Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• KJano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've been on opioid meds since 2001. I've been with my current PM doc since 2006. Since the guidelines changed, we had to change my meds, though they were working for me. At my last appointmet, she suggested Belbuca, and I said okay. What a mistake. I've had the worst migraines of my life, every single day and night. I finally realized it's the Belbuca. I haven't been impressed by it anyway, as far as pain relief goes. It helped me with withdrawals as I stopped taking Exalgo, but doesn't help with pain."

• llojak
• June 21, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I have had 2 fusion surgeries L3 to S1, countless steroid injections and had been on oxycontin 10mg 3 times a day with Vicoden HP for breakthrough pain since 2010 and now I am on belbuca 750 twice a day. It's ok but not as effective as Oxycontin & Vicodin. I get headaches every day now and the pain relief is mediocre at best. Give me back my OXY!"

• Knuck...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I was nervous at first reading some of the negative reviews, and I talked with my doctor about it a while before I switched. I went back and told him it wasn't enough, and he told me that was just the 'starting dose,' and we'll go up each week until we get to the right dose for me. I was skeptical, to say the least, but holy cow, he was right! At 750, I can't believe the difference. This drug is incredible!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2019

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Another very important thing! You MUST be well into withdrawal if you are being moved off another strong opioid such as Fent, Oxy etc. Otherwise, it will precipitate an even worse withdrawal! I was not made aware of this and my switching from 140mg Oxy to a 70mcg patch which gave me FAR worse WD's than I ever experienced coming off the massive amounts of Opioids I'd been on before. That was a walk in the park compared to transitioning to the Bupe, because I was told just to stop the Oxy and start the Patches, without being in WD first. I NEVER want to go through that again and I'd hate for anyone else to either. And although everyone varies, it actually takes around 2 weeks to fully build up in your system told this only after I ended up in A&E after 3 days and by then my pain was totally out of control. You should be given Bupe Subs during this 'settling in' period. Ironically, all of this info. I found on the NHS's OWN guidance on usage of Bupe, intended for Health Professionals."

• PedsN...
• February 26, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "My insurance is not covering Butrans patch anymore, so my doctor started me on Belbuca 300mcg every 12 hours. I was concerned about it because of the negative reviews it received about its effectiveness and adhesive not staying put in the mouth. I suffer from fibromyalgia, herniated discs in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, and sciatic nerve pain down to my foot. I have not had issues with it sticking in my mouth. I place a finger inside until it sticks and one outside my cheek if needed. It stays put with no issues. It has helped my pain better than the patch, and I'm taking less tramadol and zanaflex; some days I don't need it. In the past few weeks, I feel my pain is controlled. I'm not waking up in pain and feel alert to work!"

• MissyCT
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "For the last 7 years I've had chronic lower back pain due to L4-L5, L5-S1 bulging discs and Arthritis. I'm only 30 years old. I've had 12 Epidural injections that gave me no Relief. Seen over 12 back/pain doctors and was told PT and NSAIDs would be the way to go. All the doctors were wrong. I was in pain day and night. It never got better and kept me from having a normal life with my family. I have two girls ages 6, 14. My PA told me to find a pain management center. For the next month, I lived in pain. The pain was so bad some days. I finally got into a pain DR. They started me on Butrans 10mg patch and Percocet 7.5/325, it's changed my LIFE! I'm pain-free for the first time in 7 years. Patch works in 3 days!"

• Heart...
• October 21, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I been on butrans but I grew use to that and my pain management put me on belbuca and been on it for about 3 years. I was on 900 and first time in so long I had no pain. My insurance refused to pay for it anymore. I can't afford $800.00 a month. My issues is that I'm allergic to all pain meds except belbuca. Now I'm going through this awful withdraw and now I'm crippled again where it's very hard to walk or even breath. I have RSD (Reflex sympathetic dystrophy) for the last 13 years. In the mean time with no pain meds, I also lay here with 2 broken toes, foot plus it has a bone infection. Can't operate because no pain meds. I started out using the prescription card from belbuca and I guess once your hooked they take it away. There is no generic. So I lay here in the most awful pain ever. It was the best while it lasted but for a person like me who is allergic to everything it's hard."

• Elaine...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 13, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "I too have had very good results, as well as the typical side effects. The itching at the patch site drove me crazy to the point I could not use the patch. UNTIL... my doctor prescribed KENALOG spray to spray on before putting on the patch. Works wonders... you might want to give it a try. Insurance pays for it too. Good luck and sorry about your pain."

