Buprenorphine and Pain: What Users Say

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2020

For Chronic Pain "The nice thing about buprenorphine patch is you don't have to take pills. But I have had more patches that don't stick on than do stick. Usually, I need tape to make it stay on. I have lost patches without knowing and then I have nothing on for pain. My doctor started me on the lowest dose, 5 mcg, for naive opioid users. I wasn't naive to opioids, and he knew that. I was forced off all pain medication for about a week. It was torture - the pain. Then having to use the lowest dose for 2 months. He finally went up to 10 mcg. It isn't relieving my pain. I went back after 2 months. I asked about increasing. My doctor said see you in 3 months - with no adjustments. I have been in horrible pain, substituting otc pain medication around the clock. I feel as my doctor wants to please the DEA more than help me. When I go back, I will give him the opinion of taking me off, leaving his practice if I must because I have done nothing but suffer from the time I started buprenorphine."

• Raz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "So I came here looking for information before I received my first shot. I was taking two 8mg Suboxone pills a day for a couple of years prior when I received my shot. Before I took the shot, I was legitimately nervous because of all these reviews I read on here. The actual shot was painful and burned, but it subsided in a couple of mins. You get the shot in your stomach, and it becomes an aching pain instead of burning, and the location will be sore for about 4 days. Don't be scared of the shot, it is a fleeting and temporary pain...worrying about having enough meds to last the month will not be a problem anymore. I no longer have to worry about taking the right amount of meds. It's much easier for me this way. Now I don't feel like I have to take a pill to feel ok. I've had no w/d symptoms, no side effects besides the pain from the shot. I'm writing this to ease your minds about the shot...it's so much better than taking the meds."

• JGa...
• August 3, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I got 3 shots of Sublocade, the first 2 were 300mg and then the last one was 100mg. They told me I may feel withdrawals before the end of the month before the next shot, but I never did. The first week was hard because I couldn’t sleep and was irritable. After the first week, I was really good. I went for 2 more because I thought I had to, but as I went I didn’t like the lumps and felt I didn’t need it. The last shot was in March and now it’s August, and I never felt any withdrawal. I have tiny lumps still, but they are smaller. I do feel great. I wake up, and I’m normal. The injection stings at first, but the pain goes away. It is life-changing. I didn’t go back for more because I felt I didn’t need to. I finally have my life back for real. No fake BS. I am one that’s completely shocked because I didn’t believe in this. I don’t think you need to take it as long as they say, but everyone is different. If you really want to stop and get your life back, then now is the time, Sublocade is the answer. Good luck!"

• Ske...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2020

For Pain "Was on the Belbuca 7-day patch but suffered from withdrawals every 5.5 days. If not complete withdrawals, then pain all day on the sixth day. Got tired of it and changed to the 12-hour film. No matter how hard you try, it sticks to your teeth and takes about an hour to go away. I found it took care of my sciatica but didn't do a thing for stretched nerve pain. It would break through the Belbuca at about 11 am, and screaming breakout pain would be with me for 12 hours. So I couldn't tell if it worked at all. Either my breakout pain was a hundred and the Belbuca was a ten, but I could not tell if I was on the medication or not. I hurt every day."

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

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."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2018

For Chronic Pain "Works well if applied exactly right and it stays there. My problem is that it is difficult to apply and slides down inside of cheek and ends up in a little roll between gums and cheek. It does not enter bloodstream when this happens, torturous pain is the result. Sometimes it sticks to my teeth. Either malfunction destroys bioavailability and leaves me in horrible pain. My Pain Management (PM) Dr staff behaved as if my pleas for help were a huge imposition. I thought resolving pain issues was their job. I called twice politely asking for help. Their response was that if I don't shut up and wait for my appointment I had to have steroid shots if I want treatment. The PM Clinic power trip over those who are vulnerable is pathetic and inhumane. Sick of so-called pain management clinics. Shame on you Dr and staff."

• red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2025

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "This is an update. I did my first review 24 hours after receiving a 300 mg injection. I gave it the highest rating possible at the time. I’m happy to say I stand by that as of now, and it has been two weeks since receiving. Naturally, I have that hideous lump about the size of a grape under my skin. Nobody tells you how big, they just say a small lump, which is very subjective. I’ve had no redness, no itching, no pain unless I bump into it, then, it’s tender. I’ve had no withdrawal, no cravings, no side effects related to opiate use, or in comparison to Suboxone. The shot is much better for me because there’s not that roller coaster of up and down as your dose wears off. My plan is to receive this one and only shot and then be done with it all. I will review again at approximately six weeks. Good luck to all! Oh, I’m sorry, I did feel a little bit high for the first two or three days while my body adjusted, then it was just normal, kind of like the first time I took Suboxone."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "I did a study for the shot in 2016. After 7 years of injecting heroin, they accepted me and my fiancé in the study. It was like we hit the lottery. It took a few days for us to adjust to it, but when we did, it was amazing! It really helps with your dopamine levels and cravings. We took it for 13 months, and then we got off it. We didn’t have any withdrawal symptoms or pain at all following our last shot. I highly recommend it to any opiate users. It was the only way we quit using after seven years."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2016

