MrsD, you said
"Just to clarify.... it is the big jumps in dose... like you stated in your first post. 10mg now and then, and 30 if you really need it."

and now I am confused! LOL ... what do you mean when you say it is the big jumps in dose?

smallfry - can you explain your ??? what about my post makes you alarmed?

If you take 1/2 tablet (5mg) or 10mg normally and jump to 30mg one day because your doctor said it was okay.... THAT sudden increase may be problematic for the reasons I gave before.

One could do this with Morphine, for example, because, the only real risk with morphine is sedation, or respiratory depression (but that only comes with really high doses).

Methadone is DIFFERENT... it can stop the heart. It has a boatload of interactions with other drugs, and its heart risks increase when your electolytes (magnesium and potassium) get low. Your doctor should have warned you that the pain relief ends before the drug is cleared from the body, so that taking doses too close together, can lead to toxicity.

So while methadone is often effective, it must be treated with great respect, and used very carefully.

Ok, thanks for clearing that up for me.

At least for now, I can't imagine 30mg in one day. I'd have to take a bottle of laxative. Would not be worth it.

But, the half tablets do help.

I appreciate your help, once again, MrsD!!!

Ok, after using methadone for over 2 months now... I never took more than two a day. I only did that twice. I probably averaged taking it 4 days a week, one tablet, in the late afternoon. Working 2nd shift for almost all my 35 years working, my most active time is in the evening - so this timing worked out well for me.

Saw doc for follow up today. Now, I am to take it every day, very gradually increasing.... ending up with taking 10mg, every 8 hours. She did tell me never take it closer than 8 hours.

If at any time I have more cognative problems, I am to gradually back down to half a tab 3 times a day and see how that goes. Main goal is an to end up with a constant amount of it in my system.

I am pretty worried about driving while taking this. It has been one reason I didn't try "heavy" meds before. Now, I only go out a couple times a week, but still ... ?? She said I will just have to find the level I tolerate well. Said we have to be careful because I already have concentration problems.

I am to keep a calendar with the med and write down when I take it so that I can keep track to be sure I don't take it too soon. I've been having concentration/focus problems the last year or so, and this is important, so, she said just keep a little pocket calendar and pen right with the medication.

The constipation is a big issue. Geesh, now I sympathize with everyone! What a pain!

MrsD- earlier in this thread, you mention magnesium supplement... what kind would that be? I can hardly get milk of magnesia down and the doc recommened colace twice a day and M of M as needed. After I take M of M I feel like I am going to vomit for about 2 hours. I hate it. If I can take a tablet supplement, I would like it much better!

I already drink a ton of fluid, eat fresh fruit and veggies... all my life I have had a problem with diahreah (I can NEVER spell that!) so this is new to me.

Hi Daylily, I also struggle with constipation. I have found that Senna (1) taken at night helps me. Sometimes I have to also take a Senna Plus (stool softener) as needed. These are a tablet that are easily swallowed and have worked well for a long time. My PM doc told me about this, and as they are considered to be natural it makes me feel a little bit better. These both come in a cheaper store brand that seem to work as well as the name brand. Good luck!! Lisa

As I said, I take 50-60 mg of methadone /day. (I have injuries quite beyond just RSD).

Miralax, is wonderful, but fluids are necessary as is Exercise! Get a walk or two in per day! You don't need to walk a mile, just around the block, as this brings circulation to your intestines. And, of course again, fluids! Don't just sit on the sofa!

Trust your body, and 'listen' to it! You'll know when you're getting a bit constipated, and can take action. For years, miralax is All I've ever needed, and can do well without it ofttimes. I find the trick to that to be 'Yogurt'! I love the stuff, and Dannon is good, as is the organic StonyField, but if you don't need the sweetness, by all means, try the Greek Yogurt! Good and good for ya! (The Greek is 'unsweet' but real good for you, I mix it in orange juice, not nearly as bad as it sounds!)

I wish you the best. I find methadone to be the 'one med' that definitely works on the 'burn'!

Pete
asb

Methadone yes is called a narcotic but is a man made not made like other narcotics with the start of the poppy plant. I believe thats why it is so inexpensive..Hope it works as you would like....

I just got off after being on for many years....

Gabby - How hard was getting off the methadone?

I am really questioning if I want to even try this.

I have been thinking and I don't think I want to get on this medication full time. Yes, it is less expensive. But, the drug screen test I had to take the other day could cost several hundred dollars. So, pay more for a med, or pay for a test?

I don't like the idea of dependence, and driving with a narcotic in my system. And, with the controversy over if narcotics should be used with RSD - just not sure I want to get into it. Pain relief would be great, but at what price?

I did ok on Topamax - with similar level of relief. Now that it is generic, it will be $20 for 90 day supply. (at least until my COBRA insurance runs out - in June of 2011. Hope I know if I have disability by then!) Was taken off it last fall for trial of Namenda, then didn't go back. Makes me a little foggy - but heck - I am a little foggy all the time now anyway. And, now that I am not working, it won't really matter.

Wonder if it will help the neuropathy pain/tingling...

I think I will call my pain mgmt doc and see what she thinks.

I go back to that darn neurologist next week. I still cannot believe that he told me he was sure I had neuropathy - then he wrote in his report that it was an RSD flare and specifically said "I do not believe *** suffers from neuropathy, but from a reaction to infection combined with a flare of her RSD." Will be asking him about that too!