Maximum Dose Of Suboxone/subutex & Chronic Pain (Page 16)

What is the maximum dose of suboxone or subutex when you have severe pain?

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You ARE the one of the narrow minded on this forum.

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Well, I spoke too soon! Having pain issues and not sure if it is the low dose I am on or the generic I received that is different than the meds I had before. I am not on suboxone but on generic buprenorphine, which is without the naloxone, and started at 1 mg every 6 hours, it made me functional, had energy, pain managed well, but I took a fall, have flared up, and feel I need to raise the dose. The pain doc says this is a very low dose but my PCP who is prescribing seems to want to keep it low, I feel I haven't found the therapeutic dose yet, need to get the pain under control and then maybe can lower it. The generics are only 156$ for 90 8 mg and supposed to work just the same but now that the script I got from another pharmacy is different, it sucks as I can't cut them down well, they crumble, and The more I need the more the price goes up. I am finding conflicting info on doses, some say lower is better but many take 8 mg twice a day or 4 6 times a day, etc. I am not getting the same effect and don't know if it's the difference in the med, or the dose is too low.Also they do not last long, I seem to require frequent dosing. I assumed the pain from other issues is acute and they are not good for acute pain, now I'm trying not to get discouraged, it was so nice to feel functional and have energy. Once you hit that ceiling taking more doesn't provide more relief, I read that it takes 16 mg to fill 80% of receptors where 4 mg fills 20 to 40%. Can anyone clarify whether generics are the same? And what the therapeutic dose is for most people. I am not one for placebo affects so I don't understand why I am not getting the same relief. I've had chronic pain for 20 years, stemming from injuries in a MVA, surgeries, fibromyalgia, etc, Some Opoids (morphine didn't do a damn thing) worked well but built a tolerance too fast.UGH!!! So discouraged. I feel this is my last hope and option.The pain doc assures me the generics are just as effective but the only changes are the meds, and I took a bad fall yesterday. The patches and buccal buprenorphine were too expensive so I switched to sublingual, which worked great until I got this new script, it is a different brand. I know my doc won't give meds for breakthrough pain, Altho CAN take tramadol, or other opioids with this. Its a misconception that you will suffer in an emergency because narcotics can't be given, you need something stronger that will outcompete for those receptors. The problem is returning to the burp endorphins AFTER taking the Opoids, and precipitating withdrawals with both. I declined letting the pain clinic doc manage the meds, duty to all the contracts, drug panels, etc and driving but since my PCP is so new to this I think I should consult the experts on how to use it. I would rather kill myself than live 20 more years with relentless pain, it is not quality of life. So now the jury is still out after I bragged about success. I know people love to spout strong opinions for or against and I encourage us all to share experiences and truths to assist each other, not discourage. I had NO real side effects with this, after having wretched side effects from other meds. I've got a huge tolerance for Opoids.Im not seeking the euphoria, tho I WISH I got that, it normalized me just to get dressed and maintain life, home, pets. I was just finally sleeping more than 2 hours at a time. One appeal of this drug is it builds no tolerance, requiring more and more and it doesn't wreck havoc on the receptors themselves. Sorry about the long rant. Would love to know what doses people find most effective for chronic pain and if they ever noticed a discrepancy with generic brands. I could not take naltrexone but read an article where mixing low doses of naltrexone with suboxone or subutex compliments the actions and makes it far more effective,worth exploring. Navigating this all is tricky s***. Also, just a thought, but for addiction, why can't people get the buprenorphine and nalaxone separate to use instead of being forced to purchase suboxone at insane prices? I see so many people that need suboxone and can't afford it. Drug companies are making a killing off of the suffering of addicts and pain patients. OK Wish me luck,it's been hell for many years, I am desperate. I need this to work.My error was going to a different pharmacy to save money and getting a different brand of generic burp endorphins than the one that worked. Can that be the problem??? Also, I encounter the nastiness and attitude when people assume I take this for addiction, so I sympathize with the crap people endure from others judgements about it when you are trying to get healthy and be honest. Rant done. For people who manage their chronic pain with this, let me know the dosage that works for you and your understanding of amount and frequency required to achieve benefits. The Internet is full of contradictions about low micrograms used and up to 32 milligrams with 24 being the typical stop point?? Thanks! Keep hope alive.

