Buprenorphine and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Vic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2020

Buprenorphine for Pain "On my second patch of Butrans 10 mgs. Honestly, I could sit and cry, it’s not helping at all. I will be phoning my doctor and the hospital tomorrow. I’m devastated that I’m in more pain than with other medication they are trying to replace, down from 6 tramadol to 3 per day. Just want to rip the patch off and take the tramadol."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I've been almost 2 years off heroin! So I was getting tired of taking something every day to not be sick. I took 8.2 strips 2x a day, so my doctor offered me the Sublocade because it's a continuous dose and I wouldn't have to worry about taking something every day! She did warn me that a few patients a week before their next dose started to feel withdrawals, so she would order me strips the last week if I felt sick, so I was very nervous to try it! 2 days ago, I got my first Sublocade shot, the 300 mg, which is the loader dose. They give you 2 rounds of the 300 mg doses, then the 3rd month do the maintenance dose, which is 100 mg! So when I got it, she said I'd feel a sting, it does not feel great, but not horrible for 5 seconds, and it wasn't sore until 24 hours later. Day 2, and it is more sore than the 1st day and warm at the spot! I called my doc, and she said it would be sore for a few days, but I feel great, no withdrawal symptoms or cravings, and I feel leveled out."

• Las...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2018

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I have been on Butran patches for 4 years, and it works great. I take an oxycodone with it just to help with the chronic pain. I remember when I was off for a few weeks. Man, I tell you, I had bad withdrawals. I could not walk, I felt so much pain. I was rushed to the ER, and they basically had to give me high doses of medicine to get me to feeling well, and that didn't last long. I eventually had to go back to the patches to make it all right, but I must say they work, though, you just have to stay on them."

• NDP...
• August 1, 2016

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "This medication is hard to open. Almost impossible. It doesn't last 12 hours. I am still in pain. I am on a low dose and I take it twice a day. I have had no relief. Last week, I went through two injections to my hips and lower back. I have been dealing with my lower back since '06 due to a car accident. I've had two back surgeries. I have been on all kinds of pain medications. I don't know what to do. I don't like how the medication makes me feel. It's too expensive, even with insurance. There is no way I can afford this medication. Without the coupon, I would have paid $120.00. I go to my pain doctor on Tuesday. I am hoping that I am taken off this and put on something else. I would not recommend this medication to anyone. Not happy at all."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2018

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "The shot is painful, but only takes 30 seconds. 30 seconds for 30 days is a trade-off I'm good with. It works. Does everything it claims. Couldn't be happier or agree more with the below positive reviews. I will say, though, if you aren't taking 12 mgs+ a day, that 300 mg shot is going to be very strong, you will sleep hard. Highly recommend! I have great insurance, and I'm willing to pay out-of-network costs just for this."

• Jer...
• July 27, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I was one of the first to try Sublocade, and it has completely turned my life around. It really makes you feel normal, and you don't experience any change in levels, up or down. I now forget about having my next appointment because you don't even think about it. The shot is painful, but it is over quick. If you have insurance, the co-pay assistance program is excellent, and it only costs me $5 per month out of pocket. I have had almost 24 injections so far and did not have any infections or issues. The reviews where people had necrosis have scared me a little, but I luckily have not had a problem. I did the typical schedule to start with 300 mg and move to 100 mg. For me, it felt like week 4 of the 100 mg shot was underpowered, so I went back up to 300 mg, and that really did the trick. Be careful if you plan on taking Sublocade, as you can get really bad precipitated withdrawals, just like any other buprenorphine medication. I would probably not go from illicit drugs to Sublocade-do films first, then transition."

• SGT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Had my very first Sublocade injection today. So far, I’m really good, it seems to work. HOWEVER! The injection hurt so much, I almost passed out. Know, I’m no stranger to pain, having completed seven years in the US Army (honorably), so know when I say that the Sublocade injection was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever had to endure, like fire being poured into my nervous system for a full minute (I had the larger dose), that you will know I am not faint of heart or have a low pain threshold. Seriously, I don’t know if I can do that again... willingly."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2014

Buprenorphine for Pain "I have not been on it longer than 2 days yet. I have a week's patch at 20 mg. I have results, but I'm still in some pain. My doctor has told me to use a further 10 mg patch! I will add this on Monday and write again."