For Pain "I need to update my previous post. I tried the patch about a year ago, but hadn't been completely off all other narcotics at the time of application, so I went through a horrible withdrawal. I decided to give it another chance because of all the good reviews. This time I abstained from all narcotics for 16 hours before applying the patch. I had a lot of pain for about 48 hours after application, but I'm about 60 hours in now & feeling much less pain than I ever did on Percocets. I still have some pain, but I'm only on the 7.5 & will probably have to go up to at least a 10 to feel very little pain. I haven't taken a pain pill in several days. I feel clear-headed & hopeful about the future. I'm so happy I gave the patch another chance!"

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "Sublocade has been amazing!! The injection is painful but worth it!! And if you have been stabbing yourself with needles for years, you can handle this, I promise! I went almost two months without anything after some insurance issues and had zero withdrawal symptoms. You don't have to wake up and think about anything anymore. The freedom that comes with the injection is amazing. Take the chance and try it. I would bet every penny I have that you won't regret it!!"

• No...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "Been struggling with addiction for 10 years. Went from pot to benzos to pain pills to heroin to subs and methadone, but always came back to heroin/fentanyl. I've gone to no less than 18 detoxes, 8 inpatient rehabs, and dozens of therapists. Had some success in AA, but would chronically relapse. Suboxone was helpful, but I would feel sick on it and went through the nightmare of weaning off. Just got the shot of 300 mg Sublocade after tons of research, and while it was a painful shot and still a bit tender, I can tell the difference already. I am so grateful to God for it. Ironically, I really want to get sober and prayed for help. The doctor in detox recommended and ordered it the day I left the hospital, and finally, after 3 weeks of staying on subs, I made the jump. I don't wake up sick and no more playing doctor all the time. This is great... if you want sobriety and you're struggling with maintenance meds, the struggle is over!"

• Ang...
• February 21, 2020

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Just wanted to share some info about this due to the discomfort from the shot. After the liquid is injected, it turns into a solid, and that's how it is long-acting and extended-release, but also can be painful, so don't rub it either, it will go away and is normal to have a bump. Also, congrats to everyone fighting this battle."

• iFe...
• November 15, 2018

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I was addicted to pain pills for about six years before I had enough and decided to try and get my life together. Went to rehab and shortly after started Suboxone maintenance. Yes, like most of us, I was happy and my life changed dramatically. But part of me felt like it was just a transfer of one drug to another. After two years of Suboxone treatments, my doctor brought up the topic of Sublocade. Fast forward and I get my first shot. Holy moly, it hurts. I'm a pretty skinny guy, so injecting that much medicine under the skin leaves a huge lump. THAT and that alone is my only issue with the medication. I decided after two shots that I would not continue with the medication and would switch back to the Suboxone. Came time for my next appointment with my doctor, but I still felt amazing. No withdrawal, no issues. So I pushed back my appointment. Long story short, it has been almost 3 months and I have not been back to my doctor. I still feel amazing, no withdrawal, no nothing."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I finally got approval from my insurance for Sublocade, and I can't tell you the difference it's made. Sure, it hurts a tad, but only having to deal with one shot a month is totally worth it. I initially got my two 300 mg doses, and I think I've had four 100 mg doses. I'm going to try to make this my last one. There isn't much (if any) info on stopping Sublocade after a few months. Only what I've read on this forum, and all of those seem to be positive. Can anyone add to this? My doc is going to keep my next dose at the office and will squeeze me in if I start to have withdrawals later down the road, and my regular GP prescribed some low-dose Ativan in case the w/d's are mild. I'm nervous but so excited that for the first time in 10 years, I won't need any of this med!"

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Been trying to quit heroin and other opiates since I was 18 or so. Now I'm 32, and I've spent years on Suboxone with some success for periods, but eventually, I'd fall into selling them for pills or bags of dope or whatever else I wanted. Also, I don't want to be on this drug forever. Got my first injection about a month ago, it hurt, and after the initial 'high' wore off, I didn't feel great for about 2 weeks. Not bad, though, don't take that as I was dying or in withdrawal, just not as good as I was on strips. After that first 2 weeks, I started feeling normal, about to get my second injection soon, and I'm looking forward to the future and excited about both not having the option to screw this up by selling my script and the incredibly long life that seems to allow many people to stop without serious withdrawal symptoms. Maybe it's not for everyone, use your judgment, but I don't want to keep repeating the same cycle for me."

