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Anyone that can help me - Suboxone for pain?
Hello - I'm brand new to this website and forum, but have been researching extensively online with regards to pain management and, in particular, Suboxone treatment for chronic pain. I have been suffering from chronic pain (daily) for over 4 years now, and have been taking opiates as prescribed. However, over the past two years, due to a few stress fractures and aggravated arthritis, I my pain has become so bad that I cannot seem to find relief and I refuse to continue upping my dose of Oxycontin. I have begun tapering down my dose over the past month, but as soon as I have a "bad pain day" I sometimes have no choice but to up the dose again and it completely ruins my taper. My new pain management doctor, as well as my PCP are both highly encouraging me to "try the Suboxone" - "you will feel 100x better", they say. Well, I've read NOTHING but horror stories about the dextox from Suboxone and how hellish it is. When I brought this to my Pain Mgmt. Dr.'s attention, told her my fears & concerns, she said, "That's because they didn't taper under proper supervision." I believe they're both very good people and are trying to help me, however, I am having a hard time accepting that I may be in pain for the rest of my life, and this drug seems to be my only hope. I really do not want to take it as I know that it is just another opiate and how will I ever come off of it? I'm only 40 years old. I have a 12 year old daughter that needs her mommy to be functional, happy, and healthy. I can't function as I am currently, but how will I ever be myself again on a drug that seems apparently impossible to come off of?? Please, if ANYONE, physician or pain patient, can steer me in a good direction here, I'm open to any and all advice. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I sincerely appreciate it!
You're right Jemma. Thanks :0) The list is long.
Lyrica, Tegretol, Gabapentin and other anti-seizure medications often are used to help treat and control the type of pain caused by damaged or irritated nerves.
~Tuck
Lyrica, Tegretol, Gabapentin and other anti-seizure medications often are used to help treat and control the type of pain caused by damaged or irritated nerves.
~Tuck
Quite a few Tuck.
Victoza is one. This was initially for weight loss, but was found to help some people control their diabetes. How do I know this? My husband was prescribed it.
Cymbalta (Duloxatine) and Amitriptyline are antidepressants, but are prescribed for referred pain and pain due to nerve damage.
There are many.
Victoza is one. This was initially for weight loss, but was found to help some people control their diabetes. How do I know this? My husband was prescribed it.
Cymbalta (Duloxatine) and Amitriptyline are antidepressants, but are prescribed for referred pain and pain due to nerve damage.
There are many.
You may find checking out the web link below very informative. Please do check it out, if you have not already seen it.
http://opiatekick.com/can-you-use-suboxone-for-chronic-pain/
Best wishes.
http://opiatekick.com/can-you-use-suboxone-for-chronic-pain/
Best wishes.
FYI - the term is "off label" when they use a drug for another purpose than it was intended (or developed) to be used. Suboxone was developed to treat addicts but is now (also) being used in pain management.
More drugs than you can imagine were developed for one condition or symptom and that drug was found to be effective in treating other diseases or symptoms.
This is a test. Name another drug that where the term "Off Label" applies.
:0) Just Tuck
More drugs than you can imagine were developed for one condition or symptom and that drug was found to be effective in treating other diseases or symptoms.
This is a test. Name another drug that where the term "Off Label" applies.
:0) Just Tuck
You're right my friend- Suboxone was not intended for PM. Over the last 5-6 years more and more PMP are using it to treat pain. It has little to do with addiction in those instances. It's actual a "safe" and more comfortable drug for a physician to RX. It almost guarantees a patient is not going to abuse opiates.
If I remember correctly a physician needs additional training (over and above the pain management education) to prescribe it. It's difficult to locate those physicians.
~Tuck
If I remember correctly a physician needs additional training (over and above the pain management education) to prescribe it. It's difficult to locate those physicians.
~Tuck
Hello fellow Floridian. Welcome to our Pain Management Community. I'm glad you found us and took the time to share your concerns. I'm sorry to heart about your chronic pain and the issues it brings you - and I'm sorry I'm a bit tardy to your post.
