Suboxone And Chronic Pain (Top voted first)

Updated

Im in an addiction treatment program and I'm taking two 8/2 mg strips a day. I've been a slave to opiates for approximately 25 years. I've reached the point of being fed up with being dependent on pain pills to function. my addiction dr suggested trying to find a pain management dr who would treat my chronic pain with suboxone. It does alleviate my pain ...or might I say ..makes me functional and the pain tolerable. is this an actual option? I've done research on this and have gotten mixed reviews on the subject. I trust this site and follow it daily so I'm asking for some information and suggestions. I function better on suboxone than on oxycodone dilaudid or morphine (I've been prescribed them all plus some others) give me some feedback. What should I do or is this even an option?

33 Replies (2 Pages)

Page:1Last Page
Earliest Newest Votes
3

James, if you are being treated for opaite addiction, you may not be able to find a dr that will treat your pain. When a patient has a history of being addicted to opaites, very few, if any, drs will treat them for pain because of their addiction problems. If your addiction medicine dr recommended you find a dr to manage you pain, he should know drs that will take patients with your history. If he doesn't, then he more than likely isn't aware of the problems that pain patients have trying to find a dr to manage their pain when they are addicts.

Was this helpful? 5
5

Hey man I'm in your same boat, but finally I have found a Dr in my area, takes my insurance and all he does is pain management! However he is also licensed to prescribe Suboxone! Right now he has me taking 75mg lyrica 3x and 3 8/2mg Suboxone film for my pain. He is also usually ok with another Dr prescribing benzos.
Hes the best Dr I've ever been seen by!!

Was this helpful? 4
16

Good luck to you too James. It's really a shame that we have to live with this monkey on our back plus being judged by Dr.s, pharmacist, & everyone else who have never had to deal with daily chronic pain. I wish I'd have never taken an opiate after both neck surgeries but that's in the past. The pm doctor I'm seeing now is telling me I need surgery bad but has cut my meds from 210mg a day of methadone & 2400mcg of actiq (fentanyl lolipops) down to 80mg a day of methadone & 600 much of actiq after only two visits. It's been tough. I think the CDC should let the Drs do their job and stay out of it. I understand there have been a high amount of overdoses in the past 10 yrs but that's no reason to make people like us suffer. Good luck brother.

Was this helpful? 4
10

Suboxone for me didn't take major pain away but it did help minor aches and pains and was definitely a crutch to e e to push through It and get through the day. I didn't crave opiates which was the reason I was on them. I had a very hard time coming off suboxone. I still struggle with a suboxone addiction which I am not prescribed anymore. Suboxone can be a miracle to save your life but at the same time it can be a nightmare. I wish everybody the best of luck with there suboxone treatment.

Was this helpful? 3
11

Jason,

That's an excellent post Thankyou for your honesty.So often patients refer to this as either a miracle or a devil drug . Not unlike methadone maintenance . For those suffering a debilitating life long addiction to powerful opiates/opiods both can be useful tools in conquering the everyday challenges that once seemed insurmountable at best.God bless everyone struggling with issues of pain,dependence and or addiction.

Was this helpful? 3
7

Mike, a dr does not have to have a special license to prescribe suboxone, IF it is for the treatment of pain. If it is for the treatment of drug addiction, the dr has to have a special license.

Was this helpful? 2
12

As of right now im still in my suboxone recovery program and am doing well making life changes and improving my lifestyle. Suboxone does help with my chronic pain before it was hard to tell if I hurt because I didn't have pills or enough pills or because of my health I now have differentiated between the two my nurse and counselors have all been monitoring my pain relief and my recovery progress . I have came to accept that if I have no choice I will remain on suboxone indefinitely I will have to deal with chronic pain for the rest of my life im just not sure how to handle this ...be a slave to a substance I (for the time being) can control or take my chances I know in my soul I cannot handle opiates but so far ..the last 14 months I have been in control of this ant suggestions. Are their any other options out there

Was this helpful? 2
14

Brett
Thanks, I to tried methadone years ago when I first made the decision to try to get off opiates, I to went to a very high dose 190 mgs and it was horrid to taper down. I wish you luck. It actually worked for both my addiction and pain , but the stigma was twice that of Suboxone in my area. I quickly returned to my pain management clinic. Which increased my tolerance ten fold. My consumption of pain pills trippled. I kind of regret leaving that program, although it was hard to function daily while having to make frequent daily trips to my Dr for my meds. Having to deal with addiction and chronic pain is a double edged sword, I wish you luck and I'm hoping medical advances of today will bring those like us relief soon thanks for your reply and info

Was this helpful? 2
1

Hello, James! How are you?

Yes, that is an option and has worked well for some people, though some don't get pain relief from Suboxone. However, since it contains the Naloxone, so you can't abuse other opiates, while taking it, doctors can be a bit more willing to prescribe it.

It may also help, if your current prescriber gives you a recommendation.

The FDA classifies Suboxone as an opiate, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Does anyone else have any ideas of advice?

Was this helpful? 2
2

Thank you my provider is the one who suggested it per my health condition .that I will have to deal with some type of pain meds probably for the rest of my life do you know of any negative effects it would have on my body ?

