Think I want to go on suboxone, could use some direction.

[Bojangles69]

The reality is I want to be clean.
I tapered off opiates one time, got 23 days clean, then relapsed.

Have been using opiates for the last 2 1/2 years now. I've never been a compulsive spend my whole check in a week type of person. But at the same time I always seem to need some certain amount of opiates in my blood to function.

I switch between them a lot mainly due to availability and its driving me nuts. I also remember being on subs before (street subs) and although I had some major headaches they still hit the spot for me. I figure if I can get into a program, then do NA consistently, I can slowly taper the sub over 5-6 months and get back into a normal swing of things w/out worrying about wds as often as I do. Its the whole score/use/wd thing that makes my life unstable. And I think I'd be a good canidate as I actually want to get clean, I've made decisions by myself to work towards getting clean, my life just isn't stable enough it seems to allow that.

The thing I don't like about subs is cost. I have no health insurance, no real income to pay for a sub program as all my money goes towards opiates and rent/bills/car insurance etc. Although I don't work a job I consistently due "side work" as I know a lot of useless shit basically, but I just can't pay the prices many of these sub programs seem to charge.

I went to NAABT matching system and filled out an application for bupe doctors in my area. They say apparently I will get contacted by mail if a doctor has an opening. But I also explained how I have no insurance/income so I'm fearing no doctors are gonna get back to me.

I really just want to stop worrying about how I feel for once, and where/what I'm gonna do next when I'm almost out of drugs. I also feel the wds from suboxone were a lot easier to deal with as it was the only opiate I had success actually tapering off of, just the issue was relapse obviously. I had a limited supply so I tapered faster than I should of. If I can get into a program I think I can really stablize certain things in my life (like one being able to pass a drug test for work, get a job, graduating in may, get back into working out) and taper off very slowly but consistently.

I would pay if I was able to find a really cheap program, maybe like $150 initial visit, then a $60-$80 monthly fee, but I see some people who have paid $300 for the first visit, and $200 a month on maintenance. Thats really insane.

What choices do I have ? Is the NAABT matching thing actually useful? Does it work?
I found it on this forum and went to the site:
http://www.addictionsurvivors.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=21259

Should I just get a list of as many doctors as possible and tell them all I'm broke and have no health insurance? I mean what can they do about it nothing right? Or am I wrong?

And I heard about that free program the manufactures do but I would imagine theres a ton of people on that list and it likely takes forever to get into.

I really want to go back on bupe. Like I said the wds weren't that bad, and I felt very stable on it. So I don't know why I just don't go back on it and try tapering legitmately with a doctor on my side.

Thanks all - Bo

 

[Bojangles69]

Ok well I'll update although noones responded yet.

I did actually have 2 doctors contact me within hours of using the NAABT matching service so I guess it does actually work.
One doctor didn't write much at all. Another one who is located in Brooklyn (a nice ride from central NJ but I don't really care) replied more in depth and understood my situation. He said his office visits are $60 and that he basically thinks he can help me. So I'm going to call tommorow and see what the deal is.

If it turns out to be $60 like he said then thats perfect, I just didn't wanna be paying $250 for a 15minute office visit I think thats obviously taking advantage of addicts and largely a crock of shit.

The only thing I guess I have left to figure out is how I'm going to get the subs cheap. I'm realizing that even with cheap office visits the subs themself cost a ton. But I'm going to do my homework and see what this dr says tommorow. Even if they prescribe me like 16mg a day I'm only going to use 1mg max a day, so chances are I'll just fill it once and never go back lol. I just liked how I felt when I was tapering sub and although there was days I would complaing about headaches and what not I just don't feel held at all on the tramdol. It does stop wds but I've been having hotflashes/sweats all day long and have had this very subtle but long lasting RLS in both my legs and arms. The tram just seems to get rid of pain and anxiety/depression but other wds definitely come through. Didn't even go away for a minute after I took 6 tram this morning. I've been eating better and I just want more stability in my life so we'll see what happens I guess.

 

[PoOkIeHeAd]

If you are committed I imagine in the end even if its 200+ a month or more it will still be way less than what you actually are spending now on the illicit stuff.

Good luck.

 

[shahab6]

how much are you spending a month on drugs now? it's still cheaper than illegal drugs..

the first month I took them I got headache to, but it went away.

if you can't get off opiate, it's hard to get off sub too, just to let you know. I have done some research there aren't that many people who have been off sub for too long, the reason is just like opiates when you stop, you still get withdrawals, which last longer, and when they withdrawals are finish you still develop paws, which is why most people go back to using again. sub is mostly for long-term maintenance, even my doctor said it, he said most of his patients haven been on it for years.

