Taking Suboxone While Positive For Hepatitis C

Updated

I have been on Suboxone since 2007 and it has always done wonders for me I started out on it for Opiate Addiction But am now on it for Pain management and they said I would be on it for the rest of my life. But Recently I have been getting bad pains in my side where my liver is and it makes my tongue raw and my throat swell, So I had Blood work done and found out that I am Positive for Hep C. Will this allow me to be switched to Subutex instead of Suboxone? Because I have been taking Subutex recently and they Dont give me any issues with my tongue or my throat or hurt my liver, Does anyone know if this will allow me to be switched to Subutex?

28 Replies (2 Pages)

Page:1Last Page
Earliest Newest Votes
1

Yes, your doctor should be able to switch you. Suboxone contains Naloxone, to neutralize other narcotics while someone is under treatment with it for drug addiction, but that's not why you have been taking it, so it should be an issue for you.

This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Are there any other questions or concerns?

Was this helpful? 3
2

I have hep c and I'm on suboxone but I have currently been having trouble with my liver so is the subutex easier on your liver than the other

Was this helpful? 1
3

Hep C positive, in 2008 I did a six month course of Pegasus Interfuron. Yes it was six months of feeling as if I had the worst case of the flu possible, but now I test negative for Hep C. I was on Subutex before treatment, during, and still am to this day. It was the Hep C diagnosis that had my addiction specialist/pain management doc switch me from Suboxone to Subutex which I feel works far better for pain. I have been on the same dose for almost eight years, 12mg a day, and it works as well now as it did when I began taking it. Best wishes and heart felt prayers for your health.

Was this helpful? 11
4

Ive gone from 8/2 suboxone to taking an extra 2-3 strips as my pain suddenly got severe . Am i taking too much ? I will call my doc tomorrow but since yesterday when i saw him im in severe pain.

Was this helpful? 1
5

I'm on subutex at a pain and addiction specialist office does that mean he deals with both addiction and pain ? So I am addict he has me on subutex I'm also in pain can I ask him to perscibe pain meds or well I be judged ?

Was this helpful? 0
6

I see a pain/addiction specialist - a kind and very ethical man who knows his stuff. i started on Subutex post chemo/full on pre-mature menopause after trying a number of anti-depressants that did not work. Due to the pain from the chemo (major bone pain) he put me on Dilaudid. I take the Sub at 6am - the Dilaudid at noon, 6 and midnight and start all over again. This has not been a problem for me - I have minimal pain and I do not feel high from the Dilaudid. Most docs would look at you if you were out of your mind if you asked for this - just sayin' - it can be done - I have done times 6 years now and it works for me. I am lucky to have a doc who thinks out of the box, is fair and he understand that I do not wish to be high. However - were I continually losing my pills and going in for refills too early he would stop me right away.

Was this helpful? 6
7

Hep C for over 25 years did the 12 month Interferon also. Didn't work etc etc broke about every bone in my body Skydiving . Then it was Fentynal obviously for pain ,then finally the past 7 years Suboxone 8 mg . Tapered off that for 8 months and then did the Jumped ! That was about three months ago . Feeling great! My question is ? WHY ARE YOU ON SUBS IN THE FIRST PLACE ? If I've broken about every bone in my body ,and am loaded with titanium rods and screws. And am doing great without any type or form of pain meds? Why are you on subs ? Kinda funny actually ,and I have Hep C still. Just curious that's all

Was this helpful? 1
8

Yeah. Subutex is an opiate. Your doctor probably thinks it works for pain also. It does not work for me. Not an addict. Your Doctor will def. judge though he should not!! And he will most likely not change your prescription, but he may increase it. Good luck and leave if you are not getting pain relief and your Doctor does not care. My doctor threaten to take me off opiates altogether, which I find funny, because I don't feel like subutex is an opiate. It does not work half as well as the others for my 15 plus your pain and I will be on pain meds for the rest of my life also. It has too many side effects and people who have Hep C I read from of the other post, you need to get off buprenorphine all together it is not just then the locks in that attacks your liver it is the buprenorphine itself. If you are a recovering drug addict, I am sure there are other possibilities for you and you will most likely have to do a lot of u/a and be under close scrutiny, but if you actually have a chronic pain diagnosis you can no longer take buprenorphine if you have liver damage! Get out and get saved for your own good. Most doctors are now just prescribing this medication to cover their own butts. They take a three day course they get a data 2000 exception and then they can write it. A lot of doctors are not really specialized in chronic pain. My current doctor soon to be ex, is a physiatrist. He knows nothing. You cannot prescribe buprenorphine to somebody who has levoscoliosis in the thoracic region and you cannot prescribe it to someone who has kidney disease and you should not keep prescribing it to someone who is having seizures because of it. Buprenorphine lowers the seizure level more than any other opiate and it can cause seizures. It is causing them and me and that's why my doctor is fired. Good luck to all of you and I hope that all your needs are met eventually.

