narcotics ?????

[ellitoid]

I have been taking methadone for pain for a little less than a year now. I've had to up my dossage for a while now to try and control my pain. and it jsut does not seem to be taking away all of my pain. so the dr and i decided that maybe we should try something else but you have to wheen off of the methadone first. so i was taking one pill away every 5 days. and that is what i did. I was doing great untill we got down to 2 pills day. i was taking them at bedtime and then all of a sudden the pain jsut got so over whelming that i could not take so i caved in and took some. I had to get rid of the pain. it was uncontrollable, i could not function it was so bad. I could not eat I could not talk the pain in my face was so bad, I have tmjd very bad. and then my back was so bad that i could not get out of bed I was in tears it was os bad.

I jsut want to know if this is common? I do not believe it was withdrawl, i believe it was pain, and i was not taking any pain meds.

If it was pain then how do i change meds or are you just stuck with the drug that you are on? any info that anyone could share with me, I would greatly appreciate.

thanks
sharon

[Cry Tears]

You need to be seen by a pain specialist...usually an anesthesiologist.
I was on Methadone...when it didnt work I was switched to something much better...never weining off the Methadone. Doesn't sound right to me.
I'd get in and see the specialist who will help you with this pain.
You are a human being having every right to have pain releif.
Hope this helps,

[ellitoid]

cheryl thanks for the info but iwanted to let you know that it is a pain manegment dr that is telling me to do this. i go back to see him this week the 16th i think so hopefully things will get better then. thanks for the info.


sharon

[kennethhoff]

Sharon,

I also was on methadone for a year (40mg). I was titrated 5mg a week for 8 weeks and at the end, it was not hard for me to get off. I belive yours maybe due to pain. If 2 pills a day is the breaking point, better to stay at that level just for now. Let your PM doc know, and at this point he can introduce another medication that can work and when it does, you can continue titrating the methadone. Remember that methadone has a long half-life, it can be up to five days. So when you stop, it is a slow end of the med in your body. This is actually a good thing since other meds can leave so quick, withdrawals are more likely. At two pills a day, even a withdrawal would be minor. I had withdrawals twice, Not fun, but do-able. There are many other pain meds to try. It comes down to which one works with the chemistry of YOUR body. Morphine, oxy, dialudid, may work for some but not others, and so on down the line with meds. I am sure you are looking at an overall picture with pain meds, maybe anti-depressants or anti-seizures to help, exercising, physical therapy. A little of each can add up to big benefits.
You'll be fine!
Ken

[ellitoid]

Thanks Ken what a nice guy you are. I am doing physical therapy an dwe have tried all of the anti depressant and anti seizures i am now taking cymbalta and nortriptlyne along withthe methadone. and i think tht you missunderstood me. at the point of 2 a day i jsut could not stand it any more so i called the dr and i went back on it completly. I had to i just could not function at all. at 2 a day i was not moving at all i cannot even imagine taking those away so i am back up to a total of 80 mgs a day. I am now functioning. I am not sure if this is the pain drug for me but i do not ever want to feel that pain again.

your advice was great and you are very kind to give it. thanks alot.
thanks for caring
sharon

[sunshiney_dayz]

I went from methadone one day ( after taking it for 6 or so months) back to 180mgs morphine sulfate the next day with no problem whatsoever...

I HATED the methadone..I couldnt stay awake. Id nod off at a stop light. Id be reading a book, watching TV, typing on the computer, and nod off..

Some people swear by it..I swear at it !!!

[justmenoz]

I agree I've been on pain meds awhile cutting all Methadone 1st sounds fishy,he should be adding a new opaite as he cuts your Methadone at least. I hated Methadone myself others swear by it but to detox off of its got to be the hardest one out there.Best of luck the 16th,he/she works for you,don't suffer due to an opiate nieve Dr.Ask why this approach and tell them its not working like this.
Justmenoz