A 21-year-old member asked:
I have diagnosed severe pain and for years have been on 9 oxy 40s a day with 100mg methadone it manages my pain but my doc wants me on suboxone now?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Marxanswered
Pain Management 50 years experience
Should you be?: Although that seems like a lot of rx. Many patients can require this amount if they have developed tolerance to the opioids. Your doctor may believe that you are abusing or diverting(selling) your medication instead of taking it appropriatelly. Only you have that answer. What you will have to do is to regain your drs trust. Have your urines not been apropriate or were you caught dr. Shopping?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Michael Gofeldanswered
Pain Management 34 years experience
Pain vs addiction: Your doctor is rightfully concerned about such high dose. Opioids arent good for long-term management and many became addicted. Suboxone is an alternative maintenance drug with analgesic potential. However, you may better do on Methadone maintenance program.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Einar Ottestadanswered
Pain Management 21 years experience
Reasonable: Methadone 100 mg is a large dose, definately with oxy 360 mg per day on top. Likely your doctor isn't comfortable with the doses for safety issues and wants to rotate opioids. Suboxone can also reverse opioid induced hyperalgesia (extra pain from narcs). I would recommend tapering to at most 1/3 of current doses before trialing a Suboxone induction to prevent acute withdrawal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 22, 2016
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