Butrans for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anon...
• May 27, 2015

"I've been a chronic pain patient for about ten years. Tried Vicodin, Percocet, Fentanyl and Tramadol separately and combined with just marginal results. My body always felt off taking these meds. Stomach issues, aches that weren't there before. The best results I've got with pills, was Suboxone or Subutex and felt good about the opportunity to FINALLY try Butrans patches. The 10mcg Butrans patch really made a positive difference with my body chemistry. No problems with the adhesive, no weird body feelings, just sweet relief. When I forgot to change the patch after seven days and the medication wore off ... I could really feel what the Butrans patch was doing for me."

• Erika...
• June 1, 2013

"I've had 2 surgeries, nerve stimulant, injections, nerve burns, Physical Therapy, chiro, acupuncture, and every medicine made. With 4 kids, I have to be able to drive, think and function. I have severe sciatica, hip & back pain. I am bone on bone with a rupture at L3/L4 and after the failed nerve stimulation my only option is fusion from L3 to S1 - NOT an option. I started Butrans about 6 months ago on 10 and moved to 20. I change every 5 days - my doctor wrote it that way - it wears off after 5. My pain breaks through some - but I have Norco which is less effective on the patch. It has to be put on carefully, precisely, & it itches, creates a slight rash and it occasionally comes off but I can't live without it. I don't feel high, I just feel relief."

• Hum
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2014

"Excellent pain relief, but the side effects made it impossible to continue using it. My dosage was 10mcg. Severe hypersensitivity reactions within two weeks and had to go to ER three times and doctor twice, because of horrible allergic reactions: facial swelling, throat swelling and raw to the point of barely able to swallow and unable to speak, blood pressure and pulse skyrocketed, had to use Epi pen twice in 24-hours, scary. If a person doesn't have side effects with the patch, the pain relief is excellent. If a person has potentially life threatening side effects, as I did, the fact that the patch is providing pain relief is irrelevant."

• Jam
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2019

"Butrans saved my life and enabled me to function with severe chronic pain, type 1 diabetes and fibromyalgia. Been on max 20mcgr/hr for several years now. Have terrible sensitivity to patch adhesive so spray Flovent (puffer) on skin prior to applying patch and all good! Ask your doc for off label use of Flovent in you get severe itch-I was scratching my skin raw."

• Arrow...
• August 23, 2014

"This medication was fantastic for relieving pain. It was more effective than oxycodone or hydrocodone. I had absolutely no side effects but one. The one side effect was just too much to deal with. Basically, this medication took away all libido and initiative and motivation. On the positive side it made me feel relaxed, sedated, and a sense of well being with absolute 100% pain relief at all times, but I may as well have been a zombie. This medication made me not care about much. Normally having a high sex drive, I had no libido at all, lost complete interest in my salsa dance lessons, and zero interest in going out. That's not living life. I prefer to stick to my hydros in that case."

• Lynn
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

"I used the generic Butrans patch for 3 weeks due to my insurance co-pays. Each week, after 24 hours of applying the patch, the adhesive broke loose from the skin and the patch was rendered useless. I eventually taped the patch to my arm but did not receive the full effect of the patch's medication. My pain increased significantly during this time. I contacted the company x 3 and sent photos but the company representative did not resolve the issue. I now use only the brand name Butrans and pay a higher co-pay. I feel that the company should, at least, reimburse me for the defective patches."

• bionic...
• February 14, 2013

"After more than a year of asking for extended relief (and moving up to 60mgs Percocet with 40 mgs Flexeril) I was barely able to cook a meal, take a shower, ANYTHING that required standing. I was skeptical at first, but (hopefully I'm not jinxing myself), the ADDITION of the Butrans patch for me has been life changing. I often skip my oral doses, and I cooked TWO Christmas dinners. I cleaned my house, right now I'm painting a bathroom and bedroom, a few hours at a time. "

• Lolas...
• September 11, 2013

"I loved this at first. Was able to leave on for the full 7 days. The longer I left it on my skin started to itch. Now, still trying to use it, because it works so well, only can leave on for about 3 days before my skin is totally broke out. I am so disappointed because I'd rather not take pills."

• Tiwoh...
• February 18, 2013

"Butrans works. I have a hard time finding medicines that work, but plainly put this works. It does come with a price however, the patches are sometimes hard to keep on, showering becomes a true chore, the NextCare patches (to cover and waterproof the Butrans patch) are expensive and only last a few days. I wore Butrans for almost a year and in some places it has scarred me -leaving an outline of the patch on my skin. Also, the patch can itch MADLY in some places. Finally you must choose your location **PERFECTLY** or the patch will 'bubble' up or develop waves where the medicine is not making contact with your skin. Again, this patch works."