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JaMART: Narrow-minded? "suboxone for chronic pain is a sales pitch". No, that would be YOU.

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JaMart, I fully agree that the opoid police these days are out of control. You can't get Opoids here where I live if your life depended on them, and it can,chronic pain patients suffer so needlessly because of all the judgements and stigma, and you know your body, how you feel and what works for you.Meds go straight to the pain and don't bring the high or euphoria, but functioning and normalcy for many. It is a shame and docs and nurses act like its their own personal stash,the liability is so great for them,what really burns me is end of life people suffering needlessly,when they STILL undermedicate, I had an epiphany that I was in real trouble when morphine didn't touch my pain,but some people require very large doses and there's no magic number,it's individual. Happy you found an understanding doc!

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Was that message for me? Not sure, LOL I supposed I AM narrow minded if I called people narrow minded. Variable opinions exist on here, that's for sure. WE should all ask ourselves if we want to be "right" or be "helpful". What works great for some is s*** for others. I can list 100 remedies that made me worse not better, luckily subutex is not one of them. Whatever floats your boat. I dream of being relatively pain free, no one wants to be a prisoner of pain.

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LULU: It's crazy, doctors in the 80s and 90s were passing out opioids like candy. Now there's this big backlash against all the "opioid addicts" that they created, and they are cutting people off. And the actual legitimacy of each patient's need is often getting lost along the way. It's a damned shame, because as you said there are many people who's quality of life is dependent upon these meds. Places like these "pain clinics" in Florida are hugely to blame for said backlash.

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LULU, I haven'tt found a doctor, I have gone back to a Suboxone prescribing psychiatrist from a very short time with a pain management clinic which I saw three different docs during 4 visits. I was placed on a butrans patch (12.5mcgs), then after a month of horrible on and off withdrawal w/o any analgesic relief then next doc placed me on 25 mcgs fenenyl patch that gave some better pain relief yet wasn't lasting 72hrs... requested to be given a breakthrough med and they rescheduled my monthly appointment to a 6 week appointment ... When I tried to explain the error, was told that I was trying to get in to early? I am so frustrated with this after having no problem getting opiate pain analgesics for 12 years and for the last 6 years having to jump through hoops ... Pain is as individual as each person. Chronic pain issues cause a ripple effect of negative problems on top of the pain itself. Our rights are disappearing every day and I don't know a good strategy to use. Disgusted with the ongoing b.s. Hope you have a good a day as possible.

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Hello all I ubject the suboxone DOES help chronic pain im a chronic pain sufferer but im in a opioid detox program a very comprehensive one at that for my dependence of opiates me my primary care physician and my dependence maintenance dr have discussed using suboxone for my chronic pain once I finish phase 2 of my program suboxone has been widely used in Europe for years to treat chronic pain but has just recently approved in the US for this I've heard many opinions on this subject some claim no relief and some swear by it use your judgment in making your descision and ask your pcp his recommendation and by all means get more than one opinion for everyone has one that gives you the right to yours they'res alot of controversy around this drug its uses and ways to use it and what you can use with it ....my opinion is if you are legally prescribed subutex suboxone zubsolve or any other drug that contains bupenorphen or any other opiate maintenance detox medicine DONT TAKE OPIATES or you will and I promise you will at one point in time suffer those dreaded PRECIPITATED WITHDRAWAL which is very very horrible weather your using it for chronic pain or addiction maintenance just dont do it its playing Russian roulette with your health god bless all and remember please do your own research to be sure of any prescribed substance

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JAMES: I've certainly been there, and you DON'T want it!

