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3688816 tn?1358475297

will suboxone make my pain med tolerance go up?

Im having surgery next week and im wondering if the pain meds will work since ive been on h for a yr and suboxone. Im really worried about this. Please help!
18 Responses
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3688816 tn?1358475297
Thank you Connie!! Im super worried bc my dr doesnt kno anything abt it but im more at ease bc the anesthesiologist does which helps me alot. Im hoping this is my last surgery so i can get on with my  life lol. I jope u enjoy ur Thanksgiving and ur birthday!! Ill keep everyone updated on how the surgery goes thank you for all the support!!! Its amazing how 3 months ago i was soo alone now i have all of u to talk to and help me!!! :)
Helpful - 0
3197167 tn?1348968606
Evening, Maria!  Glad to see you posted this concern.....I know it was weighing on your and that you wanted to do this "right" Ha!

ABritt has walked in your shoes.....and you got some great advise, huh?
It makes sense that if your dr isn't totally familiar with subs, the anesthesiologists ARE!  Good for you!

And I'll be praying for you and wishing you a happy, grateful Thanksgiving even if  you have to eat it in the hospital.  Thank God for your hubby!
Not everybody gets his service LOL!
Blessings to you dear one~
Connie
Helpful - 0
3688816 tn?1358475297
Thank u everyone i feel alot better. My the surgeon told me id b in the hospital for up to two weeks and on meds for about 8-10 weeks i quickly corrected him and said i dobt want to b on longer than i need to b.ill deal with the pain i cant take the chance of getting sucked back in. I went thru hell for a very long time and im sooo ready to b done!..
Helpful - 0
900459 tn?1304993259
My anesthesiologist for my last surgery knew about suboxone and how to handle it and as u said your doctor said about them knowing bout it from what my anesthesiologist told me she would be correct because she said most anesthesiologist do know alot about the suboxone and its not a rare thing they encou ter before a surgery so don't sweat it they will take care of you and know exactly how to deal with your situation because like I said my doctors said its not a rare thing and they deal with it regularly even tho if you search the Internet it seems like you cannot find anything on it. I went through my surgery without a hitch and was in your same boat so don't lose any sleep over it you will be just fine. Just make sure you are off the pain meds again ASAP after your surgery. It was hard for me after my second major back surgery but I made myself be completely off pain meds and back to the suboxone taper I was on before the surgery two weeks after I had the surgery and it made it a lot easier because I didn't have to restart my suboxone taper I just picked up right where I was before and did all my physical therapy and all that which helped a ton. Physical therapy was very hard no doubt but I pushed through without pain meds and Avery glad I did and today my back feels better than it ever did when I was n any pain meds.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry I didin't read all the post You have told all the docs and they need to now find out whats what do . I had a surgury similar to yours you will be ok you have done everything right. just try to breath and one minute at a time do the meditation thing u can down laod free apps to ur cell if u have one that can do that they have a ton of relaxation sleep anything u can think of for the meditation keeping you calm sleep I live on them best of luck it's in the docs hands and Gods most of all . you need to have this done and it will all be over before you know it I'll be praying.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi first things first you must tell your doc that u take subs ! the reason being is the traditional meds will not work they have other meds out there that r of synthetic form that they will use to put u under and to use for pain managment. I just had a talk with my therapist because I may have to go under the knife myself soon and wanted to know what proper plane of action would be . I know you really shouldn't tell anyone what to do but on this one I think you need to do this that way they will come up with a plan for you best of luck to you . please call your md. or surgeon in the morning and get a plane started for you.
Helpful - 0
1416133 tn?1351123217
Always, check w/the surgeon first on whatever you might be taking.  There are a ton of meds we're supposed to avoid and sometimes eliminate entirely prior to surgery.
Helpful - 0
900459 tn?1304993259
Subs will not affect the anesthesia itself. I have been on subs many times and been put under for procedures like nerve burn and a spine stimulator. But while in surgery and you are under they are also giving you iv fentynal so if you are on a high dose of subs when you come out of surgery the fent will not have been working as well as it should and the pain will not be controlled as well as it should be. For your anxiety I would recommend going to Walmart or cvs and getting some valerian root it's a herb that works similar to Xanax or other benzos of course just not near as strong and its just an herb I used it every time I went through the detox process and it helped anxiety and also helped with sleep along with meletonin to for a sleep aid