 

[Bojangles69]

Yeh I definitely spend more than $200 a month but I was expecting the sub to be wayy more than that. Doesn't it cost like $500 just to get one fill or something? I should have probably asked these questions in the sub thread now that I think about it lol.

I mean last month I likely spent about $400 on drugs alone. Then every other dime I have goes towards rent/loans/insurance/phone etc.

Also @ shahab. I tried tapering off my DOC and couldn't do it at all back in august. The wds were murder, nothing like I've experienced before. At that point I transitioned to sub, and was on it for about a month, then began to taper off it where I went from 1mg to .25mg. I jumped off at .25mg and had no physical wds at all.

I DID get paws still but comparing sub to poppy pods the sub was 1000times easier to come off of/taper. I lasted almost a month before I relapsed. But this time if I have more sub, I can do a slower taper, and I think that will ligthen up the paws a bit. I'm not worried about physical wds with sub because like I said it went very smooth last time I did it. And I'm really thinking if I just do it slower this time the paws won't come in so intense like they did before.

I think if I assume that I'm going to maintain on it, then I'll likely wind up taking stupid high doses knowing I won't be coming off for a year or 2. But if I go in to the situation telling myself I have 4-5 months to taper, I will start on the lowest dose I need (not what the dr says) and I'm hoping this second taper will go even better than the first.

 

[adicabrady]

Hi Bojangles,is there any way you can get Medicaid?I'm on Medicare and they are billed about 500 dollars a month for three pills a day.I tried once buying just three because I needed a prior approval and the pharmacy wanted 13 dollars a pill.I didn't want to spend the money and was approved the next day so I was alright.I'm pretty steady on the Suboxone and only get bad urges when some blabber mouth starts talking about pills in the area.I tell everyone I am a bad enough influence on myself without any help.I've had to cut out quite a few people in my life.

When I went on Suboxone I didn't even have a heroin habit.Hadn't had one in years but was spending too much on oxies and percs.I'm pretty stable with Suboxone.I would rather be clean but I have been trying that for decades with little luck.

 

[adicabrady]

No price discussion allowed - PA

 

[BanginMyLifeAway]

first off good luck and the first step is really wanting to get off it

subs worked wonders for me ... my suggestion is if u get on them try not to totally rely on them
becaues then thats just another addiction i had to w/d off them for a min wasnt to bad but still

i still dabble with bupe (for pain actually) i dont do it daily and when i do its only 2-4mg

but i wish u the best just get it in your head that u done with the shit tell yourself u gonna be clean

that will go along way good luck again

 

[BanginMyLifeAway]

Yeh I definitely spend more than $200 a month but I was expecting the sub to be wayy more than that. Doesn't it cost like $500 just to get one fill or something? I should have probably asked these questions in the sub thread now that I think about it lol.

I mean last month I likely spent about $400 on drugs alone. Then every other dime I have goes towards rent/loans/insurance/phone etc.

Also @ shahab. I tried tapering off my DOC and couldn't do it at all back in august. The wds were murder, nothing like I've experienced before. At that point I transitioned to sub, and was on it for about a month, then began to taper off it where I went from 1mg to .25mg. I jumped off at .25mg and had no physical wds at all.

I DID get paws still but comparing sub to poppy pods the sub was 1000times easier to come off of/taper. I lasted almost a month before I relapsed. But this time if I have more sub, I can do a slower taper, and I think that will ligthen up the paws a bit. I'm not worried about physical wds with sub because like I said it went very smooth last time I did it. And I'm really thinking if I just do it slower this time the paws won't come in so intense like they did before.

I think if I assume that I'm going to maintain on it, then I'll likely wind up taking stupid high doses knowing I won't be coming off for a year or 2. But if I go in to the situation telling myself I have 4-5 months to taper, I will start on the lowest dose I need (not what the dr says) and I'm hoping this second taper will go even better than the first.

they have pharms around here where u can go and just get 1 sub a day.. and dont start off with a whole one...break it down its just as effective

u can also look into using lope to go thru withdrawals just dont over do that either

the way i finally got off Heroin and OC was to get me bout 5 subs off the street and i made them last doin small does and pretty much made em last 2 weeks and after that i had slight w/d from subs but nothin like opiate w/e

 

[shahab6]

Yeh I definitely spend more than $200 a month but I was expecting the sub to be wayy more than that. Doesn't it cost like $500 just to get one fill or something? I should have probably asked these questions in the sub thread now that I think about it lol.

I mean last month I likely spent about $400 on drugs alone. Then every other dime I have goes towards rent/loans/insurance/phone etc.