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2017

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I was on tramadol for 3 years, and that didn't work. I was also taking Gabapentin for fibromyalgia. I started on the patch, 5 mg, then 10 mg. The 7-day patch helped a little for 3 days, then became very itchy and very sore and gave me an allergic reaction to my skin, raising it, going red and tender for 2 weeks after the patch was removed."

• Sod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I just got my first shot today. I have been on Suboxone sublingual meds for around 4 years now. The injection was kind of painful for just a minute, but all went away before I left the doctor's office. So far, I feel fine, it has already taken a lot off my mind not having to worry about taking medicine tomorrow. If you are worried about the pain of the injection, don't let that hold you back."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I've been on Suboxone for 3 years. I started out on 16 mg and weaned down to 3 mg a day (I took 1.5 2 mg strips a day). I started out on 100 mg Sublocade. I had my first injection yesterday. The medication did burn going in and about 20-30 seconds after. The injection site was sore yesterday, but it is fine today. I feel good, but I have had chills (unsure if it's related to the Sublocade or if I'm coming down with something). It has been strange not waking up and taking anything, but it's also nice. I will update later on in the month when it's time for my next injection, but so far, so good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "Been on 32 mgs daily, so 4 films every day for 6 months - today I get Sublocade injection, and I did feel a big rush when she injected me, which surprised me, but I didn't complain. It stung for like 15 seconds bad, then a dull ache for a few hours. So far, so good."

• Cai...
• June 30, 2018

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So I got the Sublocade shot three days ago, and the actual injection was so much more painful than I could have imagined. It stung so bad for a good half hour after getting the shot. I feel fine as far as the dosing goes, and it's relaxing not having to remember to bring my Suboxone with me to work every day. I also would run out too early and have to deal with taking half my prescription dose the last two weeks of the month. So far, so good, I'll get it again next month despite the pain. There is a lump at the injection site as well that is bruised and is sore to the touch. Overall, I think the benefit of peace of mind outweighs the pain."

• Liz...
• July 11, 2018

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I got my first Sublocade injection about three weeks ago. The injection was pretty painful, but the pain only lasted for about 15 minutes. I felt great the first several days, but I started feeling like I was going through withdrawals on day 4-no energy, headache, nausea, stomach cramps, and hot flashes. My doctor called in some strips so I could take one a day, and that has helped a little. However, I still feel like I need to take two 8 mg strips a day to feel “normal.” I was taking 24 mg per day for the past 6 months before getting the shot. After thinking about it a lot, I have decided not to get the second injection. I was doing great on 24 mg a day, so I’m going to go back to Suboxone. I don’t want to spend another month feeling like crap. Hopefully, the shot will work for others, but it wasn’t for me. It seems to work well for those who have been on a low dose of Suboxone (8 mg or less per day)."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 11, 2021

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I am a 58-year-old woman from CA. I have taken a lot of opioids for over 3 years after two back surgeries. My pain management doctor and I have tried many different meds, injections, so when Belbuca came about, the doctor asked if I wanted to try this out. I was willing, and we started off with 75 mg, then up to 150 mg, and now 300 mg. I was hoping to find the magic solution. As I tried this for many months, I am still in so much pain. Yes, Belbuca has touched a little bit of the pain, but it has not helped the way my doctor had me think. My doctor said, 'You are on so much medication that this is compared to morphine.' I said, 'You've got to be kidding, this is not morphine. I can't even feel it.' So I am taking a lot of Tylenol and muscle relaxers and trying to sleep through the day because I just cannot handle the pain. I would not advise anyone to take Belbuca if you have chronic pain."

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2023

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I was on and off Suboxone for years and could never stay on it long enough for it to become an effective treatment for me. Only after 1 month of being on Sublocade, I had zero cravings and was finally able to wake up in peace like a “normal” person. I could not be thankful enough for having this medication in my life. I’ve been on it for over 2 years now and can only hope that more people will have just as much success in their recovery with Sublocade as I have. The only downside I know that could turn people away is the pain you experience getting the injection, especially the first and/or second one. However, for only a few mins of pain, you get a whole month of normalcy. Ice packs help significantly with the pain if you ice the area of the injection 30 mins beforehand and keep icing it afterwards. If you’re thinking about it, JUST DO IT. If you’ve already done 1 or 2 and want to quit, DON’T! Just give it a chance. I promise you WON'T REGRET IT!"

