Subutex or Suboxone for pain?

[Diandra]

Has anyone used either of these two drugs for pain? I know they are used for getting off of opiates but, a therapist I spoke with said they could be used for pain control. I had never heard of this before.
Thanks, Diandra

[Tbackpain1]

Hey Diandra,

I just wanted to chime in here. My very close friend who is the same age as me (29 y/o) is being treated for multiple spinal issues (C and L spine + moderate scoliosis) with Suboxone after trying multiple other medications and having failure to control her pain well. She has been on Suboxone for 2 years now I believe and just gave birth to her first child (full term healthy baby girl), and she was able to resume working full time within 2 months of starting Suboxone. She see's a specifically liscensed practicioner here in NY who prescribes Suboxone, since its highly regulated. The prescribing rules are pretty strict with this drug, so you may have to search for a physican who can take you on as a patient, as the number of patients per doctor is limited to 100 patients on suboxone, and the doc's have to be specially liscensed.

Suboxone is a combination medication, containing buprenorphine and nalaxone. Its a partial opioid agonist and antagonist, so it can cause problems if you were to take other opioids at the same time; they won't work and you could feel very poorly, so you would have to find a non-opioid alternative to manage any breakthrough type pain.

I would thoroughly discuss all other options with your pain management physican before making any decisions. Your therapist can make suggestions, but is he/she suggesting it because of a concern for addiction, or because you need better pain control? For my friend, her choice to go to Suboxone had been a long, thought out process, ruling out all other choices before taking the plunge. Her doc is hoping that transdermal preparations become available in the US, but I don't know if that will be happening any time soon, as the FDA process can take quite some time, even though its been available in Europe for 7 years now.

Theresa

[Diandra]

Hi Theresa,
Thank you for telling me your friends story. The therapist, upon hearing my 7+ yr odyssey with pain meds, suggested it for pain control. I don't know if the regulations are different in CT but she said there is a psychiatrist in her medical group who will script it as long as my pain mgmt doc agrees. I did the oxycontin route and had to keep increasing the dose too rapidly, did mscontin - no dice, fentanyl patch - allergic, a boat load of short acting...currently on 1 1/2 - 10/325mg norco ever 4 hrs, lyrica, soma and lidoderm patches and this is just not doing the trick anymore. Plus, don't know if others feel it, but when you beat your liver up a bit with prescription drugs, it makes you feel rather ill and that is where I am right now.

My only concern is, if I end up in an ER while taking this drug, the staff immediately assumes you are using it for addiction and you get treated that way. I know a friend of mine who went to an ER while on methadone for pain and they treated her like a drug seeking crack *****...it was awful.

I thought I was rather educated on pain meds and was surprised I had never heard of this. Your friend's success story is very encouraging. Really wonderful she was able to return to work and have a child...that is rather miraculous.

It will be interesting to hear what my pain mgmt. doc has to say.

I really appreciate the input Theresa.
Diandra

[GardeniaGirl]

I have had two different docs mention this drug to me - a pain management doc and my rheumatologist.

I haven't pursued it yet, but I should ask them more about it next time I go in.

I rarely see it discussed anywhere as a pain med option.....

maybe others will chime in .

[Mark N]

Theresa, thanks for the info and the experience of your friend.

Diandra, I hope if you go this route you have the same success that Theresa's friend experienced.

GG, good luck, I hope you get the info you need and find something that helps you have better pain control.

[Nana4&cntn]

Diandra,

I took Naloxone a long time ago for back pain, and can't remember why I was taken off of it. Probably due to another surgery. I did have decent pain relief from it.

Naloxone is a component in one of the meds you meds you listed. I hope this helps and I know it is vague, but it has been well over 8 years ago.

Take care,
Kathy

[cemeteryman]

Hello - just wanting to add my two cents worth. I've been using Buprenex injections for over ten years. My Dr. lets me have these at home to use at my convenience. I've had headaches and eye pain all my life and would not be able to work if not for these injections. You can PM me if you want more info.