Suboxone treatment

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

Well I will start off by saying how grateful I am to be apart of this community now. This seems to be a nice support system and I definitely need that right now. I am a mother of 2 young boys, and I have been addicted to vicodin for over 5 years now. I started on them for some surgeries that I had to have and I just never stopped. I think all along my family has known but never really knew what to do with me. The only action my parents took was having me fill out a will and they purchased life insurance for me so my boys would be ok. My job actually had an intervention last week (thank god) They have set me up with a suboxone doctor for tomorrow at 5pm, they gave me 2 weeks off of work to get better and have also told me that if i stick with this treatment they will give me a 10,000$ grant to help me get back on my feet. It is amazing really, I was so relieved to finally have someone pushing me to get help. However I am very nervous about a few things. I have to start my w/d process this evening so that I can get the injection tomorrow, so thats pretty scary. I also have alot of worries if it will work. I know im not the only one who knows how painful w/d are and when your going through them its hard to imagine anything actually helping besides your drug of choice. Mentally I feel like I am ready and have been ready for this for a very long time, but after doing something for so long its so scary to change basically everything you are. But thanks for reading and any advice is welcomed Very Happy

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Tue 29 Mar 2011, 12:29 pm

Good afternoon LeahA,
My name is Dee and I am the manager of the forum. I just saw your post but am having to run out the door for an appointment with my own provider. I will be back after my appointment to respond to your post.
Welcome to the forum, it is great to have you here with us.
Don't worry, I will be back and I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have about Suboxone.

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Tue 29 Mar 2011, 8:07 pm

Hi leahA
I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you this evening.
I first want to congratulate you on your starting Suboxone. It is a great tool for helping to manage addiction to opiates. If I sound like a commercial I don't mean to it's just that as a Suboxone patient I have seen what it can do and it has helped may other people.

How are you feeling? I know that you mentioned you are to start your withdrawal process so that you can see your provider tomorrow. Please, be sure that you do not use any opiates at all before your induction. If you do take opiates it can and will cause you to go into precipitated withdrawal which can be worse than original withdrawal.
You said that you are to be getting an injection.
Are you sure that is what you were told? The only injections that I know of are for Naltrexone. Which is not Suboxone but a full antagonist.

If you have any questions about your treatment or what to expect, please don't hesitate to ask. I will do what I can to help.
I will be here on and off through tonight and tomorrow in case you should have any questions.
~nannamom

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

Thankyou! And yeah I used the wrong word, I am starting the suboxone treatment, not injection lol. Um. Today has been really hard, I have been debating if I want to take a Vicodin or not to help me sleep. I have heard different things about how long to wait. I have heard to wait anywhere from 12-24 hours. My appointment is tomorrow evening at 5pm and its 8pm now. Im having a real hard time even taking care of my kids. To top it off while I am in w/d tomorrow I have to go to court for probably 4 hours. Which is dreadful. Anyways whats your advice/experience with this? Thanks Smile

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Tue 29 Mar 2011, 9:16 pm

I know it's hard. To be properly induce onto Suboxone, you will need to be in mild to moderate withdrawal. Even though they say mild to moderate, I would go as long as you possibly can. Taking opiates could prolong the wait. Some doctors will do an induction without asking the patients if they have used. Those are the ones to stay away from.

Have you ever gone without Vicodin? How long were you able to hang on? You can do this. Some people have an easier time of it than others. Do you have someone who can stay with you to help you out or keep you company and your mind off of what you are going though?
Do you have someone who will be going with you tomorrow, you shouldn't go alone. After the induction provided that you haven't taken anything, you will feel so much better but it would be a good idea to have someone else along to drive until you see how you will react to Suboxone.

I have to be honest, personally If it were me, I wouldn't take anything. Melatonin is good for sleep, it is natural and you can get it most anywhere. Walmart, CVS, Riteaid.
A hot bath or shower may also help. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
This really sucks, I know it does but if you wait it will be worth it, I promise.

