Buprenorphine and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Oza...
• April 8, 2020

Buprenorphine for Pain "I have taken Belbuca for a year now for all-over body pain due to neurology damage. My doctor started me low, and we worked up from there to the 300 mcg dose twice a day. I think I may have experienced a headache in the beginning, not sure. But it did help my pain until it didn't, then my doctor would increase my dose to the next level of the patch. I'm now up to the 900 mcg dose. The only real side effects I have are being extremely tired and my body gets really hot, which is a side effect. But this drug costs almost $900 a month! Insurance won't pay, and I'm on a fixed income."

• Doo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I’m about like most of you, wanted to feel good. Pain pills, methadone (mistake) methadone is too good and harder to get off of. Then Suboxone, which was fine, but I would be feeling tired or whatever, so I would take another piece. So I was pretty much controlling how much I took. Anyways, Sublocade was offered to me. I was scared, but I decided to do it. I took a 300 mg the first two months and no withdrawals at all. Didn’t feel funny or anything. Now I’ve taken maybe four 100 mg, and I’m scared to stop because of years of depending on something. But I’m pretty sure I’ve had my last shot."

• kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I've started on a 150 mg dose of Belbuca. I was so tired, then I seem to adjust to it. Then they just upped me to a 300 mg dose. I'm so tired I could fall asleep at 1 in the afternoon while I'm driving. I'm not saying that it doesn't work for the pain, but who can be this tired all the time? I can't even put a thought in my head. Going to ask the doctor to take me off. I'm going back to the 150 mg until then. PS: also terrible constipation, which I never have a problem with."

• Jus...
• September 1, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I attempted to get off Suboxone two or three times but never past 2 milligrams. I decided to try Sublocade as a way of getting off Suboxone, I would get one shot and then it would slowly leave my system. I went to the clinic for the shot of Sublocade, the injection was super painful as I have very little body fat, it hurt like anything. The injection site was sore for approximately 4 days. The first 2 days I felt 'sub high,' and on the 3rd, I had a super headache and did not feel well. Over the next three or four days, I was super tired and falling asleep in the afternoon. Approximately 7 days in, I began to feel better and I seemed to normalize. I noticed that I no longer feel sick in the morning, so I am no longer reminded of my problem. I began to get up normally and get rolling without issue. I am getting tired earlier in the evening, which is not a bad thing because I was going to bed at approximately 12 every night, now I'm going to bed at 11 and I suspect it will be 10 soon."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I was really excited to start this medication recommended by my PM neurologist. Unfortunately, I had horrific reactions to it. My face became red and covered in red dots. My hands swelled up and were very itchy. I was unable to have a bowel movement. I had severe headaches and vomiting. I was lethargic and extremely sleepy. I had terrible nightmares and would wake up yelling or crying. My body has been twitching and spasming uncontrollably. I can’t think or comprehend anything. I suffered through these side effects for 3 days, hoping my body just needed to adjust, but on the evening of my last dose, I had chest pain and thought I was going to die choking on a banana. My throat had swelled up. It’s been about 60 hours since I took the last dose of Belbuca, my throat still feels slightly swollen. My body is still twitching every 15-30 seconds, and I am extremely sleepy. Other than the bad headache and chest pain, it worked on my chronic pain."

• Fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I started the Butrans patch in place of oral tramadol, two 50 mg four times daily after many years. I followed the leaflet to the tee. Almost immediately I had become exhausted. After waking, my breathing became labored, and the patch site started itching uncontrollably. Worried and anxious, I hadn't slept all night. After 24 hours, I called my physician about my symptoms. Now, I have a rash and am dosing myself with Benadryl for the next several days. This drug was a nightmare without the slumber."

• Kat...
• February 4, 2016

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I have been on the Butran pain patch for several years now because of chronic back pain (23 years). I started with 20 mcg and now I'm on 15 mcg. It really helps with my back pain. I hate taking anything that blurs my mind, and this by far doesn't do that. I am tired a lot (I have CFS), and I drink a lot of water. This medicine saved my life. I am now walking, swimming (I apply a waterproof bandaid over the patch), stretching, and doing housework. My life is so much better. I am not pain-free, but on a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst - I am a three. For almost 20 years, I was a ten."

• 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."

• dor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2019

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Undiagnosed pain in my butt for 18 years. Probably a strained muscle from jogging. Norco and oxy did the trick for quite a while, but then, well, you know how these things go. I tried a morphine drip which worked at the trial, but... that's another story. Then the doc put me on Belbuca, saying it's the only medication that he'd prescribe at this point. I'm in the first week, and it's been awful. No pain relief, nausea, tiredness, ill feeling. The doc says to give it more of a chance, at the end of a week, I can't see spending money [it's not cheap] for more misery. It is very disappointing."

