Comparing Buprenorphine vs Probuphine

For Chronic Pain: I have had Fibromyalgia for 25 years +-, degeneration of the cervical spine and bulge of several discs in my lower back and neck which each area needs surgery but I refuse to go through it. I don't like being on buprenorphine because of the stigma behind it and having to go to the Dr. once a month I was on tramadol for 19 years which work well most of the time but it was starting to impact my liver enzymes and with both parents dying of liver cancer I wanting to reduce my risk. After 2-3 months on Buprenorphine 8M twice daily my liver enzymes went from 4X the upper limit to 1.5X the upper limit and is now almost under the upper limit. Using ultrasound my liver was 50% larger than it should be, now it is normal.

For Chronic Pain: I had been on OxyContin 5mg three times a day for years and years with Vicodin higher strength for breakthrough pain. I retired in 2017 and moved from California to Oregon and the opiate crisis was and still is in full bloom here. I was given OxyContin 5mg three time a day by my primary nurse practitioner for about 9 months but was then sent to a PM specialist. He switched me to buprenorphine 1mg tie. After having tried the patch which was alright but my copay was $109.00/month. He wanted to start me on the film one but the copay for that was $160.00/month . So now (just started the dissolvable pill 2mg but cut in half for a 1mg dose tie. Buprenorphine works for me most of the time but I could really use something else for breakthrough pain. Not gonna happen for me. I just want good pain relief, not a “high”. I guess that it’s too much to ask for.

For Opiate Dependence: I spent half my adult life addicted to opiates. Every effort, every treatment, every commitment failed. Probuphine is the only treatment that worked long term. I was able to immediately have a normal life without cravings, or worrying about Suboxone regimens. It works, it saved my life.

For Opiate Dependence: I seen this drug work, change the lives of people that go on it. Amazing drug finally living a normal life and not worrying about forgetting to take it or losing it.