Honor, please don't be scared. Be cautious as you would with any new medication, but I don't think you need to be scared. It sounds like your doc is starting you out gradually, which is the most important thing with starting methadone. And you know your own body- if something doesn't seem right, call your doctor and don't take any more. I NEVER intended to scare you- I fully believe that methadone is a wonderful, lifesaving drug- I just wanted to make sure you had all the info because methadone DOES act differently than most other opiates- and some docs are not knowledgeable about that themselves, nevermind making sure their patients are aware. It doesn't sound like that is the case with your doc though, it sounds like she knows what she is doing. So just follow her directions... and follow your body, as with any medication.
Did you say you are taking half of a mg or did you mean you're taking half of a tablet? Are they 10mg tabs? I think that is what is most commonly prescribed for pain patients (not sure- i get liquid methadone)... if it is half of a 10mg tab, 5mg of methadone is a relatively low dose and probably a safe place to start- even if you had no tolerance.

Also, I can relate to having family who isn't really supportive when it comes to my pain. My parents tend to act like they totally forget on a daily basis how much pain I'm in. And they HATE that I take anything for it- I get snide comments when they see me taking an advil! Just tonight my dad made a nasty comment about how I'd have money in my wallet if I got off my ass and got a job instead of sleeping all day. It's infuriating that he really thinks that! I spend every day in agony, pretty much completely stuck in bed except for the few hours of pain relief I get in the mornings (and then I can maybe sit at the kitchen table or go for a short drive). I would LOVE to be able to work, to have my life back... it really hurts my feelings when he says that, as if I don't WANT to have a life. He doesn't at all understand what I go through, how I mourn the life I thought I was going to have. Luckily my boyfriend (of nine years- lived together for eight- he might as well be my husband) is very supportive, so at least I have someone... but even though he is supportive, he doesn't truly understand. I think deep down he thinks that if I wanted to do more I could. But he is extremely patient with me and helps me in every way I need him to... which is so important to me- I don't know how I'd do anything otherwise- I certainly wouldn't be able to go anywhere if I didn't have him to take me. So I have him and I thank God everyday, but it still hurts when people don't take it seriously... because to me it's certainly not a joke.

Anyway, let us know how the methadone works for you. Remember that it can take a few days to get the full pain relieving effect... so don't give up if you don't get pain relief right away. I hope you get some relief, truly. :)

~Jennifer

I am deathly afraid to try methadone for my pain management. my lil brother was a herion (and crack) addict & his methadone clinic let HIM up his dosage whenever HE wanted. And though taking it in place of heroin is unrealted to it's usage for chronic pain management, I'm still terrified to take it. I already dislike the amount of pain meds and muscle relaxers I take (that dont even touch the pain for the nerve disease), but if this pain continues without any hope of all the other meds helping, I suspect I'll quickly get over the visions in my head of all those I lost to addictions. overall, we dont seem to ever get a high from the meds we take, as opposed to the people who take the same or similiar meds for a euphoric feeling.
so, overall, whatever actually helps the pain, must be likje a gift from heaven!

its 1/2 of 5 mg to start.

Mominpain3,

Methadone is a great medication for neuropathic pain, and when it is use for CP and prescribe by a Doctor that knows how to titrate a patient and introduced them to the medication slowly, it can be the best medication ever. To me it has been my salvation since I have both, mechanical and neuropathic pain.

You mention that your pain is mostly neuropathic. Have they suggested a spinal cord stimulator yet? An SCS can help you with your nerve pain, it really has been a great tool for me and my nerve pain, so you might want to check into that. You take care,

Hi Honor and everyone,
2.5mg to start is fine. Nice and low but not puny, like half a mg. I've been on methadone for chronic pancreatic pain for over 20 yrs. I had tried almost all pain meds. Only Demerol worked in dangerously high dosages, so I started planning my exit from life when my pain counselor suggested methadone as she had a year before when I said no because I thought it meant I was doing the "wrong" thing. I let 12 step programs and doctors and my family's comments get to me. Finally, I knew it was my last shot. I got the number of two clinics (in case the first wouldnt take me) and it saved my life. I think I also started at 2.5mg. BTW-the first clinic's doctor said he didnt take chronic pain patient's anymore because they were "too much trouble."
I just always say; try everything else first. If and when you go off or decrease it, do so in small amounts slowly. Like 2-5mg increments per week or even per month, in order to succeed and not suffer needlessly. Meth withdrawl would make a great torture system for goverment/military use. Carry a card saying you are on Methadone and the name and phone # of the clinic. Write on it that you cannot be given any narcotic antagonists, like Nubain. This is a pain med sometimes given in the ER. I did not tell them I was on methadone as I knew it meant they would not give me any narcotic pain relief. Nubain put me into acute withdrawl. Not a happy place.
Advice given by those who know on the replies are right-it can be a lifesaver or a killer depending on if you learn all you can about it and take appropriate precautions. Good Luck to you! God Bless, Dorene472

Don't freak out.Just do what they tell you and go from there.Either it works or it don't and as for the side effects,just roll with them for a few days and see how it works.GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS