Buprenorphine and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2019

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "My insurance company just canceled me. Pretty sure it was due to the HUGE cost of this medication. Different pharmacies charge from $900 to $1500 per month. I have NEVER abused any medications. Ever. Yet I am made to feel like some kind of drug addict. I have had multiple surgeries on my knees, shoulders, ankle, back, etc. Metal plates and pins. This drug gives me headaches, constipation, and I can't sleep. I am exhausted all the time. What the government has done to people who need pain medication is abuse. They need to go after the illegal heroin, fentanyl, and whatever else. Leave the people who REALLY do need pain medication alone. Let our doctors do their jobs! This drug is a joke. And yet again the pharmaceutical companies are getting rich off of Americans who have worked their whole lives. I just want to be able to function again. Belbuca is not the answer for my pain. Maybe it works for others."

• Kin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 24, 2021

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "It has done well with pain but due to tolerance I only have one dose increase left. Also, it has caused TERRIBLE insomnia. Sometimes it is every other night, sometimes it is staying awake 2 of 3 days, which worsens the pain. I will take it as long as I can. Above 900 mcg, it messes with your heart's QT interval."

• Wba...
• June 9, 2020

Buprenorphine for Pain "Belbuca is expensive and has a horrible, horrible side effect of not sleeping. My knees are absolutely killing me. Worst pain pill I've ever bought. I paid a lot of money at a drugstore for it. It's insane how expensive it is. We need to take our government back for people in pain."

• Hap...
• September 20, 2019

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Two words - Belbuca sucks. It does not control my pain, it gives me headaches, dry mouth, and I can't sleep at night. I wish the government could be in as much pain as some of us are out there and see how they handle their day. I'll surely prescribe Belbuca to them."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "The shot was not nearly as painful as I expected, and that night I definitely felt glowing and content. The day after, I was alright, but the next day and following days I had zero energy, watery eyes, painful legs, couldn't sleep like normal. I knew by getting the injection I wasn't getting the right dose or even nearly enough as I was on strips. I was so beside myself and angry I'd let the doctor talk me into the shot. It's too new, and not enough information online about it. I feel like a guinea pig! I finally talked the office into letting me come back in for supplemental strips. When I went in, he said I wasn't the only patient having withdrawals after switching. I feel duped and will be going back to strips for a while. It seems to me that Sublocade is more of a stepping stone to help patients get off Suboxone, but certainly not for those newly sober and wanting to just feel normal. I've been through such a hard time with this medication."

• Gru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "After 11 years of struggling with heroin addiction and intermittent failed attempts to stop with Suboxone, I successfully got clean with Sublocade. It bought me time and allowed me to change my behaviors and thinking. I had to discontinue it after 3 months of shots due to a mandated drug program. I continued to test positive for Bupe for 6 months. After 2 months of negative tests, I can tell you it was a fairly painless kick. Cravings returned about 3 or 4 months after my last shot but improved and are gone now. Bad insomnia, but I didn’t feel tired during the day. I also had some mild to moderate restless legs. Gabapentin helped me get through that. The shot self-tapers very slowly, so it seems to be a great way to transition off Suboxone as well. I am now on Naltrexone and opiate-free. Sublocade saved my life and I couldn’t have gotten clean without it."

• Ldr...
• August 27, 2019

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I started taking Belbuca five weeks ago, increasing to 450 mcg, 2/day. I think it is awesome. I have more energy! But I wake up in pain every morning because it does not last the stated 12 hours. This appears to be better with the increase in dose. I’ve had four spinal surgeries, knee replacement, bulging discs at all levels, spondylitis, severe osteoarthritis, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, Behçet’s syndrome, and other pain. I have been on opioids since 2002. It is a different feeling making the change. My only real problem with Belbuca is a documented side effect of sleep interruption. I can’t sleep but one or two hours at a time at night without waking up. I find the ONE pain med that I like and which makes me feel less drugged, and I can’t sleep at all. I do hope it’s a med interaction and will be seeing two doctors to discuss. I’ve also gained weight since starting, which doesn’t seem to be a documented side effect."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2017