I'm going out on a limb here. I think when you say "detox" your concern is what happens if - or when - you want to or have to change from Suboxone back to another opiate - or goodness forbid you lose pain management? The detox from Suboxone, even to another opiate can be very difficult. Is that where your head is at? It's where mine would be.
I'm also think you mean that your PMPs what to treat your pain with Suboxone and not use it to "wean" you off OxyContin. Is that correct? I've read a lot about the medication and it's use in Pain Management. What I surmised is it can be effective for some ppl.
Let me say that you are very fortunate to have PMPs that you trust and that care about you. That's especially true in this climate and more so in this state. PM can be brutal!
I've heard many concerns from ppl that were on Suboxone for PM. When they moved or lost their PMP they were unable to find anyone that would order it for them. Some had to enroll in state programs for addicts to obtain the Suboxone - they were far from addicts.
You have to do what you think is best for you - regardless of what your PMP believes. If you are uncomfortable with the change tell them that. You don't always have to have a good reason - if it feels wrong, it feels wrong. Personally I would avoid Suboxone like the plague - but I'm not you.
Again, if you "lose" your PMPs, if they leave the area or you do - you'll be hard pressed to find a PMP that will prescribe Suboxone for you. None of us know what tomorrow may bring.
The same is true for this decision, none of us can make it for you. I don't want you to be pressured into something you really don't want to do. Maybe you could say no for now - and agree to reconsider it in a year.
I hope you'll share with us your decision - and how that decision turns out for you. We learn from one another. I also hope you'll be active in our community. We welcome new ideas, information and support.
Take good care - and please keep in touch.
Peace,
~Tuck
I'm going out on a limb here. I think when you say "detox" your concern is what happens if - or when - you want to or have to change from Suboxone back to another opiate - or goodness forbid you lose pain management? The detox from Suboxone, even to another opiate can be very difficult. Is that where your head is at? It's where mine would be.
I'm also think you mean that your PMPs what to treat your pain with Suboxone and not use it to "wean" you off OxyContin. Is that correct? I've read a lot about the medication and it's use in Pain Management. What I surmised is it can be effective for some ppl.
Let me say that you are very fortunate to have PMPs that you trust and that care about you. That's especially true in this climate and more so in this state. PM can be brutal!
I've heard many concerns from ppl that were on Suboxone for PM. When they moved or lost their PMP they were unable to find anyone that would order it for them. Some had to enroll in state programs for addicts to obtain the Suboxone - they were far from addicts.
You have to do what you think is best for you - regardless of what your PMP believes. If you are uncomfortable with the change tell them that. You don't always have to have a good reason - if it feels wrong, it feels wrong. Personally I would avoid Suboxone like the plague - but I'm not you.
Again, if you "lose" your PMPs, if they leave the area or you do - you'll be hard pressed to find a PMP that will prescribe Suboxone for you. None of us know what tomorrow may bring.
The same is true for this decision, none of us can make it for you. I don't want you to be pressured into something you really don't want to do. Maybe you could say no for now - and agree to reconsider it in a year.
I hope you'll share with us your decision - and how that decision turns out for you. We learn from one another. I also hope you'll be active in our community. We welcome new ideas, information and support.
Take good care - and please keep in touch.
Peace,
~Tuck
You're right, my friend. Buphrenorphine is a partial mu opioid agonist and peels off the MOR faster than morphine.
But with today's opiophobia, its being used with success for pain -- you can't abuse it or other opioids while taking it, because the naloxone part of the Suboxone prevents other opioids from working. Insidious pain drug -- effective, but disallows any other BT medication to work.
Bup is an effective pain medication -- 4x stronger than morphine (don't quote me on that number -- I'm too lazy to look it up this AM) which his why it is so effective.
Thanks for doing the research. This is the kind of thing all people in pain should be doing for themselves.
But with today's opiophobia, its being used with success for pain -- you can't abuse it or other opioids while taking it, because the naloxone part of the Suboxone prevents other opioids from working. Insidious pain drug -- effective, but disallows any other BT medication to work.
Bup is an effective pain medication -- 4x stronger than morphine (don't quote me on that number -- I'm too lazy to look it up this AM) which his why it is so effective.
