Methadone & Oxycontin Mixed!

[alwaysburbabee]

Can someone please tell me if methadone gives you the same side effects as Oxycontin?.. I'm not to sure how this all works but my boyfriend has been an Oxycontin addict for almost 2 years and is now started the Methadone treatment.. It seems like hes doing the same actions as he was as on  Oxycontin nodding out, falling asleep sitting up and his face is breaking out in hives, all the same affects as Oxycontin!!!... He has started the treatment (45ml) 3 days ago the first times he had took the Methadone he went about his day fine and today hes acting really weird.. WHY?...

[C35]

Just found this post. My x is DEFIANTLY abusing methadone, as well as anti depressions. (I wasn't aware u were allowed other meds if on methadone). 10 yrs its at its worst. From $ missing to kids/household items pawned) this has stopped somewhat. At my wits end. Now finding instruments, other ppls bottles and ones with name labels off? Nodding off is the worst, alseep half way thru a meal or better yet, not knowing what doing while have company! Have now been reporter to child services. Whom to I seek in help, I WONT lose my kids over this lying ***. (I do not do any form of drug or drink, go figure?) I'm mentally about to break.  MY advise, DONT WAIT, hes playing u. Kick his *** out. No one is worth this much drama, and heartache. Don't ignore it like I have and let him abuse the situation for his benefit. Much love C. xo

[addictionaffiliation]

Wow. So now it's 2014.  After reading all these post from 2010, I'm curious about your relationship lasting, and if so is he off of everything or still taking something for addiction, methadone, suboxone, subutex?  I'm hoping this post finds him well and alive.  I have been a struggling addict since 2000.  Everyone can go back and forth on the never ending cycle of addiction treatments, how some help, some are just legal drug dealers and only want money, a lot depends on the patient and their desire to maintain sobriety after methadone and suboxone, or if they are playing the system, that's easy to play, just to justify a legal high of the best kind to an opiate addict.   I'm just curios, as an addict, has anything changed in your life since 2010?

[czechoslavakia]

This site is really great to read.

[suzielf]

sorry, ur right, i shouldnt have suggeseted sub.
when my doc presented me with option of methadone,sub or bup he encouraged me to consider the others before methadone, saying they had less side effects.
as i said i ran for the methadone thinking it would give me some sort of high.
im really sorry your in so much pain...its a pain i cant bare to endure again. i wish you all the best in your recovery. be proud of yourself, its a painful journey but i hope you begin to feel better asap. x

[Wolfmedicine]

I too have done the Methadone thing.  Pleeez do not encourage Sub use unless maybe a 21 day detox.  I have been in Physical and Mental Hell for over two weeks getting off same......

[suzielf]

hi again :)
having just read the posts in full, mine wasnt really helpful but i completely agree with jaybay. i really feel for you.you must be exhausted on every level trying to support him.
my story was different given i wanted out from illicit drugs and the lifestyle/consequences attatched to it.its easy to console yourself as an addict if your getting scripts of a doctor.admittedly i returned to smoking pot which stopped me from using heroin and led me to make the decision to stop tapering off methadone and go cold turkey.during withdrawal nothing relieved my pain. i took copious amounts of nurofen,some valium and when i ran out of pot i was to sick to go out so withdrew from that along with the valium as it didnt do anything.
after almost 2 months as i mentioned earlier i dragged myself to the doctors.severe back pain is a side effect of withdrawal but the pain for me only worsened with time.
for me it turned out i had a twisted pelvis n back out which opiates had been masking.
the reason i found these posts is because after finally getting clean my methadone doctor prescribed me oxycontin.
i had no knowledge on this drug and certainly no idea it was another synthetic opiate until i chatted online a week later.
im annoyed i finally got clean and now im not but i feel crippled by pain without it.
anyway i hope he starts being transparent about his dose.
im worried about you! u have to ask yourself how much is enough.
my thoughts are with you xx