• Att...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I have been on some form of buprenorphine for over 10 years. When I first started, I was taking 24 mg daily. I was able to wean down to 16 mg daily, which is still an extremely high dose. I have had absolutely no luck lowering it anymore. I also had an issue taking an extra 1 every few days, which would leave me in withdrawal for the last few days. Knowing those strips were there always screwed me up, but I desperately wanted to get off the meds. I explained the issue I was having with my doctor. He suggested switching to Sublocade. I just received my 5th injection and couldn't be happier! Definitely a good choice for patients who are having trouble weaning yourself off. The first month, I was a little tired, but I can tell you now I feel normal. I love that I no longer have the option to take another strip because of 'stress.' Also, the injection does not hurt. It burns for 20 seconds, then nothing. I'm very excited that I finally can see an end in sight."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Been on it one day, 10 mg strength. I feel weird as anything and am very tired. Started to read all the reviews and now I'm scared of it. Might take it off tomorrow. I have been on hydrocodone for 7 years, 10 mg, they worked perfectly for me, but new laws screwed me because I also smoke weed to help with the pain, and in Georgia, you cannot smoke with the hydrocodone against the law! I would be happy to be back on my hydrocodone."

• lee...
• December 6, 2011

Buprenorphine for Pain "I was put on the 10 mg... it kind of helped with the pain, but I feel dragged down from it, and people keep telling me and asking me if I was tired or sick. I'm young, well, 34, and I have 2 children, 7 and 17, and I'm not wanting to do too much these days because of it."

• Mar...
• January 31, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I am unsure about this shot. I have gotten it twice now and had to fight for the second injection. The first time I got it, I was only two in 5,000 people where the shot didn’t properly dissolve into my body, and I had extreme withdrawals after two days. They even did a urine and blood test, and my bup scores were 500 on the strips and down to 70 by the time they believed I was in withdrawal and put me back on to strips. I just got my second one by a different doctor after the doctors spoke to pharma and any other doctors about their opinions on me getting a second dose because I want off Suboxone. I’ve been stuck on it for 5 years and had two children during this time. I want to be free, and I experience insane withdrawal when I wean off of strips. So it’s day two, and I am getting some hot and cold sweats but feel a little more tired than last time, and I am not feeling as “sick” as last time. I am so hopeful! I will update this in 10 days! :)"

• Dre...
• April 9, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So, I have been on Suboxone for 4 years now in maintenance. I take two 8 mg strips a day and heard about this Suboxone shot because taking strips twice a day becomes an inconvenience. I took the shot Friday at 1:30 pm. It didn’t burn as bad as some people say. I started to feel the injection within a couple of hours. That night, I felt I had a pretty high dose of it in my body. The next day, Saturday, I felt great, plenty of energy, and no negative symptoms at all. I felt amazing. Sunday night, I started to slightly get tired and out of it. It’s now Monday night, and I feel horrible, like I’m withdrawing, like a really bad flu. So now I have to make a decision on what to do. If anyone on here has advice on what I should do, please answer my message. I would greatly appreciate it. I’m not sure if I should wait it out and see what happens. Will it get better or worse? I’m crossing my fingers, and I hope this advice helps someone out there."

• Pre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I started on Suboxone 2 years ago. It was fine. No side effects, really, except constipation. I didn't like taking it daily, the whole routine of it, and absolutely didn't like the taste. So I switched to Sublocade. I didn't notice the transition, except being really tired for about two months. I have nothing but good things to say about it, and it's kept me opiate/heroin-free for two years. I have absolutely no desire to use, so I've decided to go off Sublocade cold turkey. After reading the reviews, I'm quite confident."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 22, 2015

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "Fibromyalgia for 16 yrs, also have osteoarthritis. So much pain, I was given 5 Norco, 4 Soma daily. Worked for pain, but wore off at night. Would wake in severe pain and mild withdrawals, Norco only lasts 4-6 hours. Was given Butrans 10 mgs, upped to 15 mgs in 1-2 months. Woke up with no pain, at first!! Was allowed 3 Norco, 3 Soma for breakthrough. Patches wore off often on day 5-6. After 18 mo., wake in pain again. Breakthrough meds not sufficient. Have gained 30 lbs, I sweat until my clothes are drenched with the slightest exertion. I wake 2-3 times nightly, I am exhausted all day. Sleep for 2-3 hours after kids go to school. Side effects seem to have become more of a problem, and pain relief has lessened. Hard to keep patches on."

