Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 2)

• Jay
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 23, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I cannot believe the 10 ratings on here. This drug is horrible for me. I've been taking oxycodone for 5 years and my doc is trying to get me to switch, as others have said, due to the opioid crisis. I'm not chasing a 'high', I am chasing a reduced pain life. My pain level was a 3 on oxycodone. Now my joint and nerve pain is at a 9, dare I say a 10. I hate to say a 10 but the pain level is back to the worst I've ever had. Not only that but I get extremely nauseous and get a BAD headache. I have to take Tylenol and Benadryl to sleep when I take it, and when I wake up I feel like I have a hangover - the side effects from this drug are worse than anything I had ever experienced on Oxycodone, and then added side effects from Benadryl compound it. This drug is just absolutely horrible and my body cannot tolerate it. Makes me think doctors are getting a kickback to prescribe it."

• Brent...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I suffer from severe arthritis of hips and knees and they need to be replaced. My doctor put me on Belbuca along with my other pain meds and I'm just going to tell you Belbuca is a joke. Thanks to all you junkies out there, people like me that suffer every day from chronic pain literally are forced on this drug because all you crack heads want to get high. You will eventually start trying to abuse this, and they will ban it as well. Because you find any way to abuse something, thanks to you all. Think of this when you get hurt real bad and need pain meds and the doctor won't give you any because they don't make them anymore. Think of that and I hope you finally see for yourself, but Belbuca is a joke."

• DeWanzo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "2002, 49 years old, 3 level Cervical Fusion with plate and screws. It was good I went back to work, outdoor labor. 2008 pain returning, more MRIs etc begin injections, helped a lot and I kept on working. 2013 back to neurosurgeon, more surgery same surgeon. He replaced C2-C3 cadaver bone and Stand Alone device creating 4 level cervical fusion. Ouch! It never fused... Found Chief Neurosurgeon of largest hospital in my state and in 2015 removed all hardware and fused with cadaver and standard plate and screws. After he cleared me for work, first day back, due to continued pain I quit my job. Surgeon sent me to traditional pain, began opiates. 2019 pain doctor said we are going to switch to Belbuca, I fought and argued to stay on opiates. Now 3 months later at 600M Belbuca, I love it, most pain relief I've had in years. It has been life changing for me."

• J_JAMES
• August 2, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "Dealing with arthritis for over 20 years; first ran the gamut of all the meds, was lambasted when I suggested old-fashioned pain meds. Finally told nothing more rheumatology could do for me; that I should try pain management. That equals opioid therapy; was a godsend for me. 8 years now, no problems/side effects; take as prescribed; rarely asked for increase. I take as prescribed responsibly. With the climate how it is today, there's a stigma if you are on opioid therapy you are addicted. BS! After 8 years, if I was going to have problems, they would have happened by now. Belbuca IMO is using devious marketing ploys; it does not work. Maybe a minority, but what about honest, law-abiding patients who benefit from opioids taking it responsibly?"

• SKasul
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I just started taking Belbuca and am on the 75mcg dose. I know that the doctor is going to have to up my dosage. My only issue is that I can't figure out how to keep it from sticking to my teeth. Does anyone else have this issue? How do you keep it from doing this?"

• Wasto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2014

Butrans (buprenorphine) "I was scared to try this but saw these reviews... I want to thank you all for easing my mind! I finally tried Butrans and am so thankful this exists. I have been on pain medication for a couple of years. I was so tired of the constant ups and downs that seemed to come in shorter and shorter intervals. This patch works great! I'm in less pain, sleep better, and am finally getting off the couch and doing some things."

• Rjano
• February 16, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I never write reviews on anything, but I am a 35-year-old male and was diagnosed with blood cancer about 13 months ago. With this type of cancer comes the most horrific pain imaginable! Imagine if every bone in your body is broken and there are razor blades running through your veins, all the while people are prying at every joint in your body with crowbars that have been heated up to almost melting, and you start to come close! I have been prescribed every pain medication under the sun to deal with this, and nothing seems to help until my doctor put me on Belbuca 300 mcg! I would just like to say thank you for giving my life back!"