[suzielf]

hello :)
i was just doing a search and came across these posts.
i havent read them all in full so i may just b repeating what others have said but i will share what i know.
i was on methdone for just over 2 years,it sounds like ur partner may have been given too higher dose to begin with..symptoms of dose being too high can include..nodding off,nausea,shallow breathing,pinpoint pupils,dizziness,heart palpitation,problems with sexual functioning.....if a dose is too low the side effects resemble those of coming off heroin,flu like symptoms,weakness,yawning,muscle spasm,irritability,sweating..the list goes on.
however when i first started methadone i did feel comfortably numb.it doesnt take long b4 there is a desire to up the dose because for me,as my body adjusted i wanted that feeling i had when i first started. as i increased my dose i never did feel that initial euphoria i experienced for the first week or so.
symptoms unrelated to dosage include sweating,constipation,aching muscles/joints,skin rashes,itching,fluid retention,loss of appetite,tooth decay,abdominal cramps..i kept upping the dose but it did not stop me from using heroin.i decided to taper down once i got the heroin under wraps and felt pretty ****** most of the time.at 40mg i took myself off cold turkey at home.58 days of a hell i never imagined.given methadone depresses your nervous system, any other drugs like benzodiazepines or alcohol should be used with extreme caution.if he really wants to help himself the best thing he can do is go to NA meetings or join an online support group.dont let him get complacent about staying on methadone... everyones experience is unique but my view is its a ****** ****** drug and i agreed to it in a desperate state of mind.if i knew then what i know now i would never ever have agreed to it.if he is hell bent on replacemnt therapy, suboxone or bupe has fewer side effects. the information i have given is based on my experience and dosage side effects from the australian drug foundation, the australian peak body in drug issues.he sounds very lucky to have you, i pray that things work out for you both.x

[Wolfmedicine]

Why wait till Monday?  As I previously said, you may have legal issues communicating with the clinic/Doc.  Something is missing that the Doc sez "it's normal".  Somewhere "What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate.........."

Addicts justify mentally what they do by many different means.  Of course None of us know shi t about what we're talking about.  I was only on Methadone for I think four (?) years.  I know Jack Shi t.  He's a buddy of mine.  Keep us posted.  Hang in there.  Bless Ya.

[alwaysburbabee]

Hey everyone thanks all

Ok so hes still at the same dose and I also got him to read all these comments that eveyone wrote soo and say "they dont know what there talking about"ugh I cant get nothing through his damn head!!! I'm going to call the doctors office on Monday, he told his doctor so he sys he did that hes getting all the side effects and the doctor said oh thats normal, any ways I think theres something wrong with that.. I'm putting my foot down soon I cant put up with this stresss no longer!!!

[Jaybay]

How are you doing today?  We've been thinking about you and hoping things are looking up.  :-)

[bmdad]

Jaybay nailed it with her last post. Some go to the methadone clinic for the right reasons and those reasons are to get stability in their life, stay on the lowest dose possible, seek aftercare such as counseling, and have a plan to taper off of it one day. They are sick of the hectic lifestyle and sick of chasing a high they can't always get. They get sick of this life and sick of the high. They want a change. Going to a methadone clinic gets them out of the drug seeking behaviors. Even though they are still on a very strong opiate they are on a low enough dose to where they don't feel stoned out of their mind and are able to go on with an everyday "normal" life.
You also have the people that the are spending every penny they have on street drugs and are constantly trying to chase that high. Some steal, lie, and do everything they can do get money so they can buy their drugs to get high. But they are not always able to get the drug the want either because they don't have the money or they can't find their drug that day. After awhile they get sick of this life but don't get sick of the high. They go to a methadone clinic because it is cheaper, they know they can keep getting their dose raised in order to get a bigger buzz by just simply saying they are still having withdrawals and thinking about using, and they can get their drug everyday legally. A lot of these doctors probably feel as long as their patients are using other drugs that it's fine to keep upping their dose.
Your boyfriend seems to fit in the second half of the second category. I'm not saying he was stealing or anything but he still wants the high whether it is from oxys or from methadone. Like Jaybay said, he knows damn well what he is doing. If he's walking acting the way you described he is stoned out of his mind. I'm sure he's already had them up his dose just so he can get that bigger buzz. He knows he is playing you. He feels he's in the clear because you recommended the clinic. What he is doing is no different than when he was on the oxys. You can't make someone get clean. They have to want it. Sure, methadone can be a great option for someone who wants to get clean but it can be the devil for someone that is still wanting that high.
Maybe you can talk to him about dropping his dose. Maybe talk to him about starting to taper off. The thing is he's not going to do it if he's not ready to get clean. You have a long road ahead of you until he is ready. It may be a week from now or it may be ten years from now. Right now you need to look out for you. You may have to start playing hardball to get through to him. Don't let him play you any longer. Call him on his lies. I'm sure he is laughing on the inside because he feels that you think he is doing what you want him to when he is actually playing you and the clinic.

[gnarly_1]

anny news on how the clinic visit went today ??