• Dav...
• December 26, 2018

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I have been taking 8 mg of Suboxone for 2.5 years now, and decided to make the switch to the shot to break the habit of waking up and expecting to take something every morning. 2 hours in and I am a little tired, but other than that, all is well. Have not taken any Suboxone since yesterday morning, and so far no withdrawal symptoms. So that’s 32 hours without Suboxone and getting the shot 2 hours ago with no withdrawal so far, I think I’m good to go. I was told some people experience withdrawal at the beginning of getting this shot, but I think that only happens to those that switch from a very high dose of Suboxone (above 12 mg) without tapering down some first. I’m no doctor, but have plenty of experience with addiction. My suggestion would be to make sure you’re on a regular dose of 8 mg per day of Suboxone before getting the shot. If you do and attend NA meetings regularly, this medicine is really a lifesaver. Don’t depend on the medicine alone, get involved in your local NA!!"

• Lys...
• April 13, 2021

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "Got my first 300 mg injection on 4/6/21. I've been on buprenorphine since October 11, 2010. So this October will be 11 years. 11 years of twice a month, or monthly appointments, visits to the pharmacy, random counts, and UAs. This medication I hope is what every addiction on maintenance needs to get off. 24 hours after injection is the peak levels. I can attest that the first 2 days I felt amazing. Today is 1 week of not taking anything. Knowing I have a backup plan in case something comes up and I feel sick is keeping me calm. Today I feel a little more tired than usual. But nothing I can't push through! I will update again in a few weeks! But as of right now, I am so glad I bucked up and did it. It certainly burns like anything going in, although it wasn't unbearable. The 'depot' of the drug in my abdomen takes some getting used to. Every time I bump it, it swells and hurts. Swelling and bruising have gone away as well."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I've been an opiate addict for 20 years now. After 5 years on Suboxone, I was looking for a new solution. I ended up going with Sublocade. I had two 300 mg injections and one 100 mg. It's been 2 months now since my last injection, and I'm still feeling great. The only side effects I had while on the injection were tiredness and constipation. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is ready to be sober."

• Kas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2018

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I just received my first Sublocade shot on Tuesday at 12:40. I had been on Suboxone for 4 years and would a lot of times run out of my prescription early because I would always think one more to feel better, just one more. Of course, the only thing it might have done is give me energy for a little while, but since receiving the shot, I have to admit I'm not too impressed. Of course, at this time my head could still be messing with me because I am having issues with the part of taking something every day, but I'm very, very tired with no energy, so I feel like rubbish and I'm still having some hot flashes. I'm hoping it will get better and it will work because I want this to work, but as of now, I'd say the Suboxone strips are a lot better. But I will keep posting updates because I looked and looked for reviews before switching and couldn't find any, so I'd like to help people with my story."

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2018

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Just awful. I was taking 16 mg of generic buprenorphine a day and decided to try this out because I was sick of having to take my meds twice a day. Days 1-3 were okay, but starting day 4, I noticed that the cravings were back and I felt way more tired. Day 5, I was in full withdrawal. I ended up going back to the doctor and he put me back on my original dose. Be advised that this works very well for some and is a complete disaster for others."

• Mor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2016

For Pain "I have now been on Butrans patch for 3 months. Initially starting on 5 mg, then increasing to 10 mg after the first month. This is to manage chronic pain in my right arm due to an impinged nerve on C5. I was originally on the same meds as previous times, Solpadol and Pregabalin, increased from 75 mg x 2 per day to 150 x 2 per day, plus 75 mg. I just couldn't function on them, they made me quick to respond and affected my memory and life. Never looked back after Butrans patch. I am much more like the real me, still slight pain but bearable enough to manage without painkillers. Have gone from getting home and going straight to bed to at least having some normality again. Makes me feel a bit tired after work, but the good side is it dulls my appetite, so I have lost 1 stone."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2021

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I just got my first injection last week. We started off at 100 mg with intentions of weaning myself off within a few months. I have been on oral Subutex for almost 3 years. I have been EXTREMELY tired, to the point that every time I lay down with my daughter, I am fighting sleep or passing out. This includes nap time before 1 pm and bedtime at 8 pm. Did anyone else experience this? If so, does it go away? What shall I do?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Suboxone for 17 years next month. I have changed to Sublocade, and it is my 11th day of getting the injection, and I don’t feel good. It started my third day with symptoms of withdrawal: irritated, chills, hot flashes, yawning, runny nose, and watery eyes. I feel tired a lot more than usual, and I definitely know when my body is withdrawing. I don’t know if I can do this every month."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Suboxone for 17 years next month. I have changed to Sublocade, and it is my 11th day of getting the injection, and I don’t feel good. It started my third day with symptoms of withdrawal: irritated, chills, hot flashes, yawning, runny nose, and watery eyes. I feel tired a lot more than usual, and I definitely know when my body is withdrawing. I don’t know if I can do this every month."