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How do I get off subutex

Posted , 5 users are following.

Tez22
Tez22

I was prescribed subutex 11 years ago for a 400mg codeine addiction I'm sure I shouldn't have been prescribed this especially without being told about the side effects I was prescribed 8mg and over 8 years weaned down got to 2.8mg and went for a 2 week detox omg the horrific symptoms that followed were horrendous no energy couldn't sleep couldn't concentrate severe anxiety migraines and the worst depression ever I wanted to die after 8months I couldn't stand it any more relapsed on codeine felt immediately better but once again put on subutex this time they are reducing it much quicker and I feel awful pretty similar to the symptoms when I was off it I'm down to 3.8mg and am dreading what's going to happen I'm scared I'm never going to recover because of the long time I was prescribed it stupidly I didn't question it at the time but plse can someone help plse

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • pam34048
    pam34048 Tez22

    Posted

    May I ask why the dr gave it to you in the first place, broken bone, pain of some sort?  
    • Tez22
      Tez22 pam34048

      Posted

      Hi I was prescribed it for a addiction to codeine which were prescribed for migraines and referred to my shock to the drug and alcohol team who prescribed the subutex for the codeine addiction
    • pam34048
      pam34048 Tez22

      Posted

      So the drug your taking now is also addictive?  Has the doctor offered you any other alternatives?  Also are you seeing a shrink,  they at times can come in very helpful.  I now many people that struggle with alchohol and drug abuse that when a theripist or shrink got involved they could make you a plan to quit, with a lot less effort on you part.
    • Tez22
      Tez22 pam34048

      Posted

      Unfortunately the mental health team in my area refuse to see anyone who is addicted to anything which is ridiculous I just have been placed on a much more powerful addictive tablet
    • pam34048
      pam34048 Tez22

      Posted

      May I ask what country do you live?  Also are there no groups for people that want to be reabilitated in you area?
  • johnkov
    johnkov Tez22

    Posted

    Hi,

    The first thing to do is to find a proper, experienced pdoc who specialises in opioid dependence. Then a normal procedure would be to have you on a psychiatric ward (as a voluntary patient!) where subutex would be slowly replaced with synthetic opioids with longer half-life time, with a simultaneous administration of benzodiazepines to manage the withdrawal symptoms. So... don't panic. You've been taking this drug for 8 years, you can take it a few months longer. And remember that you're not the first person who is trying to stop taking it...

    • Tez22
      Tez22 johnkov

      Posted

      Thankyou it's just I have been through a detox before but was ill very ill afterwards for about a year then stupidly relapsed so back on subutex can't get funded for another detox so just dropping the dose much more quickly and I'm so ill I just want to be free of this terrible addiction

  • brianthesnail
    brianthesnail Tez22

    Posted

    Hi tez 

           allthough subutex is a opiate receptor blocker ( also known as a partial agonist ) it does still contain buprenorphine which is a strong opioid painkiller ... however from personal experience ( methadone addict for 8 years but now clean for 6 months ) any opioid plays havoc with brain chemicals and affects the mood and your complete body 

           allthough subutex is suppose to be easier to reduce from this is debateable ... the people who make these statements are reading from papers written by other doctors who have not tried to come off the drug themselves,and allthough one person may be able to get off subutex without any problems another may experience problems 

            what i cant understand is why subutex ( or even methadone ) is used for codeine addiction ... my person approach would be to taper you down very slowly by 10mg every month ... this gives you 30 days for your body to adjust to each reduction which would be more than enough time 

           however by switching you to a even more powerful opioid such as subutex or methadone your creating a bigger problem 

           personally i would continue to subutex reduction but either 

    1) take codeine if needed and when clean from subutex reduce the codeine as mentioned above 

    2) continue to reduction and ask your doctor for gabapentin which helps with many of the opioid withdrawl symptoms ( especially insomnia ) ....i used it when i came off methadone and it really helped with the lack of sleep 

           in summary coming off or reducing from any opioid isnt easy and you need to be strong both physically and mentally ... and the feelings your having ( eg depession ) are classic signs .... your not actually depressed but the change in chemicals in your brain are making you feel this way .... dopamine levels are low and dopamine is what makes you feel " good " 

              i felt like you when i was on methadone but i realised i had to go through tough times while reducing and coming off the drug ... its took around 12 months but the last month i have started to feel better 

              stick with it tez and i wish you all the best 

    • Tez22
      Tez22 brianthesnail

      Posted

      Thank you thank you so much at last someone understands it was a ridiculous decision to put me on subutex for a codeine addiction it's so much stronger but at the time I wasn't told I was just placed onit and left my GP just won't help has left me in the hands of the drug team who are thinking about giving me a home detox next month off the subutex my dr has been advised by the so helpful drug team not too prescribe gabapetition as that can be addictive as for prescribing codeine that's a no go too as that what's started the whole thing. Surely it's wrong what they did. Be proud for surviving the hell off coming off meth well done but I'm not strong I suffer from depression also I don't know how I'm going to get through the paws I really don't the dr who say it's not that bad let them be fed subutex for 8 years and then say the same. Thankyou for taking the time too answer this madness has robbed me of 11 years of my life I just want it all to end

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