• Panze...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2017

"I tried the Butrans patch after many years of being on oxy or hydrocodone. The first week was great. The very first night I actually slept & woke up refreshed which I realized hadn't happened in years. After that it was a nightmare! The 2nd week I began to notice I was in more pain than I was before I started the Butrans patch and my right hand was waking me up about 3:30 am numb and feeling on fire and fought with that until I had to get up and go to work. I wasn't sure what was going on. By the 3rd week both my hands were waking me up numb and feeling on fire around 1:30 every night! I was exhausted and in much more pain than ever! I took the patch off and my symptoms are slowly subsiding. DO NOT TAKE THIS MED!!!!"

• Emmylou
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2019

"I live in the UK I cannot sit for more than 10 minutes without being in excruciating pain (I have Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and Bi-Lateral Degeneration in my SI Joints.) I am now on Butrans Patches 70mcg with Buprenorphine Subs (200mg) for breakthrough pain. I had to BEG my Pain Consultant for the Subs because the patch provides NO RELIEF! I cannot even move without aggravating my SI joints. I only get 3 subs a day, but need to take at least 2 at a time, to give me just 4 hrs of relief. As I have to save them for BP, which usually occurs 1-3x a day. I am in almost constant pain (6-7) and have to ride the BP out as I don't have enough subs to cover it. I am 40yrs old and am now pretty much bed bound. I suffer from constant migraines (with aura), fatigue, insomnia (average about 3 hrs sleep a night), shortness of breath, horrible clamminess, and my hair is all falling out. The patches irritate my skin and leave it red and sore. I am desperate to get off this drug!!"

• Frigh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

"I started the Butrans patch in replace of oral tramadol two 50mg four times daily after many years. I followed the leaflet to the tee. Almost immediately I had became exhausted. After waking, my breathing became labored and patch site started itching uncontrollably. Worried and anxious I hadn't slept all night. After 24 hours, I called my physician about my symptoms. Now, I have a rash and dosing myself with Benadryl for the next several days. This drug was a nightmare without the slumber."

• Mark...
• October 9, 2017

"On pain patch 3 years and lowered from 10 mg to 5 mg. Did this to stop the use of this drug. It works great for about first year then other issues start. Poor sleep, withdrawal after 5th day, won't last 7 days. When I stopped it I had legs and arm spasming to point of not walking, also lack of energy, and tired for about three weeks, depression, lack of interest in anything. Don't start if you can avoid it.."

• JustC...
• December 29, 2014

"My pain Dr suggested Butrans. Butrans works for me. Takes my pain level down to 3 or 4 and that is manageable for me. The only problem I have with the patch is I am allergic to the adhesive. I have to use a spray steriod prior to placing the patch. So far it has worked. No itching or whelps. I have a hard time getting it approved through both my insurances. It takes a couple of days to finally getting it approved. I rarely have to take my breakthrough pain meds and I like that."

• Rusty
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 22, 2018

"After spending 4 years taking pills from hydrocodone and morphine for my chronic back pain and worrying whether I would not wake-up from sleep, I expressed this concern to my new pain management Doctor who referred the Butrans patch. I started with 5mcg and am now at 20mcg after a year. I went through the side effects from migraines to severe itching and persevered, I learned to use benadryl and that the migraines were gone after 3/months, my pain is now considerably less, from (9 to 2-4). I feel a lot better and yes, I still have some effects but they are nothing to the terrible withdrawal effects of pills and the fact I am still alive for my children and grandchildren."

• Katie...
• February 4, 2016

"I have been on the Butran pain patch for several years now because of chronic back pain (23 years). I started with 20 mcg and now I'm on 15 mcg. It really helps with my back pain. I hate taking anything that blurs my mind and this by far doesn't do that. I am tired a lot ( I have CFS) and I drink a lot of water. This medicine saved my life. I am now walking, swimming (I apply a waterproof bandaid over patch) stretching, and housework. My life is so much better. I am not pain free but on a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst - I am a three. For almost 20 years I was a ten. "

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2014

"Wow! For me this medicine is very effective. It only took 2 days for me to feel different. Seems that I'm always having this ache or that ache, but this is just unbelievable. If you are DIABETIC, I found that my blood sugar increased quite a bit."