• Npain...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 8, 2019

Subutex (buprenorphine) "I came into the hospital already prescribed 8 mg Subutex 3 times a day for opiate withdrawal. Been prescribed it at home for the last 2 years. It has never worked for pain for me. Now in the hospital with severe and chronic pain after having spinal surgery and a messed up hip. I had a severe MRSA infection in my spine and hip. I'm back in the hospital because of overexertion and the infection coming back in my spine and hip. My pain doctor here refuses to give me anything at all for pain because my Subutex should be helping my pain. Even though I've been on it so long and it's never helped ever. I don't know why they think all of a sudden it's going to help. He could at least try tramadol. I'm reporting him. I've been in the hospital in severe pain for two months not getting hardly any sleep because of the constant pain. I'd love to put him through this."

• Spifs...
• October 18, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I am a type 1 diabetic with severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy. I have been on every pain med under the sun. Starting from Norco to oxycodone/oxycontin to fentanyl patches. Oxycodone 30mg 6x a day plus oxycontin 30mg 2-4x a day was the best for me. Recently, I've been taking oxycodone 30mg 4-5x a day (about past 6 months after nucynta wasn't doing it). I have tried a switch from my oxycodone to Belbuca film 150mcg. My experience has been this. I cold turkey switched over 4 days ago. The first day was pretty awful. I would highly suggest having breakthrough meds to aid in the transition. I believe Belbuca can work. I say give it a shot. If switching from other painkillers, expect a couple days of feeling off, weak, fatigued. That's why I'd really advise having breakthrough pain meds for the process. Hope this helps anyone switching or adding this medication. Let me know if you have any questions!"

• dnaman
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "Thanks to this 'opioid' crisis, my pain doctor decided to switch me from the OxyContin and hydrocodone I had been taking for the chronic nerve pain I've been in for 12 years. Now that I've been on the Belbuca, I can say I was truly blessed to have the other drugs for so long. I know now how much pain they had been blocking for so long. I've been in pain ever since I've switched back; all the burning nerve pain has come back, plus all the aches from joint pain that had been reduced by the opioids."

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "My pain management physician opted to change my pain medicine protocol, based on the opinion of a secondary practitioner who has been fired from her job. As a result, I am left to suffer in extreme pain. I have been forced to change my meds from hydrocodone three times per day, which worked to manage my condition, to Belbuca, which is completely ineffective. This may work for some people, but it is completely useless for me. Being unable to control pain and live one's life without effective medications is quite challenging. However, Belbuca is not the answer."

• LuxsMom
• August 22, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "To Badbones who commented about PM Clinic being rude & disrespectful. Honey, 'YOU ain't seen nothing yet!' Yanno how the DMV is just understood & expected to be a NIGHTMARE? Welcome to Pain Mgr! You MIGHT actually be in some pain but if so, it's your own fault for choosing to live as a junkie. You MIGHT get a low dose, low effective med but you will sell your soul to pay for it, that's for sure. Do NEVER say you took more than rx'd because your pain spiked etc... NOT EVEN 1! DO NOT tell them this doesn't work. They'll take it & give you NOTHING until you've successfully begged & groveled... I was BLESSED to find a Neurologist that's also PM. THEY'RE OUT THERE. LOOK!!!! They're ALL run this way. Thanks to real junkies & Trump, they're all getting worse as he vilifies actual pain sufferers. I'm in NC & go from Charlotte to Raleigh to see my PM MD... it's worth the trip! To ALL... PLEASE find better doctors because you will DIE waiting for help through ANY of the so-called pain mgmt."

