my mother in law is prescribed methadone for chronic pain and fibromyalgia.. she says it helps but she is also prescribed percocet and she takes that more often.. because she doesnt take the methadone as prescribed when she does take it she gets a little loopy and sleepy.. but i think if you take it regularly and your body gets used to it on a daily basis you will be able to function..

The methadone may make you a little sleepy or loopy at first, but if taken as prescribed you should adjust to it. I have not taken methadone myself, but know about it and its effects from working with recovering addicts. Many of the individuals I have worked with you would never have known they were on methadone, because they take it as prescribed. With appropriate dosing, the individual shouldn't have drowsiness or will not get a "high" feeling.
I know it is used for pain management in some people, as it is a synthetic opiate. Methadone acts on the same opioid receptors as morphine and heroin, so it has many of the same effects, including pain management, but it causes less of an intoxicated feeling or "high".
It also works better than some pain meds and has a longer half-life, so you won't need to take it as often.

I hope this is medication can help you and your pain!

Thanks, ladies. I could use a little "high" feeling, sometimes=)

Holly cow Pup! That is some serious shiz! It's what they giver recovering heroin addicts. But at this point, like you said, all that matters is finding something that works for you long term. And maybe yoh will only need a little baby dose. I know I am a lightweight when it comes to meds. I will be courious to know how it goes. Also, you might want to ask about what you should do if you miss a dose, so you dont go through withdrawls. Like if you run out on friday night and cant get it refilled until monday....
Keep us posted and glad to see you finally found a pm who is willing to help.

Please keep us posted as I am very curious as to how this is going to work. Good luck!

Yea, Vans...It's the big guns. I've gotten some positive reports from folks who have taken this long-term and found it to provide more relief than Morphine. The doc said that Morphine is just so expensive for me without script coverage. He's careful to start me @ 5mg twice a day for 30 days. Depending on how I do, he'll increase in small increments or add breakthrough meds if needed.

I'm just so THANKFUL I've finally found a doctor who doesn't question that I am in severe pain, be it pelvic/rectal/vaginal or spinal/joint pain. He is willing to help me. I told him my own PCP had told me there was nothing that was going to "work" for me...no hope. The PM doctor said that as long as there is God, there is hope.

It's always a plus when your doctor believes in GOD rather than believing THEY ARE GOD.

I'll keep y'all posted. Meanwhile, keep your thoughts coming...good or bad...I want to hear them=)

Bunping Post=)

When do u start? How do you think your stomach will handle it? Have you heard that it is called liquid handcuffs? I hope you have back up plan if your doc becomes unavailable for some reason. Its a big step, but could be for the best. I support you but just make sure you checked it all out. -v

The doctor said the Methadone can actually relieve some of my colon issues. I'm uncertain about the upper belly issues=(

Tell me more, Vans...I don't want to start something that ADDS to my issues. Why liquid handcuffs? Is it because you once you start it...you're locked into it...can't stop? Seriously, girls...Y'all know that I don't sugar coat. I don't want y'all too, either.

H-E-L-P...I've not gotten it filled yet, but I've GOT to do something.

I will message you later tonight, but yes. If it works for you it will likely be a life long med and you need a back up plan for if your doc becomes unavailable. Who will you see instead? If you have netflix look up the movie i think it is called herioin or luqid cuffs or something. It was very interesting and educational as far a mthodone.

ehhhhhhh,

I personally disagree with you needing to take this medication for life. When methadone is referred to as "liquid handcuffs" it is done so when talking about individuals who are using it to overcome their addiction to opiates or heroin. Some people are even court order to take methadone as part of their probation. Is it hard for recovering addicts to come off methadone? Yes, but it can be done. When a person comes off this medication it is tapered slowly, which helps prevent withdrawals. Withdrawals can occur if the medication is stopped suddenly. As I mentioned in my previous post, I use to work with recovering addicts and I personally have seen some hard core heroin addicts come off of methadone and do just fine.

In terms of becoming addicted I think if you don't have issues with addictions and never had issues taking other opiates (because remember methadone is a synthetic opiate) I think you will be fine (of course there is no guarantee). But remember, methadone unlike other opiates isn't meant to give you that "high feeling" so though your body could become physically addicted your are not likely to get psychologically addicted (two very different things). Someone struggling with addiction is not only physically addicted but they are also psychologically addicted to opiates which is why it may be harder for them to come off methadone. Take your medication exactly as prescribed and I think you should be ok.

As for running out of meds: 1. Just stay on top of your refills. if you are running out and need a new scrip just make sure to do it several days before they run out, not the day before. 2. As I mentioned in my previous post, methadone has a longer half life than other opiates. Meaning, the amount of time before the medication has cleared you system is much longer. From what I understand, methadone can take a very long time to clear your system. But since this medication is meant to be taken as a daily dose and not PRN like other opiates (morphine) I don't see why getting refills within an appropriate time would be an issue if you take it exactly as prescribed.

Thanks, ladies...Please keep the info coming=)

Does Methadone cause weight gain?

Any suggestions for alternatives to Methadone? I need a strong med for severe pain, prefer it provide energy boost with NO weight gain=(

My surgically altered stomach pouch in not very receptive.

Again, thanks

~~pup

It might be the best choice for you. Just wanted you to be aware of the seriousness of the med. You may do just fine. Only other things I can think of i think you have already reviewed. Like oxy or pain patches - which i think you said were a lot more expensive. I would try the methadone and see what happens.

Until this past year, I have for the most part, avoided what I consider to be major narcotics. However, at 52 I have re-evaluated my quality of life, or lack thereof, due to DAILY pain. I just think it's senseless to continue to "dredge through agony" every waking moment, trying to pretend as though I'm fine.

Yes, the Fentanyl patches are too expensive, when I'm looking at forever. I used those in 2005-2006, but had great insurance coverage of prescriptions. Even though they alleviated pain, I would go into withdrawal before it was "time" to change the patch. SO...that's scary.

I have NEVER tried Oxycontin, MS Contin, Vicoden, Vicoprofen, etc. My experience has been with Darvocet, Lorcet, Lortab thus far. I'm not looking for a HIGH, but I don't want a pain med that has depressant properties either. As I've stated, I need pain relief as a priority. But I could use a little bit of an "upper" too.

I am afraid of the SLEEPINESS and EXHAUSTION that I've heard associated with Methadone. I remain concerned about weight gain side effects on any drug. Vain? perhaps, but very real...

~~Pup

Oxy's or vicodens (genaric hydrocodones) etc. Are probably lesser to the methadone. But everyone reacts differently. You can always try it for a couple days and if it has undesirable side effects then call your doc and ask for something else.