Buprenorphine for Pain "I was on Fentanyl patches for a year and a half at 75 mcg. I was needing a little more pain relief, so the doctor was going to switch me to Butrans. Insurance wouldn't pay, so he decided on Belbuca. I've currently been on it for almost 2 weeks. I can't sleep more than an hour a day. I have a massive headache all the time, and my skin crawls like there are bugs under it. I've talked to the doctor, but he will not listen. It's not controlling the pain, it wears off for hours before the next dose. I can't hold food down, and I have no desire to drink anything either."

• bcp...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2012

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I absolutely love this medicine. It helped my back pain and increased my mood. I have been on the 2 mg for about 6 months and finally after breaking the last three in half for four days (1 mg) I have gone cold turkey. WOW, first day is okay, second and third are the killers, no motivation, no sleep, however, on the 4th day I was feeling better and saw my doctor on the 5th day. He was expecting me to beg for more, but I turned him down, I wanted off the ride for good. He was so proud which made me feel better. I am now back at work and it is HARD but I am making it. Really, folks get the 2 mg and break them into halfs, and then half those until you are out... Within 5 days you will be FINE."

• Lov...
• May 5, 2016

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I had a $1,000-a-month heroin habit. Three days into withdrawal, I went to a Methadone clinic. I was on Methadone, 150 mg's, for 6 months before I started a 5-month taper to jump to Subutex. While Methadone kept me clean, it really slowed me down, I just kept going up & up in mg's. The taper off Methadone was brutal. I was induced onto Sub last October. The first 3 weeks on 16 mg's of Subs, I had a lot of speedy side effects, feeling really wired, insomnia. I was nervous it wouldn't go away because I *hated* being anxious, feeling fast. Third week in, the side effects just stopped. I could sleep, I was normal. I'm on 24 mg's of Sub, I had a big heroin habit, I feel 100% normal. I do not crave junk. It saved my life. Been off heroin since December 2014. I love life! Miracle med!♡"

• Arc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2013

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "Day 5 off Subutex after a quick 2-week detox. Day 3 was the worst: upset stomach, aching legs, and the lack of sleep, but that's about it, nothing to be scared about, it's all copable. Hot baths and paracetamol. Just don't listen to the horror stories, if done correctly, it's doable. Good luck."

• Mar...
• October 9, 2017

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "On pain patch for 3 years and lowered from 10 mg to 5 mg. Did this to stop the use of this drug. It works great for about the first year, then other issues start. Poor sleep, withdrawal after the 5th day, won't last 7 days. When I stopped it, I had legs and arms spasming to the 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."

• bur...
• October 15, 2019

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "First, I would like to preface this review with one caveat: it is like most meds, what works on one individual doesn't mean it will work for another. This med works great for me! I suffered a closed head trauma and damaged my spine from top to bottom all at one time. I've been on MS Contin 60 mg, three times a day, Roxicodone for breakthrough pain. Then to Butrans 20 mcg/hr, 7-day transdermal for a year and a half, it wasn't strong enough. Then to Fentanyl at 100 mcg/hr, 3-day transdermal, and it didn't cut it. Back to Butrans 20 mcg/hr. Enter Belbuca: I take a mixed dose of 300 mcg at night and 450 during the day. It does give me sleep disruption, up at 4:00 AM like clockwork, that does suck. Even with this as a detractor, I wouldn't change for that, being I haven't felt this good in 15 years. PS: I take Butorphanol 10 ml/10 mg for migraines with an aggressive treatment option, as well for PTSD/night terrors. Currently, I take 18 medications to manage my issues."

