I just saw a new PM doc and he would like me to try a very small dose of methadone. Does anyone use it? It is kinda freaking me out!!

Thanks for any info

Deb

Hey there,

I switched pms about 3 months ago and he wanted to try me on methadone. I was very scared at first, however, the morphine wasnt working and all the other meds had stopped working so I thought I would give it a try. So far, it has been the best pain medicine I have tried. Im still at a lower dose, I take 10mg every 8 hours, but that is all I need. I have my norco for breakthrough pain, which I dont use as much and I have titrated down on the others because the methadone is taking alot of the pain away. Make sure your pm is knowledgable about methadone pain mgmt, the pill is constructed in such a way that it has a very long half life. So you have to take it just as prescribed to be safe, normally they will start you off at a very low dose, even if you were on a higher dose of another opiod. Just make sure you dont take more then is prescribed. Sometimes it takes a week or a few days to get the pain relief, so make sure you dont double up on those days because you havent felt the full effect yet. I understand why you would be worried, trust me I felt the same way! But Im telling you from my personal experience, it has been the best pain relief. It also has very few noticeable side effects, you can keep it at a low dosage for awhile, and it is dirt cheap!
Just do some research and ask your dr any questions, Im sure he can help you feel better about trying it.

I hope this helps, if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to pm me!

Hugs
Shannon

A new doctor I saw recently also recommended this. He told me he is a very cautious dr regarding prescribing medications and that he has seen great success with low doses of methadone for many pain patients. In fact he said that was practically all he prescribes now. We agreed that I would keep it open as an option should my lidocaine in fusions stop working.

MsL

Thanks so much for your reply- you made me feel so much better- He is prescribing me 5mg and I told him I will probably cut it in 1/2. I have not been on much as far as pain meds so my tolerance is very low. If I take 1/2 a vicodin I am buzzed. So I will try not to be scared to take 2.5mg I visit the doc next week again- he did sound very knowledgeable.

Hugs
Debbie

I have taken many different pain medications and find that the methadone is the easiest to tolerate and just helps with the pain without any weird side affects, I also take percocet for break through pain. The one think you do have to be careful with the methadone is if you take any other type of anxiety medication your pharmacist might be able to explain it better then I. The reason for that is that both methadone and anxiety medications slow down the heart rate so you just have to be careful. As I said previously the methadone works the best so it doesn't make other symptons come on which cuts down on other meds. In my opinion it's a win win situation. Also methadone is very inexpensive. I have been on 6 or 7 medications at one time in the past but since I started the methadone all I take is the methadone and percocet for break through. It feels good to look in my medicine cabinet and not see 10 bottles of medication, that was depressing me in itself. It works the best for me. Good Luck....


Gabbycakes

Im so happy that everyone else has had the good experience I have. I think its a great idea to take it slow and easy when starting and Im certain your dr can help you find the perfect dose for you. I have read that when you start the methadone, you want to stay on the same dose for about 4 days or so. Say you want to break it in half every 8 hours, make sure you do that for about 4 days to a week or longer before you move up-if you do. You just want to make sure you slowly introduce it because it has a long half life. I started on the 5 mg 3 times a day also and now I am at 10mg 3 times a day and I have no need to move up right now. Also, something you will find with methadone is that once you are used to it, you dont really feel it like with other narcotics. Personally I can barely tell that I have taken a pain pill when I take my dose, so you can actually feel less dopey and be able to enjoy your day without feeling spaced out.
The only thing I noticed when I began the methadone was when I took my breakthrough meds, they felt a little more intense. So if you take breakthrough meds you may want to take 1/2 your normal dose until you are used to the effects, especially if you are more sensitive to the effects of narcotics.

Just sharing my experience, feel free to also call your pharmacist or dr if you have any other questions. I know I called my pharmaist with a list of questions with my first prescription of methadone. lol
I hope your pain level will go down, please keep us posted with how it works for you!

Hugs
Shannon

Thanks again for your responses. Should I expect to feel a little loopy in the beginning?

2.5 mg is probably plenty for a first try. Some people find it a powerful analgesic. It has an odd effect on me. Rather than relieving my pain when I take it it eases it the following day. The doc wanted me to get up to 80mg to install the pump but I couldn't even come close. I couldn't take it every day without getting panic attacks when it started wearing off.

Do be very careful with this at first. It is extremely constipating. It is best to take this with metamusil and lots of water. Take a little senecot at night. You might want to have suppositories on hand just in case. There might be some small chance that constipation is related to diverticulosis so be forewarned.

I'd get a little "stoned" on the methadone which I didn't really want but it actually became a little pleasant over time, perhaps since I associated with pain relief. I did get addicted but it wasn't too hard to kick. I am afraid to go back on it but ONLY because I liked it and consider it a last resort.

WC Fields said a man without vices is like a sinking ship with no ballast to throw overboard. I'd say a man on his last "vice" can't afford to be a sinking ship.

info i found-

[Before using methadone
Taking methadone improperly will increase your risk of serious side effects or death. Even if you have used other narcotic medications, you may still have serious side effects from methadone. Follow all dosing instructions carefully. Methadone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Methadone should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine (examples include codeine, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others). You should also not take methadone if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Before taking methadone, talk to your doctor if you have:

*
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
*
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
* liver or kidney disease;
*
underactive thyroid;
*
curvature of the spine;
*
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
*
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
*
low blood pressure;
*
gallbladder disease;
*
Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
*
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
*
mental illness; or
*
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.]
more -
http://www.drugs.com/methadone.html
http://www.rxlist.com/dolophine-drug.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/methadone...et/article.htm

I felt just a little loopy at first, but honestly that passed about 2 weeks in and now I can hardly tell im taking anything. Of course everyone metabalizes differently, so you might have a different experience. I was taking morphine and other meds prior and no matter how much I was used to the dosage, I could always tell I was on something. Now I really have very few side effects, its been amazing for me.

Good luck!

Shannon