Thanks for doing the research. This is the kind of thing all people in pain should be doing for themselves.
I have found a website that gives information on Suboxone. I have copied and pasted the link below:
http://www.drugs.com/suboxone.html
As you will probably already know this drug is used to reverse the effects of other narcotic (opiates) medicines and is used to treat opiate addiction.
What I find perplexing is that the medications you are taking are not helping with your pain management, the doctors have said that you will feel better with the Suboxone, yet according to the drug information, Suboxone is not for use as a pain medication.
With regard to the above, the Suboxone is being offered to you to help you wean off the opiates.
Talk to your pain management doctor about all your concerns with regard to taking this drug. As everyone is different, what does not suit one person, may in fact suit and help you. I do understand your concerns.
Perhaps you should also speak with your pain management doctor about relaxation exercises, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and TENS. You won't know what works for you until you try it.
The other thing I would like you to think about is infections.
It dawned on me last night that if you are experiencing lots of bone pain, this sometimes can be caused by an infection. Because we suffer from chronic pain every day, it is sometimes difficult to know whether the pain is due to other problems like infections.
I had been suffering with severe leg pains that were also red for a long time and was told it was referred pain from the osteophyte in my knee and my back problem. It was only when I got cellulitis in the thighs and was treated with a strong dose of penicillins, I noticed that the redness in the legs and the severe pain in the leg bones also subsided.
Do be aware that if you get any breaks in the skin, through scratches, bug bites for example, infection can enter into the deeper layers of the skin. Although the skin can get red with inflammation, it also goes red and hot with infections, you would also feel unwell and probably want to sleep a lot more.
Best of luck.
Let us know how you get on.
http://www.drugs.com/suboxone.html
As you will probably already know this drug is used to reverse the effects of other narcotic (opiates) medicines and is used to treat opiate addiction.
What I find perplexing is that the medications you are taking are not helping with your pain management, the doctors have said that you will feel better with the Suboxone, yet according to the drug information, Suboxone is not for use as a pain medication.
With regard to the above, the Suboxone is being offered to you to help you wean off the opiates.
Talk to your pain management doctor about all your concerns with regard to taking this drug. As everyone is different, what does not suit one person, may in fact suit and help you. I do understand your concerns.
Perhaps you should also speak with your pain management doctor about relaxation exercises, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and TENS. You won't know what works for you until you try it.
The other thing I would like you to think about is infections.
It dawned on me last night that if you are experiencing lots of bone pain, this sometimes can be caused by an infection. Because we suffer from chronic pain every day, it is sometimes difficult to know whether the pain is due to other problems like infections.
I had been suffering with severe leg pains that were also red for a long time and was told it was referred pain from the osteophyte in my knee and my back problem. It was only when I got cellulitis in the thighs and was treated with a strong dose of penicillins, I noticed that the redness in the legs and the severe pain in the leg bones also subsided.
Do be aware that if you get any breaks in the skin, through scratches, bug bites for example, infection can enter into the deeper layers of the skin. Although the skin can get red with inflammation, it also goes red and hot with infections, you would also feel unwell and probably want to sleep a lot more.
Best of luck.
Let us know how you get on.
Yes, I too am a bit confused with the word " dextox ".
Sorry to hear of your problems.
Have you been offered steroid injections into the most acute problem areas?
The downside is that they can spike up sugar levels temporarily. Not good if already have diabetes.
The rheumatologist referred me for physiotherapy as well as hydrotherapy.
The pain management specialist has tried me on different medications and I am allergic to the opiate and some of the other medications as well as anti-inflammatories. He is suggesting I try a low dose of morphine.
The other thing to try are analgesic creams that are rubbed into the problem areas. Relaxation therapy may help and learning how to pace your day with your daily chores so that you do not overdo things and get overtired.
A physiotherapist can give you specific gentle exercises to do so that you do not lose muscle tone and to strengthen your muscle core and other muscles. Exercises in the hydrotherapy pool are great as the water is very warm and a physiotherapist will give you specific exercises to do to work on your weak areas. With pain we don't want to move or do things and that can cause stiffness and loss of mobility.
