Suboxone for pain?

[Issac Sinclair]

I have back pain and I've tried different drugs. So far the one that has been the most helpful for me is Suboxone. I don't really care to get high, I just want my pain to go away. I hear that there is a generic for it, Subtex and I would like to use it for the purpose of pain.

I was going to ask my psychiatrist for it, but I'm not sure if he would prescribe it, its for addiction so I assume it would look better since they probably don't think it gets you high, maybe off label for depression or whatever? I don't know...

Another option is going to a Suboxone Dr. I don't really know if they would prescribe it for pain though, it just seems like its easier to lie and just get it for addiction, although I do not have an addiction. Has anyone had this experience before? Thanks.

 

[woamotive]

Don't do that - do not lie and say you have an addiction to get it. If you indeed do ever want to see a pain doctor for legitimate pain (which it seems you DO have), you'll be screwed. Why would it be easier - I don't get it. Just go talk to a/your Doc and tell him/her what you think, what you've tried, what works/doesn't work and your thoughts on options.

Psychiatrists don't prescribe pain meds. You'll have to get it from a dif. Doc. Also, Subutex is generally ONLY given by Suboxone Docs. However, methadone is given by pain docs - have you tried this? I'm not suggesting you take methadone, as it is super potent, a full mu agonist, and can potentially screw the poo out of you (then, so can any drug, or opioid).

 

[Issac Sinclair]

Thank you.

Seems like they guard opiates like its the last codeine in the world. I don't want to go through the hassle of going back and forth to just get medications that don't work, as my GP is very far.

Its just very frustrating because I know I'm going to get sent back and forth with prescriptions for non-opiates. I'm not saying they wouldn't work, I just know what works so I'd love to skip to the stuff that works. I hate just laying in bed in the fetal position doing nothing, and the only thing that gets me up is the fact that I nibbled on a suboxone.

I know they can prescribe stuff off label, but I don't think its even a good idea to ask. Should I get a referral to a pain Dr and then ask. I think it would be easier to get after the referral, but I'm not sure how long that takes.

I haven't done any opiates besides Vicodin for my teeth, Tramadol when my pain wasn't that bad, and codeine which I get in a syrup for coughs. Never been on anything stronger than subs.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

Psychiatrists don't prescribe pain meds but some people get their Suboxone from their psychiatrists, who have been trained with bupe and taken classes. They don't prescribe it for depression or anxiety, they prescribe it only for addiction. Just like a Suboxone doctor would do. But I think mine prescribes it for pain as options to other pain medication. I don't think you'll get it by just asking it for pain. You need to go to a family physician or to a pain management doctor.

I know that other buprenorphine drugs are prescribed for pain, in very low doses. In my opinion there are better opiates out there for pain. Oxycodone is the only one that relieves my back and shoulder pain. I'm prescribed 8mg Suboxone currently.

 

[Issac Sinclair]

I meant for off label, I doubt I will get that though. I just want my pain to go away. Have you tried Subtex? I heard that its better since it doesn't block your normal endorphins. So far they are the best for me, since I don't have back pain, it lasts very long, and its also doesn't make me nod. I was just thinking this one since it seems it would be easy to:
Lie to the Sub Dr.
Get Subs from my 'addiction'
Chill on an 8mg pill each month.

Its just very frustrating when you have a legitimate problem, but its just easier to get subs. You two are right though, I'm going to not get red flagged, and hopefully find a sympathetic Dr. I just hate going back and forth for shit that sucks.

 

[woamotive]

It seems odd that you have tried both ends of the spectrum, but really nothing in between. You 'are' aware that Suboxone is way up there on the opiate totem pole, right? Yesterday when I read this, I assumed you had tried things less potent that Suboxone and that it was the only thing that worked for your pain.

However, now I'll say you should def. try something less potent. *Block your endorphins? I think you are maybe referring to it being a partial mu agonist rather than full (like methadone for example).

If you actually are taking/plan on taking (etc) your medication as prescribed - why not try something else - something less ... of a jump (?). It's WAY easier to get 'anything' else prescribed, no lying necessary. ESP since there are a lot of options out there that probably are going to work just fine.

Note as well - Suboxone/OR Subutex, can be just as addictive as any other opiate when used chronically. No doubt, one will become dependent and/or develop a tolerance...on the med long term (it just HAPPENS).

 

[Issac Sinclair]

Naloxone blocks endorphins, not bupe.

The reasons that I wanted it was because:

Its cheap (in comparison, subtex is cheaper obviously since its generic).

Its very effective and lasts for an extremely long time (methadone does too, but it isn't as easy to acquire immediately).

No one really wants it (thieves probably will go ewww), and its easy to get if you're an 'addict' which I can pretend to be.

It is very long lasting, and if I pretended that I was an addict I could go in, get like 90 pills at once and pretty much have enough for several decades.

I was planning on getting it easy, since I've been to the doctor, and have been prescribed things that do not work. I would rather skip the drama, the expensive visits, and just go for the sure thing. I don't think that my pain falls into the pain management category, its very disruptive, but I don't see myself being in the same situation as many other people who truly need it. If I get referred to a pain management doctor ,I would be very happy, but the laws and the stigma are very great, and in short, its much easier to get prescribed an opiate if you pretend to be an addict, rather than going to the doctor and looking like a drug seeker. The stigma is probably what is blocking me, I do live in a heroin city and therefore I think the doctors are much less forgiving, especially when a young adult goes in complaining about pain.