12 yrs of chronic pain, 14 lumbar procedures, new Rx bad!

Wow I do not know how you can judge what type of pain relief I require.
I have been on opioid medication for years and in 2008 began a clinical trial of bupe for pain.
I had been on massive dose's of just about every opiate. From codeine to morphine. I was taking 90mg morphine three times a day when I went into the hospital (Columbia Presypeterian NYSPI) I had a horrible time until I was given the first dose of bupe
Ii was a blind study so I did not know my dose until I left. My dose was 24mg a day I found out.
doctor there arranged for a prescriber when I got out who gave me the full three 8mg pills a day
In 2009 I weaned off with hardly a WD symptom because I went down slowly.
After a year off my pain became too much so I found a clinic who would prescribe bupe
Started anew at 2mg three times a day and since 2011 my tolarence grew and I am back up to the 8mg subutex pills.
I would add that I have had three surgeries where I used only my bupe for post op pain and even for that it has worked. Hip replacement then I had elbow replacement and since that failed I had a second replacement (Still failed my arm is not stable and it still hurts-Dr left two items in my arm BTW a loop and another item)
Everyone is different as is every case. Of course I would not suggest 24 to 32mg to a opiate naive person but in my case with my history of strong med's my dose was okay

Glen

I was on 90mg morphine three times a day so yes I was dependant but not addicted.
There is a major difference.
My trial had me on 24mg a day If I were to switch to a patch I would go into withdrawal so why would I do that?
Bupe also has gotten me through three major and painful surgeries.
The patch is for people on low dose opiate med's or none

Glen

Punish them? Why? first off maybe they are addicts so why not switch them to bupe or methadone rather than punish?
I guess maybe you meant in a general way and did not mean to lock em up.
remember some "addicts" may have simply been pain patients who got hooked.
I think the whole system stinks. We allow booze and tobbaco which kills many, many more people yet demonize pain meds.

live and let live-"Freedom" as so many spout! As long as they are "free" to do their booze

Glen

Thanks for the comment ,Glen. I hope that this is the right decision for you. This was a personal view on spine simulators and certainly not a condemnation on the therapy. Pain management doctors must have some success with the implants other than monetary gain. They sell a ton of them. I'm still in a battle with insurance on a lumbar surgery. Now they won't approve an mri on my lumbar spine until I have six weeks of rehab. Does someone elect spine surgery as a first option for back pain? I have twenty five years of medical records showing attempts at rehab with my spine. Maybe it's an age thing, or new techniques for a 67 year old lumbar spine. This just defies logic in my opinion. Thank you for the comments and the best of luck in dealing with your back pain.

I had the same thing happen to my teeth. I switched to Butrans, the skin patch. I don’t know why the oral version is still on the market, with such a high percentage of people presenting with destroyed teeth.

I have read about the Intracept Procedure made by Relievant for vertebrogenic pain. I have been trying to find out more about it but hitting dead ends. Lucky you because it has only been developed for the lumbar spine. (My entire spine is fused except for T2 through T7 and those vertebrae have multiple problems but the main problem is the degenerative endplate changes called Modic Type 1 degeneration. The Intracept Procedure is similar to a radiofrequency ablation where the probe is designed to fit between the vertebrae into the intervertebral disc endplates containing nerves. The company is Relievant Medsystems, Inc. , corporate headquarters: 7201 Metro Blvd #300, Edino, MN 55439. Phone: 650-368-1000. I did find out that the pain management clinic where I have been put through multiple procedures, ESIs, nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablations with no relief, has two doctors trained in the Intracept procedure. I'm hoping I can at least talk to them about clinical trials on the thoracic spine. I hope you have good luck finding a doctor trained in this procedure with the info I have forwarded.

What state do you live in?
Sending Prayers your way 🙏

Thank you for the prayers! I live in Indiana. I'm having an MRI in October so I pray they find something that can be done.

I had my fusion and laminectomy in 1990 after falling during an earthquake in 1988. I’ve had some degree of pain ever since and have been on T&C #3 or 4 for many years before switching to Morphine Sulphate ES tabs. When that stopped working I was switched to buprenorphine patches. I only had the one procedure and don’t intend on having anymore. I’ve never had steroid injections due to their bone destructive nature. I keep going back to PT for my HEP update as my body breaks down from OA. One day at a time?

If the hydromorphone was helping why did the Dr stop prescribing it? It's not impossible to get opioids prescribed if the Dr sees it as a viable treatment.

In my experience, you will get little pain relief from buprenorphine. I take it to manage an addiction I developed to opioids.

Why did your Dr stop prescribing hydromorphone?