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2019

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I have scoliosis of the lumbar spine after getting T-boned by a drunk driver when I was 17. By the time I was 36, my back problems became more severe when I pinched my sciatic nerve. By the time I was 39, I had to have an L4-L5 spinal fusion; however, L1-L3 are now herniated and still on a scoliosis curve. I have been on pain management since 2004. I would normally be on fentanyl patches and Percocet for breakthrough pain. The new pain doc I have wanted me to try 600 mcg Belbuca; all I can say is what was he thinking, it does nothing for me at all. I’m back to not sleeping, and I am having a hard time doing therapy since I just had my right hip replaced. The surgeon who did the hip surgery had me on two Percocets every four hours; that definitely is not what I want to be on for long term, but it worked a whole lot better than Belbuca for sure!"

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

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "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 70 mcg with buprenorphine subs (200 mg) 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 hours of relief. As I have to save them for BP, which usually occurs 1-3 times 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 40 years old and am now pretty much bed-bound. I suffer from constant migraines (with aura), fatigue, insomnia (average about 3 hours of 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!!"

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 29, 2016

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "So now, after almost a year on the patch, starting at 10 mcg, now at 15 mcg, the doctor wanted to increase to 20 mcg, but I was a little nervous, so I kept it the same. However, I'm thinking that I will increase to 20 next month, so I can stop the tramadol altogether. I hate being on tramadol. The variations of manufacturer switches make me sick. I can't take Mylan at all, it about kills me like poison. But the patch itself is a lifesaver. I have a life again. The ONLY complaint I have is my Dr. fought for Aetna to pay for it, now they do, so instead of $577, I pay $30.00, and last, I get very little sleep. I have found myself sleeping, literally sitting up, with no idea how I got there - scary. I wake up MANY times a night, I don't sleep a whole 2 hours through."

• Nun...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 22, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I've been on subs for ten years now, was the only way to stop 16 years of addiction to heroin without relapsing, but this drug is harder to get clean from compared to heroin. I tried for one week and it was hell, I've never been in so much pain. My bones hurt so much, felt like ants running in my blood, the sweat, the shivering, no sleep at all. It is hell 10 times worse than heroin. If you start taking subs, take it only for a couple of weeks. After that, you can’t stop taking it. I’m reducing it now to 4 ml a day. I want to stop taking it as I've been told the long-term use of subs is not good for your health. All the best to all."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2024

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Was on oxycodone for 15 years for chronic long nerve/pain. Trying Belbuca 150 mcg film. Belbuca works from 6 to almost 12 hours per film. Breakthrough pain can be handled by oxycodone or a crumble or two of the pill (under tongue) form of buprenorphine. Juggling things around until we get it right for me. I am liking the film so far. It does take care of my pain for longer time spans than the oxycodone does. I hope to stay at a low dose level as there are both good and bad side effects. I do not get constipated. Some nausea, which I hope will disappear with time. Does screw up my sleep a bit. I am quite pleased to be at a pain level that works for me. The conversion from oxycodone to this was not that bad. I could not deal with the pain without upping into larger doses of my former pain med. This Belbuca has been good so far. Not perfect, yet very good for pain. There is always a trade-off relief vs side effects. I am only going into month 2. So far...so good."

• Bup...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 16, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "Don’t take subs for longer than a few weeks. Make sure you get down to about 0.25 mg before you kick. Have been on subs for 10 years. It only did ruin my stomach. Ruined my ability to sleep. But it did this under the supervision of a doctor. This drug is not meant for long-term use. I have gotten down to 0.25 mg, but because I have been on it for 10 years, the withdrawal was terrible. Worse than any opiate withdrawal. 13 days into it and I still can’t sleep. Can’t move because my body is so fatigued and the chills and body aches remain. Don’t take this medication longer than it takes to detox. It will ruin your life."

