Talked to my doc today, referred me to sub. doc. do I go or cont. to taper?

[JR714]

Hey everyone...I wanted to check in, and let you all know how I was doing, and also ask for some input.  I am still in the process of tapering down from my 300+mg/day habit from Norco's, oxy's, or whatever else I was able to get at the time.  Two weeks ago I was taking in around 300+ mg's of opiates on a daily basis, sometimes as much as 400 mg's, and since then I have managed to taper down to around 180 mg's per day.  

Anyways, some of you might remember that I was really worried about coming clean with my dad about what's been going on, but I finally did last week, and he's supporting me 100%.  So today I had went in to see my doctor, to talk to him about everything and see what he says.  I had my dad go along.  

The doctor referred me to an addiction specialist / pain management doctor.  I called the dr. office soon as I got back into the car, and the nurse explained to me that they would probably see me, put me on an out-patient program, and put me on suboxone.  I was happy to hear that they offered an out-patient program, as I own my own business, and need to continue to work.  Only thing is...the nurse told me that I would have to taper off of the sub. as well eventually.  To me, I was a little bummed because it seems like its not doing anything buy just dragging this whole process out.  Why replace the norco's with sub. and do the same thing I'm doing now?  Is it easier and quicker to get off the sub?  Are there any pain management/addiction specialist doctors who will continue to work with you on tapering off of your current meds?  

Also, this place isn't cheap!  $300 for the first initial office visit, then $120 for every visit after that, and they need to see you a minimum of once a month.  

Any advice, input, comments, ect. please share.  I need to make a decision very quickly as I'm just about out of my meds, and my current doc. didn't give me a refill because he wasn't sure what this new doctor would be putting me on.  

Thanks everyone!!!

JR

[vicki595]

JR~  Good luck with going back to your doctor for that refill. You seem to be doing well with your own taper and with your Dad helping you,it's just great.  When you finally do get down to the last oxy and stop you'll still have withdrawals but you should be able to work through them. Sub has it's own withdrawals and is really expensive so...
Have you thought about any recovery care?  NA meetings?  It can help a lot. I attend a group and see a therapist. It works well for me.
Keep posting~
Vicki

[JR714]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

To Vicki595,

No the new doctors office hasn't seen me yet.  They said that once I go there to see the doctor and talk about what there course of action is, I have to pay $300.  So I was sure to try and get as much info out of them as i could before I make my decision on what to do.  I do believe I can continue the taper.  After speaking to the nurse at the new clinic, and discussing everything with my father, we both agree'd that since I do need to continue to run my business, and I really dont want to replace getting off of one drug with getting off of another, and the overall cost for each option, that continuing to taper off of the norco is my best option all around.  I tried to call my regular doctor back this afternoon and he had left for the day already, so I will try and contact him Friday when he's back in the office.  But we both thought that we would try talking to him, and explaining that the doctor he reffered us to isn't going to work.  And ask him if he will refill my norco's so that I can continue with my taper.  I don't know if he will do it.  When we explained the whole situation to him today, he said that he was going to refer a doctor to us, since he doesn't have any experience with tapering people off of high doses of opiates.  My thoughts are...either he doesn't know what type of taper schedule to put me on, or he just doesn't want anything to do with it.  Maybe both.  But we'll see.  I hope that he will at least refill my script.  

To Lmccoy,

Thanks!  I dont have too much trouble tapering.  Its been so long since the drugs have actually made me feel high or loaded.  So I almost feel the same whether I take 20mg's of it, or 40.  I do notice that when I start to cut my doses down by anything greater then what I've been doing, I do get very tired, anxious, no motivation, very achy, and I have rebound pain.  That really is the only reason that sometimes I will move slightly back up on that current dose.  Usually when I'm at work and trying to get stuff done.  But for the most part, I do pretty good.  I think my chances of sucessfully tapering off are even better now that my dad is involved.  He works at my shop with me, and I tell him how many I'm taking when I take them, and I have a little notepad here in my office and I keep track of how many I'm taking and at what time.  

To Karl,

I've done tons of research on the methadone route, and I decided that I didn't want to take that avenue.  Its just too controversal with my overall intentions.  I want to get off of meds conpletely, in the shortest amount of time but experience the least amount of W/d's so I can continue to run my business which is crazy busy right now.  And thanks for the encourgement.  

I guess I will have to talk to my doctor on Friday and see what he says.  Thank you all of you for taking the time to respond to my question.  I love the people on this forum as you all have been such a huge help with my recovery from these horrible pills!

[kc156]

Hi. Also I find the tapering easier when it is done by the doctor or clinic,you are still in control,but you can't slip up on a minutes notice.Don't know about sub,I turned it down too because of the cost,but as Imccoy says,the craving for the pills goes away with methadone.
BUT, I am not recommending methadone. Some doctors will even hand out the pills every few days if you can't trust yourself too much.  Hope this helps.Good luck in whatever you do.

                                                                                        karl

[lmccoy]

Hi JR
My hat is off to you on your reduction. I sure couldn't do it. I was on about the same dosage as you and ended up switching to methadone becausse the expense of oxycontin was to much. To my suprise on the methadone my cravings dissapeared completly. At the time of my switch I haden't been planning on tapering, but it was so easy that I did. From 80mg of meth. a day to 5mg a day. It was easy untill about 15 or 20mg a day.From there to 5mg was much more difficult. The point is it is possible that if you switch from your DOC to another(sub) it may make getting off easyer. You didn't mention how much trouble you have tapering. I would have needed a miricle to stay out of my prescription when it was oxy.Sounds like things are just going exellent, but they can turn. If you invest in a treatment program that incorporates sub as a taper product you hopfully also will get exposure to AA, NA, and some other aftercare treatment. Seems like a good investment in your future. It also keeps you from breaking the law to continue your taper. GOOD WORK!

[vicki595]

Hi~  Okay...they haven't even seen you yet at the new place and the nurse is telling you what's going to probably happen???  She's not the doctor!  But,it sounds like they're all about Sub.     Do you think you can continue the current taper?  You've done great so far!!    My thought is this: Call your doctor back and tell him you want to taper
and need some more meds and help with the taper(if that's what you want.)  Then find your own therapy and/or try out some NA meetings.
What do you think?   It's taper the Norco or taper the Sub.  Also,you have to be opiate free before you begin the Sub. but you probably know that...

Vicki