after ive already started suboxone a week ago. Has anyone experimented with this?? Is there gonna be negative side effects since ive been on suboxone a week ? and how should i go about stopping the suboxone before i take the pain meds? Kinda worried about this, i have no desire to take the pain meds anymore, but with previous surgeries-i know i will not be able to tolerate the pain for the 1st few days..What can i do??
Suboxone - have surgery coming up very soon, and want to know how am I going to take the pain meds?
Question posted by Anonymous on 18 May 2011
Last updated on 3 September 2016
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
6 Answers
b80m4rl
21 May 2011
I visited Suboxforum.com and found quite a few people there who have gone through surgery after starting suboxone, and the two common methods that their doctors suggested. Theres a whole section on "surgery on suboxone" that you can access after registering on the site. Thanks for suggesting the "suboxdoc" you tube vid, thats how i found the site
b80m4rl
20 May 2011
Oh yeah, and ill be going under anestesia for the procedure-fully asleep, strapped to a table with the tube down my throat. I think i finally covered everything, as to my last questions i posted any help would be great. Thanks for the support, im finally doing what i need to do to get better-this is hopefully my last speed bump.
b80m4rl
20 May 2011
As for the suboxone helping with the pain im gonna go ahead and say its not going to, only cause ive been on it a week now and just the pain i have now in my hip is tolerable-but after the surgery after being dislocated and poked around i know from previous surgeries that its going to be a lot worse for about a week, but after a few days i know it will be tolerable again.
b80m4rl
20 May 2011
Im new to this site and havent figured out how to work it yey, So sorry i didnt answer all of your questions cause i didnt see them all... Im having surgery on my hip-Will be the 5th time and final. Im not worried about dealing with the withdrawl before starting suboxone again, it really wasnt bad for me. 24 hrs and as soon as i got the more moderate symptoms i melted the suboxone and was better within an hour or so. As far as the PWD, im new to that term and i have read and understand what it means now, and i know i will have to wait before starting subs again-Thats ok woth me, it worked great 1st time so i expect it to the 2nd time-thanks for replying
Inactive
18 May 2011
It is extremely important to tell the anesthesiologist, subs can be of a concern when putting subs patients to sleep. General rule of thumb about subs is that a 16 mgs per day, it will block for 3 to 5 days, at 12 mgs, then figure 2 to 4 days. Subs recede off the sites in the brain, you may take 2 days or 3 days or 4. I am certainly not trying to tell you what to do, but it might be better to have your surgeon call and talk to your subs dr and get them to work together too get and keep you comfortable.tell you anesthesiologist too keep you safe. Best of luck on your surgery and getting your surgeon to talk to your subs dr for you. Patti
Inactive
19 May 2011
Oh believe me, i agree with you- i know its very important to let the surgeon and medical staff know what im on before goin under. I wanted to avoid telling my subs doc just for the simple fact that i dont wanna lose him, but either way i am gonna let the ortho docs know, thanks a lot for the advice
Inactive
20 May 2011
Thank you pattishan also for the advice, im going to consider stopping the suboxone asap with plenty of time to make sure there isnt any floatin around in my system before the surgery, and my surgeon and anesthesiologist will be fully informed within a day or two (depending on when he calls back). Ive been taking only 10-12 mg subs a day, and i think if i start taking the hydrocodone the day after i stop the subs i should be able to avoid any withdrawls, and be good to go for surgery. Then a few days after the operation when i no longer need the pain meds, i will wait around the 20-24 hr mark where i get my moderate w/d symptoms then start the subs again for the long haul. from what ive read on here, that should work. Thanks a lot for the advice
lisabinger123
3 Sep 2016
i have had 3 surgerys in past 3 years and oi did exactly that ,,i stopped 5 days before and started taking hydrocodone in place till surgery day ,,omg i woke up a few times during surgery they said ,,they had to give me 3 times more anist then normal ,,i was only taking 4mg to 8 a day if i did 8 ,,i never did a full film iat once ,,mainly two quarters ,,, but iv been on for 5 years,,, i suggest you start 7 days before like im doing now ,,i have surgery on my neck next friday 6 days ,,i started hydrocodone yeaterday ,,just be careful the first 3 day on hyd,,, because you feel like you need more ,it just takes edge off,,goodluck
caringsonbj
18 May 2011
Laurie is absolutely right but also just be sure your doctor and your anesthesiologist is aware of this, I wouldn't think there would be a problem and especially not if both doctors know what medications you have been taking.
LaurieShay
18 May 2011
Hey subsnow,
The Suboxone has the opiate pain killer buprenorphine in it which will tie up the brain receptors preventing the other pain meds from working. That is the reason for the Suboxone in the first place. The Suboxone will stay on the brain receptors from three to five days. The Suboxone may give you some pain relief, but if not then it will prevent the other pain meds from working for 3 to 5 days. Since you haven't been on the Suboxone long, you may be able to stop it but then again you might go into withdrawals from the previous opiate use too. I would definitely discuss this with the prescribing doctor asap. Knowing how much opiate you were taking before you started the Suboxone and how much Suboxone you are taking would be helpful to answer your question better. Please add to your post and others will be able to help better.
Best wishes,
Laurie
Inactive
18 May 2011
Thank you, how do i add my post?
LaurieShay
18 May 2011
Click on comment under the question or respond again to the question, either way will work.