I have also had a few acupuncture sessions. Unfortunately, it did not help much with my back problem, but helped to relieve the referred pains in my legs. It is worth trying. The pain management specialist referred me to have this at the hospital.
There are also TENS machines available for purchase and you may find this helpful. You can buy the ones that have 2 or 4 pads that are sticky and you put these on specific areas of your body and you are in control to how strong you want to feel or not feel the different pulsations.
The TENS and the acupuncture work on stopping the pain messages being transmitted to the brain.
When I experience acute pains, I find a heat pack works for me.
I have a condition called DISH with severe degeneration the length of the whole spine with osteophytes on both sides of each vertebrae with osteoarthritis in all other joints and one of my knees is worse than the other one with an osteophyte.
For the last few months I have also suffered from acute pain in the right shoulder rotator cuff due to a torn tendon due to a bad fall. It is unclear at this time if I will need to have surgery to repair it.
Hope you find something that will work to keep your pains to a minimum.
Don't forget to have a healthy and well balanced diet and have plenty of rests - I find I am much worse if I am overtired, which is most days due to not being to sleep.
Best of luck.
Sorry to hear of your problems.
Have you been offered steroid injections into the most acute problem areas?
The downside is that they can spike up sugar levels temporarily. Not good if already have diabetes.
The rheumatologist referred me for physiotherapy as well as hydrotherapy.
The pain management specialist has tried me on different medications and I am allergic to the opiate and some of the other medications as well as anti-inflammatories. He is suggesting I try a low dose of morphine.
The other thing to try are analgesic creams that are rubbed into the problem areas. Relaxation therapy may help and learning how to pace your day with your daily chores so that you do not overdo things and get overtired.
A physiotherapist can give you specific gentle exercises to do so that you do not lose muscle tone and to strengthen your muscle core and other muscles. Exercises in the hydrotherapy pool are great as the water is very warm and a physiotherapist will give you specific exercises to do to work on your weak areas. With pain we don't want to move or do things and that can cause stiffness and loss of mobility.
I have also had a few acupuncture sessions. Unfortunately, it did not help much with my back problem, but helped to relieve the referred pains in my legs. It is worth trying. The pain management specialist referred me to have this at the hospital.
There are also TENS machines available for purchase and you may find this helpful. You can buy the ones that have 2 or 4 pads that are sticky and you put these on specific areas of your body and you are in control to how strong you want to feel or not feel the different pulsations.
The TENS and the acupuncture work on stopping the pain messages being transmitted to the brain.
When I experience acute pains, I find a heat pack works for me.
I have a condition called DISH with severe degeneration the length of the whole spine with osteophytes on both sides of each vertebrae with osteoarthritis in all other joints and one of my knees is worse than the other one with an osteophyte.
For the last few months I have also suffered from acute pain in the right shoulder rotator cuff due to a torn tendon due to a bad fall. It is unclear at this time if I will need to have surgery to repair it.
Hope you find something that will work to keep your pains to a minimum.
Don't forget to have a healthy and well balanced diet and have plenty of rests - I find I am much worse if I am overtired, which is most days due to not being to sleep.
Best of luck.
Hello and welcome. I'm not sure what you're asking.
If you are rotating to Suboxone (buprenorphine), what is the talk about detox?
So please be clear -- are you rotating to bup to detox, or for pain control?
If you are rotating to Suboxone (buprenorphine), what is the talk about detox?
So please be clear -- are you rotating to bup to detox, or for pain control?
Sorry it posted too soon. LOL!
You, ALSO, can come on MH and vent ANYTIME! We are GREAT listeners and we like to sound off too! :)
I hope I've been of some help to you and I look forward to hearing from you and all of your updates.
Again, welcome to MH! ........... SHERRY :)
You, ALSO, can come on MH and vent ANYTIME! We are GREAT listeners and we like to sound off too! :)
I hope I've been of some help to you and I look forward to hearing from you and all of your updates.
Again, welcome to MH! ........... SHERRY :)
Before anything else, I want you to know how glad we are that you have found and joined our PM (Pain Management) Forum.
