Suboxone Too Soon After Methadone (Page 2)
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My wife has been on methadone for the last 6 years dosing 120mg per day. Something happened and she ran out of medicine and doesn't get any more until 4 days from now. She took her last dose of 80mg yesterday morning. 3 hours ago (36 hrs after the last dose of methadone) she was just beginning withdrawal and took about 3mg of a Suboxone strip thinking the sub would help get her through the next 4 days until she re-upped on her methadone. Unfortunately, she has gone into severe withdrawals. From what I've read so far, there isn't much we can do about it. My worry is that she doesn't get her methadone for 4 days and Idk how bad off she is going to be until then. She has about 9mg of Suboxone left. I wonder if she should take it over the next few days or what and how will it affect her when she gets her methadone next week. She is really bad off right now and I just can't see her going that long with no type of relief. Does anyone have any suggestions or knowledge of whether it is safe for her to go that long without her MD. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm really worried about her.

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Re: Warren (# 8)

She will not have convulsions!!! That comes from Benzo abuse or severe alcohol abuse. The ER will more than likely look at her as yet another drug addict who has abused their methadone and run out. They will not help her.

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Re: Mike (# 11)

I don't believe that taking a known drug addict who has RUN OUT of her methadone will result in her being given OxyCodene. Maybe in her dreams....!! Are you serious? Firstly, they will question her about why she has run out of her methadone. Then, they will question her as to WHY she has Suboxone in her possession, as if you are on Methadone, you certainly shouldn not also have Suboxone in your hands. So, I feel for her, it was surely the wrong decision to take the Suboxone so soon...you need to wait at least 3 days I believe after being on Methadone before you take Suboxone. Maybe if she had taken Subutex, which doesn't have the naltrexone in it,, she might have been okay. Go ahead and try the ER, but I don't like your chances.

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Re: Whoopie pie (# 10)

All i can think of is go to a methdone clinic! Its not just for addits !! I helps with long acting pain medication! I work well ! Bether pain relief than sub ! But tat me ! We are all different! Big pharm is whening agian! Ps advode cvs ! Best wishes

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The gentle who mentioned seizures is off base if she doesn't have a secure disorder. That happens with alcohol and benzos usually. Although if she has had seizures in the past she is more likely to have more . Coming off of Methadone or Suboxone cold turkey won't kill you just make you wish were dead. I feel for you and I see it everyday in a treatment facility. There is no way to make it completely painless. Imodium works wonders for that part of it.

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Dear SandMan
I've read alot of posts, and you can take her to the Er, and they will give her Oxycodone, which may help withdrawls and get her through the 4 days. Please, and i say this kindly, keep in mind how fortunate your wife is to be with a provider, and at such a higher dose. ( i dont' mean any criticism, for i do not know the intense pain your wife is being treated for with her doctor ) but try to get her through the next 4 days if you can. and take her to the hospital for help. But don't do early refills, they will cancel her pain contract and she will be completely without . You, and She especially, does not want that. Good fortune my friend, Mike

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After taking hydrocodone for 9 months (after two joint replacements) I was taking more than I should have and became addicted. I tried to stop by cutting down but when I got to a low dose I went into withdrawal, which was more than I could stand (I was 64) I finally smartened up and went back to my doctor who sent me to rehab as at that time (11years ago) doctors could not prescribe Suboxone. I had to wait 12 hours before taking Suboxone but when I did it stopped the withdrawal within minutes. Thank God. After discharge, the rehab doctor put me on 8 mg. of Suboxone twice a day for chronic pain (I have arthritis of the spine and have had 5 joint replacements) It worked wonders and had no highs, lows, or other opiate feelings. I eventually went down to 4 mg twice a day. I could live a normal life. Now due to the new laws I have to jump through hoops and walk a tightrope to get any Suboxone and have therefore been without anything but aspirin for over 3 months and I have a constant severe ache in my upper spine, can barely walk and am in bed or a lift chair most of the time. My normal life disappeared. It is going to be awhile longer before I can get Suboxone or any opioid for my pain. My head aches so badly that if I could drive I would find a cliff to drive off of. I am almost serious but since I can't walk or drive I guess that's out. Seriously, does anyone know of anything I can take for what may be a couple of more weeks, maybe longer, before I can get Suboxone or other opioid. By the way, there is a Suboxone with an antiabuse type ingredient and one without. I know as while taking the one without I could take hydrocodone at the same time with no effects but pain relief. This was when I was going through particularly terrible pain. This may help those going from Methadone to Suboxone and having major withdrawal. I have never taken methadone so I don't know for sure.