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Ok, so first of all, I give them a 10 because I'm definitely grateful for getting it. It has curbed my cravings, and I feel like myself for the first time in a few years as a heroin addict. The only thing is I didn't take Suboxone for days before. My husband and I went from 3 grams a day to the shot just hours after using last. Misinformed that it wouldn't throw us into precipitated withdrawals. Unbeknownst to us, we got the shot feeling fine for the first 2 hours. We spent the next 6 days sicker than ever before. And insomnia was a nice word for what we had. We just had our second shot yesterday and feel much better. Other than being in actual withdrawal to begin with or on sub strips first, I definitely recommend you get it. Just make sure you get all the facts from your provider."

• No...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2017

For Pain "I had surgery because I blew out 3 discs. I used oxycodone. At my request, I started going to a Pain Management Clinic. I was put on Morphine and Dilaudid, I was on them for about a year. Then they decided to try me on Buprenorphine 8 mg. Pill under the tongue. I was also having caudal injections, which they gave me IV sedation. I also had a pain stimulator implanted. I wish I never did that, it doesn't help either. Being on Buprenorphine, I have horrible swelling in my legs and feet, I also can't sleep more than 3 to 4 hours at night. I take 100 mg of Trazodone, which still won't let me sleep. I also have bruising after my 4th back surgery (laminectomy). They took me off oxycodone and started me back on 8 mg of Buprenorphine. I hate it."

• Hot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I've been going to the same pain doctor for the last 3 years. Last year, he cut me down from 120 of the 30 mg of oxycodone and 60 morphine sulfate ER that I had been taking. He cut me from 120 to 60 for oxycodone and completely took me off of morphine. I went to primary care and explained the situation to him. I was told that when you have been on opioids for years, you have to cut down in small increments. I wrote the board here in my state. They told me that they found no wrongdoing. However, I've never been addicted to anything in my life. Last month, he put me on Belbuca 900 mcg and 15 mg oxycodone 3 times a day. I have not been able to sleep, my feet are swollen and hurt very badly from the low back pain. I have degenerative disk disease, spondylitis, avascular necrosis, and fibromyalgia with osteoarthritis. So, what gives them the right to tell me that my regular regiment wasn't working? I've been on that medication for over 5 years. I want my old medicine back."

• Nic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2022

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Started Belbuca in April 2020 for chronic pain. My neck C4, C5, and C6 are herniated and bulging. In pain and still trying not to have surgery on my neck. The fact that I had 3 back surgeries from 2016, I’m rodded, caged, and infused from L3 to L5, now my L2 is now herniated/bulged. Water therapy and physical therapy for that also. I have rheumatoid arthritis as well. Since I have been on Belbuca, the brain fog is still there. I now suffer from migraines 15 days or more out of the month. I have swelling all over my body, constant sore throat, and I get upper respiratory infections and am nauseous all day after taking them twice a day. I never had migraines before I started taking Belbuca. They have added more meds for migraines and I get Botox for the migraines too. Also, I am on nausea meds. I forget things so easily. I have insomnia and might sleep 2 to 4 hours if I’m lucky. I am sweating out of nowhere. The pain barely eases up. I have been sicker on this med than I have ever been in my life."

• Hop...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "God bless you all for sharing your stories and your strength in fighting each battle that is confronted by each of you individually. I am no different. However, I will tell you this: after seven months of my last injection, I am now in a terrible state of withdrawal, including depression, restless sleep, if at all, and all the other things that come with stopping oral strips. It is not a panacea. While it’s a tremendous way to avoid daily use, the Depo inside your body is much larger than you think, you will test positive for a year. You will experience withdrawal after around six months post-last shot. Hang in there. God bless and fight hard. But know, your body is still heavily influenced by the bup even though you are months 'without it'… one day it will become very evident, so stay strong!"

• den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I have swapped from 30 mL of methadone to Subutex. I waited 30 hours and took the first dose. Although I haven't had bad withdrawals, I haven't been able to sleep for the last 4 days. I even relapsed and bought a 10 bag of this just to get to sleep. Back on a 12 mg dose of Subutex, so I really hope I stabilize and feel normal soon. I can't handle not sleeping."