Posted by Chuckie on May 4, 2004, at 21:17:16
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine - Thanks! And... » bupe_fan, posted by Chuckie on May 3, 2004, at 19:38:29
Well i have some good news, and some good news.
I saw the doctor today. I was a half hour late because of traffic jams, but the staff was friendly and understanding. The clinic is actually a family practice; in fact it's housed in a comfy converted residence.
The doctor was all smiles and helpfullness and REAL. None that clinical distance and uncomfortable feeling of being sized up for to pass appropriate judgement. He's a family doctor with a background in methadone clinics.
We talked for about ten minutes. He asked me to approximate my current poppy usage, in terms of Vicodin, and i told him i thought about four 750mg pills/day.
Then he called in my prescriptions.
No pee tests. No counseling. No judgement. And apparently i can call the pharmacy for my monthly refills.
To top it off i now have a GP for my family. One who will also refill my clonazapem and wellbutrin scripts, should i need them, without concurrent whinging about my 'substance abuse.'
This is almost too good to be true. But, the scripts are called into the pharmacy. It actually happened, already. The pharmacy doesn't have any, but they're supposed to have them by tomorrow afternoon.
The only downside is the cost. Of course i'll pay whatever it takes to get started on my new life, but wow. Something like $90 to get started on Subutex, then $360?/mo. for suboxone maintenance.
Although he's got me at the 'target' dosage of 16mg. Judging from anecdotal stories like from ^bupe_fan, who is comfy on 3mg, i should think i should be able to live with at least half or third of my prescription. So in theory, half to a third of the cost.
The other downside is i guess i have to be dopesick before i can start the bupe. Hopefully this happens by tomorrow evening. If not, i'll just stay up until it does. And hopefully i judge properly how sick i should be before taking it. I mean i hope the runny nose and the shattered nerves are sick enough, since if i call it wrong i guess i could make myself even sicker. But even that should pass, after all i will be getting opioid medication into my system.
That's my only real criticism of my experience. I think the doc could have been a bit more detailed about how to proceed. But then, his original plan was to have me off the flower for TWO days and then start me on Suboxone, so maybe he feels everything be OK with the gradual introduction of Subutex instead. I also note the lack of an office visit for my first dose, as seems traditional, and the lack of actual verification of my dependence. But here again, buprenorphine is a poor choice for abuse, so maybe he skips the formality based on experience. I mean he probably doesn't have a lot of people traipsing in to bs him for a fix, esp. considering the cost.
All in all, a great day for Chuckie. I'm feeling a bit sad for all the stories i hear of less fortunate situations. But... after 40+ years of suffering in one form or another, i think it's about time i get a chance at a life. I mean before it runs out entirely.
SO...
This is probably my last comment on this thread, unless someone asks for more commentary. I'll post my progress on new thread(s?), as i'm embarking on a new life now.
Thanks All. Just for being here.
- Chuckie
poster:Chuckie
thread:333744
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040409/msgs/343410.html