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Starting Methadone. Sort of scared.

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Posted 12/4/2009 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I have extreme pain. Out of this world pain. I've been taking Oxycontin for over two years, with Percocet for breakthrough pain. I don't know if my tolerance increased or my diseases got worse or a combination of both, but it stopped being as effective. I've been suffering terribly. My doctor suggested Methadone, and I agreed. I've been reading many stories on the internet where people in my situation got the pain relief they needed with Methadone.

I actually took it for five weeks in early 2008, for insurance reasons. My pain wasn't what it is now, but Methadone helped. I didn't like nodding off, but that was stopping. I don't have any unrealistic expectations. I'm just hoping that I can reclaim some of my life back, maybe get the pain down from 9/10 to 3/4. I'd like to be able to keep house and be a good wife to my husband.  If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

Posted 12/4/2009 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi DiLane,

I took Panadine Forte (Codeine) for 5-6 years and as time went by, i needed higher doeses and eventually became tolerant to that particular med also. And have had to take now a strong opiate. My dr was concered in prescibing this as he said the same will happen with this med also, but i believe that if its chronic and long term, there really innt a choice if all other thearapies have failed.

Its all about trial and error with meds, so i suppoe you will have to give the Methadone a try, and hopefully it will be effective as it was in 2008, but if you pain was what it is now is there a possibility of your disease to gotten worse?
I too suffer severe pain, and its so disabling and impacts on my life severly.

You deserve a quality of life and require effective pain meds to assist with living a quality life with minamal discomfort.
I to am hoping to reduce my pain also to an acceptable level, as its so depressing at this stage.

I take Norspan Patches Burenorphine, i have been advised that this is also used in certain circumstances in palce of Methadone and has less side effects and more tolerable for many patients and is very effective for CP and has a very good role in Pain Managment.I have found this med to be very effective in reliving my back and neck pain, but it has not assisted at all for my shoulder pain.
But everyone is different and what works for some might not for others, its all a trial and patience, but patience is very difficult when the pain is severe.

Hope your feeling better soon, and good luck with sorting out your pain meds.
Let us know how you go.
Good Luck and keep your chin up.
Cheers
Leisa
Posted 12/4/2009 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
DiLane...

We share many of the same diagnoses, except I'm hypothyroid... I, too, have been on Methadone for pain, for a similar reason (I had built tolerance to whatever other meds I was on before it). Unfortunately, the way I view pain meds is exactly what Leisa (punchfit) said: trial and error. Not only is it a trial of different meds but also the dosage...

It sounds like methadone has helped you before... I hope it will again... Good luck to you; let us know how you are doing...
--Tina
Posted 12/4/2009 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
DiLane,

I understand your concerns about Methadone. If you will do a quick search here at the forum you will find some excellent threads on Methadone. We have a few people here on it and have done well with it. It does come with its drawbacks. Methadone can be an excellent pain reliever, however, in my opinion it should be considered only as a last resort. There are other medications out there that should be tried. Methadone is a long term use drug, it is not a drug to be used for a short time. Many people are not able to taper off the drug in an effort to try something else. We have one member that is on fairly high dosage and when she tried tapering down it was not possible. She was at a point she was not sure she was getting the pain relief she needed and was going to be tried on something different. She had to go back on the Methadone. You also have to deal with  the half life issues that come with it. I am not trying to scare you, but it does have its drawbacks like any other medication out there. Just do your home work.

Let us know how you are doing.

Posted 12/5/2009 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dilane,
I started taking methadone about 8 or 9 years ago for neck, back and other problems were just not being controled by all the other narcotics I'd tried over the years. For me, I think it's the best long term pain med I've found. I use oxicodone 15mgs for breakthrough pain and this combo seems to work best for me.

It's been a long time since I started so I don't really remember to well but others have said that it takes a while for methadone to start working as it has to build up in your system. I know it is in a class all by itself in longacting pain relief.

