Miracle pain relief drug!

[steve55]

I've been dealing with various levels of pain ever since my 3 level ADR extraction. Some months my pain levels at work by afternoon would reach about a 7 on a scale of 1-10 making hard to concentrate and function. Other months the pain level was generally around a 2 to 5. I've pretty much been depending on hydrocordone and oxycodone, especially in the late afternoons and evenings. Well, I was just prescribed the butrans patch (10 mcg) and within 24 hours I started experiencing significant pain relief. By day 3 on through day 6, I experienced 100% pain relief!!! This is especially surprising because my type of pain was both mechanical and neurothapy type pain and it knocked out both! Before butrans patch I was taking about 3-4 15mg hydrocordones a day but while on butrans, I took ZERO!!

Another interesting and positive thing about this drug is that it doesn't give you a high like other opioids do, , and its non addictive, and you can't possibly overdose from a respiratory depression which kills so many addicts of other opioids. Another ironic thing is that its main use seems to be in treating opioid addiction, it's used to help people come off of whatever they're addicted to and get clean, so I find it odd that it works so well for pain relief.

It's more convenient to take since it's a patch that only needs changing once every 7 days, so no need to worry about taking pills and missing doses etc. I've had no side effects except having a little less motivation to do things and feeling a little sedated at times. But I've never experienced 100% absolute pain relief before as I consistently do on this stuff. And it really helps me sleep too. At times it puts me into a prolonged state of a sense of well being, mainly during sleep time or afternoon naps, and it's not really a "high", it's just a strong sense of relaxation and sense of well being.

I've read about this patch at many other review boards and many are calling it a miracle drug and they are commenting that it works far better than hydrocordone and oxycodone ever did!! Isn't that something? And even better, you won't build up a tolerance over time! That's amazing! I've also read that it is used for treating treatment resistant depression. One report said "buprenorphine seems to have robust antidepressive and antianxiety proper". I am bi polar and typically I'm fighting a low grade depression all the time, but I must say, butrans patch has certainly made me feel less depressed and helped me relax.

Apparently it's been in use in Europe for quite some time but has only been approved by the FDA since 2011.

Here is more about it from a ncbi report Transdermal buprenorphine in the management of persistent pain – safety aspects

Here are it's reviews at drugs.com Butrans Reviews & Ratings at Drugs.com

This stuff may be so good that it may help others avoid surgery altogether except those who need surgery for reasons other than pain relief. If you've never tried it, I recommend you do. It has totally knocked out my pain! All of it! I can sit at my desk all day long without having to get up and I feel no pain just like a normal person. Normally doing that kill me with unbearable pain.

[Maria]

On finding something that works that well! I might like to check this out if I could get W/C to pay for it. It sounds like the patch form of Suboxone (sp?) but I may be wrong. Suboxone has been to get people off of Methadone as well as detoxing in general from other opioids and used for pain control too.. catch was it was very expensive .. something like $700/mo as compared to $20/mo for M and not all PMs would prescribe it.

May I ask if your insurance pays for it or you pay out of pocket?

It must be wonderful to have that much relief especially if you're still working.. the latter to me is amazing anyway given all you've been thru so it's great that you're now able to sit and work in comfort, sleep w/o pain,etc!

thanks for the heads up! Just read the links you included. I get pretty good pain relief with my once daily dose of Methadone (10mg) but the GI effects really get to me. I have been on this drug over 10 years now.

[mmglobal]

Steve, thanks so much for posting. I'm so happy to read that you are finding some relief.

I'm wondering about the relative dose... 15mg hydrocodone vs. 10 mcg butrans patch. Actually, the concept of narcotic equivalence is kind of a stretch, as the delivery systems are so different.

I did try butrans patches a couple of years ago.... I was then taking 60mg/day oxycontin and did not want to go higher (pun NOT intended). I also did not want to consider anything like fentanyl patches. I transitioned to the butrans at what was thought to be a slightly higher dose than the oxy. I stayed with it for a few months but did not see a huge difference.

The main reason that I did not stay with the butrans is that I have always endeavored to reduce my meds as soon as I can get by with less. IMHO, this is why I've been able to manage the opiates without dealing with the tolerance issues that generate a need for ever increasing doses. I like having the fine granularity of adjustment steps I can take when I need less meds.... stretching doses and dropping med levels. I didn't like the idea of maintaining a constant dose when the need for the med changes so dramatically.

