Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• Mic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2018

"Have used patches (20 mcg/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 it is so much more bearable. Wonderful drug."

• Ped...
• February 26, 2017

"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!"

• llo...
• June 21, 2019

"I have had 2 fusion surgeries L3 to S1, countless steroid injections, and had been on OxyContin 10 mg 3 times a day with Vicodin HP for breakthrough pain since 2010, and now I am on Belbuca 750 twice a day. It's okay, 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!"

• sne...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2013

"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."

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

"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!"

• Jam...
• March 8, 2013

"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!"

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

"DON'T GET THIS PATCH!!!!! My pain doctor removed me from 40 mg extended relief oxycodone and IR morphine 30 mg to 10 mcg Butrans patch. I went into heavy withdrawals, and the patch caused a migraine 24/7. I was told that the patch would keep me from withdrawing, and that wasn't true! Even after my withdrawals got better, the patch still didn't work on my pain. And the side effects of headache, diarrhea, stomach aches are just not worth it!!!"

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2020

"Belbuca made me so sick! I wouldn't have a bowel movement for 7-10 days at a time. Tried stool softeners, magnesium, senna, ended up drinking magnesium citrate monthly at least because I was suffering so badly. My CPP forced me onto it, and it did nothing but cause me suffering for an entire year. I spent weeks at a time in bed and had become extremely depressed with my lack of quality of life. I reached a point where I was so afraid to even tell my doctor because they had threatened to discharge me if it didn't work. After trying only Tramadol. Thank goodness my newer doc got me off that stuff! It was poison! The film alone made it impossible to take due to it sticking to my teeth most of the time."

• sch...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 1, 2013

"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!"

• Tia...
• February 23, 2014

"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."

• Hea...
• October 21, 2018

"I've been on Butrans, but I grew used to that, and my pain management put me on Belbuca and I've been on it for about 3 years. I was on 900, and for the 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 issue is that I'm allergic to all pain meds except Belbuca. Now I'm going through this awful withdrawal, and now I'm crippled again, where it's very hard to walk or even breathe. I have RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) for the last 13 years. In the meantime, with no pain meds, I also lay here with 2 broken toes and a foot that has a bone infection. Can't operate because of no pain meds. I started out using the prescription card from Belbuca, and I guess once you're 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."

• Apa...
• May 1, 2016

"I have been on Butrans for 3 days. On day 2, I woke up pain-free. I have spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease, and herniated disks L4-S1. I have been receiving injections in my spine for a year and a half and taking Norco 10 every 4 hours, combined with muscle relaxers. I am a nurse, and I work on my feet 36 hours a week. I have felt better the last 2 days than I have felt in a long time. My husband is very active, as I was before my back injury-running, weights, rowing-and today, for the first time in a very long time, I asked him to take me hiking. I feel like Butrans is a lifesaver! But again, it's only day 3, so far no side effects!!"

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

"I've started on a 150 mg dose of Belbuca. I was so tired, then I seem to adjust to it. Then they just upped me to a 300 mg 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 to take me off. I'm going back to the 150 mg until then. PS: also terrible constipation, which I never have a problem with."

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

"Another very important thing! You MUST be well into withdrawal if you are being moved off another strong opioid such as fentanyl, oxycodone, etc. Otherwise, it will precipitate an even worse withdrawal! I was not made aware of this and my switching from 140 mg oxycodone to a 70 mcg patch, which gave me FAR worse withdrawals 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 buprenorphine because I was told just to stop the oxycodone and start the patches, without being in withdrawal 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, I was 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 buprenorphine subs during this 'settling in' period. Ironically, all of this info I found on the NHS's OWN guidance on the usage of buprenorphine, intended for health professionals."

• Luc...
• March 31, 2019

"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!"

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

"I've been in pain for 5+ years and taking Naproxen 500 mg (2 times per day) and 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 and 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."

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

"I have DDD. Fibromyalgia... chronic pain issues. Pinched nerve in lower back, fusion 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 being constipation (which can be remedied). I love Belbuca, and yes, I've tried a bunch of other medications.... It works great for me!"

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

"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."

• Ano...
• May 27, 2015

"I've been a chronic pain patient for about ten years. Tried Vicodin, Percocet, Fentanyl, and Tramadol separately and combined with just marginal results. My body always felt off taking these meds. Stomach issues, aches that weren't there before. The best results I've got with pills were Suboxone or Subutex and felt good about the opportunity to FINALLY try Butrans patches. The 10mcg Butrans patch really made a positive difference with my body chemistry. No problems with the adhesive, no weird body feelings, just sweet relief. When I forgot to change the patch after seven days and the medication wore off... I could really feel what the Butrans patch was doing for me."

• Fls...
• September 7, 2016

"This medication works. I was first prescribed Butrans patches 20 mcg, and they worked great, but they can sweat off in the Texas summer heat, so I was given Belbuca 450 mcg. 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!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2017

"I've dealt with chronic nerve, back, and arthritis pain for 17 years. I've taken just about everything there is to take, including patches and an implanted neurostimulator. Oxy worked best but isn't available anymore due to misuse. Belbuca has been good for me. I do get occasional migraines, Excedrin Migraine works. I don't have the problem others have, I stick it on my cheek near my molars and it never falls off. There are trial blank films available to practice with. My biggest side effect after 6 months is quickened tooth decay. I have also had to learn how to deal with not having the euphoria effect of the other meds that get you moving and affect mood. It's like the old days taking Advil, and pain just leaves. I'm me again- I like that."

• Hum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2014

"Excellent pain relief, but the side effects made it impossible to continue using it. My dosage was 10mcg. Severe hypersensitivity reactions within two weeks and had to go to ER three times and doctor twice, because of horrible allergic reactions: facial swelling, throat swelling and raw to the point of barely able to swallow and unable to speak, blood pressure and pulse skyrocketed, had to use Epi pen twice in 24-hours, scary. If a person doesn't have side effects with the patch, the pain relief is excellent. If a person has potentially life-threatening side effects, as I did, the fact that the patch is providing pain relief is irrelevant."

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2013

"Butrans 20mg gave me my life back. The side effects are nothing compared to how I feel now being on this patch. Don't have the drowsy side effects that all the pills give a person. Now every so often I get what the doctor calls breakthrough pain, then I take pills like Norco, Metaxalone, Indomethacin, etc. Honestly, I take Indomethacin every night before bedtime, love those also. All I know is before the patches, I was on the couch all day every day."

• Hig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2021

"Have not tried yet, but I have been abandoned by pain doctors and don’t know what to do. Withdrawal, debilitating pain, I can’t go on like this. I do know people say that film eats your stomach and teeth. The laws on opioids need to change today. The pain situation is hopeless."

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

"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 7.5 mg for a few years now. I asked him what else was out there that might help. He gave me a script for 150 mg of Belbuca. It did nothing at all for my chronic back pain. I now have a script for the 300 mg, but wondering if that is any better. The oxy works better. I take 1 three times a day. If the 300 mg doesn't work when I get it filled, I don't want anymore."