As far as building a tollerence, I really haven't had that much trouble as I'm still on a fairly low dose after all this time. I take 10mgs two or three times a day but am prescribed 4 which I rarely take. When I do take 40mgs a day, I get the nods and I just hate them! I drink tons of strong black coffee daily to prevent them as it is!

I wish you luck w/ the methadoe!! I guess it's not right for everyone but has been a Godsend for me over the years!!!

Keep us updated, I'll be cheering for you!!!

Your Friend,
Pete
Posted 12/5/2009 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
I to was in your same situation.  I was on oxycontin with oxycodone for b/t pain.  I found that my dose kept going up and up.  I also noticed that my body would actually start going into mini withdrawals towards the end of the 8 hour dosing period of my oxycontin.  I would have to take a b/t med just to stop my body from starting to withdraw from the oxycontin until my next dose of oxycontin was to be taken.  I did not like that because I felt my body was hooked on this medication in a way I did not like.  I was by no means taking them to get high or any addictive behavior but I felt my tolerance was going way up.  I was on 60mg 3x day and decided to try something else so my PM doc and I decided after much deliberation to try methadone.  It took 2 months for me to actually be ok with it.  I was sooooo tired at first and still am to some extent.  I take each dose now close to bedtime or when I am at home so I know I can rest if I need to.  I was also having some b/t pain with the methadone and my PM doc told me unlike the oxycontin with the methadone you dont need or take any b/t meds with it.  I kept telling him that I was having b/t pain at work mostly.  He kept telling me to deal with it or he would keep uping my dose of methadone.  I did not want to keep going up.  I am at a low dose of 60mg a day of methadone and will not go up.  I have a new PM doc now who believes in treating my pain so he gives me oxy ir for b/t pain and I am in much better shape now.  The combination of methadone and oxycodone is the best combination for me.  I also get injections about 2 times per year and that helps.  Also, physical therapy.   There is one side effect of the methadone that I hate sooooooooooooooooo bad.   I sweat like I have been in a swimming pool all day.  I work in a job where I move alot.  I have to carry a towel around to wipe my face.  My body is completely wet at times.  I am going to mention this to my doc as it is getting very bad.  I do not stink.  I just sweat.  I hope this all helps.  My advice to you would be to try it and see how your body reacts and if it brings your pain levels down.  Also,  do not give up on it because you are tired.  Give it a chance but do be carefull because you will find yourself nodding off.

Posted 12/5/2009 8:54 PM (GMT 0)

 

 

DiLane,

Hi Di, I have been on Methadone for so long that I consider myself an expert... Seriously, I have been on it for over 7 years with great relief from my pain...I have had 2 back surgeries..the last one was 4 years ago and it was Spinal Fusion at L4-S1 without the hardware... When I first started seeing my current PM Dr. he only put me on Lortab 10's for about a year, then when the pain was worsening he asked me if I had heard of Methadone...I had taken it before so I knew all about it.  He started me on 80 mg. a day along with the Lortab 10's for BT pain....eventually he got me up to 120 mg. a day and now I take Oxycodone IR 30 mg. 4/day for the BT pain.  Last month my Dr. wanted to try something new...originally we were going to try the Opana ER 20 mg. 2/day and only 80 mg. of Methadone...insurance reasons kept that from happening..so he put me on 150 mg. Methadone and NO BT pain meds!!!  That didn't work.  Not only did I still need something for BT pain, but the extra Methadone, even though it was only an extra 30 mg. a day kept me from sleeping.  So, on my last visit a few weeks ago I asked to be put back on 120 mg. Methadone and 30 mg. Oxy IR....

 

That being said, my tolerance has changed and Methadone is like any other pain med.. you may need more to get the same results.  My next visit is on Dec. 18th and I think I'm going to try the Opana ER...I have heard so many good results that I think I should try it for my own peace of mind.  Plus I hear that changing things up every now and then makes your meds work better...