Will your provider be doing the induction in his office or sending you home with the medication?

How old are your children? Be proud of yourself for what you are about to accomplish. Will you be taking Suboxone as a maintenance medication or a tool for your detox?
You are very lucky to work for a company that cares about you the way that it does. There aren't many that do, certainly not ones that are willing to help their employees get back on their feet. This is a great thing they're doing.
Check back and let me know how you are. Like I said, I will be here off and on tonight and tomorrow.
I will check back with you in a bit.

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

I would say for a little over a year now I have not had to go without Vicodin at all. Before that I could only stand to go without for 12 hours max. I have been severely dependent on those things. After just 8 hours I felt like I was in a full on w/d. If i even wait an extra hour to take vicodin I start to feel really shaky and sick. Which is very scary and makes me even more thankful that I am getting help now. Right now I dont have anyone to go with me tomorrow. Everyone seems to be "busy" My doctor is doing it in his office, he said Ill be there for about 4 hours so he can see what dose is right for me, then he will send me home with a 1 week supply just to make sure its working properly. The after that I will go once a month for about 6 months. Then I will taper down but if it gets to hard or uncomfortable for me they will put me back on a low dose. So its part of detox but also maintenance. My boys are 6 and 7 years old Smile

So they are pretty wild and crazy! They are my motivation though. And yeah I couldnt work for a better company. Im still in shock that they are doing this for me. I have not had my own house since I left my abusive husband. It will be wonderful to finally have a home again with my kids. I know this is our fresh start and everything will work out nicely, but Im still pretty scared.

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Tue 29 Mar 2011, 10:47 pm

Being scared is totally normal.
I used opiates for various pains, surgeries for most of my adult life. I would get to the point that I wanted to stop but couldn't commit to stopping. It was easier for me to take a pill and eventually a shot to make life more bearable.
My last stint in a treatment facility was in 2002,
I was on Methadone for four years and it helped tremendously. Then I moved here to the north to a state that only has one Methadone clinic and that waiting list was about a year long.
When I left the clinic I was given a month supply of Methadone to take until I could get into either a clinic or a doctor to treat my chronic pain.
After a month I was out of Methadone and still hadn't found a doctor. I was in withdrawal for about a month before I found out about Suboxone.

I know you feel like crap and I also know that you can do this. It's probably one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. Withdrawal is one of the reason that so many people don't stop. It seems to go on forever.
Think about tomorrow and how you will feel by this time tomorrow. I promise that you will feel like a new person.
I am glad to hear that you doctor is willing to gauge your treatment on your individual basis instead of one set standard. It's refreshing, and to know that he has told you, you will be at his office for four hours also tells me that he knows what he is doing.

He will probably start you out with 2-4mg and watch you to see how you feel. If after that time you still feel bad, he will give you a little more and so on until you reach a point that you withdrawal is under control. Make sure that you let him know how you feel. Don't be afraid of telling him if your still uncomfortable. That what he is there for.
It's getting late and I know you must be tired. See if you can get some rest, take a hot bath and if you have some Chamomile tea or another herbal tea try to drink some of that. Stay away from caffeine as it can not only keep you awake it can also contirbute to dehydration.
Here if you need me.

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Wed 30 Mar 2011, 11:17 am

Good morning leahA
I wanted to check in with you this morning and see how you are doing? I know you had a rough night.
Today is your new beginning, look forward to that.
I want to encourage you to check out some counseling options to help you. A lot of times simply taking Suboxone isn't enough. For some people it is but not for others.
You will have some left over baggage from your addiction and being able to talk with someone may help to put things into perspective.
You can ask your provider to recommend someone. One of the requirements of becoming a Certified Suboxone Provider is they are able to refer patients as necessary.
Check in and let me know how things go. I will be waiting to hear from you.
~nannamom

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

Yeah last night was really rough and today has been even worse. I am getting ready now for my treatment and honestly I cant get there soon enough. I am actually already in counseling with an addiction specialist that just started last week, work has provided me with that. It has definitely given me the strength to go through with this. As bad as i have felt today i also realized today is the first day of the rest of my life, there are no words to describe how much that means to me. Thankyou again for all your support. I will check in after treatment!