• Deb
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2020

Butrans (buprenorphine) "After I was put on the butran patch I couldn’t sleep longer than 5 hours and I have chronic fatigue syndrome which normally requires at least 9 hours of sleep. Even though it didn’t help my pain I continued using it thinking it’s one of those meds that takes time to work. By the third week I had a seizure"

• Tia...
• February 23, 2014

Subutex (buprenorphine) "I've suffered from nerve damage for 10 years. I've taken most all the medications prescribed for pain. I've always needed to up my dose after short periods of time. I finally got tired of not being able to function because the amount needed to take the pain away would make me loopy or high. So I was put on methadone. I took that for 6 years still needing to up my dose 1-2 times a year. In the end, I was taking 12 pills a day. I found a doctor who suggested Subutex. I have now been on Subutex for 1 1/2 years and have not needed to raise my dose. I'm taking 20 mg or 2 1/2 pills a day compared to 12 pills a day. Insurance fights me every 6 months saying it's only for addicts. I submit extra paperwork from my doctor. It's quite expensive too but worth it."

• snerd
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Have been on Percocet for about twenty years. Chronic low back and neck pain, leg pain, arthritis, bulging discs, and impinged nerves. I have just learned to deal with it. A new doctor gave me Butrans and put on a patch last night. Felt an immediate rush, similar to the feeling I have gotten when receiving IV morphine at the hospital. Worried if it dispensed all the drug at once? However, I slept pain-free for the first time in about 25 years, and I'm at work now. Have not yet started my day, but I noticed I got in and out of the car easily and walked to the building without much pain for the first time ever. I am hoping it doesn't wear off quickly and have concerns that it will eventually stop working. In 2007, I was on a fentanyl patch for several years, and it stopped working over time."

• kaths...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've started on a 150 mg dose of Belbuca. I was so tired then I seem to adjust it to it. Then they just up me to 300mg dose I'm so tired I could fall asleep at 1 in the afternoon while I'm driving. I'm not saying that it doesn't work for the pain but who can be this tired all the time I can't even put a thought in my head going to ask the doctor take me off. I'm going back to the 150mg until then PS also terrible constipation which I never have a problem with"

• James_A
• March 8, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "I have chronic back pain that started from a skydiving accident, and have been in pain ever since. I tried so many medications and nothing worked. When I got Oxycodone long-acting and breakthrough Flexeril, my pain was reduced to 5/10. Come the evening, the pain got so bad that I needed to take more oxy. I just got this patch on Monday (March 4, 2013), on the 5th dose. It took about 3 days to become effective. I woke up on Wednesday and had no pain. I thought it was just a coincidence. Thursday comes, Friday, and still pain-free. I actually stopped taking my long-acting Oxycodone today. So I will see how the next few days will be once the medicine is out of my system. But I'm sure everything will still be pain-free. I love this patch!"

• Micke
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2018

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Have used patches (20mcg/hour) for over 10 years after trying many other drugs. I was in so much pain that I felt like taking my own life. I am still in some pain but so much more bearable . Wonderful drug."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2023

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I've been in pain for 5+ years & taking Naproxen 500 mg (2 times per day) & did everything I can think of to reduce the daily pain. I was prescribed Belbuca, and it did absolutely nothing. I give up. Thanks to drug addicts & dealers out there, people who are really suffering can't be prescribed the right meds to have a "normal" life. Thanks a lot! No thanks Belbuca creators."

• Flstorm
• September 7, 2016

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "THIS MEDICATION WORKS. I was first prescribed Butrans patches 20mcg and they worked great, but they can sweat off in the Texas summer heat, so I was given Belbuca 450mcg. They work just as wonderfully as the patches did. I have never had a problem opening them. I also have found that if I don't talk while the film dissolves it doesn't curl up or mess up in any way. There is a video on the belbuca website showing exactly how to place them. This medicine changed my life. I have arthritis and DDD in my back and neck, disk herniations, nerve pain in my arms because my neck needs surgery, and I still live normally due to this medicine. I recommend!"

• Lucy...
• March 31, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I was prescribed Belbuca to help me with severe pain but what I received from this medication, was SEVERE PAIN! Horrible headaches. Muscle spasms in my back and neck. Scalp tenderness. The blowing of the wind on my scalp was very painful. Never Again!!!!!!!"

