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4 suboxone left... Help!

So I have been on Suboxone for about 6 months now.  My Dr., who has been my psychiatrist for years started me on it after some valid pain issues & surgeries left me addicted to opiates.  I am a medical professional myself and decided to ask to try suboxone to stop feeling horrible due to opiate withdrwawals I was going through.  He agreed... well, long story short, he ended up with a medical emergency & is not available to refill prescriptions.  I have 4 left, the other dr in his office is at his max # of patients so could not prescribe to me... I am freaking out... Now, I have 4 8mg suboxone left and wonder if I will be able to use this in some way to taper in any reasonable manner that will leave me able to function! I planned on following their recommended taper plan, which we hadn't even begun to discuss yet... I was on the "maintenance" or "stabilization" dose of 8 mg twice a day.  I luckily was only taking 4 mg twice a day, but now I need some advice on how to make 4 8 mg. suboxones work to get off the stuff. Now there is the chance that the Dr could be back next week & I could end up with no problem, but he was supposed to be back in his office a month ago & isn't back yet, so im not holding my breath, im expecting the worse, which is that I will not be able to get any more.  I just want to be able to be a mom, go to work, be a wife & have a normal life.  I don't want to get high, I don't want to go back to taking opiates (I know suboxone is one, but I don't want to go back to pills), plus, pretty much from what I have researched it wouldn't work anyway... so from what I read, it looks like I am in for a month or more of hell.  Any suggestions on how to get through this... Im considering not taking any until I hit the three day mark when I start to feel like crap because it is out of my system & then start tapering by taking maybe 1-2 mg a day?? will that even work? Will it be a complete waste?  Unforturnately there aren't any other providers in my area that prescribe it, so I would have to drive pretty far to find someone who could prescribe it & then would they just look at me like a junkie & not be willing to prescribe it... I saw the partner of my dr today & he put me on the "waiting list" ha! this is just unreal! I could have suffered the original withdrawal from the pills after my last surgery recovery and never went on this stuff & atleast could have felt like crap at home in my bed, but now I have to work & function... Any advice would be truly appreciated
Best Answer
Avatar universal
Hi- You don't have enough to taper off. We can't discuss taper plans on this forum but usually it's a long, slow process to get off sub. I think this is a horrible spot you're in. There should be medical coverage for that doctor's patients...
Clearly, you need another doctor to prescribe. Keep calling until you find someone to help you, even if you have to travel. You might call the pharmacist where you get the RX filled and see if she/he has any advice. Then there's always an urgent care or an ER...

You just take too much to stop abruptly and you would feel badly if you stopped at this dose.   It's so unfair for you to be forced into wd's.
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3197167 tn?1348968606
I really feel for you and your situation.  I was on subs for 28 days....you definitely don't want to do ANYTHING the way I did it....LOL

Doctors that are approved by the DEA to prescribe suboxone have specific requirements.  That will be the challenge in finding a different dr to continue prescribing so you can taper.  (that is...IF your dr doesn't return).  Here's one the reqmts for dr's who prescribe subs:
*************************************************************************************
Requirement #3: Adhere to Patient Prescribing Limits


Physicians who obtain their buprenorphine waiver can treat up to 30 patients concurrently (including both detoxification and maintenance) during their first year prescribing, but then may treat up to 100 patients concurrently in each subsequent year. However, physicians who want to treat more than 30 patients after their first year must submit a second notification form to the DEA.

For physicians in group practices, the patient limits apply to individual practitioners, not the group. For instance, a group practice with 4 qualified physicians could treat 120 total patients (30 patients per physician) during the first year that the physicians are certified, and a total of 400 in each year thereafter.
*************************************************************************************

They have to assign a specific number to each sub patient and submit it for EACH refill to be accountable and stay w/i the guidelines set forth by the DEA.  You may be able to find a dr that isn't already prescribing their full patient quota.  
If you are unable to find a new dr to continue tapering you.....I like your idea about not dosing for a day or two and then slicing the strips you have left into very small doses.  It's better to jump from a lower dose for sure.
Good luck....and be sure to let us know how you come out, ok?
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Unfortunately, we're not permitted to give you specific tapering instructions.  It sounds as though you've got a good idea of how to taper, the big problem is, you're on a significant dose, so at SOME point you're going to have to endure w/ds if you only have the 4 subs.

Did you look on the site www.suboxone.com to see if you could find a doctor?  What about rehab, is that something you would consider?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for the comments, I was afraid I was going to hear answers to this effect.  I do want to ultimately taper off of them, and if I knew I was going to be out now I would have tried a longer term taper myself.  I was trying to do what the doctor recommended and taper at the prescribed dosage & times... I guess I am going to start making some phone calls tomorrow morning & explain my situation and see if I can be seen somewhere else. But to answer one question from someone... yes I do ultimately want off the medicine, but in the proper way where I am not going to go through horrible withdrawals.  Thank  you for the support!  I have come to agree that while this drug can be very beneficial for some, it is not the best, and it is leaving me in what I am afraid could be a real nightmare. Wish me luck on either a miracle call from my dr. tomorrow that he is back, or that another dr. will see me asap & understand my situation.   If none of that happens, I will be back on here for support through some time of feeling like garbage.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
But if you decide to taper or go cold turkey, we are here to help and support you.

Check out the Thomas recipe for vitamins to take.
Ask the doctor for a prescription of Clonidine. It helps with withdrawals.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If I am correct you can cut the strips. Someone here stated she tapered by cutting them smaller and smaller over time till she was taking a tiny piece and walked off.

But 4 8mg strips will make that a fast taper. But at least it will be a taper.

Is there's methadone clinic by you that gives suboxone too?  That could be an option. We don't want to see people continue this but they may be able to help you taper down.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm confused do you want to stop or make it until you can get a doctor?
Helpful - 0
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