Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• Highway
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2021

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "Have not tried yet, but I have been abandoned by pain doctors and don’t know what to do. Withdrawal, debilitating pain, I can’t go on like this. I do know people say that film eats your stomach and teeth. The laws on opioids need to change today. The pain situation is hopeless."

• KJano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've been on opioid meds since 2001. I've been with my current PM doc since 2006. Since the guidelines changed, we had to change my meds, though they were working for me. At my last appointment, she suggested Belbuca, and I said okay. What a mistake. I've had the worst migraines of my life, every single day and night. I finally realized it's the Belbuca. I haven't been impressed by it anyway, as far as pain relief goes. It helped me with withdrawals as I stopped taking Exalgo, but it doesn't help with pain."

• Knuck...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I was nervous at first reading some of the negative reviews, and I talked with my doctor about it a while before I switched. I went back and told him it wasn't enough, and he told me that was just the 'starting dose,' and we'll go up each week until we get to the right dose for me. I was skeptical, to say the least, but holy cow, he was right! At 750, I can't believe the difference. This drug is incredible!"

• MissyCT
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "For the last 7 years I've had chronic lower back pain due to L4-L5, L5-S1 bulging discs and Arthritis. I'm only 30 years old. I've had 12 Epidural injections that gave me no Relief. Seen over 12 back/pain doctors and was told PT and NSAIDs would be the way to go. All the doctors were wrong. I was in pain day and night. It never got better and kept me from having a normal life with my family. I have two girls ages 6, 14. My PA told me to find a pain management center. For the next month, I lived in pain. The pain was so bad some days. I finally got into a pain DR. They started me on Butrans 10mg patch and Percocet 7.5/325, it's changed my LIFE! I'm pain-free for the first time in 7 years. Patch works in 3 days!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2019

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Another very important thing! You MUST be well into withdrawal if you are being moved off another strong opioid such as fentanyl, oxycodone, etc. Otherwise, it will precipitate an even worse withdrawal! I was not made aware of this and my switching from 140 mg oxycodone to a 70 mcg patch, which gave me FAR worse withdrawals than I ever experienced coming off the massive amounts of opioids I'd been on before. That was a walk in the park compared to transitioning to the buprenorphine because I was told just to stop the oxycodone and start the patches, without being in withdrawal first. I NEVER want to go through that again and I'd hate for anyone else to either. And although everyone varies, it actually takes around 2 weeks to fully build up in your system, I was told this only after I ended up in A&E after 3 days, and by then my pain was totally out of control. You should be given buprenorphine subs during this 'settling in' period. Ironically, all of this info I found on the NHS's OWN guidance on the usage of buprenorphine, intended for health professionals."

• PedsN...
• February 26, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "My insurance is not covering Butrans patch anymore, so my doctor started me on Belbuca 300mcg every 12 hours. I was concerned about it because of the negative reviews it received about its effectiveness and adhesive not staying put in the mouth. I suffer from fibromyalgia, herniated discs in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, and sciatic nerve pain down to my foot. I have not had issues with it sticking in my mouth. I place a finger inside until it sticks and one outside my cheek if needed. It stays put with no issues. It has helped my pain better than the patch, and I'm taking less tramadol and zanaflex, some days I don't need it. In the past few weeks, I feel my pain is controlled. I'm not waking up in pain and feel alert to work!"

• Elaine...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 13, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "I too have had very good results, as well as the typical side effects. The itching at the patch site drove me crazy to the point I could not use the patch. UNTIL... my doctor prescribed KENALOG spray to spray on before putting on the patch. Works wonders... you might want to give it a try. Insurance pays for it too. Good luck and sorry about your pain."

• Tia...
• February 23, 2014

Subutex (buprenorphine) "I've suffered from nerve damage for 10 years. I've taken most all the medications prescribed for pain. I've always needed to up my dose after short periods of time. I finally got tired of not being able to function because the amount needed to take the pain away would make me loopy or high. So I was put on methadone. I took that for 6 years still needing to up my dose 1-2 times a year. In the end, I was taking 12 pills a day. I found a doctor who suggested Subutex. I have now been on Subutex for 1 1/2 years and have not needed to raise my dose. I'm taking 20 mg or 2 1/2 pills a day compared to 12 pills a day. Insurance fights me every 6 months saying it's only for addicts. I submit extra paperwork from my doctor. It's quite expensive too but worth it."

