Buprenorphine and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• JL1...
• February 13, 2012

For Opioid Use Disorder "I started taking pain meds after having many, many operations. I was on pain meds for years, from 1996 to 2005. I was up to 140 mg of methadone and five 30 mg roxicodone for breakthrough pain a day. I was tired of taking this stuff. I got down to 5 mg of methadone a day and quit. I was miserable! I went through serious withdrawals! I called a doctor in town, told him my story, and he put me on Subutex. That was the beginning of 2005, and I am still on it today, and I have never touched another pain pill since. It works for both cravings and for pain help too. Although it is not as good as the others for pain relief, it works well enough, and I'm happy for it."

• Cni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "This wasn’t a godsend for me. I think that there’s not enough known about it currently to suggest it to everybody. First off, buprenorphine is buprenorphine. This is the same medicine as Suboxone, so there’s no way someone on 8 mg and someone on 24 mg are going to be okay on the same dose. Doctors will tell you it’ll be fine and that they don’t know how much it really releases every month, but after looking into it, this thing releases 2 mg a day, and that reduces to one and then half of a mg, which is why most people go through withdrawals for a week or two after changing from stripe to the shot. I personally did. My doctor said almost everyone has a week of WD. This is only for people on a low dose or who want to get off of it so badly that they don’t mind feeling sick. This is great if used as a stepping stone off of Suboxone. I would taper down and then use this to get off. You feel nothing and have cravings. Best for those on low dose wanting off."

• Rhi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 5, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I will make this short. For some, this stuff may be a godsend, for me, it was good until several months into it, then deep depression. I’ve been fighting the depression for 4 months. I received my last shot 4 months ago as well. I had a blood draw a couple weeks ago to check my bup levels, and they are almost none, but no withdrawal yet. If you're anything like me, I bet you have found nothing on what happens when it fully dissolves? Does anyone have experience with what does happen? I’m expecting withdrawals, but since not even Suboxone/Sublocade, the manufacturer can tell me, I’m at a total loss for information! Thanks for any help...."

• Dev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 20, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I hate reading reviews before I take a med because it does have a placebo effect on you whether it'll work or not. (If you're doing this, stop! Just take the meds and see how it works for YOU.) But I was put on Belbuca after misusing Vicodin from chronic pain and disc replacement surgery. Vicodin helped, but the dosage wasn’t enough, and I abused it. But Belbuca never helped my pain. Started at 300 and had WDs, so bumped to 600mg and helped WDs, but not pain. I had breakthrough meds, but Belbuca renders them useless. I ended up taking more BT meds trying to help pain on bad days, but then sent red flags to my doc. He didn’t seem to get Belbuca did not work for me. Withdrawals are GOD AWFUL."

• Not...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 19, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "I had many surgeries in the past and, of course, became dependent on pain pills. Well, I started on Suboxone, then switched to Subutex. Now, 8 years later, I'm still clean from pain pills but completely dependent on Subutex. And like any addict, I took a little too much and now I'm out until my next appointment (which isn't for another week). I am so scared because after 3 days without my meds, full withdrawal kicks in. I'm scared to death and don't know what to do. My suggestion is, if you can kick your drugs without meds, do it, otherwise, you are just trading one addiction for another."

• Khe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2022

For Pain "My pain intervention physician changed my medication from Oxycodone 10 mg to this buccal pain patch. I have used dermal patches such as Duragesic in the past years, but it didn't absorb well. I told my doctor, and he said that this Belbuca of a mid dose should work better. Well... this medication is such a joke! I have had 4 back surgeries since 2009. But the pain I needed relief from was recent weeks of a bilateral total knees done at the same time! Since being pulled off my years of Oxy use, I was just pulled off (withdrawals or not)! This buccal film that this new medication releases medication is a very poor way for absorption to control pain. The little patch either didn't stick inside my cheek, or stuck to the outside of my teeth, or just stuck to my finger! This was the worst pain relief med I have ever taken. ZERO pain relief! Plus my Oxy withdrawals that I experienced post-recent total knees and back pain. Thank you, government, for actually caring about us real patients with pain."

