Difficulty Swallowing and Headache After Initial Suboxone Dose: Seeking Urgent Advice
I am a 27-year-old male, standing at 5'11" and weighing 195 lbs. My medical history includes colon cancer, previous blood clot incidents, and sepsis, which resulted in multiple surgeries; I also suffer from GERD, LPR, and post-nasal drip. My current medications include rabeprazole taken daily, and I usually take prazosin at 5mg each night, though I missed my dose last night. Recently, I transitioned from misusing hydrocodone and oxycodone on a daily basis for about a month and am now on day two without opioids. Yesterday, I ingested approximately 18 grams of kratom. This morning at 6:49 AM, I took the Suboxone film dosage of 8mg for the first time. Roughly an hour later, I began experiencing significant difficulty swallowing, primarily affecting saliva and occurring when I consciously attempt to swallow (though I can still manage liquids and speak). This swallowing challenge has been fairly persistent, occasionally easing somewhat but remaining abnormal six hours later. When EMS evaluated me, they did not display any significant concern. About two hours post-dose, I developed a headache that ranged from moderate to severe, scoring around a 6 to 7 out of 10 before I took Tylenol, which only provided slight relief. I also experienced a brief episode of nosebleed and have been dealing with mild nausea, alongside a runny nose and post-nasal drip for about 36 hours. While I don’t believe my speech is slurred, at one point, my voice felt muffled to me, yet those around me, including EMS, did not comment on any noticeable change. Could these symptoms be typical of withdrawal effects, side effects from Suboxone, anxiety, or post-nasal drip? Or should I seek urgent medical evaluation?
Answers (1)
2/10/2026, 10:10:44 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about the symptoms you're experiencing after starting Suboxone. Difficulty swallowing and headaches can sometimes occur with medication adjustments, but given your medical history and the context, monitoring and careful management are essential.
Summary of Key Points:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and headaches can be side effects of Suboxone or related to withdrawal symptoms.
- Other factors like anxiety, post-nasal drip, and recent kratom use may also contribute.
- Continuous monitoring is critical, especially with your past medical history.
Explanation:
Suboxone, which contains buprenorphine and naloxone, can cause side effects, including headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances. Difficulty swallowing is less common but can be exacerbated by other factors like anxiety or irritation from your GERD and post-nasal drip.
The fact that EMS evaluated you without significant concern is encouraging, but your symptoms are important to note, especially with your medical history of colon cancer, blood clots, and sepsis.
Prioritized Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of when your swallowing difficulty worsens or improves and note any other symptoms (such as nausea or headaches) that may change.
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Hydration and Soft Foods: Stay hydrated and opt for soft foods that are easier to swallow. This can help manage your symptoms until they resolve.
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Increase Comfort: Try using a humidifier to help with your post-nasal drip and reduce overall throat discomfort. Make sure to avoid irritants, such as smoke or very spicy foods.
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Additional Medication Review: You mentioned taking rabeprazole for GERD. Ensure that this medication is taken consistently as prescribed. If the swallowing difficulty persists, consider how medications might be interacting.
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Seek Medical Attention: If you notice any worsening of symptoms, develop new concerning signs (like difficulty breathing, persistent headache, worsening nausea), or if the swallowing difficulty does not improve over the next day or two, it would be wise to seek medical evaluation. You may want to speak with your pharmacist or a healthcare provider about your symptoms and medication effects.
Monitoring:
Given your medical history and the medications you're on, closely observe how these symptoms develop. If they persist longer than a couple of days or if you feel anxious about your current state, prioritize reaching out for medical advice.
Here's simplifying your next decision: keep a symptom log, ensure hydration, and take note of any changes over the next day or two that would trigger a prompt visit to a healthcare professional. Always prioritize safety and don't hesitate to seek help if needed.
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