 

If you have any questions about Methadone please email me...Oh, and the "Nodding" stops after a while so don't worry..and the constipation is tolerable with a stool softener.

 

Me.

Posted 12/6/2009 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much to those who replied. I start taking Methadone tomorrow. My doctor prescribed 10mg, 3xday, with Percocet for breakthrough (if needed). I'm concerned about the Oxycontin that I currently take. Will I experience withdrawals? My doctor didn't say anything about it, and I didn't think to ask. I know when I took Methadone last year, it just overtook the Oxycontin with no problem; yet I was on half the amount of Oxy that I'm on now which is 80mg 3xday. I've read that it takes anywhere from three to six hours for the Methadone to start working initially. I keep reading that it takes a week to start feeling any real pain relief. I guess everyone's different, so I'll just have to wait and see.  Thanks again.
Posted 12/6/2009 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
It does have to build up in your system before it becomes effective. If you start feeling any WD's call your dr ASAP. Do not increase the Methadone on your own-it is very easy to OD on. Not saying you would do this on your own just a FYI. It can take some days to build up.
Posted 12/7/2009 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
DiLane, just wanted to pop in to wish you luck with the methadone today. I don't use it so can't give any information but am always interested in others pain control cause I may be using the same thing in the future.
Posted 12/7/2009 2:26 PM (GMT 0)

Dilane,

When I switched from oxycontin to methadone my PM doc did a gradual taper off of the oxycontin onto the methadone.  He tapered the oxycontin slowly down over a two week period at the same time gradually increasing the methadone.  Ask your doctor about the concerns you have with withdrawals from discontinuing the oxycontin.  Although, he might have left your b/t med in there for you to take if you find yourself going into any kind of withdrawals.  I do want you to listen to what others have said about being carefull with methadone.  I am not trying to scare you but do not exceed the dose your doc instructs.  With methadone when you start taking it you may feel like you have not taken anything so you feel you have to take another but do not do this.  My PM doc told me methadone does not peak until 3 hrs after you have taken it so just be carefull.  I am not a doctor so please discuss this with yours.  I also speak with experience from being on it.  It has helped with my pain levels and I also do not have the highs and lows I had on the oxycontin.  I do have b/t pain at work mostly in which I take 1-2 5mg oxy ir.  In the past I was on 15mg oxy ir with my oxycontin and this worked great.  My PM doc will not put me on 15mg oxy ir now I quess because of the methadone.  Sometimes when I take the b/t med it does not work as well as I would like it to but oh well there is nothing I can do about it exept deal with the pain.  I actually have one of those stress balls that I carry around with me when I can.  When my pain flares up and nothing else helps I squeeze on it for a bit.  Sounds funny but it helps and I figure if something helps I will do it.

Posted 12/9/2009 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
It's day three, and I'm in a world of pain. Worse than I was before. I realize Methadone can take a week to become effective, but I didn't suffer like this when I took it 18 months ago. I'm on the same dosage now (30mg) than I was then, and my pain is 10 times worse now than it was then. I have a call into my doctor. We'll see what he recommends.

Posted 12/9/2009 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you dr can do something for you. As you stated alot has changed since you last tried Methadone and I am sure that has a made quite a difference. Your condition has worsened so this is not surprising, most likely you will rquire a larger dose to get the pain under control. Try to hang in there I know it is so rough and hard.
Posted 12/9/2009 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
DiLane...

I'm sorry you are in so much pain. That's exactly what happened to me when I switched to Methadone, until they got the dosage worked out. I'm glad you have a call into your doctor. Anyway, let us know what happens.

Hope you feel better.
--Tina
Posted 12/10/2009 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
My doctor called, and I was close to tears in pain. He told me to increase it from three a day (10mg) to five. Two in the morning, one mid-day, and two at night. It sounds like a rapid increase. I'm petrified about that half life thing. I feel better already though. Just wondering if 50mg seems high?

