Oops.. I meant to name this Butrans Patch. I told my pain doc that the norcos and the somas aren't really helping my pain a lot so he put me on a butrans 10/mg patch. It lasts 7 days and then I change it. I've been on it for 6 weeks now and I guess it has cut down on my neck pain quite a bit. I do notice it the pain gets worse towards the end of the time and the beginning of the new one. I'm in the process of getting these things done to my neck, I honestly can't remember what it's called. I used to get nerve blocks and it is basically the same thing. Except this time they rate my pain before, than give me a pain diary to fill out for the next two weeks. Then they do it again, and the same thing. Then they do one last final one is supposed to last for about a year. I have to be sedated for these procedures, but I still feel quite a bit of pain. I've got two more to go on my right side, and then all three on my left. Oh joy. Oh well, if it works.. it will be life changing. I have pain all of over of course (because of my lupus.) But my neck/shoulders/upper back is the worst. It's a 7-10 on a pain skill on a regular basis. This is an alternative to surgery.. I really do not want neck surgery. Anyway, just wondering if any you have any experience with butrans patches?
Is this patch similar to the Fentenyl patches? Or is this a new form of narcotic? I have never heard of them before.
It's a buprenorphine patch that comes in 5,10, and 20mcg/h strengths and are worn for 7 days at a time.
Well, I take sublingual Buprenorphine (ie: Suboxone), albeit not for pain (or addiction really) but for off-label treatment-resistant depression, and I love the medication. Unlike other opioids (including Hydrocodone which you mentioned), it does not sedate me to the point of stupification but still manages to provide the clinically relevant effects. I hope you continue to enjoy it. Also, you have a very smart doctor that didn't want to have to move you up to a Schedule II med so that you can still get refills!
When I used BuTrans I didn't find it very effective. I was on the 10/mcg patch and it just didn't help. I'm now using Suboxone and I feel like it works better than the sub dermal patches.