• Tori
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I have chronic pain. My Pain Management (PM) Doc liked the idea of the Belbuca Patches because they are an extended-release medicine and can help cover when my Percocet starts to wear off. That’s what Belbuca is good for, helping with breakthrough pain. My PM Doc started me on 75 mcg. She just upped it to 300 mcg. I can tell a difference in the pain. It’s not as severe as it used to be. I have absolutely no side effects at all. The patch is super tiny, tastes minty, about the size of the tip of an eraser on a pencil. It sticks to the cheek with no problem. Don’t drink or eat till it’s dissolved. When you first put the patch on the inside of your cheek, take your tongue and press it up against there and take some extra saliva and push it over the patch, and it’ll stick with no problem. It doesn’t give you that drowsy, drugged-up feeling like some meds do; you can still go on with your daily activities as you normally do with no problems. Hope this helps!"

• Bert
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2020

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "About 6 years ago, I had a failed back surgery. The surgeon kept saying there was nothing more he could do. I took tons of pain meds that wouldn't last long at all. Then they said I needed pain management, and they took me off all meds, so my pain was bad. Now I have a new pain doc who put me on Belbuca 300 mg. I tell you now, it works for me. I still have pain, but it's totally better than I have been in 6 years. I finally have my life back, hunting and fishing. I am so glad not to take pills anymore. I've been taking it for 3 months now."

• Badbo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "Works well if applied exactly right and it stays there. My problem is that it is difficult to apply and slides down inside of cheek and ends up in a little roll between gums and cheek. It does not enter bloodstream when this happens, torturous pain is the result. Sometimes it sticks to my teeth. Either malfunction destroys bioavailability and leaves me in horrible pain. My Pain Management (PM) Dr staff behaved as if my pleas for help were a huge imposition. I thought resolving pain issues was their job. I called twice politely asking for help. Their response was that if I don't shut up and wait for my appointment I had to have steroid shots if I want treatment. The PM Clinic power trip over those who are vulnerable is pathetic and inhumane. Sick of so-called pain management clinics. Shame on you Dr and staff."

• Nichole
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2020

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Been on Percocet 10mg/325 for 4 years. I withdrew off of them, and the doctor prescribed me the Butrans 5mg patch. I've had it on for about 24 hours, and so far, I worked a 12-hour shift with pain I can tolerate. I read it can take longer to get into your system. I had to get the generic, and when I shower, I cover it. I used alcohol to clean the skin before applying. So far, I'm liking it, but it does itch. Better than building up a tolerance to Percocet like I was. I suffer from arthritis from my neck to back, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease throughout my entire back, bone spurs in my spine, and fibromyalgia. I'm 28 years old. Went through heaps of drama to get the patch with pre-authorizations and finding a pharmacy that had it in stock."

• Just...
• September 24, 2019

Butrans (buprenorphine) "I've been on Percocet & Morphine for years. I chose to get off the Morphine myself. My doc prescribed the Butrans 10mg patch. It is now day 7, and for the first time in years, I have slept through the night. I feel more motivated, and most of all, engaged. I took my dog for a walk last night for the first time in a long time. Just small changes I've noticed, but most of all in my mood. I cannot express enough how I feel; this is going to change my life. With the deaths of opioid abuse rising, I don't want to be a part of that statistic. I do not want to continue the pain pills any longer because I can be honest here and say I'm addicted, and I need to change that vicious cycle. I am looking at future back surgery but will address that road when I get to it. But, in the meantime, being only on day 7, I can tell you that although it may take a couple of days for it to work, give it a chance. So far, this medication just may be the silver lining I've been waiting for."

• Nurse...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2017

Butrans (buprenorphine) "I am a nurse and I am also a med student. I have been in chronic pain for 5 years. My average daily pain without meds is 9/10. I did 5 rounds of shots, the 2nd round almost destroyed my life and my pain had new manifestations. Tried chiropractic, great for 90 days then decline. Finally one day the pharmacist surprised me with Butrans. I didn't even know they sent it over! I put it on and within 3 hours I recognized I was in pain, but I just didn't care about the pain. The next morning and from then on I have been completely pain-free! It's like nothing I've experienced before. I'm not foggy like with other drugs, I actually feel mentally sharper and my performance supports that, but I'm literally not experiencing pain! I HIGHLY recommend it!"