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Wed 30 Mar 2011, 8:54 pm

Hi leahA
Sorry to get here late this evening. I wanted to be here earlier but my niece is going though a tough time with her 2nd pregnancy right now and I wanted to go be with her.

I am very proud of you for making it through the night and today. I can't tell you how badly I'd like to tell people to go ahead and take something to help them get through the night, but I know better. And I know if someone uses it would either put off the induction, or if the doctor were to induct the patient would go into precipitated withdrawal
I hate to see anyone suffer, I've been there and I know how it feels.

Today is your beginning, enjoy it. After you get stabilized you should take some time to take care of you and enjoy yourself. You have worked hard and will deserve it.
Now your boys will have their mom back.

I can't wait to talk with you and see how your feeling. I will check back in with you later.
Take care
~nannamom

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

Sorry it took a little while for me to get back with you, my treatment lasted about 4 hours and my kids were desperate for my attention Smile

I am so grateful for you and your advice and I am so happy that I did this. I feel amazing. After 1/2 a tablet i started to feel better but then when he gave me the other half my w/d completely disappeared! I have my appetite back and my energy. I was not expecting for it to go as well as it did. I have a prescription for the strips to get me by until my follow up and hopefully I can return to work next week. Ill check back with you here in a little while to let you know how the first whole day went on them Smile

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Thu 31 Mar 2011, 10:51 am

That's great news leahA and I am very happy for you. Please check back and tell me about your day. I haven't known too many people yet who are using the strips. In the area that I live in the tablets are usually prescribed.
You have to have a prior authorization for Suboxone here before insurance will pay for it. My authorization is up in May and I am thinking about switching at that time.

If the company that your working for paying for the cost of your treatment or do you have insurance? Again, I want to tell you how awesome I think it is that your company is standing behind you like this. It's just great. So many people who suffer from addiction are made to feel like they have to hide from their employers which is a shame. They are in recovery, not out using. Using is in the past for so many but yet, their not made to feel comfortable about their recovery.
Well, go and enjoy your day, I will talk with you when you get back.
Take care
~nannamom

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

Well today went pretty good for me Smile

I feel fabulous, well besides the dizziness that I have had all day. I went ahead and made my dose a little lower and that seems to be helping. The strips are nice compared to the pills. They dissolve alot faster and kick in pretty quick. I havent felt any w/d or cravings, so that to me is all I wanted Smile

I do have caresource insurance that pays for the medication but not for my dr. appointments. so work covers that part of it.

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Thu 31 Mar 2011, 9:41 pm

I couldn't be happier for you.
Good luck. I know your going to be fine. You have some great resources and support. Have you talked to your family since starting treatment?
Thanks for the information on the strips. I am leaning more towards switching over in May.
Enjoy the time with your sons. Take the weekend for some family time.
It's good to have you here with us.
~nannamom

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

I actually talked with my parents last night and told them what was going on and both of them just had a look of relief on their faces. Today I fell great, the strips are working wonderful, I cut them into 4's and thats what I am taking. 1/4th of a strip 3 times a day. My doctor said I was getting dizzy cause the dose was to much. Now I feel better than ever. I definitely recommend the strip over the pill though, it only takes a minute to dissolve and works faster, not to mention the taste isnt as bad Smile

I am looking forward to this weekend with my boys and hopefully returning to work in about a week. They put me on leave of absence so I could get better but I feel that I'll be ready before we thought I would Smile

Thanks again for everything, you have been a huge help for me. I'll check back in a little later to keep you updated Smile

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Fri 01 Apr 2011, 5:40 pm

Thanks for sharing your experience with the strips. I am leaning more towards switching over in May when my prior authorization needs to be renewed.
Cost wise, I'm told there's no difference so I don't think there would be a problem. For some reason they don't seem to be very popular in the area that I live thgough. I have a friends who works as a Pharmacy Tech and so far they've only filled one prescription of them.

