Buprenorphine and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• ZDo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I have been on 8 mg per day of buprenorphine since 2005 (a total of 17 years), and it is about time I got off this medication. I feel that buprenorphine is very effective in helping me manage opioid dependence. However, I feel that buprenorphine has some unwanted side effects for me, like chronic constipation, depression, and an overall dulling of the feeling of being alive. I feel buprenorphine has robbed me of some of the joy of living and ambition. I discussed with my doctor a strategy for the cessation of buprenorphine for me, and we decided on Sublocade to accomplish this. I received one 300 mg shot exactly 88 days ago. So far, the Sublocade lump is completely gone, and I have been feeling very minimal negative effects. The symptoms I have been feeling are subtle, and I wonder if it's just in my head or I am really experiencing withdrawal symptoms as I have not received a follow-up shot. I do feel a little depression, and normal bowel function has resumed. So far, piece of cake...."

• Ker...
• August 7, 2021

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Have a rare nerve disease in the spine, now the doctor said it’s spreading. Put me on Belbuca, at first, it was hit or miss. Does NOT dissolve, falls off of cheek, doctor won’t change, pain is becoming insane!! Also, now have terrible stomach pains and constipation. Think keep trying, but it doesn’t work!! Doctor says there isn’t anything else, 'cause pills have all eaten up my stomach. But this is worse and doesn’t work!! I’m not an addict, no urge to take this stuff, now the doctor wants to try ketamine infusions. It says stay on the patch that just goes to a gooey substance and doesn’t work!! Waiting to see a specialist surgeon, only 10 in the country that can attempt to untangle nerves, also, a large tarlov cyst is entrapped in the nerves, doctor says incurable."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I was an opiate user for 20 years prior to beginning Suboxone treatment in 2017. After 4 years, it became apparent that I wasn't going to be able to come off Suboxone without awful withdrawals, so I figured I was stuck on it for life. Then I heard about the Sublocade injection from a friend. I figured I had nothing to lose. So far, I have had 2, 300 mg shots, and I feel great. No withdrawal, no cravings. I just feel normal again. My next injection is supposed to be 100 mg, but at this point, I'm holding off to see if I'll even need it. The only side effects I've experienced from Sublocade are sleeplessness the day of the injection, some discomfort at the injection site for a few days, and also constipation, which I'm used to from the Suboxone anyway. If you are looking to break the daily habit of needing to take something, Sublocade is absolutely the way to go. It has literally given me my life back!"

• Kim...
• June 8, 2011

For Opioid Use Disorder "Saved my life. Struggled with opiate addiction for years, and now I no longer have cravings, and a bonus side effect is that it helps my chronic fibromyalgia pain. Only side effect that is really bothersome is constipation."

• Mba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Subutex for years. Way better than the shot. Plan on feeling sick, constipated, and giving the system what they want. (Even when they say free) plan on counseling, etc. At $1,700 a shot, plus you have to call the company and tell them month to month to ship my shot to the pharmacy, then to the free drug and alcohol clinic if you can get it. I make $50,000 a year, but I felt so pressured I tried it. I did it for a month. Keep your doctor!!! Not worth it!! To each is their own, but because of my 6 months of probation, I felt pressured."

• Luc...
• May 6, 2016

"Since the 1990s, successful research has been done on buprenorphine for severe depression. I started taking buprenorphine tablets in January for depression. At first, I needed 1 mg per day to immediately lift depression. Now, I need 2 mg, which has worked well for the past 2 months or so. Buprenorphine for depression makes sense since opiates affect endorphin receptors. There is no euphoria, except at the beginning. There is no urge to take more than prescribed. I am just much less likely to spiral into despair, no matter what happens. Difficult to get for this purpose-I get it from a pain specialist. Side effect: constipation."

• Wou...
• July 21, 2021

For Chronic Pain "PCP abruptly ended the extended-release morphine and hydrocodone that kept me mostly functional for 10 years; no other options were offered. I had to leave my job on permanent disability, as I couldn’t endure 10-hour days in excruciating pain. Sought help from a pain clinic, where I was given Butrans (after an extended fight for insurance approval). I gained 15 lbs. in one week of use and was extremely constipated, while experiencing almost no pain relief. It toned down the buzzing from neuropathy in my lower legs, but didn’t impact my back pain at all. I removed the patch and didn’t put a new one on. The pain specialist says his “hands are tied,” and has nothing else to offer. Hey, CDC – “Suck it up, Buttercup” isn’t the answer!!! Chronic pain is real and treatable with proper medications. Denying patients help is abusive!!! Where are the studies on the hopelessness, depression, and suicides that often follow when people are prohibited from getting relief?"

• Ayo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2024

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "So I've had chronic pain due primarily to underdiagnosed back issues. Finally got a pain management doctor that actually cares and knows their stuff, as well as a neurosurgeon that listened and scanned the entire spine. I have disc issues almost at every level and various pinched nerves, as I understand it. Been on and off hydrocodone for the past 15 to 20 years since my time in the military. All that said, pain doctor suggested Belbuca...never heard of it before, so why not? About 2 weeks in, 300 mg twice daily. So far, so good. Keeps the worst of the pain at bay. Much better than taking other narcotic pills multiple times daily. Other meds in conjunction are pregabalin and diclofenac. Now waiting to see what surgical options are available to me regarding all the spine issues. Thankfully, my insurance covers the medication at $76 at CVS. Way better than GoodRX being at about $700. So far, the only side effect I've had is minor constipation. But my lactose intolerance is undefeated."

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 10, 2025

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I have been on nearly every opiate, and the Butrans patch finally helped the pain and gave me my life back. It has brought my fibromyalgia, cervical herniated disc pain, and TMJ down to around a 3 or 4 out of 10. I used to spend my days only concentrating on the pain, now I'm able to live. I am constipated, although the doctor says the Butrans patch probably isn't the cause."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2020

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "The doctor prescribed Belbuca, and I used it for 2 weeks. It didn't improve my pain, and I had insomnia and constipation. Plus, it wouldn't stay on my cheek."

• Dag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Belbuca was good at first, but as I had to increase the dose, it seemed to stop working. Then it was too sedating and then just not good pain relief. Serious constipation."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 23, 2023

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Belbuca did not really help with my everyday pain, where I broke my back and had surgery. Belbuca will definitely cause severe constipation, so I don’t recommend it for around-the-clock pain relief."

• Ken...
• January 4, 2018

For Chronic Pain "Lack of appetite. Lethargic. Mild constipation. Mild headache. Very little energy. Reduced acute pain to dull ache."