• Pain...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I was really excited to start this medication recommended by my PM neurologist. Unfortunately I had horrific reactions to it. My face became red and covered in red dots. My hands swelled up and were very itchy. I was unable to have a bowel movement. I had severe headaches and vomiting. I was lethargic and extremely sleepy. I had terrible nightmares and would wake up yelling or crying. My body has been twitching and spasming uncontrollably. I can’t think or comprehend anything. I suffered though these side effects for 3 days hoping my body just needed to adjust but on the evening of my last dose, I had chest pain and thought I was going to die choking on a banana. My throat had swelled up. It’s been about 60 hrs since I took the last dose of Belbuca, my throat still feels slightly swollen. My body is still twitching every 15-30 seconds and I am extremely sleepy. Other than the bad headache and chest pain, it worked on my chronic pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I have DDD. Fibromalgia...chronic pain issues. Pinched nerve In lower back ,fushion in neck with nerve damage issues... I am taking belbuca 300 MCG 2 times a day and for the first time in years I have my pain under control with the only side effect constipation ( which can be remedied) I love belbuca and yes I've tried a bunch of other medication s....it works great for me!"

• med...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

Butrans (buprenorphine) "Gave to an elderly patient and it was horrible! She's been on it for over a month and is a completely different person, it's ruined her life. She no longer makes any sense, and talks constantly to the point where her voice is raw. She is combative at times which she never was before. It has done nothing at all for her pain. I wish to God they had never prescribed this pain patch. They wanted Fentanyl but the pharmacy refused. Do not let your elderly loved ones take this medication! It is not safe. I don't care what the company claims."

• Cee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2020

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "Hurt my back in 2005 doing leg weights on a leg machine. I was seeing my primary doctor for the pain in my lower back. No relief from the meds he gave me. He sent me to a pain management doctor for back injections and other types of meds. Been on oxy 7.5mg for a few years now. I asked him what else was out there that might help. He gave me a script for 150mg of Belbuca. It did nothing at all for my chronic back pain. I now have a script for the 300mg, but wondering if that is any better. The oxy works better. I take 1 three times a day. If the 300mg doesn't work when I get it filled, I don't want anymore."

• Jillian
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I’ve been on Norco 10/325 since 2014 for severe DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) in Neck through Lumbar. Counting 2 Surgeries and herniations in Lumbar area. This is month three on Belbuca and I feel alive and productive again. Started on 150mg twice a day with 10/325 for break through increased to 300mg twice a day. I Expect to go to 450mg this month. Tip wean off you hydro or Oxy slowly while you are taking Belbuca. Then use hydrocodone for break through."

• schlo
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 1, 2013

Butrans (buprenorphine) "This patch has made a SIGNIFICANT difference in my stamina. Even though I do still experience pain, it takes longer to get to intolerable, but mostly, my recovery from a taxing day is significantly less. I take far fewer pills and was even able to stop taking Ambien. I would recommend this to ANYONE who is truly looking for a better way to take care of their pain without all the opiates. Give it time, allow it to work, and if you're taking a bunch of narcotics, it may take a little time for your body to adjust to the patch and its delivery of medication. Your body's tolerance is likely very high. But, if you can make it through an adjustment period, there's a good chance this can work for you, too!"

• Bub
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I am longterm sufferer of Interstitial Cystitis... Debilitating Chronic Illness. Dr randomly decided to prescribe belbuca 300 mg out of the blue. Was taking hydrocodone 10/325 5 a day for 7 yrs. That's it. My quality of life was good considering what I have, and no type of addiction. Anyways...I am here to let you know that I am now curled up in a ball on my couch, trying to decide whether or not I should go to the hospital..as Belbuca absolutely does not work!"

• Phq
• June 8, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) "I’ve been on Belbuca for three months and it’s not working it hasn’t helped at all. They want to treat me like an addict I’ve been on Xtampza 27 mg a little over a year with Oxycodone 10mg for break through. It works great and I have had my life back. Before I was on Percocet 10/325 and my life was hell. It helped with pain but made me miserable. The Xtampza gives the same meds Oxycodone but over a 12 hour period. This Belbuca doesn’t do anything for the pain as a matter of fact it makes it worse. So Monday I’m taking my prescriptions back to the doctors on Monday and stopping all meds cold turkey. They started me on Belbuca 150mg then 300mg now 450mg but I’m not even going to waste my money on it. I have a Neurostimulator for five years I’m going to just going to suffer and rely on the Neurostimulator."