What is your experience with buprenorphine for back pain?

Posted by mann1 @mann1, Feb 13 12:41pm

Had a discussion with the pain pharmacist regarding buprenorphine for low back pain recently and I'm weighing the benefits of using it. Wondering what other peoples experiences are? I swim 3 days a week and I'm concerned about using the patch?

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | 5 days ago

In reply to @marisols "I am up to my 3rd patch and still feel no change. Started 10mcg and now..." + (show)

@marisols how long have you been using the patch on the 20mcg dose? Do you incorporate exercise as part of your reg8me for pain control? I’ve been on 20mcg for going on 4 years, the 15mcg patch didn’t work after 2 weeks.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4675640/

marisols | @marisols | 5 days ago

In reply to @jenatsky "@marisols how long have you been using the patch on the 20mcg dose? Do you incorporate..." + (show)

I have been on it for about 3weeks now. Not done no exercises because I just had gall bladder removed and I am recuperating from surgery. How is it going for you? They gave me lyrics to take as well.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | 5 days ago

My surgery was in 1990 and now suffering with chronic pain, osteoporosis, peripheral neuropathy. After too many years on narcotics after morphine I begin with buprenorphine patch 15 mcg but after a short trial it was increased to 20mcg. Now going on 5 years and love it. My back will not improve only worsen over time so I exercise twice a day and walk 2 miles daily. Aside from the buprenorphine I’m using cannabis gummies and cannabis tincture for breakthrough pain instead of Percocet. Give yourself 2 months maybe longer since you’re recovering from GB surgery. Be careful of any GI slow down with buprenorphine, it may cause decreased GI motility so maintain fluid intake.