Author: chud
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:40 am
Background
I’ve been on Suboxone for 7 years and had no post-operative pain control problems with an earlier knee surgery 5 years ago. However, I was on a much lower dose of suboxone then 1mg compared to now (12mg). In addition, the web is full of conflicting information on how best to handle post operative pain control in the suboxone dependent patient.
I have been transparent with the Surgeon, his Support Staff and the Hospital Anastesiologist. I’ve endured the standard judgement and scewed looks down the pompous nose, etc. I’m a big boy and don’t sweat that (well, ok a little), but I just want to have the best plan possible going into this ‘elective’ surgery.
I’m ‘relatively’ comfortable that the medical professionals will provide the necessary narcotic levels to override the suboxone. Though, I won’t know if they deliver until I wake from the surgery. Hopefully, I wake not in Hell as its been described in many posts. Botton line, I’m scared to death.
I have downloaded the link provided about Bupe in Post Operative Pain Mgt. Unfortunately, that document leave’s me no less confused about the right approach for post op pain mt. The Summary of this doc lists several strategies to include using sublingual buprenorphine for pain mgt? (C’mon now, seriously?)
Anyone have any good success (ie avoiding disaster) after surgery? Would switching to subutex provide less complications for the Anastesiologists that are so wicked smart except when it comes to managing post op pain for suboxone/buprenorphine dependent patient?
Thanks all for letting me half vent, half beg for guidance.
