Has anyone tried Buprenorphine patches?

[Nazifa]

Hi there

I am currently waiting for an appointment with a spine consultant at my local hospital due to a prolapsed disc at L4/L5 giving me severe sciatica in my left calf. I was prescribed Amitriptyline and Co-codamol 15/500 (as well as Naproxen) about 6 weeks ago for the pain and also started on Gabapentin nearly 2 weeks ago.

A week ago the pain was so excruciating I was unable to walk unaided and have since been off work. I saw my GP today who suggested using Buprenorphine patches. He reckoned that they work better than most other drugs. The only thing that concerned me was not being able to take Co-codamol with them as I find that I cannot move from the edge of my bed, even to go to the loo, until after about 1/2 hr after taking Co-codamol in the morning. The pain in my leg is too bad to stand on it. So I feel I need something that will give me an immediate boost initially. He's now upped my Gabapentin dosage and also my Co-codamol to 30/500.

I was just wondering if anyone has tried the patches and whether they work. Would they mean I could do away with the Co-codamol and the rapid semi-relief I get from them.

Thanks in anticipation

 

[syph]

Hi,

I have been given Butrans patches. They stay on for 7 days. Day 1, 2 and 3 the dose is building in your system and on day 3 it is at it's max. There is no see sawing up and down just constant painkiller all the time, its there when you wake up so no dreadful dip in the morning waiting for meds to kick in, and no lull in the afternoon.

Although I now change on day 6 as they seem to be used up too fast,

You may need to start on 5mg then 10 then 15 (10 and 5) then 20 then build for a couple of weeks to see what dose you need. You may be fine on the 5mg, I was for ages as it just took the edge off the mornings for me.

Good luck and if you want any more info let me know

 

[Tee Tee]

Many thanks, Cassie.

That sounds very reassuring. My GP did mention they stay on for 7 days and that you gradually increase the dosage strength.

Just one question well actually two, you mention the dose takes about 3 days to build up, do they have sufficient pain-killing effect in those first few days to replace the co-codamol? Also, is it the first three days every time you change the patch or just the initial 3 days when you start using them?

Thanks again, I think I'll give them a go.

cheers
Cat

 

[Wayf]

It takes 3 days to build to the dose in the body then it stays constant, so first path days 1-3 building then 4 5 6 7constant then change and day 1-7 constant etc.

I was able to leave off the other pain relief as I rested waiting for the patches to work as I started them on a Friday

 

[BShimwoman]

Thanks for replying, Cassie. They sound much better than keep popping the co-codamol, I'm definitely going to give them a go.

cheers
CatMac

 

[formbroaway]

Good Luck, a couple of things I find help, keep a diary and jot down where you put the patch so you don't put one on the same place for 4 weeks, also no body lotion on the area for a few days before or they seem to not stick so well.

In fact it's handy to keep a pain diary so you know if its doing any good and what happens

 

[Beorcaeron]

Good points Cassie. I've never been any good at keeping diaries, but I must admit I've currently got loads of time on my hands as I'm unable to go to work, so that will keep me occupied

Thanks for all your help n this.
All the best
CatMac

 

[Super Hot Brazilian Girl!]

I am useless at keeping diaries too but my chiropractor suggested I keep one of my symptoms and now I have over two and a half years of notes. It's far easier jotting down LHL pain ( left hand leg pain) or RHS numb ( right hand side numb etc) I also can look back and show my docs evidence of how the meds do or dont work etc.

I am not into tittle tattling about real life so maybe this is journalling instead?

Try it and maybe you might find a vent too? Also we could always message each other lol to pass the time? You must like cats?

 

[BloofeBup]

Love horses, sadly can't ride anymore, or even look after them though thankfully my son has taken on that role for me now.

When are you due to start the patches?

 

[jody]

Started the patches Tuesday evening, so 5pm yesterday was my 72hr deadline. I think they're working.

For the past couple of mornings the pain on sitting up in bed was bad but not agony or excruciating like before. Also yesterday afternoon I managed to walk to the kitchen and back (total about 12mtrs) which I havent been able to do for over a week now. I also feel I'm walking more upright and normally come the afternoon/evening, rather than lopsided with my left hip feeling locked. Still need a stick though but hopefully things are looking up.

It would be nice to be able to get out to the car occasionally just for a run out (as a passenger I mean) and change of scenery. I'm fed up with the confines of the dining room (where my bed currently is), living room and downstairs loo! Still I'm hoping to get to sit in the sun lounge this weekend sometime to participate in the Big Garden Birdwatch. One day at a time for me at the mo.

Do you keep horses at home and are you able to get to see them from time to time? That at least would be some consolation if you cant ride any more.

 

[whoishow33]

That sounds a very good start then. Did they give you the 5mg patch? I think the pain relief gets better with consequent patches too

I have only two horses now and yes they are at home and I can hobble out to see them, It is so frustrating not being able to ride anymore but I have accepted that now as there isn't an operation yet that can fix me properly. so it's better than driving myself mad trying lol.
I can recommend memory foam pillows to sit on in the car lol helps with the bumps.

Hope the birds turn up

 

[--------------]

Hi Cassie

No, they've started me off on 10mg patches. I've phoned the surgery twice in the last couple of weeks moaning about the pain and nothing I'm on working, and both times had the same doctor phone me back. He's probably fed up with me and thought he'd start me on a higher dose to shut me up ::

Well, either they are doing some good or I'm getting used to the pain as it seems much better in the mornings. My leg still hurts like hell when I first start walking, but I know that's coming now and it's normally desperation for the loo that motivates me!

Sorry to be nosey, but why isnt there an operation that can fix you? What's wrong? I know I'm probably going to opt for an operation if they recommend it as I cant live like this for the rest of my life.

As for the birds, just one magpie in the whole hour I was watching! We usually have loads of sparrows, blackbirds, jackdaws etc but they must have decided to pack up and holiday in Spain or something this year

cheers for now
Trina

 

[lololo]

I started using those patches, but it itch and burn, so I've been wondering is it normal? Am I doing something wrong?