Went today and was evaluated for a few hrs. and he gave me one 8mg tablet and told me to come back in an hour to see how I felt. The pill is gross, I felt horrible at this point achy sweaty, after an hour I still felt achy etc., but not as bad. He suggests starting at 16mg to gain the full benefit, but if I feel I am ok at 12 I can try that too. (b/c I haven't been taking as many pills the last 2 weeks) Right now after taking both pills a couple hrs ago I feel good, little headache, don't feel achy or hot, actually feel a little high. I think that is common in the beginning but doesn't last. So I guess I'll see how I feel over the next few days.
I went to him wanting to taper down as fast as I could, and he said that so far he has found that isn't the most successful way to go. The 2 that he had that did that did relapse. He says you should maintain this dose for a few months & then gradually taper. He left it up to me, I would prefer to taper and possibly take the naltroxene (sp?) pill so I can't mess up. He also said he has a few patients who are at 4 mg and are staying on that for a while. Different factors would come into effect (# of relapses etc.)when determining your maintanence. I felt comfortable w/him and his treatment I was afraid he'd be like some other drs that want to kick you off really fast or too fast. Not that I want to be on this forever, but if it is to work I want to do it right!! So we'll see.
Gabbi,
I think that is great news. The side-effects should subside within 48 hours. When I first started the sub, I thought I may have been feeling a touch of a high. However, as I look back on the experience, I think it was more dizzines (or light-headedness) than euphoria. It definitely wasn't that whole-body orgasm euphoria that the opiates teased me with. I know that some of you are tired of me talking about the benefits of suboxone but the experience has truly been amazing for me personally.
Are you having any cravings? If so, please tell your doctor and see if he won't increase the dosage. That is the part that is truly amazing for me... I started out at 16 mgs but was still having the cravings. The doctor kept increasing the dosage until the cravings went away (they haven't been seen since and I've already decreased my initial optimum dose by 2mgs. I'm going to decrease another 2 mgs on Friday, August 22. We are going to stay on that for a while and then taper some more in 30-45 days.
Please don't get impatient with the tapering process. From everything I have read about suboxone, it needs to be tapered very slowly to prevent the onset of W/Ds and give our receptors a little time to try and normalize.
How would you feel if your doc thinks you should be placed on a maintenance dose of the suboxone? Personally, I would not be adverse to a maintenance program in the least because this stuff is really put me into a frame of mind that I don't ever remember experiencing.
Please don't stop w/the enthusiasm, I prob wouldn't have considered it if you hadn't done so well with it. Seriously...thank you!! I agree about the "high" I feel light headed,little disoriented, but I'm not sure about the cravings, I'll give it a few days. Like me and my fiancee just got into an argument and in my head I thought "I wish I had a pill!!". He knows nothing of this so you are really "very lucky" that you have such good support. I could never tell him. In fact nobody knows, so you guys ARE my support!! Am looking into NA meetings in my area, I know they have worked well for you. I am a little apprehensive b/c I know so many people that are addicts, I'm afraid I might see someone I know & it would get out. I know it's suppposed to be anonymous but people talk.
I am not sure how I feel about being on it for maintanence, but I'm glad my doc isn't adverse to it. I'll follow the suggested slow taper to optimize success, but in my mind I am really hoping to be drug free by June 04. I am getting married and I really want to be drug free, I want to look at those pics and not look high, I want to be a good wife!! So we'll see. TC
Gabbi
Gabbi, there are very few people who after a certain age, are "drug free." In that, I mean a lot of people are on life-time prescriptions to keep them healthy and happy. Anti-depressants, high cholesterol meds, insulin, high blood pressure, anxiety, etc. etc. etc. . . . you name it. Just keep an open mind and listen to your doctor!!
Congratulations on your wedding . . . are you having a big wedding? Going on a honeymoon? Good luck to you!
Gabbi 
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