My struggle with spinal stenosis and addiction - going to try suboxone. Anyone else use this?

[moonshyne777]

  Hello, I have never posted here so let me introduce myself. I am Jodie and the mom of two little tots aged one and two. I have bad spinal stenosis and I'm only 34. I also have an addiction to oxycontin. I am prescribed 3 20 mgs pills a day but do more like 5 a day. Sometimes more. Today I am going into an addiction treatment centre for an assessment. They mainly do the methadone maintenence but do subutex and suboxone treatment as well. I know I cannot continue with the oxys because the addict in me always wants more, more more and I need the madness to stop but at the same time I will always need something for pain. I am going to give it a try and hope to God I can get my life under control.I need to get better for my babies. they need me and I want to kick this addiction but still be able to get out of bed in the morning. some mornings are so bad I can barely move. i have to get into a hot tub for 5 mins just to loosen up. Its awful being in pain all the time.

  I was just hoping someone could help me. Recently my doctor lowered my dose of oxy and started me on Fentanyl patch. It was awful. The patch gave me a huge headache and I had to remove it. Now I'm blowing through my script even faster then usual because instead of 20 mgs pills I usually get, I'm getting 10's and they do nothing for me. I want to be free of oxy addiction but be able to have pain releif. Its a real two edged sword. Im hoping subs will allow me to get my life under control and be able to live without horrible pain.

I would appreciate any input from someone who's been in my shoes. I was posting in the addiction forum but the minute you mention any kind of maintenence program like suboxone or methadone they jump all over you there all preachy and its pretty much if you dont go with total abstinence (unrealistic for a chronic pain patient) then they make you feel unaccepted and like ****. I hope I get some help here in this forum because I didnt get much there. (Although there were a few really nice people who did help me, I must say that!)

Anyways any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[lkoivisto]

About three years ago I went on suboxone to get off of Duragesic.  If your on suboxone you can not take narcs.  It will not allow the drug to work in fact it will put you into W/D.  For me weaning off of suboxone was hell on earth.  I weaned off is super slow and you still suffer bad.  My last dose amount was 1/2mg and still suffered.  So if you need pain meds for a flare or something while on suboxone your sort of screwed.  I only went on it because I was on Fentyle for 8 yrs because of 2 prior back fusions.  In my opinion your better off weaning off of what your on.  By takeing Suboxone your just tradeing on problem for another and either way your still in the same boat as you have to wean off or go into W/D's

[Tuckamore]

Hi Moonsyne,

Taking that first step is courageous. You should be proud of yourself. I am glad that you are doing that for yourself and your babies.

Because I do not have an addiction I don't know how much information I can offer you. Suboxone and Subutex (brand names) contains a medication called  buprenorphine. There is a new article that states it is an "opiate agonist/antagonist and a very effective pain medication for appropriate patients. It has been used in pain management for many years--mostly in its injectable form."  It also says, "There is now an effective medication for both opiate addiction treatment and/or maintenance pain management that is FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved."  Suboxone contains an additional ingredient called Naloxone to guard against misuse or abuse.

However the Suboxone website says this, "Suboxone is appropriate for the treatment of people who have become physically dependent or psychologically dependent on opioids AND who are not in need of opioids for pain management. Suboxone is not indicated for treating pain."

Which is right I do not know. Until the saw the new article by Dr. Stephen F. Grinstead all information I have read indicated not only was it not effective in Pain Management, it was not to be used in the manner.

In my opinion it is worth a try. It is obvious to me that you cannot continue as you are now. I don't know if your plan is realistic for not. Again I just don't have any personal experience in addiction. I do know that for an alcoholic one drink is never an option, even if they change their choice of beverage.  

I also beleive that true chronic, irretractable pain should be treated. I can only wish you well. Trust your physician to know what is best for you. Please let us know how you are doing. And take care of yourself so you are able to take care of your babies.

Peace,
Tuck