Was this helpful? 1
4

Thanks for the info ..I my self made the descision to stop going to the pain clinic I do know the stigma of using suboxone and also the stigma of being prescribed opiates especially the larger ones it seems only the pain management dr, s understand ..I say what about us ..the patient
.thats my question ive been prescribed opiates since I was 15 years old till recently my tolerable is unbelievable .I knew that going to a dependence clinic would prevent me from entering another pain clinic ....at least a ligit one.... but this is so tiring being chemically dependant on medication to survive so I weighed my option ..kill my liver kidneys ...ect risk possible legal repercussions or try this I really dont want to be dependent on suboxone but honestly it feels better to not run out of medicine 10 - 15 days early be withdrawing and searching for relief so far its been a god send im just worried he wont follow through with helping me locate a dr willing to treat me with it like he said or that he will release me to someone else with this perceived idea and it not happen ....im just taking it day by day

Was this helpful? 1
6

Thank you all ive seen all kinds on here with some crazy questions like when can I use after taking my suboxone or "my dr gives me suboxone and Percocet " idk bout that but otherwise I get awesom info and am very appreciative thanks all god bless and btw im doing great so far

Was this helpful? 1
9

In Florida, only pain management/addiction treatment facilities can prescribe suboxone. My PCP can prescribe methadone but not suboxone. It's really messed up here.

Was this helpful? 1
18

Haha! Just read that and said same thing!! Umm what?! That makes no sense BL! Some advice is great! Others not so much lol.

Was this helpful? 1
20

I can only give my experience and information as given by my physician, but I've been in a clinic for 3 years and am weaned in a very slow fashion. I have chronic pain as well and my dr warns that prolonged suboxone therapy will cause increased pain. It makes people more sensitive to pain. I would guess that one would have to be continually increased in dose as any other opiates. The scary part is you are very limited on your choices for break through pain as well because very few opiates are going to overcome suboxone and trying to do so is dangerous. Not to mention when you try to come off of suboxone, it is the worst and longest withdrawal I've ever had. I have personal experience in this. I'm only assuming it's the very long half life that extends the detox. It starts later (as in day 5 after quitting) and goes on for about 2 weeks. That's just me though. There are many non-opiate choices which I know you are aware. So many more are coming out all the time. Best of luck to you.

Was this helpful? 1
22

I was on 120 mg a day of oxycodone. Towards the end it didn't help with the pain Anymore and I became addidicted to them. I am now on subs. My heads is much cleaner and the pain has decreased. I would suggest not to start on med new except Subs.

Was this helpful? 1
24

James:
I was in the same situation you are in. I was taking 120 oxycodone for the last 6 years.
I was fed up with the pain and addiction.
I started Subs 3 weeks ago.
I have to say my pain is controlled.
Still trying to figure out the correct dosage.
I'm a little scared about getting addicted to the subs but I had to start somewhere.
Good luck

Was this helpful? 1
28

I just had my doctor switch me from my 10 mg. OXY 6x a day to Suboxone. I am not afraid of the stigma. She diagnosed me as opioid dependent and having chronic pain and was able to get it through. The Suboxone is working great for my chronic pain and I only have to take it twice a day. Good luck!

Was this helpful? 1
8

Great info bl
.thats very good to know that makes sense thanks buddy

Was this helpful? 0
13

Whatever makes your quality of life tolerable. I'm in the same situation with methadone. My pain management Dr retired and now I can't find a Dr in Mississippi or Louisiana to prescribe me the amount (210 mg) a day at which over a 15 year of usage is no fun tapering off of. New Dr said 20mg is max amount CDC will allow him to prescribe. Good luck

Was this helpful? 0
Page:1Last Page

More Discussions:

Suboxone: Chronic pain / taper?

I was on 80mg of oxycontin 3 times a day and it was no longer helping after taking it for many, many, many years. I swit...

3 REPLIES
Suboxone laws in Alabama. Chronic pain

I have been prescribed Suboxone for 6+ years after choosing to come off traditional opioid pain medications for chronic ...

Salem Doctor Suboxone Chronic Pain

I am trying to find a doctor in Salem, Oregon who will do a pain contract for pain management for multiple sclerosis, fi...

1 REPLY
Suboxone vs Strong Opiate For Chronic Pain

I broke my leg 2 years ago and now have a heel spur, arthritis on the top of my foot and a pinched nerve aka CRPS (Chron...

4 REPLIES
suboxone no longer working for chronic pain

I was put on suboxone almost a year ago because a new pain doctor told me if I didn't switch to it then he couldn...

1 REPLY
Maximum dose of Suboxone/Subutex & chronic pain

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

540 REPLIES
will taking suboxone tell my doctors if my chronic pain is still there

Was taking 6-8 Lortab's a day with Fetanyl patch every 72 hours. Doctors need to know if my spine pain is still pres...

5 REPLIES
Butrans 10 with 3 8mg Suboxone to 20mg Methadone for chronic pain

Butrans with suboxone to methadone for chronic pain, from pain management doctor. I feel terrible, no energy, anxiety, p...

10 REPLIES
Suboxone and Pain medications

For the past 4 days except for today I have been taking 8mg of suboxone, today I took 3-7.5 mg of Vicodin to no effect I...

1 REPLY
pain and redness from suboxone injection site

I have this weird red and grey spots on my foot and extreme pain throughout my foot as well from a subutex injection. It...

1 REPLY