Detox time!

[Andrew99]

Hi all! I've been lurking again, but this is such a supporting community, I thought I'd post my dilemma.

Due to five surgeries, got stuck on close to 500 mg oxy a day. Wonderful pain dr has been working with me and over 7-8 months  i have weened to  170 mg per day. But it's getting hard  -- really hard. So Dr (lead Dr at major pain clinic here in Northern California) recommended the following:

1) Put me in hospital, in private suite with telemetry (heavy monitoring) for 2.5 days to move me from oxy 170/day to 32 mg of Buprenorphine. I think he intends to give me lots of sleep inducing meds, plus other stuff to help with symptoms. He'll give me specifics in two  weeks.  (this is 3 mo off to schedule)
2) Gives me Friday, plus weekend to recover. The drops 6 mg Buprenorphine, so from 32 ->26 on Monday, the 26-> 20 on Thursday, etc till off the Buprenorphine.
3) He says I will be able to manage symptoms of Buprenorphine reduction at home, but I will be in bed with withdrawal that manifests as flu like symptoms for ~2-2.5 weeks.
4) My phychicolgist will get me into a support group

What do people think? Is this a reasonable treatment plan? I want off the meds!!

Alternative is Waismann Method all in hospital with MICHAEL LOWENSTEIN. My insurance will pay for both.

I want to trust my Dr here, but Lowenstein's program just looks better.

Any thoughts or advice??

Thanks for all you kinds thoughts!!!

[Funtimefrankie]

I was on Subs for a year and a half. I got off of them over two years ago. What I do know for sure is that many docs induct at way too high a dose. I promise you, there is no need to be inducted at a dose any higher than 8mgs of Subutex. I know of lots of seriously hard core intravenous users and even they can get by on this amount. So it may be you need even less than that. Any higher and it will be harder to come off in the long run.  I can lead you to a site where there are people who are far more clued up on this than I am and there is a section for Sub users. It's how I managed to get off of them actually. If you want to pm me, I'm happy to direct you. It's unbelievable how many people are inducted at ridiculous levels. I hope the doc you are seeing is not planning on inducting you on unnecessary amounts. Take care x

[Andrew99]

Hi WorriedCA70:

Thank for you note. How hard was the time between your last pain pill and starting Subs? I'm pretty worried about handeling that time period.

I've got a good Dr and he's helping me with dosage and tapering.

Thanks everyone!

[wtdz1993]

The problem with sub is that it is also addicting. My sister is a 4 yr user & still has severe withdrawls on day 16. She is on 1 1/2 pills a day. Starting tues she has no choice but to quit CT. Good luck on your journey.

[WorriedCA70]

I've only been on this site for a day so Iam not an expert by any means.  However I started on sub with my doctor supervison yesturday and go back at noon to talk about dosage per day.  It's only been a day an half off the pills but the sub is working.  I MAY get in trouble for saying this but as far as the dosesage of sub, I BELIEVE that is HAS to be determined by you and the doctor only.  The one thing I've notice from research about sub is to TRY to make a plan for a short time on it WITH your doctor.  Iam pleased with the this community so far and look forward to being around for awhile.  I was taking MIN of 40 plus pain pills a day and now on day 2 without any.  You should really feel comfortable with your doctor and together make the best choice for you and ur health.  Good luck, and I do not mean to offend anyone so hopefully this post doesn't get me kicked off here.  George

[Andrew99]

thank you! anyone else out-there have ideas about a starting dose fort he subs?

[kuku4kokopuffs]

"Does anyone know about Subutox?"

Subutex is Buprenorphine. Suboxone is a combination of Buprenorphine and Naloxone, which is added in with the Buprenorphine an effort to prevent people from abusing it.

I've had a much easier time tapering off Suboxone, and with more success, than I was ever able to Oxycontin, but did it at a much slower pace from a much lower dose than he's talking about.

If your doctor is going to be managing it your questions about how much you should start at and for how long is between the two of you.

If it was me, and it's not, I'd want to do it more slowly that what you said he has planned, but that's something you'll have to work out with him.

[Andrew99]

Thanks everyone. Probably going with the first one.

Does anyone know about Subutox? How much should i start at? How long? Can i taper off that easier than the Oxy (which is very very hard to taper from)?

Thanks!

[jugglin]

Like Rosy, I am not familiar with either program. You will have to decide what works best for you.  One thing that may help with support is knowing whether or not you are physically dependent or if you are an addict.  We are here to support you either way, but our answers may differ depending.  Wishing you the very best.  Keep us posted...we are here to support you!

[Merri123]

The Waisseman program is rapid detox.

From the 2 I would go with the first. Why? Because it sets you up with support after. Being in a group and seeing the psychologist after is good. It sounds like he will help you with the subs but get you off them quickly too.

You are on a huge dose of oxy. Even at 160mg that is alot. I think the inpatient medical stay for several days is a good idea. Make sure you are monitored and taken care of.

Please keep letting us know how you are doing.  

[ROSYouralright]

I'm not familiar with either program either but I wanted to stop in and give you my support. No matter what you decide, stopping is an excellent decision.. Do either of the places provide counseling as well or is it solely a detox then done program??

[Kakkilea]

Hi ! I'm very new here but read your post and wanted to offer a thought. I am not experienced in detox or the programs you speak of, but this is my thought. I would get a second medical opinion. You say this plan is 3 months out, so you have time. One more observation. This is in no way a disrespect to your Dr.  but just because he has stellar credentials does not mean this is necessarily the right plan for you. When our son was young, he was under the care of the director of pediatrics at a well known, respected hospital in our area. His care of our son was unacceptable and we changed pediatricians. Not suggesting that you change doctors, just adding some perspective. Good luck and God Bless.