• Ncs...
• August 18, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "It helped me to get clean and lead a productive life, but I’ve been dependent on buprenorphine for twice as long as I was hooked on pain pills. I’m finally trying to come off of it after 6 long years, and if I had known how hard it is to come off of it, I would’ve never taken this route. I’m thankful that it helped me to lead a “normal” life, but the withdrawals are so much more intense than opioids. If doctors would prescribe this medicine short term and at a low dosage, it would be a perfect solution, but typically they put you on the highest dose possible and suggest you stay on it for a long time. It’s really sad, and it makes me angry that doctors prescribe this to people the way they do. If you need help getting off heroin or pain pills, I would recommend taking this medicine for a short time, and it will work wonders! But any longer, and you’ll just be trading one expensive addiction for another."

• Jas...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2025

For Opioid Use Disorder "I had 10 years sober, unfortunately, I broke my back at the gym and was prescribed opiates for pain. Eight months of hell, and I was told about Sublocade. I started out on two months of 300 mg. Now I'm on the 100 mg and have received four shots of the 100 mg. I want to come off of it and was hoping someone that has come off it successfully? Also, if anyone had withdrawals. I feel like when I speak to doctors, they try to change my mind about coming off of it. If anyone out there truthfully has come off of it, please share your experience and let me know. Going to get one more 100 mg shot, and then I'd like to be off of it. Thank you."

• Big...
• January 30, 2020

For Chronic Pain "It did not work very well and seemed more like a placebo. I stopped taking it, and it took a few days to get over the withdrawal. I feel a lot better. I think it was interacting with other meds I take and making me feel ill."

• Ppo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "So I just got on the shot about three weeks ago after being on two 8 mg Suboxone strips a day. And the first about 4 or 5 days, I just didn't feel right, like almost withdrawals but not as bad, but close. I like the shot that I don't have to worry about taking my subs every day. But it's three weeks later and I still feel kind of off, like I don't feel like I was when I was taking my Suboxone. And I've been experimenting with uppers lately. I don't know. Has anyone else felt this way at all?"

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2018

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I wanted to update my review on Sublocade. I decided to fight through those few days of not feeling great, and I am doing a lot better now. If you experience a little withdrawal, you should try to stick with it and see if it goes away. Like I said, the first 4 days were great, and then on the 5th day, I started to feel mild withdrawal. The mild withdrawal only took another 5 days to get over, and now I feel great. Now I am getting my second shot tomorrow. They say that your blood levels go up with each shot that you get. I still have a lump in my stomach, but I can tell half of it dissolved. It looks like you will have 2 to 3 depots supplying medicine at a time during Sublocade treatment. I really enjoy not going to the pharmacy and keeping track of film and pills. This is much better. I am glad I stuck with it. It is much better than the Probuphine implant that I had."

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

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."

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I first got this shot May 2018. Before the shot, I was taking Suboxone 1x day 8mg. Before Suboxone, I was on 120mg of methadone. I was feeling some withdrawals and discomfort on Suboxone, so my doctor recommended doing this shot instead of the film. It was the best thing I could have done. I have had no withdrawals yet. I started 2 months 300mg, then down to 100mg. I felt some withdrawals when switching the doses. I called my doctor and said I wanted to stay on 300mg longer because of some withdrawals. I have been sober almost 7 years. I also had no side effects. But it hurts and stings going in, but to me, it’s worth it. I live in New York, and I have Medicaid, and they completely cover the cost."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2023

For Chronic Pain "I am new to Belbuca. I have neurofibromatosis. It affects the nerves and can cause severe pain when it surrounds the nerves in places in the body. I was on fentanyl 100 mcg and 15 mg of oxycodone. I got the Belbuca and have not had the painful withdrawal that is associated with fentanyl, and it can last 7 to 10 days. The best thing for me after being on fentanyl for 10 years."

• Mar...
• January 31, 2019

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! :)"

• Aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was on 24 mg Suboxone and was told about Sublocade. It worked so well for a week, and then withdrawals came in. I'm now back on the strips. This didn't work for me, the dose needs to be higher than 300 mg because when you do the math, it's only really releasing 10 mg in a 24-hour period. Be wary of this. If you're on 16 mg or less, then it's a godsend, but unfortunately, anything above will not work."

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

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."

• Don...
• September 23, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I have been on this pain patch for 2 years, and I do not think very highly of it. Because I still have tremendous pain, even though it's supposed to provide relief around the clock. It does take the edge off. But the side effects aren't that great. You will withdraw from it after you have been on it for more than a couple of months, it's terrible. And while I wait for a P.A. every month, sometimes it has taken up to a week for insurance to approve a med I get every month for the last 2 years. Withdrawals are horrific with this medicine. I'm actually and honestly thinking about the next withdrawal I go through after I'm done. Never putting another patch on me!!! I'd rather take ibuprofen and not have all the side effects. For pain relief equal to ibuprofen!"

