Just been diagnosed with a spigelian hernia that will require surgery. My consultation with the surgeon is monday. I have been on buprenorphine/naloxone for chronic back pain since February 2023. Because buprenorphine blocks other opioids that I will need for postoperative pain management, I have been advised to stop b/n now in anticipation of surgery. I was told to take Percocet for now as needed for pain and I shouldn’t go through withdrawal. I’m still scared that I will. My understanding is that I probably won’t be able to go back on b/n without withdrawals. Has anyone gone through surgery while on b/n? Tia
Stopping buprenorphine/ naloxone prior to surgery?
Question posted by bulldog0923 on 19 Aug 2023
Last updated on 21 August 2023 by sara12345
Answers
sara12345
21 Aug 2023
My reaction was that you would have withdrawal symptoms, but from the most reputable source, they say that gradually reducing is recommended, BUT " In this case report, abrupt cessation of buprenorphine/naloxone at various doses, and after variable durations of treatment, resulted in mild opiate withdrawal lasting over approximately 1–2 days that did not require additional opioid medication or only specific symptom-relieving, non-opioid, medications. Lengthy withdrawal regimens might prolong withdrawal symptoms unnecessarily, perhaps increasing the risk of re-addiction."
So it does look like you have been given excellent advice. You can look it up at this reference. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3723396/
Related topics
pain, back pain, buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone, naloxone, chronic pain, surgery, chronic, hernia, diagnosis, chronic back pain, opiate dependence - maintenance
Further information
- Buprenorphine uses and warnings
- Buprenorphine / Naloxone uses and warnings
- Naloxone uses and warnings
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