I think a misunderstanding is happening. She is taken me off all norco/vicodin and soma. I have been on them for 10 years. To relieve the withdrawl symptems she is using the meth 1mg 3x per and the other drugs kolonipin and colonidine patch since I work full time and them some. I go in on the 11th for the epidural by xray so they put me out and guide the nerve blocker by xray and a very tiny needle. I apparently have 6 bulges that show clearly by MRI. MRI is 2 weeks old. She is trying to restore function and not just change meds. I am a Marlin fisherman by heart and she thinks if she can get the bulges reduced and put on a low level pain mangmnt that all functionality will be restored. (Please forgive spelling of meds).
Mentally I am much better than a few day ago and I no longer have the W/D symptoms like I used to. No more burnning legs and arms at night or shaking or stomach issues. I do start the crave about 1:00 during work as my pain increases but she just called and said to take 1 kolonipin at 12:00 so that will be 3 time per day on that one until the date. It does help get me to the end of the day and knowing that I can take one at night and a lunesta sleeping pill to get me to sleep through the night. I am very satisfied with the treatment so far. I spoke to 2 other sport/back pain doctors who advised that was the normal treatment for most football baseball players who can not be down and need functionality.
Thanks to all and any opinion on the 1:00 crave and long term pain meds after the epidural would be great. Again this is very foregien stuff to me so if I get something wrong just ask me clarify.
Skipjack
NO NO NO this is not normal at all!!!! But it does sound like a typical idiot doctors work. They didn't take you off of vicodin b/c methodone would be better for you. Methodone is really not meant for pain relief, it's meant to ind to the same receptor sites at opiates do without giving you the same high thus taking away the withdrwawl from opiates. My husband is the doctor at a methadone clinic and I've been studying pharmacology and medicine for over 15 years and have a doctorate in biological and clinical psych. Obviously I cannot give you medical advice only my opinion. But my husband and several other friends just had surgery on their l5 s1 discs due to herniation and a pinched sciatic nerve. Usual prescriptions for this pain is vicodin or something stronger like norco. X-rays arent going to do squat 4 your situation. Most doctors hate doing them which is why you have to demand an MRI. I see too many people not getting MRI's until too mych damage has been done to actually treat or heal the problem so dont wait!!!!! Get an MRI, and for Go's sake get another opinion. To tell you the truth, I would find another doctor who isn't more concerned with the politics than your health especially when it comes to your back.. Now methadone can be used for chronic pain but is typically only used because some physicians do not want to prescribe other opiate analgesics like hydrocodone(vicodin, norco, lortab, vicoprofec, etc.), morphine, codeine, demerol etc. or b/c the patients do not have access. please read this:
http://www.medsch.wisc.edu/painpolicy/publicat/97apsmm.htm
its by a california doctor treating about 200 patients with methadone for pain. It tells both sides very accurately and will give you a better idea of methadone as pain treatment. And please demand an mri and get a 2nd opinion from a "real" doctor that will help you not themselves
I totally agree with mominstress. We are here for ya if you need someone to talk to. I'm very sorry you are having a hard time. Alot of us are having the same problems. I am trying my hardest to get off of percocets and oxycodone. I'm down to 2 a day, and omg it's so hard just tryin to stay on just 2 a day but eventually hopefully I'll get off of them soon. I don't know anything about methadone but I know alot of people on here do. You will soon get some advice on it I'm sure. In the mean time please do talk to your doc about it. I'm here for ya if you need an ear or an eye, lol.. to talk to. Take care and you are in my prayers, Lil. :)
I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I have no experience with Methadone. I do have experience with Lortab and Soma for back pain. Tell your doc that you want to start getting off. There are some here who can tell you more about the Meth. The doctor should respect you concern and help get you off. We are here to talk if you need us.
M