Posted 12/10/2009 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
DiLane...

I am so glad you got ahold of your doctor and that he made an an increase in your medication. I can understand about the worry...w/ the half-life issues and such, but I think the 50mg is an acceptable dose with your pain issues and such, especially if you are feeling better. I know of people that are on higher doses of methadone and are doing just fine. Anyway, that's just my opinion... but I'm so glad you are feeling better. I know how that feels to be "undermedicated" - it's a terrible feeling.

Take care...
Tina
Posted 12/10/2009 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Di.

Just so you know...increasing your methadone like that is not that much...I went from 80 mg. a day to 120 mg. a day with no problems...increasing it at 5 or 10 mg. is slow enough...you could even end up taking much more and not having bad effects...the nodding might happen but it will go away soon..

Good Luck.

Me.
Posted 12/10/2009 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Dilane, UniquleyMe is one of our ladies on here that has been on Methadone a long time. She can help you out with questions about it. Also, if you will do a quick search here at the forum by typing in Methadone, you will find lots of info Rhonda has written about in the past about methadone. Maybe if you were to read some of the posts your fears would quieten down. But, its always best to check with your dr too. Good luck.
Posted 12/12/2009 11:49 PM (GMT 0)

DiLane said...
I have extreme pain. Out of this world pain. I've been taking Oxycontin for over two years, with Percocet for breakthrough pain. I don't know if my tolerance increased or my diseases got worse or a combination of both, but it stopped being as effective. I've been suffering terribly. My doctor suggested Methadone, and I agreed. I've been reading many stories on the internet where people in my situation got the pain relief they needed with Methadone.

I actually took it for five weeks in early 2008, for insurance reasons. My pain wasn't what it is now, but Methadone helped. I didn't like nodding off, but that was stopping. I don't have any unrealistic expectations. I'm just hoping that I can reclaim some of my life back, maybe get the pain down from 9/10 to 3/4. I'd like to be able to keep house and be a good wife to my husband.  If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

I take 80mg of Methadone a day, it really helps me but it is easy to get sleepy on it. It is cheap and doesn't really have a high. I am new here but I will pray for your and your difficulty.

Posted 12/16/2009 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
I woke up this past Sunday completely pain free. It was my 6th day on Methadone. I couldn't believe it. It was like a dream come true. It's Day 4, and I'm still without pain. I barely need breakthrough meds. I'm taking 60 mg of Methadone, broken up into three 20mg doses. The only side effect is a headache which goes away with Tylenol. I've been on so many pain meds for the last couple of years, so I've gone through the entire cycle. Wow, what a Christmas present. Thanks to all here who helped me get through that first rough week. I'm glad I stuck with it.

Posted 12/18/2009 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Awesome Dilane so glad to hear it is working for you. Lets hope it keeps up. It can work very well for pain no doubt. Take care.
Posted 12/19/2009 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, that is so great to hear! I'm so happy that this worked out for you!!

Jenna
Posted 12/19/2009 8:28 PM (GMT 0)

 

 

Wow!  Dilane, so happy for you...It doesn't surprise me that it took about a week for you to get some relief..Methadone has to build up for you to get the full effect.  I think Methadone is great!!  I've been on it for so long though and I might have to try something else soon, but I will always be an advocat for Methadone. 

 

As for the BT pain... I never realized before that the BT meds helped me.  I now take Oxy IR 30 mg. up to 4X daily and sometimes I don't need that much.  But it's nice to know that I have it.  I have been on many other pain meds since this first started when I was 20....and Methadone gives me the best relief...Nothing will get me down to a 3 as far as pain goes...but I'll take my 5 any day. 

 

Good Luck with the Methadone...Don't forget to take something for constipation though....it can sneek up on you and make you miserable....

 

Also, eat bananas.  Methadone has a bad habit of making you get muscle cramps...

 

Me.

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