• Heart...
• October 21, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've been on Butrans, but I grew used to that, and my pain management put me on Belbuca and I've been on it for about 3 years. I was on 900, and for the first time in so long, I had no pain. My insurance refused to pay for it anymore. I can't afford $800.00 a month. My issue is that I'm allergic to all pain meds except Belbuca. Now I'm going through this awful withdrawal, and now I'm crippled again, where it's very hard to walk or even breathe. I have RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) for the last 13 years. In the meantime, with no pain meds, I also lay here with 2 broken toes and a foot that has a bone infection. Can't operate because of no pain meds. I started out using the prescription card from Belbuca, and I guess once you're hooked, they take it away. There is no generic. So I lay here in the most awful pain ever. It was the best while it lasted, but for a person like me who is allergic to everything, it's hard."

• snerd
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Have been on Percocet for about twenty years. Chronic low back and neck pain, leg pain, arthritis, bulging discs, and impinged nerves. I have just learned to deal with it. A new doctor gave me Butrans and put on a patch last night. Felt an immediate rush, similar to the feeling I have gotten when receiving IV morphine at the hospital. Worried if it dispensed all the drug at once? However, I slept pain-free for the first time in about 25 years, and I'm at work now. Have not yet started my day, but I noticed I got in and out of the car easily and walked to the building without much pain for the first time ever. I am hoping it doesn't wear off quickly and have concerns that it will eventually stop working. In 2007, I was on a fentanyl patch for several years, and it stopped working over time."

• Deb
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2020

Butrans (buprenorphine) "After I was put on the Butrans patch, I couldn’t sleep longer than 5 hours, and I have chronic fatigue syndrome, which normally requires at least 9 hours of sleep. Even though it didn’t help my pain, I continued using it, thinking it’s one of those meds that takes time to work. By the third week, I had a seizure."

• James_A
• March 8, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "I have chronic back pain that started from a skydiving accident, and have been in pain ever since. I tried so many medications and nothing worked. When I got Oxycodone long-acting and breakthrough Flexeril, my pain was reduced to 5/10. Come the evening, the pain got so bad that I needed to take more oxy. I just got this patch on Monday (March 4, 2013), on the 5th dose. It took about 3 days to become effective. I woke up on Wednesday and had no pain. I thought it was just a coincidence. Thursday comes, Friday, and still pain-free. I actually stopped taking my long-acting Oxycodone today. So I will see how the next few days will be once the medicine is out of my system. But I'm sure everything will still be pain-free. I love this patch!"

• Micke
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2018

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Have used patches (20 mcg/hour) for over 10 years after trying many other drugs. I was in so much pain that I felt like taking my own life. I am still in some pain, but it is so much more bearable. Wonderful drug."

• kaths...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've started on a 150 mg dose of Belbuca. I was so tired, then I seem to adjust to it. Then they just upped me to a 300 mg dose. I'm so tired I could fall asleep at 1 in the afternoon while I'm driving. I'm not saying that it doesn't work for the pain, but who can be this tired all the time? I can't even put a thought in my head. Going to ask the doctor to take me off. I'm going back to the 150 mg until then. PS: also terrible constipation, which I never have a problem with."

• Flstorm
• September 7, 2016

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "This medication works. I was first prescribed Butrans patches 20 mcg, and they worked great, but they can sweat off in the Texas summer heat, so I was given Belbuca 450 mcg. They work just as wonderfully as the patches did. I have never had a problem opening them. I also have found that if I don't talk while the film dissolves, it doesn't curl up or mess up in any way. There is a video on the Belbuca website showing exactly how to place them. This medicine changed my life. I have arthritis and DDD in my back and neck, disk herniations, nerve pain in my arms because my neck needs surgery, and I still live normally due to this medicine. I recommend!"

• Lucy...
• March 31, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I was prescribed Belbuca to help me with severe pain, but what I received from this medication was SEVERE PAIN! Horrible headaches. Muscle spasms in my back and neck. Scalp tenderness. The blowing of the wind on my scalp was very painful. Never again!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I have DDD. Fibromyalgia... chronic pain issues. Pinched nerve in lower back, fusion in neck with nerve damage issues... I am taking Belbuca 300 mcg 2 times a day, and for the first time in years, I have my pain under control with the only side effect being constipation (which can be remedied). I love Belbuca, and yes, I've tried a bunch of other medications.... It works great for me!"

