My disease is progressing and Suboxone is not indicated for pain

[LLC1234]

I went on Suboxone not because I had a addiction, I wanted to tier back the dosage needed to control pain. I was on high doses and I have a very progressive disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. The pain has gotten to an unbearable point. Tomarrow I switch back to Pain meds....and I am scared of what will happen...docs say nothing will happen just not feel full effect of pain meds for a short bit....I had weaned down all the way to 1 mg a day....can anyone tell me their experience. Also if you are going to post it is an addiction cycle, I can assure you it is not. This is a type of disease that cannot be eased by lower non narcotic meds. This was advised to switch back by my Suboxone doctor. HE said it is not indicated for the further progress of my disease...he said it would be like giving a cancer patient a tylenol for pain....So please do not post about addiction because it has nothing to do with it! I just want to know I will not flip out and I will soon be again comfertable and able to function without sever pain!

[mellie4]

Actually, a lot of the members of the pain management forum are on narcotics and other medications to help manage their pain.  They'll most definitely understand your problem and have the understanding of the difference between addiction and physical dependence, which a lot of people don't have.  According to statistics, very few people (less than 4%) wind up addicted when taking medications for pain management.  (I'm not really sure about that.  I think a lot of people slide into addiction from it but most people seem to be very careful.)  I have found the forum very helpful for me.  I chose to taper off my medications for the most part as I felt they weren't working for the nerve pain and they had me on too much, IMO.  I found this forum really helpful in dealing with some of the symptoms coming off so many medications.  It may be I have to go back on a lot more at some point but I wanted to see where my true pain is at.  So I switch between forums since I find both really helpful for me.

[LLC1234]

I am sorry, I did not know where to post it. I was afraid if I did it in pain management they would just think I am an addict and not get the true response I needed! Thanks to all!

[mellie4]

I also think you'll get a lot of support in the Pain Management forum.  I've been on that forum for a long time, and have had received tremendous support and suggestions from so many!

[gnarly_1]

hi im sorry to here your in such pain and where not marters her I think your queston belongs in the pain management community here is that addy good luck and God bless......Gnarly

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Pain-Management/show/53

[voxxx]

You will be fine switching to opiates from sub. The sub will likely 'block' a good part of the opiate from absorbing for a few days, but thats it. I have done this many times, even taking suboxone in the morning and then heroin that same afternoon, with no ill effects aside from not feeling much off the dope.

It will take about 3 days for the suboxone to wear off and your opiates to start taking effect again. But you will not suffer any withdrawal symptoms.

It is getting on the sub that causes some people to get withdrawals, because the sub literally rips the opiates off their receptors in the brain if you have any opiates in your system when you take the sub initially. But going from sub to full opiate agonist meds there is no worries.

[vicki595]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

No addiction lectures here (from me)!  I understand your situation and agree with you. It's a painful condition.

I have never taken Suboxone BUT from everything I've read and know, you will be fine. As the doctor said, you won't feel the full effect of the pain med for a few days. That's it!  Please keep in mind that this is what happens so don't increase your pain med dose in an attempt to get relief...it takes a few days.

When going from an opiate to Sub, the situation is much different. From Sub back to an opiate it just takes a little time and patience.

All the best to you!