I hope this doesn't come across like me throwing cold water on your party. Your story is inspiring and reminds us that we should keep looking and trying. Just because I didn't have your experience does not mean that anyone else shouldn't try it. My pain management doc has had wonderful result with Butrans and there are so many people who benefit from it. It is great that it doesn't have the same side effect profile and addiction issues that may opiates come with, but not everyone gets the magic.

I've seen so many amazing recoveries through the years, including many from modalities that I think are smoke and mirrors or do not understand. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth... if it works for you... enjoy! (I've never understood that expression. I don't even know what a gift horse is or why anyone wants to look in it's mouth.)

Stay well my friend!

Mark

[Maria]

Saw my PM yesterday and asked about the Butrans patch. He still has to take the 8 hour course to be able to prescribe this. I told him I'd like to try it and he said he's had other patients ask to try it as well so he will eventually take the course. I don't know whether that will happen or not as he said that last few years re taking course to prescribe Suboxone. I told him I'd keep asking him every visit. Fortunately for him he doesn't see me every month!

One point I made was wanting to give my gut a chance to recover from daily laxatives re opioid constipation and he said he thought it still caused some constipation though it appeared from what I read on the links it was lessened because of route of medication (which I would hope would be true if I ever have the opportunity to try it).

Thankful for your post Steve and hope you continue to do well with this medication!

[mmglobal]

Maria, could your PM turn you over to another doctor (on a temporary basis) so his logistics issues with taking the required class will not drive your medical decision?

Good luck!

Mark

[Maria]

Mark,
My care for Pain Management is thru WC so whomever prescribes for me would have to be my treating physician. I don't know that WC would even cover it as Methadone is dirt cheap and that's all they authorize now not injections and such. Eventually I'll probably have to find a PM closer in location to me although I'm not sure who would see me just for prescriptions not injections and other money making treatments... I wish Dr. Karp in Long Beach was a PM besides an anesthesiologist.. he was the coolest guy and awesome with injections though my PM in SD is really awesome as well (cool person and great at injections even though I don't get them anymore).

If you know of a few PMs that you could recommend let me know. I could try to check them out at least. I do remember that Dr.McDreamy/McSuperCompassionate in Regan's office ;-)

[mmglobal]

Maria, I've been back in pain management since the fall of 2008 and have been with Pain Medicine Associates (Pain Medicine Associates | your life, your health, pain free).

The elder statesman of the practice is Medhat Mikhael. The young gun is William Barreto. I use them both and switch back and forth at times to put 'new eyes' on my problem. I love them both and recommend them highly.

They have an office on Atlantic just north of the 405 in Long Beach. The main office is in fountain valley and they also see patients in newport beach.

I do remember Dr. Apostle at Cedars.... he was particularly interesting because he was a psychiatrist in addition to a pain management specialist.

Mark

[Maria]

Mark,
Long ago I used to go to the office on Atlantic back when I started in PM. Dr. Mikhael saw me and then I was turned over to an NP and then to a PA in that office for routine medication prescription as I didn't get my injections there (got them with Dr. Karp at Memorial). I left that practice when I moved to Fl for a brief period and when returning to CA in 2004 started with Dr.Kevin Toliver in SD.

I'm not familiar with the other physician you mentioned (William Barreto).

I remember that visit to Dr. Regan's with Dr. Apostle taking my history first and he was so attentive and compassionate. That seems like a perfect marriage of specialties with Pain Management and Psychiatry. Of course I was also very impressed with Dr. Regan at that visit.

Thanks for your input! Maria

[Eddie G]

I prefer my medical marijuana over anything with these side effects...


Butrans can cause death in a child who gets a hold of a skin patch and places it in the mouth or on the skin.

Buprenorphine may be habit-forming, and the Butrans skin patch contains a high concentration of this medicine. Use Butrans exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never share the medicine with another person. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a person using the medicine without a prescription.


You should not use Butrans if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, or a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Buprenorphine can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never use Butrans in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Buprenorphine may cause life-threatening addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.

Do not drink alcohol when using Butrans skin patches. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with buprenorphine.


Side effects:
Blurred vision
confusion
difficult or troubled breathing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drowsiness
irregular, fast, slow, or shallow breathing
pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
pinpoint pupils
relaxed and calm feeling
shortness of breath
sleepiness
unusual tiredness or weakness

More common
Back pain
cough or hoarseness
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
fever or chills
headache
lower back or side pain
nausea
painful or difficult urination
runny nose
sleeplessness
sneezing
stomach pain
stuffy nose
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
vomiting
Less common
Diarrhea
feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
feeling of warmth or heat
flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
lack or loss of strength
sweating