Buprenorphine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• Sli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2019

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So today is my first day on Sublocade. I've been on Subutex 2 years this time. But I've been on them all: methadone, dope, Suboxone a few times for each. I was on heroin and Xanax since 2002. It was a real struggle for me to get clean, but I kept trying. Anyway, I got tired of the up and down on Subutex. I feel great in the morning and tired around 6 pm. Plus, my sleep was screwed. So I read that this stuff is supposed to be much smoother. I took the shot about 5 hours ago, and I feel it already. It's not bad at all. I like it, actually. I forgot to say I was on 16 mg of Sub. Anyway, I'll keep updating."

• Meh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2018

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I had my first Sublocade shot this morning at 9 a.m. I feel nothing. It stung, about like a black fly bite. It went away almost immediately. I feel nothing at all. I worry. The small buzz I got from subs kept me going-not craving and using illicit opioids. My doc put me on the Sublocade due to mismanagement of dose. I wish I could just take the strips as prescribed. I'll keep posting. As of day one, I feel nothing at all. Just tired."

• lcb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2016

For Pain "I have had chronic lower back pain after falling through a deck. I lived with the pain as long as I could. I finally found a doctor that would help me, she prescribed the Butrans patch. What a change it made! I started with the 20 mcg but found it to be too strong. I didn't like feeling tired all the time, she lowered the dose to 15 mcg with Norco 7.5 for breakthrough pain. I really like the patch as it has worked wonders for me, I rarely need the Norco. All I can say is thank you to my doctor for prescribing these. Take as directed and avoid other medication unless approved by your doctor."

• Jun...
• May 5, 2021

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I took my first Sublocade injection April 30th, 2021. Today is May 4th, 2021, and so far, so good. I've been on Suboxone for the past 3 years (8 mg daily) and was a bit nervous about feeling any type of withdrawal, but I’m on day 5, and I feel great. Today, I woke up feeling a bit tired and my body a bit achy, but nothing I can’t deal with. Overall, I’m very happy with the way I’m feeling! My first injection was 300 mg, and my next will be another 300 mg, and then my third will be 100 mg, and I’m planning on not taking a 4th! I will keep everybody updated throughout my process, but if there’s anybody thinking about getting the injection, DO IT! I know the feeling of waking up every day and dealing with having to put film under your tongue just to feel normal, it sucks! And it’s the worst... Plus, before I decided to get on the Sublocade, I read hundreds of reviews, and they all say the same thing about how great it’s working for them, so I did it, and it’s the best thing I could have ever done, guys!"

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "After many years on ~10 mg Subutex, I switched to a provider that offered Sublocade injections. I had lost most of my previous prescription during a move and decided I didn't want to live always afraid my pills would be lost/stolen, random U/A tests, random pill counts. I received my first injection and, except for some tiredness (difficulty staying awake on grave shifts), I had no side effects. I was prepared to complete the series. When I arrived at my appointment for my second shot, it was not there. The specialty pharmacy would not release it because my name on my insurance and Social Security card is spelled differently than on my license and birth certificate. I would need a legal name change in order to get the injection released to my provider. So, my doctor put me back on the Subutex to start when withdrawal symptoms began. I took a small piece of a pill here and there, but never experienced any real discomfort. This was in November. I haven't had a shot, any Subutex, or any withdrawal since. I am finally DONE!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2021

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "This stuff's made me so weak and barely sleep! OK, it was alright for a couple of days, however, I can barely do 'daily chores,' let alone concentrate at work now. Been on Buph for nigh on a decade, so I feel this is just prolonging withdrawals. Going back to a weekly script ASAP (hopefully), as I was put back to 'Daily Supervised,' which is the reason I chose this in the first place. Was recommended it, though, but everyone I know on this are (more or less) still using anyway! Not enough info on this lethargic stuff, but if it 'works for you,' then all the BEST.."

