I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia four years ago. I have tried many different medications and procedures. Nothing seemed to work until I tried Suboxone. Just wondering if anyone else is taking this medication for pain and how it works for them. Please share your experiences.

Hi Jillianjoy,

The searches on the FDA site I did for Suboxone call it up as a treatment for drug abuse. I cannot see anywhere it it used on-label for pain management, although I am pleased it gives you relief. I would also call into mind the stigma attached to meds like this by some people with the whole 'addiction' angle, even though it is often caused by legitimate use of pain killers by Chronic Pain sufferers.

The same medication is marketed as Temgesic (tablets) for moderate/severe pain, and Norspan and Butram (transdermal) for chronic pain. I would expect a more favourable response requesting to try one of these than Suboxone itself.

Whatever the name, I hope it continues to be an effective treatment for your issues.

Dave.

Add: Quote from Drugs.com

What is Suboxone?
Suboxone contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Naloxone is an special narcotic drug that reverses the effects of other narcotic medicines.

Suboxone is used to treat narcotic (opiate) addiction. It is not for use as a pain medication.

Suboxone is now used for pain management today. I think that quote from Drugs.com is old.

It binds heavily to pain receptors, and will bump off other opiates, in fact...so one has to be careful with it.

We have some threads on our bipolar forum here, about using it for refractive depression, in fact. It seems to increase dopamine in the brain, and this then gives a feeling of less depression.

Thanks MrsD,

The FDA page is only a year old - but I can see that being a long time in medicines. I understand the way it works, and the problems with using it if one were taking other opiate pain killers. What I do not understand is why rx that particular NAME with the percieved stigma attached when exactly the same medication is available under another name specifically used for Chronic Pain. Is it a money matter?

From what I found it is a Schedule C111 drug, there was a lot of bumpf about Doctors being Registered to rx and checking for abuse in areas and by patients - even though they admit this is less likely than with other opiates. Do you still have to jump through hoops to get even this?

Dave.

FDA page? That would only have FDA approved data on it.

The use of Suboxone (and Subutex --without the naloxone) would reflect only what is "approved".

But doctors do use it off label for refractive depression and chronic pain. It is thought to be less addicting than other opiates by some. The buprenorphine is approved transdermally in patches for pain control (Butrans). Seems rather confusing to me, all around!

Hey jillianjoy...I have severe SFN in my feet, ankles, hands and arms......I've been on the BuTrans patch since last Sept/Oct (can't remember...lol). I started on 5mcg/hr and titrated up through 7.5, 10 and 15....now am on 20mcg/hr. My pain doctor doesn't want to go any higher. I just started my 2nd month at the 20mcg. He gives me Percocet 10-325 for breakthrough pain but it's actually part of my pain control. I have to take 2 to 3 a day to keep the pain down and when I flare up that doesn't even help.

Prior to going to pain mgmt. I had only been taking hydro 10-325. Hydro cannot be taken with BuTrans and that is why I am now on the Percocet.

I am better than I was this time last year. I've been able to put some flowers out in containers and keep them watered, cook small meals and clean a little more. This is a lot for me since I was unable to do them prior to the BuTrans. I am not where I want to be and if I do too much I will be in the bed or on the couch for days. Sometimes it happens even when I don't overdue.

My pain dr feels an SCS is my best bet but I have not been able to talk myself into that as of yet.......thinking of something being implanted in my body kind of scares me. But I may do the trial next year and see. Right now I'm going to stay on the BuTrans 20mcg/hr for a few months. My husband is about to have major surgery on his neck and I don't want to be trying new things while trying my best to take care of him.

Hope some of this info helps you.

Debi from Georgia

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Welcome jillianjoy.