bluesteyes
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2016
- Messages
- 126
A few questions about buprenorphine (update: now an OxyContin taper)
I have been taking Oxycodone for awhile for chronic pain, and I need to come off of it. I do about 80mg per day. I am going to be seeing my doctor tomorrow to tell him that I have used enough of my current script to where I am going to run out before the 30 day period ends. However, I still have a decent amount of the script left. I swallow the tablets. I wouldn't consider myself an abuser. I have just taken this drug longer than I should have.
One of the ideas that I am going to suggest is to immediately switch over to buprenorphine with the idea that I would take that for a few weeks, and then begin a slow taper.
What I hate about Oxy is that it is so short lived. I take 2 tablets, and within 4 hours my mood sucks and my neck hurts. I sweat like a hog, both when on the drug, and especially while I am sleeping. My central nervous system feels like it is on a constant roller coaster ride. Up and down, up and down, up and down. I hate it, and I want no more of it.
The reason why buprenorphine appeals to me on a temporary basis is because its effects are long lasting. I won't be up and down all day and night. It is to my understanding that I will not experience the same level of pain relief and mood elevation with buprenorphine, but I just need something to allow me to be functional. I am at a very important time at work. The next 4 weeks are critical. There are things that I do at work that no one else can do, so my presence is very crucial. I just can't take 7 days off and cold turkey from the Oxy.
I do not believe my doctor is licensed to write scripts for buprenorphine unless it is off label. There are 6 or 8 family practice docs in my area who have the necessary training to write up scripts for addicts, although I really don't consider myself to be one. I live in a semi-rural area.....so it's not like I live in a major city like L.A. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the amount of addicts in this area. I know they can only treat so many patients.
What are people's experiences on buprenorphine compared to Oxycodone? I don't expect to be on it more than a few weeks before I start to taper. I am going the non-narcotic route for my pain starting in July.
I have been taking Oxycodone for awhile for chronic pain, and I need to come off of it. I do about 80mg per day. I am going to be seeing my doctor tomorrow to tell him that I have used enough of my current script to where I am going to run out before the 30 day period ends. However, I still have a decent amount of the script left. I swallow the tablets. I wouldn't consider myself an abuser. I have just taken this drug longer than I should have.
One of the ideas that I am going to suggest is to immediately switch over to buprenorphine with the idea that I would take that for a few weeks, and then begin a slow taper.
What I hate about Oxy is that it is so short lived. I take 2 tablets, and within 4 hours my mood sucks and my neck hurts. I sweat like a hog, both when on the drug, and especially while I am sleeping. My central nervous system feels like it is on a constant roller coaster ride. Up and down, up and down, up and down. I hate it, and I want no more of it.
The reason why buprenorphine appeals to me on a temporary basis is because its effects are long lasting. I won't be up and down all day and night. It is to my understanding that I will not experience the same level of pain relief and mood elevation with buprenorphine, but I just need something to allow me to be functional. I am at a very important time at work. The next 4 weeks are critical. There are things that I do at work that no one else can do, so my presence is very crucial. I just can't take 7 days off and cold turkey from the Oxy.
I do not believe my doctor is licensed to write scripts for buprenorphine unless it is off label. There are 6 or 8 family practice docs in my area who have the necessary training to write up scripts for addicts, although I really don't consider myself to be one. I live in a semi-rural area.....so it's not like I live in a major city like L.A. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the amount of addicts in this area. I know they can only treat so many patients.
What are people's experiences on buprenorphine compared to Oxycodone? I don't expect to be on it more than a few weeks before I start to taper. I am going the non-narcotic route for my pain starting in July.
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