Buprenorphine and Pain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2021

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 12 years back. The pain was extreme the first year I was diagnosed. I was prescribed an overload of opioids and Xanax, along with the other basic treatment program. It only gave me minor relief, my life was over. The pain became so extreme, I had several shingles outbreaks, and then the shingles went into my nervous system (postherpetic neuralgia). I did some research about Subutex trials for fibro pain. I did have to beg an addiction doctor to take me on for pain management. They agreed, but I had to leave the Xanax and opioids behind to receive treatment. It was difficult to make the sudden change, my anxiety took some time to manage, but the pain relief was astounding. Finding a doctor who will use Subutex for pain management is not easy, but for me, it is worth the extra effort."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2021

For Chronic Pain "Buprenorphine caused extreme liver toxicity in me. I was taking 450 mg after being on oxycodone for failed neck surgery. I was still in extreme pain and did not feel any pain relief. I experienced extreme back pain with my liver pain. I also had extreme cases of gout that I never had before in my life. I had four cases of gout within six months. My pain management doctor told me to keep taking the medication. I also noticed chest pain while taking this, as well as swollen lymph nodes and thyroid. For myself, it wasn't a good drug. There were way too many negative side effects. I am still concerned about my liver after detoxing off this drug."

• FFs...
• June 1, 2021

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I’ve been on Suboxone for over 20 years. Down to 2 mg per day. These days I just use it to take the edge off... but I’m really sick of it, TBH. Although I like the buzz I get from it, I’m tired of having to take it all the time. I don’t really get very sick from withdrawals, but it is uncomfortable, with the usual sweats, cramps, and headaches. I’m hoping this will make it easier. I saw all your success stories, so I figured what’s the worst that could happen? They started me on 64 mg Subudole. They said it’s similar to Sublocade but smaller doses for lower mg addicts. The dose definitely hurts (ouch!), but it goes away within 10 min. ATM I feel okay a few hours later. I definitely still have a buzz, so all good so far. I just want to live life free of this crap for once. Also, I’m on Effexor, which I’ve been able to get down to 75 mg, but I’m not going to lower that until I’m off subs completely. So far, so good."

• Dav...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2023

For Opioid Use Disorder "After a 35-year run with all the hard things, mostly except for opiates, I managed to stop all of it, including the weed and alcohol. I had battles over and over with prescribed small amounts of organic opiates that kept me in serious pain and trouble for taking the amount I needed or having to find other different pain management meds and running short in 30 days for a refill. After a 4-5 year run of buprenorphine, half my day is in hell due to waking up sick and in severe distress with pain because every brand I tried worked pretty well by the afternoon, but I felt like this was poisoning me. I finally got a brand that doesn't make me sick after about 1 p.m., but my bladder and guts have been on fire for 2.5 years, waking me in misery. My new doctor wanted me to go back on the naloxone additive, but I'll be going back to OxyContin. I had to put myself through 22 extremely hard withdrawal days last year because I couldn't take any more pills. This is the medical world in Oregon. I'm 64."

• Fle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2021

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I had my first injection of buprenorphine yesterday after using every day for 23 years. I didn't really know what to expect and couldn't find much help for what would happen after having it. Well, I can tell you that the first 24 hours I felt like I was going to die. All of the withdrawal effects: stomach cramps, feeling sick, and the worst leg pains ever. I literally could not keep still. I had 4 really hot showers, which helped immensely. I finally went to bed at 11 a.m., and after tossing and turning, I finally went to sleep around 3:30 a.m. I woke at 8:30, feeling much better and those leg pains were gone. Unfortunately, not all was great. Since waking, I've been sick, bile, and had the sneeze coughs. I'm going to try to eat something for the first time in 3 days. I will let you know how my journey goes."

• Hop...
• September 26, 2021

For Chronic Pain "For the last 30 years, I suffer chronic back pain. Over the years, I was on Percocet and Vicodin (time release) for my pain, and I was able to live with the pain meds that were given. I have 3 amazing stepchildren and 4 wonderful children with my husband, whom I was married to for over 30 years, and 25 grandchildren, now it's important that you know that. The list is long for what's wrong with my back and body. The pain, on a scale from 1 to 10, is 20 when I wake up, and the more I move around, it will reduce to a 6 or 7 with my pain meds and exercise. Not pain-free but able to get around. Then pain management asked me what my goal was, and I told him I have OCD, and I absolutely love to clean and be able to wash dishes without having to take a break because I can't stand, walk, or sit without the pain bringing tears to my eyes. Because of the government and the opioid problem, the doctors are taking kickbacks for not prescribing opioids."

• Ash...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 1, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on and off the Suboxone and now on the Subutex for the last 12 months, and I've found it so much better in so many ways. It's been super helpful but also super annoying and holding me back in a lot of ways, like not being able to go away for more than 5 days at a time, having to go into the pharmacy weekly, etc., etc. and also trying to overcome the pains and hangouts to get off of it altogether. So I'm changing to the injection at the end of this month and hoping it works and helps me become clean off Subutex."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So I just received my first Sublocade 300 mg shot for my opiate dependence. I was in withdrawal from heroin when I went in to the doctor. Feeling kind of funny so far. Only been about 30 mins. Pain from the shot was like a very bad hornet sting. Lasted about 5 minutes. Injection site sore. I really need this to work. Otherwise, I have no self-control with heroin."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So I just received my first Sublocade 300 mg shot for my opiate dependence. I was in withdrawal from heroin when I went in to the doctor. Feeling kind of funny so far. Only been about 30 mins. Pain from the shot was like a very bad hornet sting. Lasted about 5 minutes. Injection site sore. I really need this to work. Otherwise, I have no self-control with heroin."

• Jj0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Got the shot yesterday, woke up with a big bruise on my stomach, and the injection site is sore. No serious pain. First morning, about 9-10 am, felt very drowsy. No withdrawal symptoms at all."

• JDa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 5, 2021

For Chronic Pain "After 18 years on Subutex (buprenorphine) and Suboxone, I have NEVER had any (zero) pain relief from either."