Was this helpful? 0
9

NO! you will have to stop suboxone PERIOD!

Was this helpful? 1
10

When you jumped off what mg were u at and how bad was the withdrawal? Thank I in advance. I've been taking morphine 60 mg- 120mg a day (not prescribed) for 3 months and would like to stop! So I'm very curious

Was this helpful? 1
11

Yes, you are extremely lucky to have that Dr. In my case I have been in Utah for about 8/2 years and I have fired four of them already. The sad part is if you call them up or get your records from them they will list that they fired you that there was something wrong with your UA that you had a drug or something in it that should not have been there. I had to get forms in the way of PDF and fill them out and turn them in to have these misstatements removed from my permanent medical records. I have for ulcers which are not bacterial. My body just creates them. I cannot take Any nsaids or anti-inflammatories at all. . And they would not be strong enough anyways due to its wrong with me. In my area of the doctors are always trying to push something that's more holistic. Yes I started out holistically back in 94, and over time obviously things got extremely worse and those things no longer worked for me. The doctor that I just left, wanted me to use basically a patch on my back that had menthol and Caspian. Wow that would have been fabulous if my problem was not the fact that my spinal cord is literally falling apart and looks like a spinal cord of an 80 year old woman. There is extreme extreme damage and pain throughout. The patch you wanted me to use would basically calm down a muscle in that area and take away inflammation. That's not my problem and did he not think I started doing that back in 95?? Also all they wanted to do was back injections and I know there's a limit to those per year. Not only that I had 17 of them already and not a single one of them worked. I actually had them done through different positions because I moved and each one claim that they did it better or they did it differently and it would work. None of them did anything. What's really sad is my new MRI that was done just on my L vertebraes notes that every single disc between my vertebrate has had a 50% loss of height and is completely bulging. The vertebrate's are literally twisted the facet joints are damaged and the MRI report noted that all nerve roots are being pinched. The spinal canal has narrowed and the marrow has changed and is compressing my vascular system and all these nerves obviously. These were my best vertebraes; wait till the other MRI turns up. But I had one done 3 years ago and the technician wrote unremarkable. Yes this did not happen overnight people and I also have levi scoliosis which is a curve to the left on my spine you can actually run your fingers down the bump on my back. You can see the collar bones are two different heights the rib cage on the left is 30% bigger. So I really don't understand in MRI 3 years ago that I had done at a different place. Saying my back was unremarkable?? I actually have a vertebrae that's completely pressing into my spinal column. And yes there is extreme arthritis in the spinal column and all the other things that go with it! I have the current MRI done at a different imaging center and they were so specific, they even noticed that there was something in the upper lobe of my kidney that is 3.9 centimeters by 3.0 centimeters. I personally know that's a kidney stone. But I'm going to need help passing that one! Currently I am looking for a new doctor in my area and I'm just afraid I'm going to run into more of a roadblock. Utah believes that they have the highest prescription pill abuse out of any other state in the Union. They claim they cannot prescribe anything due to DEA regulations or pressure they receive from the Medical Board . Well that's simply not true. I did file complaints and reports as to how I've been treated with the Medical Board. Unfortunately they are so backlogged it will take them awhile to get to them and get back to me. But like I said you are extremely lucky to have found a doctor that works completely with you. However if you were not on the dilaudid with the subs, I don't know if you would be able to add a classic opiate with the subs. Dilaudid is pretty strong so it probably overrides it. When I had a grand mal seizure due to the subs, I had to be hospitalized for 3 days and they didn't want me to take them and they gave me shots of morphine so I could get pain relief to override what was still in my system. That's why I don't take it anymore, the grand mal seizure was a side effect and after that I continue to have 6 to 7 mild seizures a week. The doctor who prescribed it, refused to take me off it. He knew I did not have addiction issues. I don't smoke and I don't drink. At all ever. The only problem I have is I am totally OCD. Very controlling I like everything to be just so and even at that I recognize that within myself. I'm also not impulsive. I tend to be very analytical. Which worked really well for me when I received my Bachelor of Science in computer technology and I went back and got a Masters. People with analytical logical issues that tend to go into the science field, usually don't like the side effects of opiates. But addiction can attack anybody. I just wish that the medical society would deem addiction as an actual mental disorder and treat addicts not only with buprenorphine to get them stable. Because I believe it safe short term. But I think they need more than just a group meeting, they actually deserve psychological counseling. Watching Mayberry RFD last week, they have the character otto who is the town drunk who comes in at night so he can sleep in this cell and everybody laughed it was funny funny funny. It's not funny! I was married to an abusive alcoholic for 12 years and I will tell you its been 24 years and he is drinking more than ever and now he is mixing painkillers with it. I wish I could have stayed with him but like I said it was a dangerous situation for the kids and myself. I had to cut him free. So I personally know what it is like to love someone and live with someone who has an addiction. How painful it is to have to let them go. I am glad you are using the dilaudid with the other drug, because frankly the other drug did nothing for my chronic pain.