• BKcol...
• February 19, 2018

"Been on the Butrans transdermal patch for 3 years. I have a life-limiting condition, and am past my medically prognosed expiration date. Each year I’ve had to increase my Butrans dosage to mitigate chronic pain (currently at 10mcg). Butrans is a blessing to me. My car accident injuries are inoperable, and my severe pain has been chronic since then. Initially I was on Methadone, which tore up my GI tract causing multiple hospitalizations. Even Morphine and Tramadol didn’t help. My life before Butrans was very difficult. I have a much better quality of life now because of Butrans. I also take about 1800mg daily Gabapentin for neuropathy, and I am diabetic, and, and, and... Everyone reacts differently to drugs, especially when taking many (I am on 11 prescriptions plus other OTC drugs), but I have no issues with drug interaction with the Butrans. Butrans has helped me in very tangible ways and I am thankful for it!"

• Harley...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

"Been on it one day 10mg strength I feel weird as anything and am very tired. Started to read all the reviews and now I'm scared of it . Might take it off tommorrow I have been on hydro codone for 7 years 10 mg they worked perfectly for me but new laws screwed me because I also smoke weed to help with the pain and in Georgia you can not smoke with the hydro codone against the law ! I would be happy to be back on my hydro codone."

• KDHS
• May 16, 2014

"Chronic back pain/three back surgeries. Medicine is only mildly useful. I have breakthrough pain every time I have to walk more than two or three minutes. I was told I shouldn't need anything besides this medicine, but that is NOT true. I am also having a skin reaction at the patch site. Before being given this medicine, I reminded my doctor that I have a problem with most bandage adhesives (only paper tape works), but she said this wouldn't be a problem. Wrong....I am getting blisters."

• Fibro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2014

"My doctor first prescribed these for me at the 10mg dosage as many of her fibromyalgia patients did well on them. When I first started to use them, the side effects were awful: headaches, light headedness, dizzy spells that came on out of the blue, severe nausea. But after the first patch, the symptoms seemed to ease when I would place the patches on my thigh or arm. Then by the 2nd box I noticed they weren't doing anything for the pain. So my doctor up'ed the amount to 20mg. I started to take the first of those patches this week. Side effects were tripled. After going for a 4 mile run, I came home and felt like I was going to pass out. This turned into my vomiting violently for 20 minutes. Don't know that I'll continue; pain has dulled."

• Lucy
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2018

"I can say I have been on every med possibly known to man. I suffer from fibromyalgia and chronic migraines and most days cannot even get out of bed. My neuro doc put me on the butran 20mcg right from the start and I was not convinced they were helping me at all. But by Day 2 I was sooo relieved when I woke from bed to start the morning and I could get out of bed and not be in extreme pain that I couldn’t walk! So I will say for a fact if you can afford this medication and your doc will try it -mixed Ceuta gabapentin - it is truly a miracle drug to say the least -they have a trial offer that lasts a year and will give you a good discount also -I pay 100$ with my blue cross and blue shield insurance and it is worth every penny!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2017

"Have had chronic pain for 10 yrs from fibro and deg disc disease and have just finished my 8th spinal surgery. I am on 15mcg patch. Only side effect is itching where patch is which I then take some benadryl to counter act. It doesn't control pain 100% but it helps and is not as horrid as fentanyl patches which I had withdrawal issues with after just 3 months. I don't expect to be 100% pain free with my conditions but I will take any help I can :)"

• 2018n...
• February 16, 2018

"I have been on Brutans patch for 2 1/2 years for back pain, DDD, cerivical, lumbar herniated discs, scoliosis, stenosis, fractured tailbone, osteoarthritis. My insurance changed to United Healthcare Jan. 1, 2018. During that time it would not cover Brutans patch cost $679. Insurance forced me to try Belbucca film. Tried it stuck to my teeth take 2 hrs to dissolve. This drug made me so sick. I had 1 week of lying in bed, weak, chills, some nausea. Dr told me to stop meds. So he called in my Brutans patch in February 12th. I fought for 2 whole days making 36 total phone calls between dr., UHC, insurance. By end of the day on Feb 14th I had been so sick from Belbucca and not having my Brutans patch I had to go pick up my prescription of Brutans patch at the cost of $679. On 20 mg and it’s the best med I have used that works. Why deny my coverage?"

• DiDi
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2019

"Did not work for me at all. I started at 5 mcg then 10 then 15 and my pain never decreased. I also got urine tested by pain manager and it never showed up in my drug screen so they tested 3 months in a row which cost me $100 each time out of pocket. (is there any active ingredient in this??!!)"