• Pain...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I was really excited to start this medication recommended by my PM neurologist. Unfortunately, I had horrific reactions to it. My face became red and covered in red dots. My hands swelled up and were very itchy. I was unable to have a bowel movement. I had severe headaches and vomiting. I was lethargic and extremely sleepy. I had terrible nightmares and would wake up yelling or crying. My body has been twitching and spasming uncontrollably. I can’t think or comprehend anything. I suffered through these side effects for 3 days, hoping my body just needed to adjust, but on the evening of my last dose, I had chest pain and thought I was going to die choking on a banana. My throat had swelled up. It’s been about 60 hours since I took the last dose of Belbuca, my throat still feels slightly swollen. My body is still twitching every 15-30 seconds, and I am extremely sleepy. Other than the bad headache and chest pain, it worked on my chronic pain."

• schlo
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 1, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "This patch has made a SIGNIFICANT difference in my stamina. Even though I do still experience pain, it takes longer to get to intolerable, but mostly, my recovery from a taxing day is significantly less. I take far fewer pills and was even able to stop taking Ambien. I would recommend this to ANYONE who is truly looking for a better way to take care of their pain without all the opiates. Give it time, allow it to work, and if you're taking a bunch of narcotics, it may take a little time for your body to adjust to the patch and its delivery of medication. Your body's tolerance is likely very high. But, if you can make it through an adjustment period, there's a good chance this can work for you, too!"

• Cee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2020

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "Hurt my back in 2005 doing leg weights on a leg machine. I was seeing my primary doctor for the pain in my lower back. No relief from the meds he gave me. He sent me to a pain management doctor for back injections and other types of meds. Been on oxy 7.5 mg for a few years now. I asked him what else was out there that might help. He gave me a script for 150 mg of Belbuca. It did nothing at all for my chronic back pain. I now have a script for the 300 mg, but wondering if that is any better. The oxy works better. I take 1 three times a day. If the 300 mg doesn't work when I get it filled, I don't want anymore."

• med...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Gave to an elderly patient and it was horrible! She's been on it for over a month and is a completely different person, it's ruined her life. She no longer makes any sense, and talks constantly to the point where her voice is raw. She is combative at times which she never was before. It has done nothing at all for her pain. I wish to God they had never prescribed this pain patch. They wanted Fentanyl but the pharmacy refused. Do not let your elderly loved ones take this medication! It is not safe. I don't care what the company claims."

• Jillian
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I’ve been on Norco 10/325 since 2014 for severe DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) in the neck through lumbar. Counting 2 surgeries and herniations in the lumbar area. This is month three on Belbuca, and I feel alive and productive again. Started on 150 mg twice a day with 10/325 for breakthrough, increased to 300 mg twice a day. I expect to go to 450 mg this month. Tip: wean off your hydro or oxy slowly while you are taking Belbuca. Then use hydrocodone for breakthrough."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2023

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've been in pain for 5+ years & taking Naproxen 500 mg (2 times per day) & did everything I can think of to reduce the daily pain. I was prescribed Belbuca, and it did absolutely nothing. I give up. Thanks to drug addicts & dealers out there, people who are really suffering can't be prescribed the right meds to have a "normal" life. Thanks a lot! No thanks Belbuca creators."

• Bub
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I am a long-term sufferer of interstitial cystitis... debilitating chronic illness. Dr. randomly decided to prescribe Belbuca 300 mg out of the blue. Was taking hydrocodone 10/325, 5 a day for 7 yrs. That's it. My quality of life was good considering what I have, and no type of addiction. Anyways... I am here to let you know that I am now curled up in a ball on my couch, trying to decide whether or not I should go to the hospital... as Belbuca absolutely does not work!"

• Momma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've dealt with chronic nerve, back, and arthritis pain for 17 years. I've taken just about everything there is to take, including patches and an implanted neurostimulator. Oxy worked best but isn't available anymore due to misuse. Belbuca has been good for me. I do get occasional migraines, Excedrin Migraine works. I don't have the problem others have, I stick it on my cheek near my molars and it never falls off. There are trial blank films available to practice with. My biggest side effect after 6 months is quickened tooth decay. I have also had to learn how to deal with not having the euphoria effect of the other meds that get you moving and affect mood. It's like the old days taking Advil, and pain just leaves. I'm me again— I like that."