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Methadone research well worth reading.

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Posted 12/19/2011 8:50 AM (GMT 0)
My husband spotted an article on the use of methadone for pain control. The findings are frightening and for me it's disturbing since this is being reported from the state where I live...Washington state. This isn't just a localized problem, but one that can involve anyone.

Here's a few sentences from the article. The link is below for those who care to read it the entire report.

"Most painkillers, such as OxyContin, dissipate from the body within hours. Methadone can linger for days, pooling to a toxic reservoir that depresses the respiratory system. With little warning, patients fall asleep and don't wake up. Doctors call it the silent death.

In Washington, the poor have been hit the hardest. While Medicaid recipients make up about 8 percent of Washington's adult population, they account for 48 percent of the methadone deaths."

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016987032_silent11.html

This article is more than worth the time to read. Many people who visit this sight or who are members take prescription pain medications. We need to know the facts about the medications we take so we can make the best choice for ourselves. I hope it helps~

Chutz
Posted 12/19/2011 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Very good info, Chutz.  Not only does the drug linger in the system once it's absorbed, but initially it can take a day or more  to kick in so people think it's not working and up their dosage.  This too can lead to death.  Methadone is a very attractive drug for the poor and the elderly on fixed incomes as it is the cheapest pain killer on the market. 

I lost a family member due to methadone...so maybe I'm biased.

Donna

Posted 12/19/2011 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
I read the article, as well as a few others. I am so sad for all those families. And then for people to be turned away from the health care system b/c they won't deal with pain patients anymore seems almost barbaric. Too much suffering...

It does show that one needs to be informed. Doctors and NPs are not failproof. They can make mistakes or not care enough to get a patient's whole history.
Posted 12/19/2011 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Methadone was used to get junkies off of heroin, and still is. I have heard it can rot your bones after a long period of usage, but they don't care. It is the cheapest form of pain killer so it is used a lot. I feel bad for anybody who has to take it. My girlfriend takes it for fibromyalgia, but I think it is a very low dose. I have known people to abuse it too. That is sad. There are a lot of people hooked on pain killers that don't need them. That makes it hard for the rest of us. To get what we need.

I don't like methadone myself. I will stick with my norco...lol...

Thanks Chutz for the article. It was very informative.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/19/2011 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
This is a good article, Chutz.  It also points out some taking a variety of medications had problems.  My doctor reads the list off of everything I take....medication as well as vitamins and supplements...at every appointment.  This refreshes his mind, too.  I have see people taking so many drugs and more drugs are added and nothing is stopped.  It's a good idea to review all that you are taking with your doctor.  You might not need all of it.

 

We should all be informed on what we take. 

 

Sherrine

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