How to take Suboxone by myself

[907baby]

Okay so I was given a script at the E.R. for Sub after I overdosed on Fentanyl.  I was two weeks clean and I relapsed, used the same dose I did before, but since my tolerance was gone the Fentanyl made me stop breathing. Yeah, SCARY! My brother found me and called 911. They had to bag me and then they gave me that Naloxine or something to counteract the Fentanyl. Anyway heres the question: The doctor kinda knew me so he was really good to me. Gave me librium and clonodine, and Suboxone.  I live in Alaska so the Pharmacist had to order it from Seattle. It will be here on Monday.  Im very comitted to quiting and being opiates free.  How do I take Suboxone at home by myself? AND its only for a month, so when it runs out do I get Suboxone withdrawals???  Please help I know there is Sub experts out there that tell me how to take it.  LIke I said, I want to get clean and Im pretty sure this will help me acomplish that.

[tammyk_40]

Since you already went 2 weeks of withdrawal, if you only took the fentanyl once, you probably wont have any w/d symptoms and you wont need the sub. Ga Guy is right, why would a dr give you a script without giving you any info about dosing and have a dr for care while youre taking this med? Dont take it if you dont really need it.

[refusingbondage]

HI -sorry to hear about your relapse and such a scary thing to go through!!  Congrats on wanting to be free of addiction.  So here is my two cents - One - I defintely agree with GA GUY that you should only take it under a doctors care, usually the first suboxone treatment is given in a doctors office by a doctor to monitor you.  I also agree with kksmama in that you should really think hard about whether its necessary at all.  If it wont get to you until Monday - thats 3 days away..are you in withdrawal now?  If you are, by Monday you should he half way to feeling better so why start the suboxone?  Suboxone should be used to treat withdrawal but if you dont have it and wont have it until your 3rd or 4th day in, why would you want to even start it?  If you are absolutely intent on using - I would use as little as possible.  Its a very strong opiate and a little amount will go a long way.  Not sure what mg is coming to you, but you cannot start it until you are in withdrawal from an opiate.  Do not take it too soon after you use (if your still using) - you have to wait at least 24 hrs for short acting opiates and up to 72 hours after using a long acting opiate.. Basically wait until your feeling really sick and it should be taken one pill at a time - under your tongue to dissolve completely.  Wait 30 minutes and see how you feel.  If your still feeling sick, try one more.  Remember a little goes a long way with this medication.  But ultimately I think that if you have to wait the 3 days anyway - there isnt a need to take it.  Start thinking about long term recovery.  Are there meetings you can go to?  Do you have a support group?  Support is so necessary to stay clean.  Its tough - I commend you for fighting the good fight.  Best of luck!

[kksmama]

Hi there,

congrats on making your mind up to stop the opiates!!!  However no matter what it is gonna be hard and from the research that i have done and from knowing people in similar situations...I would try just the librium and clonidine...suboxone is some crazy stuff and yes you will have withdrawals from it as well.  So if i were you iw ould take about a week to yourself and prepare yourself for the fact that you are gonna be ill for about a week! Really i feel like when YOU make your mind up to really quit this time, its best not to jump onto a new crutch...ya know something else that you will have to WD from.  Well good luck to you and hang in there, like i said when you want to do it you will accept that you ARE going to have withdrawals and JUST DO IT!!!!  Otherwise, have you considered a treatment center?

[GA Guy]

You need to find a Suboxone doctor in your area and be under his care. I'm amazed that an ER doc had the licence to even write a script for Sub. Go to their website and look for a Sub doctor. To tell you how or what dosage to take is dangerous at best. We aren't doctors.