Suboxone and surgery

[howdthishappen]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has info on surgery (general) and suboxone. I stopped taking suboxone on October 30th in the evening after one month of treatment at 8-16/day. I don't want to tell the doctor for my surgery about the subox. I am scheduled for 13th of Nov under general. The subox will be gone by then right?
Thanks All!

[Ten Chips Down]

Right.

Information for those who don't know: Suboxone is buprenorphine, an opioid agonist/antagonist used as both an analgesic and as an agent to curb the withdrawal effects of full-agonist opioids and opiates (Vicodin, etc.)

Howdthishappen, with a t-1/2 of only 37 hours and therapeutic efficacy in the body two days tops, you'll be plenty cleared by the 13th.

Do not toy with it though and use anymore between now and that time.

HTH,
-TCD-

[historyteach]

Howdthishappen;

Please inform your doctor. They will NOT be surprised at anything you tell them. ANd it's your LIFE at stake here.

Furthermore, please don't rely on strangers over the internet to give you medical advice. We are not doctors. And even if we had medical knowledge, we don't know YOU. We can't give you a physical exam to determine any possible complications or to see you afterwards. Only a doctor who has seen you is qualified to give you medical advice.

Mark will be here to give you his words of advice.

Shalom!

[Ten Chips Down]

Actually even if there are M.D.s on here it is professionally unethical to render direct advice over the intenet.

Howdthishappen asked a fairly generic question. I gave a fairly generic answer (and easily can source my information). However, as per History's caveat, I was not clear that you should not act on my answer alone.

[howdthishappen]

I have researched everything and have read things about the half life of suboxone, but still a little confused. Stopped sub on Oct. 30th, tested out last night to see if I could feel the effects of some vics and nothing! I guess I am worried about the medication in surgery and pain afterwards...yes...I know I know...tell doctors, but that is so hard to do when you just want a moment of freedom from the guilt of wanting. Just don't really want to go there.

???????????

[Ten Chips Down]

Now I understand. "Why" is because a blood-serum washout period does not equal a restored, or lowered, tolerance to pain-killing meds. The entire CNS has opiate receptors - and even the 'most legitimate' chronic-pain patients have to take drug holidays under their doctor's supervision in order for those drugs to remain effective on them.

You are confused and I would say it is pretty vital that you communicate to all concerned including the anesthesiologist if you're set to have major surgery.

Mark, what do you think? This individual is in a quandary - one I'm sure surgeons are no stranger to, but darned if I have any other answers than the one he or she doesn't want to hear: Spill. Communicate.

[MarkSichelCSW]

I think this is not something I can address and I am sorry to say it needs to be addressed by a real life M.D.

[howdthishappen]

So, just a follow up. Talked to subox. prescribing doc. He said no problems with surgery and said to stop 24 hours before. Which I will be at 2 weeks by surgery time. He said that opiods should affect the body w/in 24 hours after stopping subox. But in my case, not so. One week later and can hardly feel the effects. Just hope by surgery it will definatly curb pain. Cheers !

[howdthishappen]

Even more follow-up. Surgery went perfect. No problems what so ever. Pain meds are working okay, not really good, but okay. Chin Up!

[Ten Chips Down]

Isn't this fantastic!? Give that girl a HOO-RAH - brave one, you are.

So glad for you!