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She obviously dodged a bullet by waiting far enough into withdrawal to take the sub. Now that she has, refrain from any opiates until the subs have cleared her system. This includes methadone. I would wait about 36 hrs or until she is in withdrawal before reintroducing the methadone. Instead of relying on these comments you need to do your homework and read up on subs and their components, namely buprenorphine and naloxone. In the future tell her not to self-adjust her methadone dosage and she won't have this problem. She may not want to reveal to the methadone clinic her abuse of the methadone, however if she is honest about recovery she should and then work with doctors to correct the dose. Whatever you do you should not turn to other opiates now that she has taken sub. 36 Hrs min. Good luck, stop abusing and try to get real about your problem. Playing Dr has gotten you into this mess, now do the homework, learn about the drugs you are taking and their effects and pay the price for thinking you knew as much as a licensed professional.

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You need to get her to an er right away. What her body is going through right now is very very dangerous. Convulsions are my main concern. If this a usual problem there may be an underlying issue.

For now get her to a hospital.

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Do not, do not , do not give her any more strips. Unless ya wanna see her in more withdrawals. Ooohhh that was a bad idea. Can't say from experience but over the years I've known a couple people that have done that and they say they will never ever forget it. It killed the whole idea of anything even related to suboxxone for one person forever. Withdrawls are a pain in the ass, which knock on wood, I won't ever have to go through again the way I manage my meds, but I'm told they're twice as worse when ya take the strips without methaonde completely out of your system. Unfortunately now that she's already taken that, I don't think there's anything that she can do to to get back to normal til that's exited her system and she gets her regular meds again. I wouldn't wish that on my worse enemy. I feel for ya both.

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Re: Charlie (# 5)

I would watch her close. Don't let her get any Methadone on her own. Overdose could occur. Personally, I would bring her to ER or doctor and let them put her on Oxcycodone until her refill. It's horrible to go through and bad for someone watching. 100% full withdrawal isn't something you can stop. Not even with Methadone. She can overdose. Suboxen will continue to put her into withdrawal until Methadone is out of system. Im telling you this from experience just 3 weeks ago. Please bring her to doctor.

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Giving her Suboxone is absolutely the worst thing to do. Any opiate taken 24 hrs after last dose of methadone would have been much better. Sorry but have been there but was well aware of what would have happened. Four days can feel like an eternity.

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well she needs to watch her meds and wing down ,i live in conic pain on opans 30 bid, and 4 10 er , i tr not to take it all every day ,i have friend that that 3 40mg oxys, every day they watch what they take and went they take it, i would have her lay out a daily planer, i been there and do it all, i pray for you guy , that running out sucks , i know, and 8 mgs of subs ant going to help her she just need to stop and control her meds , best of luck , shes on a death sprillo

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The Suboxen put her into full withdrawal. Do not give her anymore. I went through a similar thing with Fentynyl not even a month ago. Put her on oxcycodone 10mg three to four times a day until her refill. That's what was done with me. Suboxen will keep throwing her into withdrawal.

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I have been there! Give her about 24 to 36 hours and she will start to feel better. I broke out into hot and cold sweats then about 24 hours later I started to feel better. Nothing you can do except wait it out. Praying she feels better soon

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From the details you gave it didn't seem she waited 3 days after her last dose of Methadone priori to using Sub. They recommend AT LEAST 36 hours for methadone to sub transition, and I've heard people waiting 5 days. I have heard that taking another small dose of Sub after Precipitated Withdrawls occurring helping, but this was more for someone who was using short acting opioids and for less than a years daily use. Suboxone may kick off methadone on receptors and replace it, but if the receptor is being covered by a full agonist like methadone it will still cause withdrawal.

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