Hi all.

Has anyone ever has joint pain begin or increase while on methadone?

Background- two herniated discs, peroneal nerve damage and chronic pain syndrome; trigeminal neuralgia, chronic headaches (CPH)


Anyway, been on methadone for a little over a month now, currently taking 10mg 4x daily, Percocet 7.5/500mg 3x daily and Tramadol 100mg 2-3x daily for 'breakthrough' -- all of these are supposed to be for my back and leg pain from the discs and sciatica.

Over the past two or three days, I've been having some seriously intense joint pain, mostly in my left wrist, both hands, elbows, shoulders, knees and ankles, and some minor swelling in both hands.

Never really had joint pain before, though fibromyalgia does run in my family, along the maternal side, so I've been told that I'm pre-disposed to it...
I've heard that a trauma or accident can trigger fibromyalgia in those who've never before experienced it, and I'm wondering if that may be the case now?

BUT, the timing is a tad suspect, since the accident itself took place more than 3 years ago.- and I've just been taking the methadone for about 6 weeks.

Has anyone ever had joint pain or inflammation as a result of methadone treatment?

Jeez -- that's strange. I've been taking Methadone for probably 2 years, and while i have had some swelling of my feet, it didn't begin until after I'd been on it for more than a year. I haven't had any joint pain. I've found that the Methadone doesn't work terribly well for the pain either. I'm pretty disappointed. My doc isn't really excited about changing to a different medication either, but I'm going to have to insist next time cause I'm just about out of my head!!!

I'm sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble! I wish I could help you more. Perhaps you could get him to put you on something else, just to SEE if it was the Methadone. It's worth a try anyway! I wish you the very best. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

Forget what I said before - I misread something and thought you had been on methadone much longer than you have.

Is it possible it may just be something simple like a virus or change in seasons, or some other inflammation? Maybe try an NSAID (if you can) to see if that helps.

Doc

Lee, I thought it was working well for you; has something changed?

Doc

Hey Doc --- I've needed an increase in the Methadone for some time -- but my doc just won't do it. And he doesn't tell me "why." He's probably afraid I'll get "addicted." LOL Typical. So then I asked him if he'd increase the Fentanyl Patch -- I'm on .75mcg. He said NO cause I'm already on a "high" dose. BULL CRAP. I know of others who are on a MUCH higher dose than I am. I don't know what's the matter with him. And I cannot switch docs cause there is NO other doctor in my area that prescribes pain meds --- I've already called EVERY SINGLE doctor in my area to check, and my doc is the only one!!!! Even in other cities/towns too! They're all afraid of the DEA!! My doc is extremely busy. LOL

Oh well. Thanks for asking tho.' Hugs, Lee

Lee, I was trying to track another possible reason when I found Wikipedia to be BLACKED OUT for the next 24 hrs.

Doc

Hi! I've been on methadone for over 2 years for intractable spinal pain & a few months ago my knees went wild with pain. Filled one with synovial fluid, can't bend or lean on anything, et. Read vitamin d deficency can cause this as 80% of meth users have this & it'''''''''s not due to "methadone getting in the bones". I don't know 'cause I can't afford mri, but I figure I'll pick up some vit D. Love & feel better