Methadone for chronic pain

Common Questions and Answers about Methadone for chronic pain

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Avatar f tn 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?
Avatar f tn TN is not a methadone friendly state. My pain management specialist had me on methadone for 12 years after trying other optoids with no success. I regained about 70% of my ability to function and good pain relief. I was able to go back to work after a year in bed. With the controversery over the increase of methadone related deaths my doctor decided to wean me off methadone and put me on pain patches, then morphine, then oxy everything.
Avatar f tn Jaqui, methadone is an excellent medication for pain for a variety of reasons, and helped me to manage pain of a long-term spine disorder for 12 years. There is research that links methadone to a particular cardiac problem. The cause is poorly understood, but to minimize risk, my doctor has ordered a 12-lead ekg with my annual physical (when I am using methadone), since i am also in my 60s. So far, I remain without cardiac symptoms.
Avatar n tn 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.
631581 tn?1224844661 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.
Avatar f tn 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.
Avatar m tn 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!
Avatar n tn 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.
Avatar f tn 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.
Avatar f tn 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???
1326416 tn?1370927001 there are two groups chronic pain fibromyalgia are the main ones there's one for every thing
702513 tn?1228512697 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.
Avatar f tn 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.
Avatar f tn 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.
939983 tn?1262528060 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.
1050179 tn?1253899186 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.
Avatar m tn 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.
4295054 tn?1352695387 Let’s not split hares you’ll become sick if you don’t take opiates if you’ve been taking them regularly. I use to take methadone for chronic spine pain. I also smoked weed for the pain and just to feel better. So my opinion is based on my experience with opiates spanning over 20 years taking as prescribed. I don’t mean to be harsh but taking opiates and smoking weed is like the exact opposite of being in recovery. What program are you being sponsored in lol.
2183581 tn?1369937547 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.
Avatar f tn 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.
Avatar f tn if you have chronic pain , you would be better off with another type of pain killer, or look for a non addictive alternative, at least the WD''s from vikes or perks are only 5-8 days, methadone can be up to 6 weeks...i have heard of some pretty bad cases. and there are some people here who have or are tapering successfully, maybe they will chime in for you...good luck!!
1087566 tn?1282448730 I was on methadone for many years too control my pain. Methadone when using it every day does block other meds from working. The the only medication that works with methadone for break through is morphine. Ask your Dr. to give you morphine instead of oxycodone. This will help with your pain.
Avatar f tn I have been in pain management for over 15 years and on 40mg of methadone. Dr. thought it was affecting my heart so he switched me to dilaudid 4mg every 8 hours. 2 days later I was in full blown withdrawels. After about 3 weeks I began to think I might live, Dr. kept telling me I shouldn't be having withdrawels. The dilaudid only lasted 2-3 hours, if I waited 8 hours I was hurting so bad the medicine was'nt doing me any good, besides it just was'nt enough. Next visit Dr.
Avatar f tn I have been on them for 2 years and then for a time before that as well. I have chronic pain and the methadone does help ALOT for pain but I agree with Prospero73. THat is why I am getting off it. It is very hard to get off of though. In all honesty I would rethink going down the methadone road. Take it from some of us that have been there. It is a bone gripping drug. Best of luck to you and if you ever want to chat about it I would be glad to help.