I have seen several post on this forum about
the negative things involved in taking methadone for pain. The teeth issue. The "stigma" of only herion addicts taking this dark and evil substance. I have to express my believe that all these negative stigma's are simply that "stigma's!". It's these stigma's, lack of knowledge, training, and sympathy that keep Dr's from prescribing this cheap alternative to the combined fixture opiates(Lortab, Percocet, etc..)and the very expensive CONTIN[controlled interaval (OXY, MSCONTIN, etc..)]opiates and opoids. Lortab, Percocet, and all the other fixed combo's contain NSAIDS(acetaminophen, ibuprophen, or asprin) that when takin in the amounts and length of time needed to contol CHRONIC pain, can be very damaging to the liver. There great for ACUTE pain. On the other hand the CONTIN line of opiates are so expensive, that those of us that are not or are underinsured, can not afforded them on a long term basis. In my case on any basis!
As for the deal with the teeth. IMO, it comes only in cases were people loose self motivation and self esteem and simply quit using proper hygiene. And agreed it does seem to cause patients to eat and in some cases(like mine) crave sweets! Esp it seems late at night. So if you don't brush your teeth before bed the leftover sweets remain along the gumline and this eventually leads to tooth decay. That along with water retention, from the constipation(which comes with all the opiate use), leads to the weight gain issues. Esp in my case in the face and abdominal areas.
I can't understand the whole Suboxone for pain thing. Or really the Suboxone deal at all! For starters there close to $7a piece(8mg) in the pharmacies in my community(KY). I hate to say this, but, I will. I kind of believe Suboxone is placebo type of situation. In contains naloxone which we all know is a opiod antagonist and will block all other opiates or opiods from binding to our receptors. And by doing so block all effects, both pain killing and euphoric. Buphenorphine(Suboxone) itself is a partial agonist-antagonist opiod(like darvon or davocet), so how does it not block itself?? I have e-mailed the manufactor and can't get in knowledge response.("it just does'nt work that way") I have taken them myself and within 30 mins, I felt like I was in about the third day of detox!
By all means if you find Suboxone works for you and your insurance covers it or you can afford them, do what you have to control your pain. These are my experiences(nearly 15 years worth) and opinions only. But, most of them are based on personal situations or from watching people use and yes abuse pain meds first hand! I don't want offend anyone, so please don't be. I just needed to get this off of my chest and get my "2 cents" worth out there. Thanks for reading. Best of luck to everyone out there trying to control there pain.
Bones