methadone for chronic back pain

For anyone who has ever taken Methadone for chronic pain management...When you first started taking Methadone, how long did it take for it to control your pain? How many days, weeks, etc.? My best friend was started on Methadone to manage completely debilitating chronic pain that is the result of multiple, major, back-to-back abdominal surgeries. Tonight marks the fourth full day of her being on Methadone, and she's really not feeling any better. How long can it take?

I have been on this dose for 5 years and have been able to gain my life back. The trick to using Methadone for pain is to keep the dose low and not go up. Methadone is a long acting pain reliever and works very well if you do not over use it. In the beginning it may take a week or so to get the drug into your system and working properly.

Hi Cure Chronic Pain, I have had chronic pain for 14 years. Including abdominal rsd, back pain, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. Recently, my doctor retired and I'm finding it impossible to find a doctor who will take me as a patient due to my health problems. I live in NY and I would really appreciate it if you could refer me to the place that you wrote about. I have complete medical records for the past 14 yrs. I would be so grateful if you could respond.

hi, my husband is on 60mg of methadone (pill form) a day for chronic back pain. He's been on this regimen for 4 years now. If he runs out of his pills before he gets the new script how long will the last dose of methadone stay in his system and how quickly will the "dt's" start? I am asking because the doc had to resched his appt and he might run short and want to be prepared.

Not for addicts but for those who have USED or are USING methadone for chronic pain. I would really love to talk with more people who are in the same shoes I am in. But then I've had chronic pain since I was 17. I'm 34 now and it seems like it just might be my life. Without methadone I was taking 4 Advil every 8 hours and I've ruined my stomach. So there's another trade off. The fact is there doesn't seem to be an answer.

Also, have your regular doctor write up a medical report documenting his reasons for not prescribing methadone as treatment for your chronic pain and bring this documentation to your appointment with your insurance dr. I agree it is an uphill battle but don't give up and please keep us posted.

There are three opiod receptors in your brain, MU, Delta, and MDNA (or something like that) Morphine online binds the the MU opiod receptor, and methadone binds to all three opiod receptor, and methadone also has an extremely long half life, and methadone is safe to use for LONG term chronic pain use! Unless the majority of other opiods. I have also tried suboxone, and it barely had any effect on my pain relief. I hope that I could be somewhat of help. I wish you nothing but the best!

Wish I could help more with other pain management options as I suffer from chronic pain myself. There is a pain management forum here on med help. Maybe try and post your question there and I'm sure you will get plenty of support! Here's the link.... http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Pain-Management/show/53?camp=msc Best of luck to you!

I have had chronic back pain for almost 2 years now. I have been to PCPs, neurologists, and spinal surgeons. I have had steroid injections (2), the first worked for 3-4 weeks, the second worked for 2-4 hours and put me in the ER with and extreme HA. I moved to Florida in late 2007 and began seeing my present PCP. Until recently he had not done any other tests. Last month he did an MRI and diagnosed me as having 2 bulging disks and spinal stenosis.

I am on Methadone for chronic pain management. Did you try any other drugs first? it's a little strange if you did not try any other medications and they put on Methadone to begin with. Did you discuss that with the doctor? Methadone builds up in the system very quickly in some people. I just started taking it 2 weeks ago. I was very weak, very sleep. My blood pressure is normally low but it dropped to 115/50. The Methadone built up so quickly in my system.

t having to raise the dose to meet th epain need of their patient. And also methadone has shown to be a good pain med used for long term chronic pain relief becauuse of the above reason (and it's much cheaper). I do have to say you were on a heavy dose of oxy if i understand correctly..20mg 1 in the am, 2 in the afternoon and 2 in the evening.

I have searched for the excellent articles that was written by a physician on the positives of methadone treatment for Chronic Pain (CP) sufferers. I cannot find it.This physician felt that methadone was the best opiate for chronic pain with the least side effects. I will keep looking but it has not come up on my goggle search. I assume because I can't remember the name of the physician. It should be in MH archives as there was a discussion on this articles some time ago.

5 mg of hydrocodone is equivalent to about 15 mg of methadone. But this is for single dose not for long term pain management treatment. Most physicians beleive in the good practice to start low, go slow. Remember that methadone builds up in your system. It is stored in your body tissues. So it may take days before the full effectiveness of methadone is realized. Methadone levels in the blood will continue to increase for five days from the initial dose.

Were you seeing a pain specialist before or were you seeing your family Dr?I'm asking because if was your family Dr some of them know little about how to manage chronic pain. A pain specialist does. That's what I would recommend, getting in to see a pain specialist. Ask your family Dr to recommend one or you can do your own research on the internet to find one with high patient ratings.One that truly understands their patients and their needs.

He was referred to a Pain Management Clinic and they prescribed Methadone for his chronic pain. Methadone was the first drug that helped and he was able to walk pretty much pain-free. He has been on Methadone therapy for over a year and a half. He takes takes nine 90 mg tabs each day (3 in the a.m., 3 at noon, 3 at bedtime). After takes these opioid medications for several months (it was been well over two years), he began to feel sleepy during the day.

But I have been in chronic pain for the past few years. And have been struggling for the past year with no insurance. Fighting with doctors dealing with stolen meds, bad massage therapist, bad acupuncture, and trying to deal with my life. Okay another the catch up my post for my question is related to this. I finally broke down and paid cash to see a pain management doctor in desperation hoping that he could help me get off the couch.

Just wondering if Methadone can be used indefinately for chronic pain control???? Have a friend that was just put on it and am worried that they may have to be on it for the rest of their life... And, if you are on it for chronic pain control.. do you have to increase your dose or does it just stay the same???

Hello, I have had chronic back pain for over 10 years. Have taken full agonist opiates ( Pecocet ) nothing injected or snorted. I decided to get off the med and go to a Suboxone program. I went to two different ones and they both not only judged me and labeled me, but also lied to me. I ask if they would put me on Subutex which cost less and basically is the same thing. The doctor responded ,"we don't use that here.

Is this the affects of discontinuing methadone after taking it for eight years for chronic pain. I took 20-40 mg a day about six hours a part. Tell me what you think is happening. Not to mention I have a closed head injury and take Gapabentin 300mg 3x daily, along with 60 mg Cymbalta. Tell me what you think , ever heard of this happening to anyone- the low heart rate? Does this sound like anxiety? I was also prescribed Oxcycontin but can't afford the co-pay.

there are two groups chronic pain fibromyalgia are the main ones there's one for every thing

I just recently moved to the Birmingham area and have used Methadone for pain management for many years are there any physicians in the Birmingham area who prescribe Methadone for. Hronoc severe pain respond to Cot.

The best suggestion I have for someone with long term chronic pain (such as my wife had, she was on pain meds for 10 years, accidentally died from them) is read chapter 1 of the book "The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity" by Norman Doidge, M.D.

Methadone for chronic back pain

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