I'm so very sad to hear of your multiple pain problems. It's hard enough when you are older but to try taking care of your family and your beautiful 12 yr old daughter, it's no surprise how worried you are of what to do next.
The really important thing is for you to keep your horrific pain under control. I've had my arthritis for 41 yrs now and it only gets worse. You definitely need to try to keep your pain controlled so that you can function. :)
I've never used suboxone but understand that is a rough one to come off of. I'm on the Fentanyl patch, 75 mcg's every 2 day's and percocet 10/325 for the break-through pain. Now I went in to the Fentanyl knowing, full well, that it is one of the roughest to come off of, should I ever need to. However, I weighed that against the horrific pain I'm constantly in without it. Since going on it, back in 2010, I've managed to increase it (due to surgery) and then to decrease it (when I didn't need such of it) after surgery with perfect ease because of my Dr.'s knowledge on the proper way of doing it.
If you like your Dr.'s and trust them, as I do mine, then you should be able to handle any and all pain problems with their help. :)
You sound like such a lovely and caring Mom and Lady and my heart breaks for you that you are having to face all of these difficult decisions.
Would you mind sharing with us the type of arthritis you have and where it is in your body? I have Osteoarthritis thru out my entire body. I have severe DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) thru out my entire spine. Plus many bulging discs from my neck all the way down to the Lumbar region. I've.had the RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) done on all 6 of the areas in the Lumbar and that has taken away the pain there. HUGE relief. Now the majority of my pain is in the other areas of my spine, the cervical and the thoracic. I've had 3.hip implants on the left hip and will have my right hip replaced for the 1st time on Oct. 28th of this year. Unfortunately, my dear, you will be faced with many choices when it comes to your pain in the coming years. Your best friend will be your PM Dr.'s as they will help you make choices to fight this pain. The 1 thing you must always remember is that YOU have the right to accept OR turn down each medication they offer you. The same goes with the different procedures and shots that they may offer to you. You need to do your homework (your ALWAYS welcome to come here and ask for opinions and past experiences of all of our members as that is why we are here. We ALSO
I'm so very sad to hear of your multiple pain problems. It's hard enough when you are older but to try taking care of your family and your beautiful 12 yr old daughter, it's no surprise how worried you are of what to do next.
The really important thing is for you to keep your horrific pain under control. I've had my arthritis for 41 yrs now and it only gets worse. You definitely need to try to keep your pain controlled so that you can function. :)
I've never used suboxone but understand that is a rough one to come off of. I'm on the Fentanyl patch, 75 mcg's every 2 day's and percocet 10/325 for the break-through pain. Now I went in to the Fentanyl knowing, full well, that it is one of the roughest to come off of, should I ever need to. However, I weighed that against the horrific pain I'm constantly in without it. Since going on it, back in 2010, I've managed to increase it (due to surgery) and then to decrease it (when I didn't need such of it) after surgery with perfect ease because of my Dr.'s knowledge on the proper way of doing it.
If you like your Dr.'s and trust them, as I do mine, then you should be able to handle any and all pain problems with their help. :)
You sound like such a lovely and caring Mom and Lady and my heart breaks for you that you are having to face all of these difficult decisions.
Would you mind sharing with us the type of arthritis you have and where it is in your body? I have Osteoarthritis thru out my entire body. I have severe DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) thru out my entire spine. Plus many bulging discs from my neck all the way down to the Lumbar region. I've.had the RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) done on all 6 of the areas in the Lumbar and that has taken away the pain there. HUGE relief. Now the majority of my pain is in the other areas of my spine, the cervical and the thoracic. I've had 3.hip implants on the left hip and will have my right hip replaced for the 1st time on Oct. 28th of this year. Unfortunately, my dear, you will be faced with many choices when it comes to your pain in the coming years. Your best friend will be your PM Dr.'s as they will help you make choices to fight this pain. The 1 thing you must always remember is that YOU have the right to accept OR turn down each medication they offer you. The same goes with the different procedures and shots that they may offer to you. You need to do your homework (your ALWAYS welcome to come here and ask for opinions and past experiences of all of our members as that is why we are here. We ALSO
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