Also @ shahab. I tried tapering off my DOC and couldn't do it at all back in august. The wds were murder, nothing like I've experienced before. At that point I transitioned to sub, and was on it for about a month, then began to taper off it where I went from 1mg to .25mg. I jumped off at .25mg and had no physical wds at all.

I DID get paws still but comparing sub to poppy pods the sub was 1000times easier to come off of/taper. I lasted almost a month before I relapsed. But this time if I have more sub, I can do a slower taper, and I think that will ligthen up the paws a bit. I'm not worried about physical wds with sub because like I said it went very smooth last time I did it. And I'm really thinking if I just do it slower this time the paws won't come in so intense like they did before.

I think if I assume that I'm going to maintain on it, then I'll likely wind up taking stupid high doses knowing I won't be coming off for a year or 2. But if I go in to the situation telling myself I have 4-5 months to taper, I will start on the lowest dose I need (not what the dr says) and I'm hoping this second taper will go even better than the first.

the thing with sub is, taking high dosage wont really expect you, for example I've noticed I get the same exact effect if I take 4mg instead of 8 mg..

after a certain dosage you just get more side effect.

also they go less than $200 for 30 8mg. If u take 4mg a day, that comes out to
$100 a month..

 

[Bojangles69]

Ok great thanks!! Thats exactly what I was curious about.

I'm making an appointment tommorow it appears that Brooklyn is known for running very cheap sub programs. Both drs told me its $60 for the initial visit, that if I don't decided to go on I don't have to pay (which was cool) and that I can fill them at the pharmacy at w/e rate I'm comfortable.

Kinda makes me wonder why so many addicts score them off the street, I guess they just don't wanna do the footwork and deal with all the restrictions. But if this is what it turns out to be, I'm absolutely doing it. $100 a month is nothing, I'd rather not spend $200, and I don't even plan on using 4mg a day was planning on just 1mg. I've done bupe before and a little bit really gives me a nice jump. So it looks like I'm going on the bupe train.

I also realize how hard bupe is to get off of but imo thats for people who start off on 16mg/8mg a day and wind up trying to stop at like 1-2mg. Bupe is too powerful for that crap and getting down to .25mg was my sweet spot last time, so thats what I'll aim for now. Plus I've always liked to somewhat moderate my habit as I realize every single mg that goes into my body is just more bs wds I'm gonna have to deal with. So in that respect I feel pretty informed with bupe. I've had experience with it, had great results, so getting on it legitmately I think is the smartest thing I can do.

Thanks all! I'll update once I do the appointment and all just to let you all know how I went.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

So many addicts get Suboxone without a prescription because some doctors drug test, others charge much more than where you live, and yet other people do not have a plethora of Suboxone doctors in their area.

Also, even with people who have health insurance, trying to find a Suboxone doctor who accepts health insurance is difficult, especially one who is more ideal in terms of fees, and policies.

If you don't have health insurance, check out the Free Suboxone Program.

 

[Bojangles69]

Alright thanks everyone I've had enough and am driving up to Brooklyn today. Was able to make an appointment for the same day, I'm in wds, so I hope to god they can throw me on something today or are able to give me something at the office. I have not slept for 48 hours now, took soma last night and it did nothing to me.

I honestly have no idea why I'm in such bad wds because I jumped off pods like a week ago and went straight to tram. Was decent on the tram for about 4-5 days, and out of nowhere started getting wds that started getting worse everyday that passed by. Now i feel like I'm full wds at this point. Its pretty bad.
I'm loading up on on 80mg inderal cause I"m shakey as fuck, and am going to try to navigate my way to Brooklyn in a couple more hours. Wish me luck!!! I really need this script or I'm gonna have serious issues finishing up these last couple weeks of class... what a nightmare.

 

[Bojangles69]

Wow what a day.

The doctor was one of the best doctors I've ever met in my life. And one of the coolest too. He was an indian guy. He prescribed me like 6 different meds. Ambien, clonidine, sub strips, motrin then 2 others I don't even remember.

He said just to be safe take the ambien/clondine/motrin and something else tonight and no sub. Then when I wake up tommorow morning to take the sub. I was much more confident then him because the second I got home I plugged 1mg. Theres no way I'm going into PWD as I've been maintaining on tram for a week or so. Although I told him I stopped the harder opiates on saturday.

It was funny because he told me he was doing a urinalysis but conveniently forgot. Although they did take blood so I assume they have what they need in those samples.

He didn't ask if I smoked pot, nothing about counseling or NA although he did give me the helpline number to call and an assigned counselor that I can talk to in the event I want to (over the phone for free which was weird).