Was this helpful? 0
12

That is what I would like to know!! Have been on Suboxones for 3 years and just recently found out I have Hep C!! So now what?? Are they going to cut me off?? I'm scared to death, and not because of the Hep C , because I might not be able to receive anymore meds for help with my addiction!! Please there has to be a way!!

Was this helpful? 0
13

I was in pain management for 15 years i have distimic n disticular luous. Sarcoudosis, bone diske degenitive disease along with sooo many more illnesses. I stopped pain management cuz i have cancer in stomach n brain nothing they can do plus my pain doc was pressuring me into inj's. 3 times a month physical therapy twice a week for god knows how long n he wanted to operate n put permanent pain pump but my infectious disease doc wouldnt sign off so my pain management doc was pissed and took me off pain meds inbetween running out n next pain man i was able to get n was over a month gab didn't wanna do the bs all over n go through withdraw symptoms waiting so my family doc of 13 years also is suboxone doc i figured hey y not try it. So i got put on 2 8mg strips a day since june i have 3 types of neurophathy which is beyond any pain ive ever delt with n thats saying something 4 major back surgeries so many other surgeries 6 times ive had shingles n im 39 i wanna ask my suboxone doc bei gs i just got diagnosed with this neuropathy will he raise me one more 8mg strip ler day my sister was on two n they raised hers 1 more a day and she was getting them for crack addict. Can anyone tell me if they know how to ask n if any body had. Thanks

Was this helpful? 0
14

There are a cure for hep c now only 12 weeks of meds with the only side effect being sunburn if you get in the sun u will blister bad and quick

Was this helpful? 1
15

Hi. Suboxone does work. It is a painkiller. It has Nalexone sp? (Narcan in it)I have heard horror stories about either people trying to get off the methadone clinic and withdrawal immediately preceding the first dose of suboxone. I don't understand WHY they give pregnant women subutex. If they can be on Methadone, wouldn't for pain or for addiction to opiates, why is is so difficult to get a painkiller...)Subutex) for people with a terrible quality of life whether or not they got it from sports, the war, or addiction? I just don't understand.

Was this helpful? 0
16

Unless its something really bad, I think you will be OK...I have only recently 3/4 months ago cleared the Hep C virus with a six month Harvoni program, the virus is gone but i have chirrosis and possible Hepato cellular carcinoma, the results of these tests im slighly in fear of....however i had the c virus since the 90's or so and i dont think the suboxone was involved in any of that....my GP is a fearless crusader in these treatments and she assured me that suboxone would not seriosly affect a regular liver...who really can be sure, i was never an alcoholic, only drug issues...i hope my experiences have or can help you decide what is best for you? Discuss it heavily as you need to with your Dr....wish you the best in your endeavours....ap......

Was this helpful? 2
17

Should i get off the subx because of my Hep C ? I don't want to damage my liver Anymore than i have to... Im scared. Please someone be honest with me.

Was this helpful? 0
18

Rachel
Honestly ANY medications especially those known to be harsh on hepatic system is certainly not going to aid your condition.You will probably receive a hundred different opinions on here but something as medically complicated like this should only be discussed with a skilled medical professional that specializes in diseases of the liver.Most opiate assisted meds have shown a tendency to be cause toxicity issues with the liver in SOME susceptible individuals so yes you should be concerned enough to seek medical consultation sooner rather then latter. All the best to you. Kenie....

