"i have been managing chronic pain for several years due to a failed lumbar fusion. about 4 months ago my doctor switched me from norco to belbuca. i like belbuca&#039;s ability to control pain over 12 hours, although it is really closer to 10. it is also a huge benefit that it can be renewed via fax, versus having to go to the doctor&#039;s office to get a hard copy of the script. now to the major downside, when i was upped to 300 mcg, i developed a severe night time itch. it&#039;s to the point where it is limiting me to less than 4 hours of sleep a night. talk to your doctor about finding a separate pain med for night time, otherwise you run the risk of going utterly crazy from months of long term sleeplessness."