To fisherpard and other sub users

murphy65 · 10-18-2004, 03:08 PM

I have a very important decision to make and I am hoping somebody can help me out. I have been on vicodin for a few years for chronic pain that I will always have. I have been tapering down but recently had surgery on my elbow and hand and will have to have the same surg. on oct 26 so I have been using alot more hydro for that. My main question is I have a chance to get on sub and where I live there are only a handful of dr.s that are licensed to prescribe it. I have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to take some sort of painkiller for the rest of my life and my doc agrees. Under normal circumstances I usually take 4-6 sometimes up to 10 vicoprofen a day. Would I be better off trying to control my vic use to keep the pain down or do the sub. I can see myself using more and more of these vicoprofen as time goes on and there is no way in hell that I can cold tukey off them again. Fisherpard, I read all of your post when you were trying to go off the sub and I am sorry you had to go through that nightmare and I am glad you are feeling better. I am not expecting somebody to make this decision for me and I know there has been alot of talk of this treatment with sub but I am scared on what to do. I need something for pain there is no way around that. PLEASE if anybody can give me a little advice I GIVE YOU MY WORD that I will return the favor and help in any way I can with anybody elses problem. I have a great family and I want to do whats best for them too. PLEASE HELP

fisherpard · 10-19-2004, 10:04 AM

Murf,

It wasa tough decision I made going back on the Subutex but really a catch 22. I knew with chronic pain that I was always going to need painkillers for quality of life. I had to choose which route to go. I knew the likelyhood of me building a tolerence on Loratab's etc was a quick process and that I would start self medicating all over again. The Sub relieves my pain just enough and I don't have a lot of the cravings and am not in search of the high. The doctor's choose to put me on Subutex instead of Suboxone just in case I had severe pain and needed to add a opiate. I have been on 8mg of Subutex for about 6 weeks and have not had to add anything to the mix.

Remember one thing that Subutex is not FDA approved to treat pain so it might not work for everyone. The other two areas are tough also. Constipation is a constant battle and it brings your sex life to zero. I am looking at Viagra right now hoping that will help with the sex problem. They ought to give this stuff to sex offenders because it wipes out the desire.LOL

You also have a tough decision. I think the quality of life is better on the Sub. You feel normal. It can get pretty costly and insurance companies are picky. My diagnosis is for chronic pain and not addiction even though I know I am addicted or dependent. It allows me to do things that I would not be able to do without pain relief. Like riding a bike or taking a long walk!

I would give it a try and see if it brings your pain level to a tolerable position. However, with chronic pain I would go with the Subutex over the Suboxone. If you go on Suboxone and have a major flair you would have to wait 36 hours before they could give you anything. Keep me posted on your decision and God Bless!

fisherman

murphy65 · 10-19-2004, 12:06 PM

Thanks Fish. I have a few more questions if you don't mind. Do you have any depression with the sub. I know I have ups and downs with the hydro and I can usually tell if it is depression from the hydro or depression from my stressfull lifestyle. I know you had a terrible time weaning off of sub when you tried are you worried about that again or is sub something that you can be on indefinately. I know what you mean about the sex drive thing, it is bad enought with the hydro. I am 38 yrs old and I am scared to death about this decision I have to make. I have an appt tomorrow with my doc to discuss this. Also how do you sleep. Do you sleep alright with the sub and do you have to take anything else, like anti-depressant or anything like that? Thanks for your help.
p.s. have you tried licorice root for the constipation? If not it might be worth a try. I take it now and drink lots of water and it really does help.

octomon · 10-19-2004, 05:24 PM

Hey friends,
Just thought I would add what my doc is always telling me - It's great to get feedback from others regarding these meds, and of course it's ALWAYS a blessing to have the support here, but really the sub can affect people SO differently depending on any number of factors. I agree with the fisherman - try it out. You're on longterm treatment here, and you can always go back to something else if you're not liking the sub[s].

By the way, recently I've started drinking a "senna" based detox herb tea [Over the counter], and it really gets the bowels moving. It can cause some minor cramps, but for me, being regular is so much better. And the detox factor is GREAT. I just feel better in general. This is something that laxatives or stool softeners just don't offer.

Good luck Murphy. Please keep us posted with your progress.

octomon

fisherpard · 10-19-2004, 08:29 PM

Murf,

I am with Octomon on trying the Sub. If you don't like it's effect you can always go back to the other. It might be the best choice. Don't worry about coming off of the Sub! It was bad but they all are if you are addicted to them. So really it is bad anyway when it's time to come off.

I am on the Subutex for as long as it works. That is something nobody can estimate. I really feel that the Sub is easier on your body than all the opiates that is combined with other drugs. The Loratabs and Loracets come to mind. When you take more than recommended you take the risk of doing serious damage.

Also, While on the Sub you feel more normal than the other opiates. I even sometimes forget to take my dose because it is not consuming my thoughts. It will at least give you some time to sit back and re-group and stop the craving all the time.

If you go this route try to talk your doctor into Subutex instead of Suboxone if you have pain issues that out weight addiction. However, the Suboxone is the best for dealing with addiction and I actually felt a little better on it than the tex. But the doctor's was just too scared to hold me at a place where I could not get immeadiate relief if need be.

Octomon,

I think I will try the herb tea and pop a Viagra and have a fun time in my town tonight.LOL Glad to hear you are doing well.

fisherman