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Transitioning from High Dose Opiates to Suboxone for Chronic Pain

Posted by faithgirl30 @faithgirl30, Nov 25, 2020

Hi! My name is Melanie and I’ve been on high dose opiates for the last 5 years due severe degenerative arthritis in my neck. I’ve undergone 5 spinal neck surgeries in the last 4 years, the last of which was October 2019. I am now fully fused between C2-T2 and have rods in the back of my neck for stability that run the full length of my fusion. I suffer chronic daily headaches and have just undergone the first round of Botox for headaches and cervical dystonia. My pain specialist and surgeon agree that I will more than likely suffer long term chronic pain for the rest of my life. They have recommended that I make the jump from high dose dilaudid to suboxone to manage chronic pain, which is an off-label use for suboxone, but which has been shown to successfully manage long term chronic pain.

I am writing to find out if others have made the jump successfully to suboxone, and if so what your transition from opiates to suboxone was like? I have been nervous about this transition, because it requires that you go cold turkey off of opiates and enter into full blown withdrawal before it’s safe to start the ramp up onto suboxone. So, if you have made the jump, what was the withdrawal process like for you, and has suboxone been effective in managing your long term chronic pain? Would you recommend others make this move? Why or why not?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

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jdkitkat129 | @jdkitkat129 | 3 days ago
In reply to @marky777 "@jdkitkat129 my last trigger point injection appt was 3/26 this year. Canceled the appt which was..." + (show)
Profile picture for marky777 @marky777

@jdkitkat129 my last trigger point injection appt was 3/26 this year. Canceled the appt which was scary, those shots kept me driving and walking and upright for at least 1-2 weeks, which had me counting days until next injection, if that stopped working the next option we were exploring was the shot they give you in the hospital.
But mid to late last year somehow ran across that book, and marked up so much of it that related to myself personally, that i grabbed a highlighter especially chapters 6-8, then passed it off to my pain doc, she took it home and checked it out, was 100 down with the idea but when I passed the script back, she said they can't see me any more per insurance, no shots no pills, on my own now, the sense of freedom is beyond liberating, not knowing nor caring about canes and placards any more, and those trigger points that one touch would have me on knees? Gone. Just gone.
For the first time in I don't know how long, the gait feels normal, even, steady.
Have 24 MRI's, Xrays CAT scans PET scans at radnet, about half for my MS and the rest for orthopedic, was non-ambulatory & mostly housebound for so long, was resigned to fate.

That all (started) changing when all that trauma was dealt with, started with a PTSD coach online, that was like opening up a Pandoras box that had been closed for many many decades.
And as that past slowly released it's grip, it was like you could feel the pain leaving the body, not all at once but slowly over time, then after a church service on 4/11 at 2:45 pm it was like POOF, legs came back. Limp vanished, have been "running" ever since.
Told everyone I know and they know you are speaking truth as they saw you using cane and placard for a long time.

John Sarno delves into the physical reality of psychosomatic disease processes. It is *very* real, the pain is real, but it is also very treatable.

Trauma can be a lot of things, events in life that then are reflected in our physical body. Death or divorce or loss or (name it) contribute to that process, the brain is very powerful, and also very protective, when our brain has been traumatized and shocked it can manifest in the body, sometimes even relocate to different areas.

Mark.

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@marky777

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jdkitkat129 | @jdkitkat129 | 3 days ago

That's a lot of work and right now I don't know if I'm capable. I'm so beat down. I believe that I'm a candidate for sure. I was adopted at 3 days old. I lost my mother to breast cancer at 18. I got married young out of my junior year in high school but graduated anyway. When mother passed I was pregnant with my son but wasn't sure and she was not in the state of mind to tell her anyway. She passed in December 73 and my son was born in August '74. I thought I went through postpartum depression but looking back I'm sure it was grief. I remember not feeling the kind of love for my son that I should have. I was an only child and had never changed a baby's diaper so I really didn't know how to be a mother. Had an alcoholic husband that I finally got the courage to divorce after Daddy passed away in 84. I got my divorce from my husband in 85. My father would have been so proud. He knew I was suffering from psychological abuse. Six months after my divorce I got breast cancer and had a mastectomy but a year later I had breast reconstruction. I met a man that I was dating that stood by me during that time. We married in 1989. He didn't have children so he expected my children to act like adults. So there were a few problems. In 1993 my son passed away from a seizure disorder that he started having as a teenager. He had nocturnal Grand mal seizures. The next year I didn't know what happened in the world. I was trying to just function to get by. The next year I filed for divorce and I've never remarried. A few years later it was subtle but I got addicted pain medication and that's how I've been on Suboxone ever since because I had to go to rehab because I realized I was addicted and didn't want to keep living my life that way. But it appears I exchanged one addiction for another but at least I can function with this one.
I know this was more personal than yours but I gave you some of the details to see if you think some of this trauma might be related to my pain? Thank you for sharing your story. It would be nice to have hope again.