I'm sure it is a great to relief to your parents to have their daughter back.
You really don't have to thank me, I haven't done anything. When I found the Suboxone Assisted Treatment website, it was back when I was trying to learn about Suboxone as I had never heard of it.
Everyone I talked to told me random things, that I could buy it on the street etc. But no one knew of a provider and the ones that did well those providers weren't taking new patients.
Finally after finding a provider, I still wanted to learn more and try to give back what had been given to me when I was still in active addiction and had no where to go.
This forum and the website are my way of giving back.
I am just happy to hear of your success, your going to do fine. I can hear strength in your words.
Always keep your head up and know that no matter where you are or what your doing, we will be here for you.
Have a good weekend!
~nannamom

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

Well tomorrow I will be celebrating my 1 week of sobriety! This may not sound like a really long time but in my eyes it is. I cant believe I have already made it 1 week and I still feel amazing Smile

I have really enjoyed the last week with my boys, I have been making up for lost time and its really nice. I will probably go back to work Wednesday, I am a bit nervous but also ready. I miss my job and he people I work with. Again thankyou for all your help. Your support has been very helpful =)

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Mon 04 Apr 2011, 10:39 pm

One week may not seem like a long time to many people that's right. But for someone who has just gone into recovery, it is a milestone and I for one am very proud of you,
as I am sure your family is as well.
As long as there is hope there can be success.

I wish there would have been something like Suboxone long ago. (way long ago)
You are going to be fine. I know I've already said that and I mean it.
If you need any thing after you go back to work, stop by. I'll be here.
When you go back to work it may be a little overwhelming at first being back, but just take your time and do what you can to keep yourself relaxed.
Check back to let us know how you are.
Best Wishes to you!

Number of posts : 9 Registration date : 2011-03-29

Well as of tomorrow it will be 2 weeks! I am so happy that suboxone came into my life. This past weekend I was out with a friend and unfortunately I was in a position where pills were all around and even had vicodin offered to me. The weird thing is though I had no desire to take them, it actually didnt even bother me Smile

I left pretty fast though cause I did not want to be apart of that. I was so proud though that I could sit there and see the one thing that controlled my life for years and it didnt bother me, really it just disgusted me. I have gone back to work which has been awesome, I love being there and being surrounded by all those wonderful people. I am noticing many changes in myself and i love it. I feel like I am the person i was before vicodin. Its an amazing feeling! I cant say thankyou enough for being apart of my support system!

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Mon 11 Apr 2011, 7:42 pm

That's great!
Although I hate hearing about people being put into situations like that, it always make me so happy when I hear about someone being able to say No Thanks.
I also have to remind myself, that in life things don't always come easy and recovery is no exception. For a Suboxone Patient, there is some protection though and the ability to turn down other opiates comes easier.
I've had simular experiences before people began to see that I was serious, I was not taking anything. Every now and then I will come across an old friend and when I do, I have to walk the other way. Not because I think I'm better than they are but because I don't want it in my life anymore.

You sound so happy now, really happy and I am happy for you.
It wasn't easy waiting to start your treatment I know, I can't tell you how badly I wanted to be able to tell you it was ok to take something while waiting for your appointment. I hate seeing someone suffer and at the same time I knew if you did, it would make it worse on you in the long run.

We will always be here for you. This forum has been a great source of support for me for a long time. I plan to be here for as long as I am able.
Check back when you can.

Subject: Re: Suboxone treatment Mon 30 Jan 2012, 12:01 am

Hey LeahA,
Whatever happened to you? How are you doing now?

» Suboxone Assisted Treatment Guestbook
» New area added to our Suboxone Assisted Treatment Website
» Night Before Treatment
» Ibogaine for the treatment of addiction
» Methadone Maintenance Treatment