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Methadone experiences?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 9/21/2011 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am new to this site and I'm hoping you guys can make me feel better. I have been battling with fibromyalgia for the past 4 1/2 years. Every time my pain doctor changes my pain medications due to tolerance I get very paranoid that I'm going to die.

So now he changed me from Oxycontin 40mg (1 tablet 2-3 times daily as needed) to Methadone 10mg 3 times a day and Hydromorphone 4mg (1 tablet every 4 hours as needed) which I've been on for awhile.

Can you please tell me your experiences with Methadone? I have researched it and now I am so scared to take it. I have a 4 year old son that GOD blessed me with. I am only 33 and I'm so scared of dying but I can't function without pain medication.

Since I'm on disability, I spend all my time with my son (except for when he is in school 3 times a week for 5 hours). He is very much a mommy's boy and the thought of him being left without me or me not being able to watch him grow up just brings me to tears. It's hard to explain....I just don't want to die due to pain medications.

Thank you for reading my post.

Post Edited (Brenda33) : 9/21/2011 5:03:27 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/22/2011 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
I wish I can tell you the magic cure for pain. I was at the point were you are. It seem I couldn't get enough pain meds to help. I was always chasing the pain. I finally became very depressed being on narcotics. It seem no way out. I finally found a drug similar to methadone, but less addictive. I like it so much better. It is called subutex. I sometimes forget to take it and I have horrible pain. It last 17 hrs. In your blood system. At first I needed 3 tabs because I was use to a lot of pain meds, but now I take 1 1/2 tabs daily. Look it up on line and see the reviews on it. I was in my 40's before I found some relief.
Posted 9/22/2011 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Brenda, welcome to the forum...this forum is like a family . We truly care about one another. I'm so sorry for you pain and for your worry about pain medication. We are all differant as to what helps our pain, and what we can tolerate. At one time I was on vicodin for pain, but no longer use the stronger pain killers.

I have found that a combination of Savella and muscle relaxers help me. Exercise has been one of the main factors of helping me feel better, It has reduced stress, helped keep my muscles from feeling tight and knotted up.
Doing meditation and deep breathing, visual imagery, a combo of relaxation therapy has helped too. Keeping busy doing things I enjoy has been good for distracting pain. Our focus should be on things we enjoy :)

I am sorry that I can't offer you any experiance with methadone. I wish I could take your pain from you.

Let your doctor know how you are feeling emotionally about your feelings on pain killers...there are alternatives and a doctor should inform you of all your options. You shouldn't have to continue worrying...please let your doc know.

I'm glad that you have joined us. Keep posting...we care!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 9/22/2011 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Brenda~

And welcome. First of all I' going to ask you to do something that sounds almost silly, yet difficult, but I'm very serious. Relax~ One thing I have learned over time with fibromyalgia is that stress and anxiety does nothing but add pain and suffering.

I can understand why you would be afraid of taking some of the pain medications. I had the same fears before my doctor put me on time release pain medications. But once I learned how to use them I felt so much better. The only thing, at times, is the stigma but there are precious few who know what I take.

But if you are taking these medications as your doctor prescribes and are checking in regularly then you shouldn't worry about dying while taking these meds. Do you know someone that this happened to? Are you a worrier by nature? (I actually used to pride myself at this one...no more tho..lol) There are plenty of OTC medications that are more scary to take than Methadone for pain relief.

Please keep in touch...OK? Feel free to email me if you like. Just click on the little 'envelope' under may name over there <----- and I'll be happy to chat with you any time. You're going to be fine and so is your son. Make an attempt at relaxing and enjoying the times while he is still young. Find a 1/2 hour or more each day for some 'me' time. Soak in the tub with some music and a soothing beverage. Light candles and read a magazine. Whatever helps you relax is a good thing and will make your pain less by not being so tensed up.

Warm hugs,
Chutz
Posted 9/22/2011 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
My brother and his wife are both on Methadone for chronic pain. They have been for over a decade. I can't say it doesn't worry me sometimes, but it's the only thing that really seems to help them be able to halfway function, particularly my brother.

Debbie
Posted 9/22/2011 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
I take one of the "lightweight" pain medications called Tramadol (Ultram). It is an opioid & has worked muuuch better for me than Advil or Tylenol. A Tylenol takes about 3 hours to relieve my pain (if it does anything at all) & Tramadol takes about 45 minutes. I was scared to take them but I'm glad I did. It got me through a flare. That's how I intend to use them, to get over the pain humps. I don't know enough about methadone to advise you, but agree with others here that if your medical care is closely monitored you should be fine. I have 4 kids & the youngest is 5 & he is my precious little guy too! Try to take each day at a time & be nice to yourself would be my advice. Being a mom can be very stressful & stress only makes everything worse. Hugs.
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