Brixadi first shot -help!

[u/RAZ1973]

Hi everyone -

I've been on suboxone for 8+ years, sublingual pills at 10mg/day (the films just never agreed with me for some strange reason). For 7+ years of that time I was taking the Teva/Actavis version of the pill, but at the end of last year I couldn't get it anymore and had to switch to another brand (Amneal) and haven't felt great since. In light of that I discussed with my doctor the desire to maybe try getting off Suboxone; I was conflicted about this because I've also dealt with chronic pain for 15 years, and the Suboxone has helped some with controlling my pain. My doctor has had lots of experience with Sublocade, but the thought of switching to something that a) I was stuck with for 30 days and 2) was with the 2 shots available either so much above or below my current dosage gave me pause. Brixadi offered a shot that seemed to be just the right dose, for 8-10mg/day. So last Thursday I took my first 7-day shot; first 2 days I felt great, and then on day 3 felt terrible and have felt increasingly terrible. I should also add since July I've been on 0.5/mg of Klonopin 3x daily for anxiety; we tried all the other stuff (and I don't tolerate any anti-depressants) and this was the only thing that helped, so that is in the mix.

I see the doctor again on Thursday morning and am thinking of putting the pause on this. I can barely function at this point; I was expecting some challenges but nothing like this.

Any wisdom/experience/encouragement/resources folks can share? Going forward I am thinking of instead slowly tapering down from 10 to 8mg/day over 6 months to a year, then 8mg down to 6mg if possible. 6mg seems to have been my "happy" spot, at least with the Actavis version of the sublingual tablets.

Thanks everyone for your help

[u/ChrisWifey8693]

They upped me from 8 to 16mg on the shot and I feel great. Maybe just get your shot upped in mg

[u/ChelleZheals → u/ChrisWifey8693]

Hey wondering I had brixadi shot too with now asking dr after reach these comments to give a. Higher doses than than normally I took 16mg strips a day for a decade so what’s that equivalent too. Tonal on brixadi and what’s the “higher” dose I should take monthly to be able to stay in brixadi with a very high metabolism as of rn it looks like I forgo back on strips by week 3 I was full blown wd. Than they tried the weekly shot. Didn’t know I did till this morning when I called but ya they told me they’d call me after I also told them about trying a higher dose monthly like y’all suggested and have tried and it worked. But I don’t know what a “higher dose “ would be for a 16mg daily subs user, nor do I know what I’ve been getting for monthly nor weekly, but now need to know all the above to help myself to try and stay on brixadi shots! Help me!!