"i&#039;ve been on narcotic pain relievers for 10 years. i have a connective tissue disease causing major joint pain, herniated discs l4- s1, collapsing deteriorating discs. i have bone on bone contact left knee. torn miniscus. osteoarthritis both knees. bursitis both hips. sciatica. neuropathy. i have always been on ms-contin for 12 hr relief with assistance of dilauded or oxycodone. after transitioning of those meds i was put on 20mg of suboxone. my new dr put me on 10mc/h butrans patch. it does nothing for my pain i had to double up to 20mc/h. it mildly helped. but i have a very high tolerance. i also do not like the sticky residue it leaves on my skin. buprenorphine. is used to detox drug addicts.  not effective for people in severe pain."