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marky777 | @marky777 | 2 days ago

Try to get the book *please*.
It's not psychobabble nonsense. Or "positive thinking" or anything else.
It can do a *lot* and your brain can do even more.
30mg Oxy 17 years yeah you better believe I have something to say, after willingly stopping the script.
There are cheap copies online, just go straight to chapter 6. It's a great start.

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | 2 days ago
In reply to @jdkitkat129 "@wheelerma I was addicted to Percocet years ago, but unfortunately mine was mental pain. Apparently all..." + (show)
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@wheelerma I was addicted to Percocet years ago, but unfortunately mine was mental pain. Apparently all the grief I suffered throughout the years caught up with me. Losing my 19 year old son unexpectedly was the last straw that broke the camels back. I was addicted within one week. My daughter called me out so I went to rehab. I've been on Subs since 2012. I started having back pain in 2017 and was later diagnosed with degenerative scoliosis in 2023. The pain gets unbearable at times. The only relief I can get at times is ice packs. Long story short Suboxone will not help with pain. I take Gabapentin and 800 my Ibuprofen along with Sub but nothing touches the pain. My advice find a pain practitioner to continue your opiates. They may be hard to find, but they are out there. Good luck.

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@jdkitkat129 are you being treated for your spine or just living on meds?

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rmshackelton | @rmshackelton | 2 days ago
In reply to @jdkitkat129 "@wheelerma I was addicted to Percocet years ago, but unfortunately mine was mental pain. Apparently all..." + (show)
Profile picture for jdkitkat129 @jdkitkat129

@wheelerma I was addicted to Percocet years ago, but unfortunately mine was mental pain. Apparently all the grief I suffered throughout the years caught up with me. Losing my 19 year old son unexpectedly was the last straw that broke the camels back. I was addicted within one week. My daughter called me out so I went to rehab. I've been on Subs since 2012. I started having back pain in 2017 and was later diagnosed with degenerative scoliosis in 2023. The pain gets unbearable at times. The only relief I can get at times is ice packs. Long story short Suboxone will not help with pain. I take Gabapentin and 800 my Ibuprofen along with Sub but nothing touches the pain. My advice find a pain practitioner to continue your opiates. They may be hard to find, but they are out there. Good luck.

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@jdkitkat129 I am taking Fentanyl Patches for my CRPS for the last 15 years. Recently my doctor has tried to get me off of the Fentanyl and has asked me to try Suboxone. I refused because I didn't go want to go through the withdrawal and have the Suboxone not work. You're just another person who agrees with my decision. Many have commented to me not to do it. Taking THC gummies with RSO in them. Works for the Breakthrough pain. Gentle hugs

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rmshackelton | @rmshackelton | 2 days ago

I realize you posted this years ago but hope you didn't do it. I suffer from a disease called CRPS for the last 20 plus years and my doctor tried to take me off of Fentanyl patches and put me on Suboxone. I checked with other patients that had my disease and they all told me not to do it. They told me that withdrawal would be horrible and the Suboxone would not work for the intense pain. Recently met someone in the grocery store who told me to try THC gummies with RSO in them. They're legal in New Jersey so I bought them and they work great in addition to my patches when I get breakthrough pain. With love to hear an update on what your decision was? Gentle hugs

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jdkitkat129 | @jdkitkat129 | 1 day ago
In reply to @jdkitkat129 "@jenatsky" + (show)

I have gone to so many spine specialists, orthopedists, physical therapists, chiropractors, but after seeing three different surgeons from different practices in Macon, Georgia and also Emory in Atlanta, Georgia, I was told because of having thoracic and lumbar scoliosis I would have to be fused from T1 to L5 which would leave me with very little range of movement except in my neck. Believe me I've tried everything but when it comes to scoliosis doctors appear to know very little except sending you for PT or getting injections which I've had many, or surgery which they don't advise. Do you have any suggestions?

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conchgirl | @conchgirl | 1 day ago

I am in the same boat as you-same levels of fusions -4 surgeries, rods, self fused 2 levels. I use the fentanyl patch with oxycodone for breakthrough but its not enough. Wound up in the hospital with excruciating paint from head to butt (have severe scoliosis ) and I’ve got a very high pain threshold and i bet you do too. Had a bone marrow biopsy without anesthesia-doc was shocked i didn’t even flinch…I didn’t want to get stuck in rush hour traffic. I’m curious if you have scoliosis too from your neck…

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rmshackelton | @rmshackelton | 1 day ago
In reply to @marky777 "Try to get the book *please*. It's not psychobabble nonsense. Or "positive thinking" or anything else...." + (show)
Profile picture for marky777 @marky777

Try to get the book *please*.
It's not psychobabble nonsense. Or "positive thinking" or anything else.
It can do a *lot* and your brain can do even more.
30mg Oxy 17 years yeah you better believe I have something to say, after willingly stopping the script.
There are cheap copies online, just go straight to chapter 6. It's a great start.

Jump to this post

@marky777 What is "The Book" all about? Name of the book please? Gentle hugs

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