ABOUT SUBOXONE ...

[Ginaluv]

I HAVE RECENTLY IN FEBRUARY DETOXED FROM A METHADONE PROGRAM AFTER BEING ON IT ABOUT 9 YRS. I WENT TO AN ADDICTION DOCTOR. HE DEFINATELY DID THE RIGHT THING GETTING ME OFF THE METH. FIRST HE GAVE ME OXY-COTIN AND SOME KIND OF MORPHINE PATCH FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. THEN GAVE ME BUPRENORPHINE SHOTS THAT I HAD TO GIVE MYSELF FOR A COUPLE DAYS. NOW I AM ON SUBOXONE. STARTED WITH A 8MG TABLET A DAY. NOW I AM TAKING A HALF OF A 2MG TABLET( WHICH IS 1 MG.) I CAME THIS FAR FROM BEING ON METHADONE I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I COULD DETOX OFF THIS 1 MG.
      THANKS, GINA

[GMDaly1420]

I've been told you can titrate down to quarters, however, I wouldn't do that without talking to your prescriber.  It's not just an aspirin.  Best of luck.

[GMDaly1420]

I meant to say in my previous comment, that methadone withdrawal was much longer and severe than the oxycontin withdrawal.  This is a common misconception, considering methadone is used for heroin withdrawal.  Sorry.

[GMDaly1420]

Thank you for your comments.  I didn't take methadone for very long, but I took it to come off oxycontin thinking it was a cureall.  I have to tell you, the withdrawal from methadone is nothing compared to oxycontin in regards to time and severity.  Thank you for your input.  I think your comment was the only one that made sense in regards to methadone withdrawal and Suboxone withdrawal.  Best of luck, but gratefully it looks like you won't need it.

[GMDaly1420]

I have to tell you, I have only been on Suboxone for 3 weeks, and I have to say the drug has been miraculous.  However, I am reserving decision considering Suboxone, even though it is much lesser of an opiate, it still is.  Before Suboxone I was taking 320mg. of oxycontin per day for over 2 years for pancreatitis, which was precipitated by drinking in my 20's.  The pain was excruciating, and any mild prescription, and especially anything over-the-counter wouldn't touch the pain.  I went to a gastroenterologist and he started me on 20mg. of oxycontin, and within 4 months I was taking 80 mg. tablets, 2 tablets 3 times per-day.  Eventually the pain wasn't as great but at that point it didn't matter.  I was already dependent on the drug, physically and psychologically.  I'm sorry to be so long-winded but I feel it necessary for you to understand the whole situation.  In any event, I tried to titrate myself off the oxycontin, to no avail.  Needless to say I recently went to a Dr. who could prescribe Suboxone, and I have so far found it wonderful.  No withdrawal accept nightsweats, which is a walk in the park compared to withdrawal when you go cold turkey.  I've read nothing but good things about the drug, but be prepared that when you do come off the Suboxone, you will go through some withdrawals.  Best of luck, and again I'm sorry I couldn't be more concise.

[GMDaly1420]

I think that your comments are completely ridiculous.  I believe you should look at yourself before you start making arbitrary comments about things you no nothing about.  Addiction is a very insidious thing.  It affects everyone differently because of the extreme psychological differences.  And aside from that, you are a conservative for Godsake.  Take a look at yourself, and mabye you should sign up for the armed forces and go to Iraq, to fight this farce of a war.  No, actually I don't mean that because I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[soderbri]

I successfully switched from methadone to suboxone

If you are going to switch from methadone to suboxone, you MUST stop your methadone doses for 3 or so days before taking the suboxone. If you take suboxone while an opiate is in your system it will put you into serious withdrawals. Mehtadone has a huge halflife (at least 72 hours) so this is why you must wait 3 days.

I was on methadone for about a year at 80mg. I went from 80mg to 0mg and entered a 60 day inpatient rehab. This is where I learned that taking suboxone too early will throw you into withdrawal. The Dr. had to wait until I was in full blown withdrawal from the methadone before he satred me on suboxone. It was 3 and a half days of hell. Finaly I was givin 8mg of suboxone and most of my withdrawal symptoms were gone in 10 minutes. Over the next 4 days my dose was increased to 16mg of suboxone 2 times a day. And at that point I felt no withdrawal symptoms at all. I felt great all day long every day.

Over the next 2 1/2 months my dose was gradually lowered to 0mg. Dropping from 16 twice daily, to 12 twice daily, to 8 twice daily, to 8 once daily, to 4 once daily, and finaly to zero. I experieced some minor withdrawals after I went from 4 to zero. They wern't all that bad and they lasted about a week.

I would have to say that my detox went very smoothly. I was very dope sick for the first 4 days after stopping methadone but after my suboxone kicked I felt great. If anyone is planning on switching from methadone to suboxone, I would recommend getting your methadone dose down as low as possible. Around 30mg would be best.

Hope this helps someone.