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How To Manage Withdrawal Symptoms While Weaning Off Of Subutex?

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Posted on Tue, 18 Apr 2017
Question: I take a drug called Subutex but i am not a drug abuser. I take it for RA pain and Lupus. How can I find a Dr. who is not an addiction Dr.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You need a professional withdrawal process and support with pain control

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for asking at HealthcareMagic,

I carefully read your question and understand your concern.

The Subutex medication is in the group of opioids and the fact that you have been needing to use it for pain it means you do have a lot of pain and discomfort and this really can affect your daily activities and quality of life.
On the other hand being an opioid, this medication does have the high risk of developing addiction to it and i can see here the need to have an effective drug to help with pain and meanwhile stop using a medication that brings addiction.

If you have been using if for a while you might have already developed some addiction to the medication which makes more difficult the process of pain control by other pain medications.

Opioids are the strongest pain relief medications and there is no medication that will cover your need for an opioid when you have pain so you will need to go through a process of withdrawal. You will need to have a consultation with services that help with treatment of opioid addiction to help you with both processes: pain control and medication withdrawal and have it in well controlled and supportive manner.

There are other options for pain control that i do not have information that you might have tried. It is also important to know if you have any chronic condition or take other medications that might interfere with the use of the pain medications.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are good medications for pain combined with paracetamol and weaker opioids in small dose. Then gradually while the body gets used to the process of withdrawal the opioid can be taken off gradually and then off totally.
This is not an easy process but is worthy to go through it as it will help in the end get rid of the need you have to use the opioids and will allow better control of pain with the other medications.

I am sorry you feel like you are treated like an addict and this hurts you but there is addiction that comes from medical prescription and that needs to be cared for with the right medications and attitudes.

So to conclude I would say:
1. There is help available
2. look for centers that offer assistance for patients that need to withdraw from opioid use (look for professional service)
3. There they will offer other medications for pain and they will coordinate the medication choice with the other medications you are using and chronic conditions you might have.
4. I know it is important the emotional feel and how people around you interact with you but on the other hand I would encourage you to see beyond this and keep on the process of withdrawal till it is completed- you will feel much better in the end of it.

I hope i have answered some of your dilemmas but please feel free to ask if anymore questions or concerns related to this. I would be glad to answer.

Kind regards

Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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How To Manage Withdrawal Symptoms While Weaning Off Of Subutex?

Brief Answer: You need a professional withdrawal process and support with pain control Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for asking at HealthcareMagic, I carefully read your question and understand your concern. The Subutex medication is in the group of opioids and the fact that you have been needing to use it for pain it means you do have a lot of pain and discomfort and this really can affect your daily activities and quality of life. On the other hand being an opioid, this medication does have the high risk of developing addiction to it and i can see here the need to have an effective drug to help with pain and meanwhile stop using a medication that brings addiction. If you have been using if for a while you might have already developed some addiction to the medication which makes more difficult the process of pain control by other pain medications. Opioids are the strongest pain relief medications and there is no medication that will cover your need for an opioid when you have pain so you will need to go through a process of withdrawal. You will need to have a consultation with services that help with treatment of opioid addiction to help you with both processes: pain control and medication withdrawal and have it in well controlled and supportive manner. There are other options for pain control that i do not have information that you might have tried. It is also important to know if you have any chronic condition or take other medications that might interfere with the use of the pain medications. Anti-inflammatory drugs are good medications for pain combined with paracetamol and weaker opioids in small dose. Then gradually while the body gets used to the process of withdrawal the opioid can be taken off gradually and then off totally. This is not an easy process but is worthy to go through it as it will help in the end get rid of the need you have to use the opioids and will allow better control of pain with the other medications. I am sorry you feel like you are treated like an addict and this hurts you but there is addiction that comes from medical prescription and that needs to be cared for with the right medications and attitudes. So to conclude I would say: 1. There is help available 2. look for centers that offer assistance for patients that need to withdraw from opioid use (look for professional service) 3. There they will offer other medications for pain and they will coordinate the medication choice with the other medications you are using and chronic conditions you might have. 4. I know it is important the emotional feel and how people around you interact with you but on the other hand I would encourage you to see beyond this and keep on the process of withdrawal till it is completed- you will feel much better in the end of it. I hope i have answered some of your dilemmas but please feel free to ask if anymore questions or concerns related to this. I would be glad to answer. Kind regards Antoneta Zotaj, MD