buprenorphine

[soupersuzy]

I have just started on a buprenorphine patch and am having side effects of headache, dioarreha and horrendous nausea. I'm sure many others are on this medication and was wondering if these side effects will ease as my body gets used to it or is it likely to be permanent. So far I have had no relief from my RLS either. I would appreciate some advice. Many thanks .

[Joolsg]

I didn't get headaches or diarrhoea, but the nausea floored me for over a week.I used medical cannabis with 20% THC & it instantly stopped the nausea.

Zofran or kwells will also help.

For diarrhoea - try immodium.

Buprenorphine normally causes constipation so watch out for any switch to that.

Any reason for patch rather than sub lingual pills?

The patch releases a steady stream of Buprenorphine & is usually given for pain.

I have zero side effects now.

[soupersuzy in reply to Joolsg]

Hello Joolsg thanks for replying. My GP prescribed the patches for pain but nothing else was mentioned. I was pleased because I'd read on here that so many rls sufferers did well on Buprenorphine but I've never had such bad side effects. The nausea is absolutely awful isn't it, but this is only my 4th day so hopefully I will feel better soon. Pleased to hear you have zero side effects now, hopefully I can say the same soon.

Have heard of Kwells but not Zofran, can I buy that otc? I did think of Immodium but the pharmacist said I shouldn't take it with the Buprenorphine. Hopefully it will switch soon to constipation it's so much easier to cope with.

[Joolsg in reply to soupersuzy]

Excessive amounts of immodium can cause irregular heartbeat when used with Buprenorphine. But not if you just take one pill to stop diarrhoea.Is the pain related to RLS? Did you get all day pain before any dopamine agonist augmentation?

Often the pill works better for RLS because it releases most of the effective ingredient in the first 11 hours. When RLS is at its worst.

Zofran (ondansetron) is only available on prescription from a doctor or specialist.

The nausea floored me. I lost half a stone.

BUT- zero RLS so I decided to find a solution to the nausea. Cannabis worked instantly.

I do hope the side effects settle.

Off on holiday now for 6 days so will be offline.

[soupersuzy in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you Jools for all your help. Have a good holiday.

[amdrew_m]

Hi, I went onto the patches, I mentioned the pill versions the the GP but I think they were reluctant and mentioned buprenorphine was very strong, I think my GP believed it might be easier to misuse the tablet versions or become addicted. Perhaps this is the preferred method to start for GPs. I had no RLS relief the first day and night but then it kicked in and has worked great since. I don't have any noticeable side effects, perhaps a headache sometimes but it might not be the buprenorphine although I had been taking codeine previously and did need to drink a lot a water to avoid headaches on the codeine, perhaps that helped prepare for the patches. What dose are your patch, mine is 5mg path that releases 5 mcg per hour, perhaps you are on a stronger dose? Hope it settles down for you and starts to provide relief. Andrew

[soupersuzy in reply to amdrew_m]

Thank you for your reply. I'm on the same dose as you and into my 4th day with no relief at all. In fact I feel worse as I'm not getting much sleep either.

My gp never mentioned tablets but they are better for RLS it seems so when I see her next I'll discuss the possibility. I was also on codeine before this patch and it was for over a year so I wondered if I'm having a bit of withdrawal from that.

Glad to hear you've had success just hope I do too.

[amdrew_m in reply to soupersuzy]

Yes I think I had a bit of a withdrawal from the codeine as well, I stopped and the first night was very difficult, I don't think I had an hours sleep and what I had was broken. I was probably on the codeine for maybe 3-4 months and don't think I took the maximum dose as my RLS was usually at night, I didn't want to take the codeine all day long as I only really suffered at night. Perhaps if you have been on it for a year the withdrawals are much worse, I think I remember reading that withdrawal from codeine/opiates can be very tough. I hope the codeine withdrawal can pass and buprenorphine kicks in for you soon... sounds like that is probably what's happening. Hope you can stick with it. Andrew

[soupersuzy in reply to amdrew_m]

Yes that is the main problem, lack of sleep. I think I've probably had only 6 or so hours over the last 3 nights. But also my RLS has seemingly got worse which as you know wakes me up but I will try my best to stick with it. Thanks for your support.

[Typicallygaslit]

The nausea did improve over time.

[soupersuzy in reply to Typicallygaslit]

Thank you I do hope so.