Are Butrans patches good for long term chronic pain?

[andyhobbitj]

I have been told by the NHS pain management clinic at my local hospital to try Butrans 7 day patches. Has anyone tried these patches and could let me know if they work.I have a 20 year back problem, have had many steroid injections and nerve blocks, many different drug therapies and physical therapy. I am currently taking 8 co-codamol 30/500 tablets,900mg gabapentin and up to 6 Baclofen a day, occasionally amitriptaline to help me sleep. I can't take anti-inflamatories anymore due to stomache problems with them. I get very little side effects on opiates generally and my current painkillers only deaden the pain for about 2 hours. How does Butrans patches rate against codeine for nerve pain? Any other ideas on treatment to help with the pain would be appreciated.
  Andy

[amysuey]

I just have to say... I have severe problems with my back and neck and have been on and off all different MAJOR pain meds and muscle relaxers... round the click for almost 8 years .. on/off before that 28 years ... the BuTrans patch 10mcg patch is SO FAR the BEST this to come into my life .. my Px specialist put me on the 5mcg same day I quit taking all my other stuff .. don't get me wrong I was very doubt full that this little thing could replace and actually work any better then the other crap... BuTrans is class III ... I made all kinds of excuses why I didn't want to try it ... but now that I have I look back and say to myself " it takes away your pain why not try it. Now I'm not a prisoner to my pill bottles" LOVE IT!!!!!!!

[lyn460]

Hi
I was put on these patches since last year due to injury to my back 20 yrs ago.Over the years i have just plodded on as i have a high pain barrier as i am told. Now having a collapsed spine where i fractured it I thought no problem just get on with it Lyn I also have osteoporosis and arthiritis I am 52 and have been told i have bones of a 70 year old but hey  at least i am here.
I take Ibropufen 600mg co codamol both 3 times a day as well as the patches and was o.k at first but now i got a build up of butrans in my system 10mg i have asked my GP who I have to ring every 2 weeks to go down to 5mg due to being spaced out when awake and sleepy and sleeping for more than 3/4 z of the day for at least 3 days this frightened me and didnt want to be like this and even though the pain is getting stronger again i still dont want to live a life like this.I will just have to smile through my teeth again till i wear them down.Does anyone feel like this.

Lyn

[shazzer123]

i have just been given butrans patches 5mcg and i take 1800mg gabapentin a day and 30/500 co codamol up to 8 a day. i have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but gp unsure now due to pain . it may be ms, though had mri.x 5 and no signs. can anyone give me advice i am so fed up it affecting my home life and i feel like an old women at 43 can i take the patches and my meds doc never said.

thanks
shaz x

[sheila671]

I have been in pain for 3 years since having 1/2 knee replacement due to osteoarthiritus, and just told to take co-drydomal until now as the pain has worsened my GP put me on the Butans 5mg patch and I must say I feel great just a little pain but nothing to stop me doing any thing,I can take co-drydomal as well.The pain just stopped would recommend these patches.

[namnam46]

Hi amci,

I'm going to ask you to PLEASE re-post your question on a thread of your own.  This Thread was done in 2007 about 3 1/2 years ago. Most of the posters haven't been here in more than 2 years. :{

If you will go to the top of the page and click on the Green rectangle that says "Post a Question" and then re-post, you will get MUCH better response as MOST people won't even look at an older post.

I'll be looking for your post..........Sherry

[amci]

I just started taking the bu trans patches. Started at a 10 dose. I was taking a lot of pain medication prior. It was really hard to just take the patch and I had to take some pain meds with it as I could not stand the pain. I am on day 2.5 and feel a little better but still not feeling any energy. I have to work on this so am worried as I am back to work tomorrow.
Does it get better? Can I take my hydromorphone with this 10 patch.

How long before I actually feel the meds working?