• Peg...
• November 17, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "Was given to me in a detox treatment center, tapered dose for 6 days. Felt very mild withdrawal symptoms during the first 4 days. I had a severe dependence on oxycodone, OxyContin, hydrocodone, and basically couldn’t function without at least 300 mg a day. If you feel that your life is being wasted worrying about not having enough meds to function, I highly recommend getting help at a facility that will do a medical detox! It saved my life. The withdrawal symptoms after the buprenorphine were chills, back pain, yawning, mental anxiety, and of course depression. But anyone who is currently living with opiate dependence/addiction knows this is common when you run out too soon. I rated this medication a 7 to an 8 only because I didn’t know about the withdrawal after taking it. I am grateful to say I haven’t needed any Oxy’s since."

• Fru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I've been on 10 mg of oxycodone every 4 hours for 7 1/2 years. This month, my doctor prescribed buprenorphine patches to better control my pain. I put the patch on at 4 pm on Saturday, at 4 am Sunday, I woke up with my body on fire and the worst pain I've ever experienced. I had chemical burns all over my torso, my heart rate was all over the place, the headache was unbelievable, and it's now been 4 days, and the side effects keep coming. Still tired, horrible stomach pains, uncontrolled diarrhea, and a general overall feeling of being torn apart from the inside out. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, no matter the reason. This medicine is awful!"

• tim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2022

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain "I started at a low dose of 75 mcg. Did nothing. Increased to 150 mcg. Did more. Nothing. Went to 300 mcg. I am now bone-on-bone, and my facet joint pain is now unbearable in the mornings and takes me several hours to get up and walking. Then my nausea sets in. I'm weak, tired all the time. I am facing surgery on my pinched nerves in my elbow and carpal tunnel wrist with not much feeling in my hands. I have COPD stage 3, coughing, hacking. My left hip hurts so bad I can't cough standing up, or I'll fall right over from the pain, my left hip pinched sciatic nerve. I need medication increased ASAP."

• Nic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2021

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder "Well, I agree with plenty of comments regarding how helpful it can be. Just feel it's ruining my insides, teeth, and bones after being on it so long-9 to 10 years-but then again, as others have said, I may stay on it for life because I'm not getting any younger, etc. Is it worth risking relapse?! I don't even smoke weed or cigarettes anymore. Have used on top about a handful of times, which isn't too bad in nigh on a decade because, luckily, I had helpful keyworkers. With the pandemic, I rarely see counselors, let alone GPs, so it'd take forever to get back on it. Was on 20 mg, now 12 + a weekly script, as I can't tolerate that daily supervised dose malarkey. Really makes me feel down/inadequate, etc. Did try the monthly injection recently to get off Buphenorphine, however, I had 0 energy, and the lethargy is overwhelming. Slowly does it when coming off this with plenty of relaxation."

• DAN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I started Sublocade approximately 3 weeks ago this Tuesday. At first, I felt great. I had been on 16 mg for years and was tired of taking meds every single day. Now, two weeks in, and I don't know if it's me in my head or what, but I'm tired all the time and have literally no energy. I want so badly to call my doctor and switch back, but I'm trying to make it through. I'm also having cravings, which I don't understand at all. I haven't had cravings in years."

• DAN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2022

Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I started Sublocade approximately 3 weeks ago this Tuesday. At first, I felt great. I had been on 16 mg for years and was tired of taking meds every single day. Now, two weeks in, and I don't know if it's me in my head or what, but I'm tired all the time and have literally no energy. I want so badly to call my doctor and switch back, but I'm trying to make it through. I'm also having cravings, which I don't understand at all. I haven't had cravings in years."

• Fou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 21, 2023

For Chronic Pain "I have had two back surgeries, and after several years on oxycodone 7.5 mg four times a day, I have switched to Suboxone 8 mg tablets. I take 1/2 of one three times a day. It’s changed my life. I have no fogginess and no running out of my medication. I also was so tired of taking these strong pain pills that I became dependent on even getting out of bed. This medication has given me my life back."

• Dan...
• March 5, 2023

For Opioid Use Disorder "Even a small amount of subs makes me so tired and unable to eat anything. I tried to use after 24 hours, and the blocker kicked in."

• Ken...
• January 4, 2018

For Chronic Pain "Lack of appetite. Lethargic. Mild constipation. Mild headache. Very little energy. Reduced acute pain to dull ache."