SUBOXONE use for BPD

[concerned_Dad6450]

My daughter (22 years old) suffers from BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and drug resistant depression.  We were very hopeful to hear about the positive results experienced by others who have also found no relief from traditional treatments but have found great relief from low dosages of SUBOXONE for their depression and BPD.  In my daughters case, however, she has experienced constant nausea, fatigue and lightheadedness.  We have observed some small improvements but are wondering if the severe discomfort she is experiencing is worth her continuing this approach because nothing else has worked until now (PROZAC, HALDOL, etc).  Is there something else she might consider taking with the SUBOXONE (and VIVANCE) that would neutralize the nausea?    

[Bubulous]

How long has she been taking the medication?  A lot of medications have side effects but the therapeutic effest out-ways the symptoms.  At the same time a lot of medicines will have side effects like those you mentioned but they go away as the body gets used to them.  I can't tell you what medicines she needs to be on but I can tell you BPD is one of the less extreme mood disorders, however a very serious one and if left untreated it can worsen.  I am thinkful she has someone in her life as concerned as you are and am confident you two will be able to benefit from each other's strength.  If she just started the medication, talk to a doctor to ease your mind but they will likely say give it a chance and that is what I have heard several time.  In the end I am very thankful for the meds I am on now and couldn't live without them.

On the other hand if she has been on the medicine for over a month and the side effects are still there it is, perhaps, time to change them.

Good Luck and welcome to the Forum.  You will find a lot of help here.  You may also try out the Bipolar Forum and the Deppression forum as a lot of people with mood disorders on there may be able to help.

[theeagle]

It sounds like the dose of sub needs to be adjusted.....what you describe could easily be an excess of sub in her system.

[vicki595]

Hi- Be sure she's taking the Sub properly and is at the right dose for HER. Definitely talk with the doctor who prescribed this because she may need a dosage change.

Let us know if the Suboxone works for the depression. This is a fairly new treatment and we'd be interested in knowing how it works for her.

Good luck!

[dominosarah]

Have you talked with the doctor about what she is experiencing?

[grannyhotwheels]

So sorry your daughter is going through this... It must be heart breaking to see one of your children suffer... Most doctors and pharmacist will tell you that in most medications the side effects will subside the longer your on it... At least that's what mine tell me and they where right in my case... I would probably give it just a little while longer and see what happens... In the mean time try having her take it a different times of the day to see if that helps...

Maybe a bedtime or maybe with her lunch or dinner... She can try taking it on a full stomach or an empty stomach... Just experiment with different times and ways to see if it might help her... If none of this works and the side effects don't go away in time she will have to weigh the medicine itself... Is it worth the side effects?  Is it helping enough to deal with the side effects?

You get my point... I wish her luck and my thoughts are with you also...

I'll be praying,
Carol