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "Sublocade is worth it because you don't have to worry about craving. But my doctor was out of town, and my doctor's nurse aide said she knew what she was doing and took two tries to get it right, and it hurt so bad all down my legs, my back, abdomen, and ribs. Scary. Still hurts. Like she hit a muscle. I'm terrified she did something to my body. It was my 4th shot, and I know that she didn't do it right. So now she scared me into not wanting it anymore."

• Ano...
• February 27, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Day one and no complaints so far. The burning (not from the needle but from the medicine going into the stomach tissue) subsided after I moved around a little. To inject, they pinch a chunk of stomach flesh, and they alternate between four quadrants/injection sites around your belly button. After an hour, there was little to no injection site sensation/pain. The process was bearable, and I was able to speak normally immediately after. I did use an ice pack a half hour before to freeze the stomach area, and I think that helped. If possible, it’s always best to have someone drive you to your first appointment so that you have one less thing to worry about."

• Mic...
• June 9, 2022

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I have been on 300 mg of Belbuca in addition to 7.5 hydrocodone. I was on Belbuca for about a year, paying $125 per prescription using a discount card. Last month it went up to $300 with the discount card included. I can no longer afford it, and I can tell a huge difference. I have hurt so badly I can barely move, much less work a full-time job and help raise grandchildren. Not sure where to go from here."

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

For Pain "I have a short leg and scoliosis, along with degenerative disc disease, and I’m overweight. My doctor switched his patients to Subutex when we were all on methadone, etc. Well, I’ve gained 40 pounds, and my pain is so severe I can’t even stand long enough to cook dinner or vacuum my floor. I take two and a half 8 mg sublinguals each day, along with gabapentin and lots of Aleve and ibuprofen. I am NOT pain-free. I am barely living. I lost over 100 pounds on methadone, worked out, and had my life. Now I feel like it’s been taken away from me. I am having gastric bypass now because I can’t be active and need help this time around, and I’m sure that will help a lot. But if it doesn’t, I’m getting back surgery because I can’t pay $200 a month for my doctor visit if my pain isn’t being managed."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I was hoping this injection would change things, but it hasn't. It hurt like hell, and now I have a big lump in my stomach. I am craving like never before, and this is not helping with any of that. I will not be taking this injection ever again. What a waste."

• Mr ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2023

For Chronic Pain "Terrible, and made the pain worse, had to stop at the start of the third week. Made muscle pain worse and joint pain with osteoarthritis, inflammation was bad, made memory worse, some of my fingers' skin cracked and dry, made my whole body hurt. Any pain that I had before, it made it ten times worse. After I stopped, it took about three days to start feeling back to old pain."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I take 40-50 mg hydrocodone per day, my pain still reaches 8-9 on bad days, and my doctor placed me on buprenorphine patches. First, 5 mg per week for 1 month, then 10, now 15. My pain is worse on these patches, so my question is, are the patches taking away the hydrocodone relief?"

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2021

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Just had my 1st Sublocade injection a few days ago. It burned so bad going in, it felt like fire under my skin. That afternoon, I was leaning over my armrest in my car to pay for my food and briefly hit my injection site, it felt like I was injected all over again, intense burning. It has been 3 days, and I have not had any cravings nor withdrawal symptoms. If you can stand to overlook the pain from the injection site, redness, itching, and burning from the medication, then it is a pretty good alternative to taking the pills or film every day. I have a way to go before fully sold, but I will update you after my 3rd injection, I will be on the maintenance dose. So I pray it all works out because I would like to use Sublocade to come off Suboxone for good within a year or two, if all goes well. Not worrying about having to take my Suboxone every day, having it “out of sight, out of mind” can be a game changer, if it holds up and I don’t experience any major side effects or withdrawals."

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

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I spent 1 month on basic subs, which was hard since I am an addict and I struggle taking Tylenol the right way. Also, there was constant fear of running out or losing one. On my 30th day, I switched to the injection, and it was the best decision of my life. Yes, the first 2 months are painful for like 15 minutes, maybe more because I am thin. 1 shot per month for 2 months of 300 mg, and I had no thoughts of using. I am in AA too. Then I did 3 months of 100 mg. So today is 76 days since my last injection, and finally, my sex drive came back and I can poop without pain. A small price to pay for getting your life back. A life on heroin was very hard, but a life on fentanyl is no life. So I am over 8 months sober, and I would recommend it to anyone."