anyone know anything about methodone??

Mike - I have been on just about every narcotic there is, unfortunately.  I've been on Methadone a couple of times, to be used for long-lasting pain relief (and then always had a med for breakthrough pain). 

I did NOT get much relief from Methadone myself.  They kept titrating my dose up and up - and even with that, my pain wasn't covered and so forth.  I say this not to discourage you, but to share my own experience.  I've read on here that some pople have a hard time getting off of Methadone.  I was easily able to transition to another opiod; but I would check your doc's advice on that. 

It is such a frustrating cycle to try to find the right medications - not only ones that work right, but that don't have miserable side-effects and that your insurance will pay for.  That's why - after a LONG 5 year journey - I'm going in to get the drug  pump.  I'm tired of having to  watch the clock ir order to take my medss, etc.  I just want to be free from ALLL of this.

Don't know if anything I said "helped"   But I do hope and pray that you find the right meds that work o=for you.\

--Tina

(please forgive all spelling/grammar mistakes;I shouldn't even be on here at this hour!!)

Just Wanted To Say Thanks To mrsm123 andmomto6boys for thier replies.

It seems like this med has the same type of life as some of the other long term meds. By increasing slowly and trying to get off the medication is a horrendouse part as well.

Im just so sick of these kind of meds to find out if they make me sick or too eeak and then by 4-5 weeks later you get where you should be, and thats when I start to feel like crap and so an agony withdrawl starts to kick in because of the time.

I wish you luck on your pump, It seems more people i have read about have less problems with that proccedure that in years past, so thats a plus!

Also sandi Make sure you do think twice about that scs, I had one put in about a year ago and man did I want that thing out as soon as possible. They tried changing the settings 6 or 7 times and all it did was kepts shocking my ass very strongly and the parts of my foot that was not the erea where we wanted the range to go. Not that it doesnt work for some people, but I have met more people that it didnt work for that did

Hope Everone Has A Pain Free Day!!!!!!!

                            Kind Regards,

                                        Mike

Mike,
I'm prescribed 12 Methadone a day, but I take ten. I NEED 12, but I'm afraid to
take them because there will come a day when I have to go off it for one reason or
another.
I believe it blocks Narcotic medications should we need a surgery. That's real scary.
I read a lot of things. I don't know who to believe.
I'm afraid to complain to my Pain Doctor. If I tell him the true extent of my pain,
he'll send me to a Neurosurgeon and that could put me in a much worse place than
I'm in now. Ever hear of failed back surgery?
It does take awhile for Methadone to start working. I remember calling my Pain
Doctor when I first started. I'd cry and carry on. It did me no good at all on the
weekend!
Many doctors do not know about Methadone. Some who live in the dark ages think
it's only for Heroin Addicts withdrawl symptoms. I had to go to ER with a serious
infection not long ago. (Terrible. I thought I was going to die) The ER docs saw
that I was taking Methadone and there was no Demerol for me.
If I was offered it again, I'd takele it. Oxycontin does nothing. Strong Morphine
doesn't touch it. (The Morphine problem is another post.) Not many people would
be interested in what happened so ask if you want to know. (or anyone else)
Good luck,
Pamela

Post Edited (Pamela Neckpain) : 9/14/2008 11:15:12 AM (GMT-6)

Mike I just read your post, matter of fact I have read it a couple of times. I am floored that the hospital sent you to the detox hospital. Have you let your moron dr know what took place after he refused to give you a refilll? If not, I believe I would have to make an appt and take my wife with me as a witness and let this idiot know what happened all because he refused a refill. There is no excuse for that. Now, that you are out of the detox place what meds are you taking? Are you seeing a pain mgt dr or what? Sorry for so many questions. I don't know your situation at all, but if possible I would be looking for another dr. No one should ever be put in the mess you were put in.

My neighbor has been on Methadone for about 3-4 yrs now for CP. She has done very well with it. I know Pam thinks having surgery while on Methadone is not possible, but thats not true. Unfortunately, my neighbor has had to have many surgeries while being on Methadone. I was tried on Methadone but could not tolerate it. I do know it can be a very good pain reliever, but its like any other meds, may work well for some but not everyone. I do know if anyone is considering Methadone it should not be given for short term use, long term use only. From what I have read about Methadone, its one of those drugs that slowly builds up in your system and a certain amount stays in the system.  The people that have overdosed on it, were the ones that did not take it exactly as scripted and took too much thinking an extra pill would help. I know of a lady that has debilitating migraine headaches and spent most of her time in ER getting shots to knock her out. Her dr finally tried her on Methadone and she is able to function now, where before she couldn't. It is possible to get off Methadone but its a long drawn out process.

Since the SCS did not work for you, what are the drs proposing to do for you now? I sure hope you get some real help soon. Susie

I am currently on a combo of methadone and roxicodone and it seems to be the best combo for me that I have been on so far.

There are pros and cons to all meds, so just make sure to do your research.  And I agree with one of the above posts that methadone should not be used as a short-term med cause of the long half-life and how long it takes to taper off properly.

For me, it has helped SOOOO much!!  It is a great long-acting med and in combination with the roxicodone, it works quite well for me.

Best of luck in whatever you choose to do ....

  

 

My Morphine Experience:
The Oxycontin didn't work so my doctor put me on some strong Morphine.
I could only take one Morphine pill a day. Well, I took that ONE pill and
the pain continued on realllllly bad. I couldn't do anything else. It wasn't
safe to take anything else. The ER couldn't help me. This scenario went
on for about three days and then the AHA. I was detoxing too fast off
Oxycontin.
Mike, your story is very scary. It may be that the DEA was looking over
the shoulder of the doctor who prescribed the Morphine. That doesn't mean
he's an ok doctor -- just a possible explanation.
I guess we have to toe the line when taking our pain meds. Even at that, we
can still run into problems.
Pamela Neckpain