Good Luck and Godspeed
ABritt
Helpful - 0
1416133 tn?1351123217
Try meditation.. hot showers.. a brisk walk.. all of those things will help with your anxiety.  You'll get through this and be back home recovering before you know it.   You'll see.
Helpful - 0
3688816 tn?1358475297
Im really trying to hold it all together but its getting hard. I think my nerves r getting tje best of me now. Thank u so much :)
Helpful - 0
1416133 tn?1351123217
My mistake, sorry maria.  You mentioned h but I misunderstood.

Very relieved to hear your Dr.'s know everything.  So you'll have a good plan in place for the entire process and can be back on track once you've recovered.  Good luck on the surgery and GOOD for you for staying on top of what you need to do.  Says a lot about your committment.  :)
Helpful - 0
3688816 tn?1358475297
Im having mass removed from my stomach, a complete hysterectomy and hes doing something else i cant remember the name. Hes cutting me from my breast bone down to my u kno what. Im really freaking out!!!!
Helpful - 0
3688816 tn?1358475297
Thank u for replying.... i think u guys got it wrong im sry my fault! My dr knew from the first time i met him i was on subs. The bad thing for me is he knows nothing about it! He never even heard of it before. Thts y i was asking. I met with other ppl today the anesthesia nurses said those drs kbo exactly what to do. Im VERY VERY open about my suboxone use and my past drug use with my drs. I dont want to lie to them about anything!  ...... imdone what did uean by u werent aware i was still using? Im not. Im only on the suboxone and thts it. This is for my surgery then after right back to the subs i go
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Yes, most definitely make sure the surgeon is aware of your Suboxone use, and be honest about how much you're taking.  If you don't, and this isn't planned properly, you could be in a precarious position with post operative pain.

Typically, you would need to be off the Suboxone for a minimum of 3 days before surgery, optimally, more like 5, due to Sub's long half life.  Please have a discussion with your surgeon, and if you're getting your Sub from a doctor, tell your Sub doctor as well.  The two docs will work together to formulate a plan to manage your pain in the best way possible, and then reintroduce the Suboxone after your pain is manageable.

Lastly, and most importantly, if the doc is not aware of the Subs, it could place you in a bad position with anesthesia.  What kind of surgery are you having?
Helpful - 0
1416133 tn?1351123217
I wasn't aware you were still using (I'm sorry).  But I definitely agree with the others.  Are your Dr.'s aware of what you're currently taking?  They need to know so they can treat you properly before, during and after surgery.  Please don't keep this from them.  They have to know.  If nothing else, please be safe about this.
Helpful - 0
900459 tn?1304993259
As weaver said please make sure your doctors know you are on suboxone because if they don't they will not know and the meds they give you will not work because they simply are not going to give anyone enough meds to knock the suboxone off of the receptors. If you haven't talked to them you need to ASAP because you need to be off the suboxone for at least a couple of days before you go into surgey most doctors from what I have read prefer around 5 days to a week and will put you on pain meds for that time but I dunno how they do it where you are. My last back surgery I was also on suboxone and came off 7 days before and took the pain meds I was prescribed however I got lucky and the doctor I had actually knew a lot about suboxone which is actually very rare. But please tell you doctor ASAP about this and they will tell you what to do but whatever you do do not try and hide it from them.

Good Luck and Godspeed
ABritt
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, you will have a huge increase in tolerance. Most opiates won't do anything at all. The only pain med that works with subs is fentanyl, because it is the only opiate stronger than subs. Be honest with your doctor and form a plan. Subs do work on a pain, depending what surgery, you may not need anything else.
Helpful - 0
3688816 tn?1358475297
Ive looked at many websites and there is not straight answer.
Helpful - 0

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