• Aano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "As an opioid dependent patient of 10 years that has transitioned onto buprenorphine. The doctor started me on 75mg as a starting point and increased the dose each month. This month is month 3 and I am currently on 300mg twice a day, and it is finally calming me down and actually working for my pain. It only lasts about 6 hours, and I push myself to 8, but it is supposed to last 12. So, this next month I will be on 450mg 2 times a day. I will say this, how I've felt the past week has been a drastic change that I can see. The Belbuca is starting to actually work, and it will work as long as you are on the correct dosing amount that suits your needs. Any time you change or come off of pills like Percocet or Norcos, you will feel the change and feel it strongly if you're on too low a dose for you. Belbuca is now my preference, especially since I don't have to suffer when a pill such as the 2 I just listed above only lasts 2 hours compared to my 6 with Belbuca. Please stay strong! Good luck all."

• Pappy
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 7, 2020

Butrans (buprenorphine) "My wife has suffered from chronic pain for years. We have been through the regular pain management routines that physicians are trained to perform, for example, injections, pain pills, physical therapy, muscle relaxers. Butrans gave our family life again. I forgot she was sick. It also helped with her depression and mental illness. You will build a tolerance to it as years pass and it seems to start losing strength around the fifth day. It is definitely worth trying. Expensive without insurance though."

• Babsi...
• March 1, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "It probably would work fine if titrated to correct level. I can’t take NSAIDs because I’m a stroke survivor so got Hydrocodone many years ago. Didn’t take except as prescribed. The Belbuca is fine (with its non-dissolving issues), but it’s over $600 a month for Humana Medicare. It’s more than 8 if above 300mcg. They offer no discount for Medicare. The copay for me was $317.00. Butrans was given since it’s a lot cheaper but the mcg start at 7.5, which is way less than 150. I’m in fear to start it. I’m in fear of withdrawal and severe pain. The doctor doesn’t seem to care. He’s doing his job except he’s not helping his patient. He’s obeying the government."

• desbibb
• July 8, 2014

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Butrans changed my daily living. I loved what it's done for me so much that I have 2 other friends suffering and their doctors have them on it now too. The only thing I don't like is the prickly itchy feeling but, after reading some of these reviews I may talk to my doctor about their suggestions. Also, I find that after the first 3 days I have had little to no side effects. I am sometimes able to push my days out to 8 as long as I don't overdo the week. Otherwise, I am ready by midday of the 6th day and will often change it the very eve so that by my 7th day I'm back up and running. Hope this review helps, I know when I went on it, the reviews were helpful to me. Thanks Butrans for my life! If you have pain, Butrans works."

• Carnie
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I used something else for about 11 years and it almost killed me. Finally I got my Dr to find something else. I know it's not easy because I can't take oral narcotics. She put me on Belbuca a year ago July. And with one adjustment I have had a pain level of 3 at rest and no higher than 6 during activity. It's like pain free when I'm use to a constant 8 at best. I thank you for this awesome product."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've been on pain meds for about 8 years. I have disintegrating discs in my neck, bulging discs in my lower back, fibromyalgia, ovarian cysts, and I had major neck surgery last year. I've been on every pain med available and got up to 80mg OxyContin after my surgery. I was still hurting and even had DNA analysis which shows my body burns through meds at a much higher rate than most people. I started 600 Belbuca, and I'm weaning off Dilaudid, which is what I had to switch to after Oxy no longer helped me, and next month I'll move up to 750 and be completely off Dilaudid. I'm baffled at all the bad reviews. I've tried everything, and for the first time in years, I don't hurt and feel clear-headed. The pack is hard to open, but it's not a big deal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 1, 2013

Subutex (buprenorphine) "I've taken numerous medications on the chronic pain control list, and I have found this one to be the best at overall pain control with only one dose per day required. It works a little differently than other narcotic pain medicines. While it is relatively new in the United States for pain control, it has been used in Europe for pain treatment for many years. I have also found that the normal effects you would normally expect from narcotics, like euphoria, dizziness, and light-headedness, are just not as pronounced, which has really given me a lot of my activities back. While no medicine will ever stop pain 100%, this medication has been a life-changer for me."