• PGa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "Been on sub strips for a few years. Got tired of the two-week refill nonsense. I asked my doctor if I could be the office guinea pig for the Sublocade 300 mg shot. Taken once a month by injection. We hashed out the insurance details and started on 4/28/19. The injection site burns and hurts going in, leaving a slight bruise. Not looking forward to my next shot, however, this stuff is great. Other than the pain and burn, it works. The injection site will have a lump-like spot after. This is normal. That’s the medicine sitting under the skin. Turns into a solid and slowly gets absorbed into the body throughout the month. When compared to the pain and suffering I caused during my addiction, this slight side effect to the drug doesn’t compare. If you want a better life and to be right!!! You gotta get involved with this Sublocade or any other type of opioid treatment like Suboxone. Take it as prescribed and life gets better. Bottom line. Hope this helps."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I tried the Butrans patch after many years of being on oxy or hydrocodone. The first week was great. The very first night, I actually slept and woke up refreshed, which I realized hadn't happened in years. After that, it was a nightmare! The 2nd week, I began to notice I was in more pain than I was before I started the Butrans patch, and my right hand was waking me up about 3:30 am numb and feeling on fire, and I fought with that until I had to get up and go to work. I wasn't sure what was going on. By the 3rd week, both my hands were waking me up numb and feeling on fire around 1:30 every night! I was exhausted and in much more pain than ever! I took the patch off, and my symptoms are slowly subsiding. DO NOT TAKE THIS MED!!!!"

• Zer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2020

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Like most, I'm an ex-IV heroin/oxy user. Been in Suboxone for 2 years, 16 mg daily. Had my first Sublocade shot 48 hours ago at 300 mg. It kinda gave me an opiate high just a couple of hours after the (very painful) injection, and I felt more of a buzz than Suboxone. I'm not like nodding off, but I feel it, which I haven't felt in a very long time. No cravings. I haven't had to take a sublingual dose since the shot. I honestly feel great, but not in a scary way. I highly recommend this for anyone serious about staying clean."

• TTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2020

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Well, I went today and got my first Sublocade injection. I have a pretty good pain tolerance, but I have to admit it was pretty damn painful, it burned pretty bad. So far, though, I feel pretty good. I hope this turns out to be a positive experience. I have been on the subs tablets for about 7 years, and I was tired of dealing with the pharmacy. So I will update soon."

• KDH...
• May 16, 2014

For Chronic Pain "Chronic back pain/three back surgeries. Medicine is only mildly useful. I have breakthrough pain every time I have to walk more than two or three minutes. I was told I shouldn't need anything besides this medicine, but that is NOT true. I am also having a skin reaction at the patch site. Before being given this medicine, I reminded my doctor that I have a problem with most bandage adhesives (only paper tape works), but she said this wouldn't be a problem. Wrong... I am getting blisters."

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

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."

• Luc...
• January 11, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Update from my review on 2018-12-15. I am on my 3rd shot, which is now lowered to 100 mg. The shot is very, very painful, it burns like none other. I might be acting like a brat, but damn does that burn. I have a good amount of fat on my belly, though, so that may be why. I can still feel the last 2 depots from the 300 mg shot, so know that the medicine is still in me and I have not had a single bad day. I truly believe this is the miracle drug for getting off opioids. Also, the mg of the shot cannot be compared to the strips. 300 mg of Sublocade is much more than 300 mg of Suboxone due to the method of absorption."

• SCa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2019

For Chronic Pain "Belbuca is great, absolutely a godsend. If you have real pain, this is exactly what the doctor ordered. My ex-doctor could make much more money by switching me over to spinal injections. He was just interested in being able to charge my insurance company much more money for the injections in my back. I overheard him saying to the PA who handled my regular visits. I was under the impression that a physician was supposed to help, not cause any harm to a patient, not to manage his service on how much money he could make before his retirement. My brother took injections for four years, and now he is in a wheelchair for life. After having his lower legs amputated at the knee because of blood flow in his lower extremities directly due to pain/steroid injections in his lower back, according to his new neurologist, there was no medical reason to switch to spinal injections because his previous medications were well managed and properly used."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2013

For Chronic Pain "Was started on the 20... good for 2 weeks, and then I got really dragged out... until I could get to the doctor. I would take it off for a couple of hours and put it back on... just changed me to the 10, but this one isn't enough... had to take Lortab with it for the first time... will call and have her add the 5. My concern is the summer when I hike and swim... have to take it off as I might get too much medicine. Kind of defeats the purpose as I hurt when I am active."

• Jgr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 24, 2020

For Chronic Pain "My experience was not good. I had never had as much back pain and hip pain as I experienced with Subutex. 18 mg daily. For a year. Of course, the doctor had to make his $200 a month, so he made me believe it was my weight and insisted on me staying on it. Well, I disagree respectfully. I lost enjoyment in life. I got very depressed. Gained a lot of weight. So when they called to remind me of my appointment (like I would forget), I said, “I won’t be coming back.” The receptionist couldn’t believe it. 15 minutes later, I got a call from the PA telling me how dangerous it was to stop. Well, I jumped off of 8 mg, and 3 weeks later, I’m free and feel great with no pain. Subutex isn’t for everyone, I guess. And I love being able to handle my anxiety now and get other scripts that I actually need. Consider stopping, don’t let them make you afraid because you are strong."