids too. Doesn't the vagina have a different ph to the anus tho? I'm not sure if it would destroy some of the BA ?? But you say it works so I believe you, are there others that do of this way too? Sorry for the questions I'm intrigued xoxo

It does have a different ph which also varies fr person to person and depends on lots of factors, ie diet etc. As much as I say I've never felt anything from bupe as in high, if I can hold off and have most of my dose at nighttime, it does chill me out and even put me to sleep, and I've found this way the most effective . And it's easier than actual plugging for obvious reasons lol.

Oh and also, I've just read all your posts on here, you are amazing! You're doing so well, I wish I had half the strength of what you have. As you know I'm a busy mum too, with three kids one whom is disabled, I run a business too. It's so hard isn't it? But we're doing it for our beautiful children, I too was very selfish, put opiates before anything and anyone. I too got tears reading your story as it's exactly how I feel. I get weekly pick ups but in tablet form, I'm also not seeking a high from the subs, just sometimes find that sublingual can be a pain in the ass, it's hurting the underneath of my tongue and all my tastes are gone! Hence why I'm looking for another ROA xoxoxo

Thank you so much. Life isn't always easy is it? Im glad to have someone to relate to, thanks for saying so xo

I've never found it to hurt or anything, it just does make me sick and for pure convinience sake it makes like easier, especially as I'll be on 6 strips a day. I've never had the pill form. Probably a good thing as I know I would snort it. I've tried (long time ago) with the strips and it just doesn't work. Lol.

 

[AnythingEverything]

I noticed that too when I was taking the films. It seemed to dull my sense of taste. As a chef I couldn't have that happening. I tried switching to subutex, which still gave me nasty mouth all day.

Keep up the good work AE, and OH. Everything gets better with time and enough hard work.

Thank you and to you too it certainly does. As much as I wish I had never relapsed, those 14 years of recovery were not for nothing. I had my beautiful family, ran a business, bought a house, nice cars etc. But way more than that, I had to face life of life's terms and deal with a heck of ALOT of stuff. Im still dealing with a heck of slot of stuff lol, I think thay will always be the case, but all those years are not lost. And it's been nearly another 3 years now

I never found the numbing of taste buds or anything but I don't have much interest in food so I may not notice, plus my diet is pretty restricted in what I can eat as well as bland I guess. You couldn't have that as a chef i kmagine!

 

[Opiatehell85]

It does have a different ph which also varies fr person to person and depends on lots of factors, ie diet etc. As much as I say I've never felt anything from bupe as in high, if I can hold off and have most of my dose at nighttime, it does chill me out and even put me to sleep, and I've found this way the most effective . And it's easier than actual plugging for obvious reasons lol.



Thank you so much. Life isn't always easy is it? Im glad to have someone to relate to, thanks for saying so xo

I've never found it to hurt or anything, it just does make me sick and for pure convinience sake it makes like easier, especially as I'll be on 6 strips a day. I've never had the pill form. Probably a good thing as I know I would snort it. I've tried (long time ago) with the strips and it just doesn't work. Lol.

Im on the tabs, I haven't snorted or plugged. Just usual sublingual. Although I might try different ways and see if it helps higher the ba so that I need less. Yeah so good having someone to relate to

 

[AvenueC]

Thanks for taking the time to reply toothpastedog?

I have probably a couple of years, pretty sure he's keen to keep people on Suboxone being a private dr, Benzos are another story though as he hates them and only prescribes them to taper, not for any other reason. He also doesn't like to prescribe gabapentin or anything similar to help with Benzo withdrawal. I've been on this dose for a couple of years now and he's always just said 'want to reduce' and I've never started. So it won't have to be quick. Maybe I could do the 1mg a week you suggested until I get down to 12 or 8 or just play it by ear and then hang there for awhile. And yeah, I am way more worried about getting off the small dose at the end than from dropping down from where I am now.

Im not ready to come off the Benzos at all though I haven't had a drop in so long im pretty sure he is going to want me to reduce again from tonight. It's again been years coming down from 400mg-500mg plus (or equivalent of xanax or another benzo) to get to 20. I've done rapid detoxes before and cannot function so im quite scared about that. Not too worried about halving my sub dose but my life just doesn't allow me the time to be sick or rest. Im annoyed at myself that im where I am

Last time I did an opiate detox in hospital I was given clonidine which helped a little (though the opiate detox was nothing compared to the benzos)....do drs normally prescribe this or something similar to come off subs?

Actually, that's another question i would like to ask. Prescriptions or other to help with BUPE detox (for the end bit, not for now). Peoples experiences? Does weed help or hinder? Thanks again.

Hello,

I agree with the 1 mg. a week. I have been on suboxone 3 years and currently one week in on getting off of it. That’s basically what I did and when I made the jump to quit taking, I have used 2 tablets of 50 mg. Of Tramadol to ease my symptoms. If you aren’t concerned with Tramadol being another issue later on down the line, it has worked for me this week, but week is not over. It has its ups and downs. I’ve also used a half of a quarter of Xanax when I start to get the anxiety detox feeling (not sure if that makes sense). My family has helped me in putting together this taper. I know this isn’t a “Pure”drug free way, but it has helped me. It depends how if you think you could use those substances without it being an issue. Maybe have family help.
Keep us updated as I am currently doing this and hoping that it’s not completely miserable. It can be scary. Good Luck!

 

[Bice]

I can relate with all of this. can any of you help me with this ...

My cousin per say is taking 80 to 120 mg of OP's a day. He has been doing so for about 6 weeks. Before that they had not taken any pain medicine whatsoever.

He wants to know how to responsibly get off of the medicine. I am not experienced to advise him how to do so. He is worried that if he does it cold turkey he will get sick.

Is this true ? Can he do it cold turkey or should he try to taper off the medicine ? Also, he does not get the medicine from his doctor but from the streets so he cannot call his doctor

and get a lighter prescription.

I am hoping some more experienced people from this forum can answer this question. I am so glad this forum his here.

 

[Rio Fantastic]

I can relate with all of this. can any of you help me with this ...

My cousin per say is taking 80 to 120 mg of OP's a day. He has been doing so for about 6 weeks. Before that they had not taken any pain medicine whatsoever.

He wants to know how to responsibly get off of the medicine. I am not experienced to advise him how to do so. He is worried that if he does it cold turkey he will get sick.

Is this true ? Can he do it cold turkey or should he try to taper off the medicine ? Also, he does not get the medicine from his doctor but from the streets so he cannot call his doctor

and get a lighter prescription.

I am hoping some more experienced people from this forum can answer this question. I am so glad this forum his here.

You asked this same question like a week ago, the longer you put off trying to stop, the more likely you are to get WDs. If you keep delaying to seek more advice then you are just making it more and more likely you will pass the crucial point that will guarantee physical dependence and withdrawals. Tomorrow, don't take any oxy. You will know within the day if you are getting withdrawals or not, and then you can assess your situation and whether you will need to taper or use other meds. Don't put it off for another week so you can post your same question in a bunch of other threads - that day you spend posting your question could end up being the day where you cross the line from quitting without difficulty to quitting with withdrawals. Stop procrastinating - nobody here can tell you if you are going to get sick or not definitively. Only you can answer that question after you try going a day without it.