• Fre...
• April 22, 2009

For Opioid Use Disorder "Have to agree with many others who have already commented. This medication saved my life. It is important to realize you have to really want to quit using for it to be successful. I had to make meetings a regular part of my life and leave all those behind who continue to abuse drugs. It was really difficult but a lot easier than the last couple of times I'd tried without Suboxone. When I started Suboxone, I'd spent 4 months without using but in complete misery. I was in a perpetual state of opiate withdrawal. I couldn't experience feelings anymore or sleep. My body couldn't even regulate its temperature anymore. After induction, I felt normal for the first time in many, many years. No more withdrawals or suicidal depression."

• Arc...
• February 25, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I usually take 2.5 8 mg strips a day. I have been on Suboxone since 2004 through multiple doctors (some great and some really bad). I received my first Sublocade shot almost 3 weeks ago. The first 2 days were fine. I did not take any strips on those days. Halfway through the 3rd day, I started to feel withdrawals (WDs), and I took one of my remaining strips to ease those feelings. After running out of the strips and depending only on this “depot,” I am experiencing WDs. As far as I can tell, having 15 years of experience with Bupe, (1) 300 mg shot delivers about 2 mg daily in my system. This could work great for those who are on a low dose of sub (2-4 mg daily), but for those who are on 16 or higher... beware! I don't know if I will continue this route of administration. There just isn’t enough information on this medicine to make a clear judgment on its potential. I pray it works for you."

• Pj1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I went from Suboxone strips to the 300 shot, and it was an adjustment at first, but great after my body adjusted (no need to take strips daily, etc.). However, after getting the 300 shot for 4 months, I switched down to the 100 shot last week. Withdrawals started yesterday, worse today. Anyone know how long until I feel normal on the 100 shot? My experiences have otherwise been exactly the same as everyone else on here, so I’m figuring it’s pretty standard. Any help is appreciated, thank you!"

• Mas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2020

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I am about 72 hours post-initial 300 mg Sublocade shot. The needle itself is painless, but the medication does hurt going in. As a previous Vivitrol patient, I expected the same results and quickly learned the difference in the two, pain-wise. For me, it definitely gives you an opiate-type high, something I wasn’t expecting, and I was very nauseous, even when previously on (2) 8 mg pills per day. The high lasted a couple of days, but now on my third day, I am starting to feel withdrawal symptoms. I woke up feeling like I am used to feeling this morning. It’s not extreme, just fatigued throughout the day. I may need to supplement a few mg per day. As for the injection, you are left with a big lump. (I am a very thin person, and it’s extremely noticeable.) I was unaware and thought it was abnormal until I read these reviews. It’s very serious, as it affects your life directly. Thanks for the input from everyone else."

• Ken...
• April 4, 2023

For Chronic Pain "I have been taking Belbuca for three years now. Before that, I used to take morphine sulfate and sleeping pills, but I had to stop due to severe withdrawal symptoms. My memory was also affected, and I even forgot where I was in a store. My doctor prescribed Belbuca to me, but it doesn't do anything for my pain. When I was on morphine, I could walk with the help of two canes, but now I'm in a wheelchair. I stopped taking Belbuca because I only used it at night to avoid withdrawal symptoms and sleep. It's been three nights without it, and I'm still experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I have decided not to take any more pain meds and have started using a marijuana vape at night only to sleep. It's cheap and has been helpful."

• Zig...
• July 13, 2016

For Chronic Pain "'I was recently placed on this medication for chronic pain due to a cyst on my lower spine. All the comments are true. Medication packet: you will need scissors, wet buccal area of mouth, and it doesn't adhere as directed, doesn't dissolve, sticks to teeth, and I end up swallowing it. As for the pain, it remains. Very expensive with no RX coverage for Belbuca. The phone number on the card and brochure from my doctor is inaccurate, and the one-month free trial and reduced rate don't apply to me. Tried to get renewal from the office, but they are strict on pickup dates for RXs, claimed I didn't call for renewal, and once I was halfway home, oh here it is. The pharmacy did not even carry it. I had to go back. So what do I do? I had most of the side effects and withdrawal."

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "So I just got my 3rd Sublocade shot 300 today. I'm very happy with the shot! My insurance covers it for $5.00. The only thing I'm worried about is when I decide to get off the shot. Has anyone decided to stop the shot? If so, was there any withdrawal symptoms?"