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So the doc upped my dose of subutex from 1mg 4 times a day to 2mg 2 times a day which doesn't make sense, it's the same! Said I could go 2 mg 3 times a day, that's only 6 mg instead of 4. By the time I get to a maintenance dose I am going to realize I can't afford this medicine. I've called every pharmacy and spent days getting coupons and insurance type cards. The lowest price I have found is 157$ for 90 8 mg. Costco is by far the cheapest pharmacy. The patient assistance programs don't take people with insurance even though insurance refuses to cover. I'm fighting for a pre authorization but doesn't look promising. Most of the coupons are for suboxone not subutex. My ribs were spasmed and pinching nerves so my physical therapist actually manipulated my rib cage and did his magic and released the pinched nerves, on the spot. I can't believe the relief I have. What a blessing. Makes me believe in miracles again. Hope everyone is finding their way out of the pain matrix and recovering health and life. I just want to function like a normal human and get some s*** done, basics, like eat, sleep, breathe! I am grateful to finally get into a pain clinic with Obamacare insurance but I also see that it is really a big profitable business for all the docs, pharmaceutical companies and genuine care and compassion is so lacking. Profiting off others pain is just disturbing. This is our lives, our relationships, homes, everything. And addiction too, is big business. Where is the humanity? I am grateful though to be getting physical therapy and services I was always denied before. If I could just get affordable adequate pain relief. It's been a long hard road. Funny how life changes in an instant, when some i**** talking on his cell phone runs a red light totaling his 60,000$ Beamer and my funky car and body. IF only I'd left the house 2 minutes earlier or later! Have a good day.

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What dose of buprenorphine is working for folks with chronic pain?I am getting some but not enough relief but doc has me on 6 mg a day.Thanks

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LULU: 6mgs is about as low a dose as I have ever heard of. If you aren't finding relief from that, you obviously need more. The ceiling dose is 32mgs, and most people seem to be between 8mgs and 24 mgs. Although I was on Subs for addiction, 6 mgs wouldn't have even TOUCHED me. For pain or otherwise, that is pretty dang low.

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Subutex doesn't have the naloxone in iy. Ive switch from methadone yo suboxone two years ago and it was awful I wished they prescribed the subutx for my first couple weeks it may have made the process easier

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JUSTLIVINGLIFE: I hear ya. If they would have had all these rules way back when I started on Bupe, I most likely would not have been able to take it. I was on Suboxone for about a week, and the Naloxone make me so sick my doctor switched me to Subutex. I have chronic nausea and migraines, and the Naloxone made both of those things so much worse I couldn't even work.

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As a person advances in age, say after, due to stress of daily chore, an individual, male or female, in particular a female, pain affects body parts, because of wear and tear. Cramps, headache, backbonbe, joints, etc. Even after medical treatment for quite some time, there is not much relief from different kinds of body pains. When medication fails, then the doctor advises to visit a physiotherapist, which is quite long drawn process. Since daily life is too hectic, there is hardly no time left for a physio and pain adversliy affects the entire family life and behaviour with family members. Suggests some alternate medical treatment, not long drawn. Sofar I understand, either it is Yoga and medidation.

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I'm looking for a Suboxone Dr - I am an opiate addict. I am on Medicaid. I am disabled. I prefer to see an office doctor over a clinic. It is an extreme burden to travel every day. In Salt Lake City Utah. If someone can help I am grateful. Thank You.

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VINCENT: Go on the Suboxone.com website, and go down to where it says "Find a doctor". Put in your zip code and a list of doctors in your area will come up. Suboxone is not usually given in a "daily clinic" type of setting, that is Methadone. You will most likely see a doctor once a month and be given a prescription for Suboxone to take to your pharmacy, like any other prescription. Good luck.

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If u look back when suboxone was invented,it was use for pain relief. Do some research before u open your mouth,& fill peoples heads with the wrong info. Suboxone was created for pain,then it was used for opiate withdraws in 2004,im not 100% onthe year. Why do u think it works so well for opiate withdraws,becuz its a opiate based med,lol
Have a great day

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Firefighter, you are on point about researching before making a statement. Actually buprenorphine was synthetically create in the 1960's AND it was opiate based. From my understanding, the creation of this was to find a long-acting opiate with less affinity for acute dependence/withdrawal properties. So yes, initially buprenorphine was synthetically created for pain relief. Suboxone is the name of buprenorphine with additional naloxone (antagonist) added.

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Yes the ceiling is between 12-16 depending on the person. Taking more will only make you feel worse.

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