I got miserably lost coming home from Brooklyn. My GPS for w/e reason decided it wasn't going to find a signal, although it had one the entire way up there. I realized I was far too connected to my GPS, wound up doing circles around New York for a good 30mins then somehow found my way to the holland tunnel. Was getting paranoid because I was still in wds, lost, and way dying to get the sub in me.

Anyway it was $60 for the intake and get this. This is why I say this doctor is cool. He writes the script for the sub, then goes "you know what hold on". And comes into the room with 3 - 8mg strips. He shuts the door and goes "look I know you don't have health insurance, but I want you to know if you get pulled over, you technically need a name on your bottle which you don't have yet, and its illegal for me to be giving these to you. If you get pulled over don't tell the cops you got it from me".

I didn't know whether that was a good or bad thing coming from a dr. But he somehow managed to still come off professional when he said it, and handed me 3 free strips to get started on. He's doing 7 and I have to go back every monday for 4 weeks (which he'll prescribe 7 every week), then will report once a month after at which point he said he'll write me a script for 30 - 8mg.

He also said the price goes down to $20 for each additional visit which was cool.

Anyway I just plugged like 1mg the second I got home. And it feels like it may be kicking in. I honestly can't tell as I haven't slept in 48 hours, and I think no matter how much I take I'm not feeling any type of energy from it. But I can feel my skin cooling down and my breathing slowing, so its definitely workings its way through me. I'm likely to pass out in an hour ones it kicks in completely.

He wanted me to stablize on 8mg a day but like I said I'm not going above 1mg. I can feel perfectly "stable" on that amount. So I'm going to have a ton of left over sub. But I'm saving those bitches for the rest of my life. Can never have enough of them imo.

And I'm also pretty broke now, have almost no money left to my name. But at least now I have energy to work so I'll fix that rather quick.
All I care about is just getting back into a normal life of some type, I've been spending so much time withdrawing lately so this is a huge relief. Thanks bluelight for all your help I honestly would have never went to a sub dr had it not been for this forum. It took me a long time to make myself ok with it, and an even longer time to realize how easy it really is. You just walk in and get your script and its that simple.

-Bo

 

[shahab6]

good that it worked out..But Im actually curious if 1mg will do anything..

 

[Bojangles69]

/\ Yeh the way I see it although I say I'm taking 1mg and think I'm cool and what not its actually = to almost 4mg sublingual just because I always plug my sub.

Its been about 2 hours now and I do still have some very minor hot flashes so tommorow I may go up .25mg I'm not sure yet. I definitely don't want to start plugging 4mg at a time though cause that would be = to like 16mg SL. And I also find tapering easier when I plug because sublingual you don't always get the same dose. Some days your impatient and swallow too soon, other days you take before you brush your teeth (and get less) or after you brush your teeth (and get more).

I just remember feeling a bit up and down when I did it sublingually. Pluggin I feel like I'm always getting the same exact dose and it just feels a lot more stable. I think everyone should plug their subs personally, its quick and accurate as long as you always time it after you poop.

 

[smackhead1337]

Hahah bojangles...you and pluggin' bupe man... you crazy mofo lol

Just sublingual that shit... you are right, some days you get a slightly higher dose/slightly lower... but its pretty much negligible.

Don't forget that if you have the same dose on the 2nd day, your body is still coming down off the opiates, so thats why you feel like you might of taken in a lower dose, but you actually had the same dose as the day before.

Just take your time with dissolving it under your tounge, theres no rush. If the junky crowd is banging on the bupe clinic door they will be told to fuck off by the nurses if they can't wait patiently. Just don't have a chit-chat with the nurses

He wanted me to stablize on 8mg a day but like I said I'm not going above 1mg.

yeah thats awesome bro, They always want to jack you up on the bupe! you should read my other post, same thing happened to me. I went from 2->4->8->10->14->16->18->20->23 then started spewin my dinner up every day. One day I went into the clinic and told them if they dont reduce me, I'm tipping half of it in the bin! and they called the docs and got me put down to 18... By the way i was only on heroin for about 8 weeks!! and I was on 23mg of bupe LOL... CRAZY...

Anyway thats amazing if you feel you are stable on 1mg of bupe!!!

Bro just stay on 1mg of bupe for a while and dont touch anything else!
you are SOOO CLOSE to becoming "normal" again.

I remember setting my alarm clock message to "feeling normal?" every day when i was coming off heroin... Eventually you will feel normal again in your own skin!

In my oppinion I think you should stop pluggin your sub and start taking it sublingually (as intended lol). That way you can gauge if the 1mg dose is not sufficient enough etc...

If you are on a 1mg dose you can probably jump off now bro and feel shit for a few weeks...but after that you are BACK TO NORMAL!

Just don't use :] I came soo close to buying a cap 2 days ago... but I pulled through it.

Peace brother