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Hi, Rubye here.

RubyeJack

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 6, 2018
Messages
20
I’m so much older now. I used for years, did rehab, worked for a few years then retired. Now I am having a hard time coping with chronic pain due to neuropathy, arthritis and other stuff. I’ve been taking Codeine for years and on only 150 mg now.
I got a new pcp and she has offered Suboxone. That’s why I’m here.
I was on Methadone years ago and had a hard time getting off so that now I worry the same could happen with Suboxone. At the same time my life is ruled by pain. I don’t trust the doctors at all.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
 
Welcome to Bluelight RubyeJack!

You have found a place where lots of people come and share experiences like the one you described. I am in a similar place, regarding coping with chronic pain and the need for opioids, and am still weighing out the cost/benefit analysis for "buprenorphine help for pain vs. taking buprenorphine for life or going again through buprenorphine withdrawal". It is a tough one for sure. I think you will get great responses and support here and am glad to meet you.

Maybe open the thread on Health and Recovery subforum. I believe you will get a lot of good advice there. Hope you stick around. :)
 
I’m so much older now. I used for years, did rehab, worked for a few years then retired. Now I am having a hard time coping with chronic pain due to neuropathy, arthritis and other stuff. I’ve been taking Codeine for years and on only 150 mg now.
I got a new pcp and she has offered Suboxone. That’s why I’m here.
I was on Methadone years ago and had a hard time getting off so that now I worry the same could happen with Suboxone. At the same time my life is ruled by pain. I don’t trust the doctors at all.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
If you are ruled by pain and its not ever gonna go away, do what you need to do. Bupe can be a pretty effective analgesic. Idk if it would be my first choice long term, but neither would codeine. I know you at the mercy of your doctor but you gotta have some quality of life too. Bupe is very safe as well.

Why no anti-inflammatory or a more appropriate med for neuropathy as well?
 
Gabapentin and Lyrica are terrible drugs, both also addicting. Plus they don’t work for me.
I’ve always liked Codeine and it has worked for years but now not so much. I had hcv for years and am cured now but it took its toll.
I read one person who said Suboxone made him feel like he was on a strong psych med after being on it awhile. Is that true for most?
 
Welcome to Bluelight RubyeJack!

You have found a place where lots of people come and share experiences like the one you described. I am in a similar place, regarding coping with chronic pain and the need for opioids, and am still weighing out the cost/benefit analysis for "buprenorphine help for pain vs. taking buprenorphine for life or going again through buprenorphine withdrawal". It is a tough one for sure. I think you will get great responses and support here and am glad to meet you.

Maybe open the thread on Health and Recovery subforum. I believe you will get a lot of good advice there. Hope you stick around. :)
Thanks! Will check out Health and Recovery.
 
I was on brand name Subutex (no naloxone) and besides not working for pain I haven't felt like I was on some strong medication. Pregabalin (Lyrica) and even duloxetine (Cymbalta) affected me much more than buprenorphine did.
 
I was on brand name Subutex (no naloxone) and besides not working for pain I haven't felt like I was on some strong medication. Pregabalin (Lyrica) and even duloxetine (Cymbalta) affected me much more than buprenorphine did.
I have found the anti-depressants and drugs like lyrica and duloxetine to be much worse than the opioids.
It’s so messed up to need to find pain relief while having to worry about serious addiction.
 
I have found the anti-depressants and drugs like lyrica and duloxetine to be much worse than the opioids.
It’s so messed up to need to find pain relief while having to worry about serious addiction.
I find that strange. You can manipulate your Suboxone use to where you will actually feel a good small buzz from it. By going light some days and then slamming it on a day after that. And also by being very careful to not eat or drink for 30 minutes after taking a sublingual and doing it on an empty stomach it can come on with a decent feeling. It's far better than prescription psych meds but nowhere near the same thing as opiates
 
I read one person who said Suboxone made him feel like he was on a strong psych med after being on it awhile. Is that true for most?

As I said in your other thread I haven't been on it, so I certainly can't say for sure, but I doubt it's true for most.

Opioid drugs like subuxone can be very sedating, and antipsychotic are usually also very sedating. So it wouldn't be hugely surprising if someone maybe compared them in that sense maybe?
 
Im using subutex now at the moment and i also suffer everyday from severe pain that can be crippling and subutex does not take away the pain like a full antagonist but as mentioned by @JessFR I have personal found subutex to be more sedating at higher levels or dosages and maybe the combo of the two makes for better pain killing i don't know. Methadone kills pain better.

Oh and Apologies Welcome OP @RubyeJack
 
Im using subutex now at the moment and i also suffer everyday from severe pain that can be crippling and subutex does not take away the pain like a full antagonist but as mentioned by @JessFR I have personal found subutex to be more sedating at higher levels or dosages and maybe the combo of the two makes for better pain killing i don't know. Methadone kills pain better.

Oh and Apologies Welcome OP @RubyeJack
Thank you so much! This is what I was looking for. I kinda had a suspicion it would be as you describe it.
I think I’m going with the Methadone.
Just read a really good article on Methadone and pain relief in the elderly, anyone over 65 and for pain relief you only take up to 12-15 mg and so don’t have to be so concerned with heart or liver stuff as someone on high doses. Again, thanks.
 
It you're gonna get on methadone please don't start much higher than maybe 5-10mg or so. It's extremely potent, and it builds up a lot in the first few days.

Don't assume that you can handle what you could handle last time you were on it. Please be careful. Methadone has killed people and it seems like your tolerance is quite low.

Just worried for you man. <3

If you MUST start on methadone start on the lowest amount, that's about 5-10mg depending on where you live.

Even 10mg with your current tolerance might well leave you struggling to function.
 
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It you're gonna get on methadone please don't start much higher than maybe 5-10mg or so. It's extremely potent, and it builds up a lot in the first few days.

Don't assume that you can handle what you could handle last time you were on it. Please be careful. Methadone has killed people and it seems like your tolerance is quite low.

Just worried for you man. <3

If you MUST start on methadone start on the lowest amount, that's about 5-10mg depending on where you live.

Even 10mg with your current tolerance might well leave you struggling to function.
No, I think I’ll start at 70. 🤣
 
Hi @RubyeJack
Welcome to Bluelight :)

I have read some really good information here in your thread. Just be wise when starting some medication, as you are aware sometimes they can work way to good for their own good, but then again trying it might help with your pain and discomfort.
 
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