Was this helpful? 2
19

Thanks ap... I have changed my life...my entire circle...im engaged to a pastor and have been born again. I only take 2 strips a day 4mg total.... My goal is to taper off by nov 2017...i have hope and faith that God will give me the strength to come off. Thanks so much for ur reply.

Was this helpful? 2
20

Hey I don't know if you'll see this but if you do please get back to me imidiatly.

Was this helpful? 0
Page:1Last Page

Most Recent Replies:

28

Re: Verwon (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

WOW!! I have a question now. So being on Suboxone can make you susceptible to Hep C?!? I’ve been on Suboxone for severe, chronic migraines a little over 3 years & it’s got me concerned.

Was this helpful? 0
27

Re: michelle (# 4) Expand Referenced Message

I've had 3 major back surgeries and Subutex or suboxone was never prescribed for pain and has never worked for pain. But helps a 100% for WDs and to get clean off opiates. It's a great medication if used correctly. I try not to stay on it no more than 10 days. Remember one physical addiction leads to another.

Was this helpful? 0
26

Re: Jeri (# 12) Expand Referenced Message

You are not gonna get cut off. They probably already know you have hip c .stop worrying

Was this helpful? 0
25

Re: Jeri (# 12) Expand Referenced Message

I ws put on the subutex instead,inform your dr.if he dnt listen take your blood test in then he will.

Was this helpful? 0
24

Re: Tippy (# 13) Expand Referenced Message

How long have you been taking the two? Because if you just started say in last few months, I don;t think it will be a problem

Was this helpful? 0
23

No need to switch medication. I know many ppl w hep c and stay on suboxine . Subutex is for pregnant woman. Zubloft is commonly mistaken with subutex.

Was this helpful? 0
22

There is only if your hep c is bad enough then your insurance will pay for it but if it's not bad enough and you can afford the treatment then you have to wait for it to get bad.....

Was this helpful? 0
21

I know this is old, but wow. YOU took Subs for 7 years and you are going to judge someone else who takes it as well? Some people have zero empathy and I'm glad you aren't a doctor.

Was this helpful? 1
Sort Thread by Most Recent

More Discussions:

Taking suboxone while pregnant

I started taking suboxone in early June. 8mg/2mg strips. 1 1/2 a day. I didn't find out I was pregnant till around 1...

2 REPLIES
taking suboxone while drinking everyday detox tea

If I take suboxone can I drink everyday detox teas? It says it's suppose to be healthy for the liver and I wanted to...

1 REPLY
Taking Suboxone Film while pregnant

I'v been on Suboxone Film,8mg,for a year. Before switching to film,I was taking subutex tablets,8 mg, 3 years.Every ...

7 REPLIES
getting pregnant while taking suboxone

can taking suboxone stop you from getting pregnant and how dangerous is it to get pregnant while taking suboxone? ## Hel...

3 REPLIES
can kissing cause someone to show positive for suboxone

I kiss my wife many times daily. Suddenly my dr said i had suboxone in my urine. How? By kissing? ## I showed positive f...

14 REPLIES
Been taking Suboxone for 2 weeks, and smashed my toe!

I'm in A LOT of pain. I smashed my toe this morning...the subs, which I've been on for 2 weeks to get of 35 mgs ...

1 REPLY
Taking Talwin for pain wile on Suboxone

I have been on suboxone for 2 years now for opioid dependency . Yesterday I saw an oral surgeon who pulled my bottom tee...

2 REPLIES
I Am Currently Taking Suboxone For Pain Is Their Something As Strong

i have spinal stenosis.pelvic anflamatory,mytrovalve prelaspe,epilepsy.bulging disc and herniated disc gallbladder surge...

1 REPLY
How long to wait before taking suboxone after metadone

took methadone for 11 days start at 40 milligrams went down to 20 stopped two days ago and started vicodin now I want to...

4 REPLIES
My Husband Has Been Taking Suboxone For About Three Weeks And In The Last Week He Developed Stomache Flu Symptons Is Having Trouble Keeping Foo

my husband has been taking suboxone for about three weeks and in the last week he has had stomache flu symptons, such as...

3 REPLIES