Inactive
18 May 2011
i was taking about 15-20 of the 10mg hydrocodones a day, now im taking 12mg of suboxone a day. Im going to tell the surgeon that ive started the suboxone, but i dont wanna tell my subx doc cause im afraid he will not continue to see me anymore. I just want to stop the suboxone for the few days after surgery, and obviously with enough time to be safe before the surgery. Im going to start the suboxone again after the days following my surgery.
LaurieShay
18 May 2011
Sounds risky to me. I would be honest with the doctors. You don't want to go into withdrawals while having surgery. Timing the discontinuing of the Suboxone so the opiates will work and then restarting the Suboxone after you are done will be tricky. Don't forget that you'll have to be off the Suboxone for several days in order for the opiates to work and then you'll have to go into withdrawal for at least 24 hours before restarting the Suboxone or you run the risk of precipitated withdrawals which you definitely don't want to do. What kind of surgery are you having, if I may ask?
The Suboxone may be enough pain relief to get by. I would definitely discuss with the doctors before attempting this.
Used2be
19 May 2011
Just wondering if you are going to have local anesthetic or are they putting you to sleep. From my experience, I was on Suboxone when I had carpal tunnel surgery. I told the surgeon that I was a recovering addict & he did not prescribe me any narcotics post surgery. I was fine with the pain while taking Suboxone.
b80m4rl
20 May 2011
I was taking on average 20 hydrocodones (or percocet)a day @ 10 mg= 200mg Day... And the subs doctor put me on 16mg a day. I shouldnt of started the subs knowing i have surgery again right around the corner, but i felt it was time and didnt want any more excuses to put it off any longer. I should of waited, and now im screwed cause i cant avoid the surgery, and i wont be able to avoid the meds post op. Im ok with the fact that i have to withdrawl again after a few days after surgery to go back on the subs. I was just mainly worried about taking the pain meds after bein on subs. Ive only been on the subs around a week now, and have less than a week before the surgery so im wondering what i should do. I dont wanna just stop the subs. But after only a week on it, im wondering if ill be ok. I can take more hydro to avoid the original opiate WD, after stopping subs.
After a week on suboxone will i have a problem going back to hydro or perc?? Im 100% (mind made up) set on starting subs again after post op pain (i like how much its helped in just a short time being on it)-Anyone know what i should do in my position, im paraniod to take the hydros after being on subs. Never taken subs before in my life, so i dont know how they work as far as what my situation is right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
LaurieShay
20 May 2011
You can take the hydro's while you still have the subs in your system but they won't do much as the sub ties up the brain receptor sites for 3 to 5 days from the last dose. If you are certain you want to stop the suboxone before surgery then stop it 4 days before surgery and be prepared to experience some withdrawals is the only problem. I would really reconsider staying on the suboxone through out the duration and hope that it provides enough pain relief as it is an opiate pain killer itself. I don't know what kind of surgery you are having so don't know how much pain you are going to be in. I would hate for you to be in withdrawals on the surgery day, but that is the only way to time it so that the opiates will work after surgery. You MUST tell the surgeon and anesthesiologist about the suboxone use before surgery and the surgeon is likley to not want to prescribe an opiate for after surgery anyway. I think your best bet is to stick with the Suboxone even if you have to up the dose for the recovery period.
Laurie
LaurieShay
20 May 2011
Pattishans suggesting about getting the subs doctor and the surgeon to talk is the best advice I think. They will know the appropriate avenue to take to keep you comfortable throughout this whole process. Best of luck and keep us posted.
Inactive
20 May 2011
Hey laurie, im positive if im in pain now while on suboxone then im definately going to be after the surgery-One thing i was wondering about your reply is... if i stop the suboxone before the surgery, then take hydrocodone for pain why would i go into withdrawl from stopping the suboxone? Wouldnt the pain pills stop any kind of withdrawl from happening?
LaurieShay
20 May 2011
Yes, the pain pills will stop the withdrawal, but can you schedule the discontinuing of the Suboxone at just the right time to be certain that you don't experience withdrawals before you actually get the pain meds after the surgery? I'm concerned you will stop the Suboxone in time to have the surgery, then not have the pain pills in time to prevent experiencing the withdrawals. You won't know exactly how many days the Suboxone stays in the body so to be certain to have the pain pills ready. What I'm trying to say is there maybe a period of 24 hours or so that you have stopped the suboxone but haven't been given a script for the pain med yet which might end up being the exact same day as the surgery. Does that make sense?
You still have to tell the surgeon and the anesthisiologist that you have taken Suboxone even if you discontinue before the surgery as it will affect the medicines they use for the surgery. I really think it is best to ask the surgeon to discuss the issue with the Subs doctor and have them decide the best course of action.
Inactive
20 May 2011
Hi laurie, yes that absolutely makes sense- As far as not havin the meds in time i got that covered too- Ive actually had some hydrocodone this entire time ive been on suboxone( and havent attempted to take any lol), so i will have them after surgery regardless of whether or not the doc gets me a script in time. However in the past ive actually left the surgery center with my scripts, so either way i will have them. And trust me when i say, the doctors and staff involved in my surgery are going to be fully aware that ive been on suboxone. Ive already left a message with my docs secretary to inform him ahead of time.I will make sure i tell him asap, im not a risk taker when it comes to my life being risked on an o.r. table. Thanks again for the info-
LaurieShay
20 May 2011
Good luck with your upcoming surgery and keep me posted on how you are doing.
Inactive
20 May 2011
Thank you, i will stop back when i start the subs again, and hopefully have the same progress i had the 1st time starting it.
Related topics
suboxone, pain, side effect, surgery
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- Suboxone uses and safety info
- Suboxone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Suboxone (detailed)
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