[Wolfmedicine]

Hey Girl,

I gotta make this short cause I'm feelin' pretty crappy myself right now.  Jaybay is my best friend on the planet and what she and Gnarly are telling you is correct.  Methadone, although a good legal method of getting off of opiates when the program is administered properly is a good thing for someone that really wants to detox.  It is however one of the most powerful opiates known.  Your man is scamming you and the clinic.  His dose was too high initially if he's nodding out!  He's freakin' HIGH.  I was on 120mg. daily (legally) for several years in addition to other stuff we won't mention.

Feel no guilt at getting him to do this.  You are trying to get him to do the right thing, but until an addicts mind is right that they WANT off, it ain't gonna happen.  They will onlly seek ways to get high.

I like your idea of calling the Doc and explaining what's up.  However, you are not married(?) and you may run in to some legal issues there that they will not let you get involved.  If so,  your only option is to go with him and have a joint consult at which point they have to accept you both and hear you out.  They won't FIRE him.  They can't.  They may see the light, reduce his dose and try to get him right though........

All the Best

[Jaybay]

This may be a dumb question, but - are you aware that methadone IS an opiate, and a d****d strong one?  

The reason it's used for addiction therapy is because it lasts a long time in the bloodstream.  That means at a proper dose, the patient won't get dope-sick (experience withdrawal symptoms).  Meanwhile, he's supposed to be doing psychological work to learn some new skills to deal with life and stress without reaching for a bottle of pills.  That therapy can be done through Narcotics Anonymous, with a therapist associated with a detox clinic or with a private addiction therapist.  While that psychological work is going on, the methadone dose is supposed to be slowly lowered.  At some point, withdrawal is going to happen.  It can't be avoided, but usually a slow taper helps lessen the agony.  For some people, the taper itself is agony so they go cold turkey just to get it all over and done with.

Most addicts look for something that gives an immediate high, which is why many of them will snort or inject or use other fast delivery methods.  Drugs like methadone and Suboxone/ Subutex are long-acting, which means that instant buzz isn't supposed to happen.  Yes, an addict will get high on it if he keeps increasing the dose until it finally kicks in.  A person who has no opiate tolerance (is not an addict) may even die at doses that an addict can take and feel absolutely nothing.

I am very much afraid that your boyfriend is telling the clinic that he is still having withdrawal symptoms when he appears to be having none.  He is manipulating them into constantly increasing his methadone dose so he can stay high.  Every symptom you have described is of a person who is stoned out of his mind - not in withdrawal.  He knows darned well what he's doing, and he knows darned well that he's getting high - legally, and with your permission.

I'm also very much afraid that you are laying an unnecessary guilt trip on yourself.  In your earlier post, you said you felt bad because "I got him to this point on methadone."  I assume that means you got him to agree to go to a methadone clinic?  YOU did not make him an addict, nor can you force an addict to do something he doesn't want to do.  It's entirely possible he is taking advantage of your lack of knowledge to make you think he is seriously addressing his addiction, which to my mind he does not seem to be doing.  He is manipulating you and he is manipulating the clinic staff.

If he allows you to go with him to the appointment, that's a great sign.  If not, stick to your guns and call them.  We all want your boyfriend to recover and we all want you to get through it too.  Stay strong!

[alwaysburbabee]

Hey Jaybay,

Thanks for your concern I really appreciate it so much!!

Well its the same for the last two days he still has all the same side affects.. I was with him all day Sunday so he didn't get a chance to do a O if he had any, he took his METHADONE and then with in a hour or so he was the same "UGH" so I'm guessing his dose is to high!!!!!? Not to sure but his appointment is tomorrow.. sooo I will call the office if he dont let me go with him tomorrow... well wish me luck xo

Thanks Care <3

[Jaybay]

Just checking in to see how you and your other half are doing today.  Is today clinic day?  You're both in my prayers for some kind of successful understanding and resolution of his therapy.  :-)

[Jaybay]

You're welcome sweetie.  I've been in your shoes and completely understand how the worry and anger and disappointment and yes - love - all seem to conspire to make you lose your sanity.  

Sounds like you have a good plan.  If your boyfriend won't allow you to go to the appointment, you'll call the clinic.  Good for you!  Hope you manage to get a few hours of decent sleep for yourself.  :-)

[alwaysburbabee]

Thanks gnarly_1, I understand what you mean, I'm hoping to get to go to his next appointment I believe its Tuesday so I will definitely fill you in on Tuesday what happen , but if I  don't go I'm going to call the office to tell them the side effects I've been seeing...  So today hes not hurting and the color in his face looks good hes not acting really weird but a bit slow... So I'm really thinking he should be on a lower dose, like I'd say maybe even a 45ml, it's been almost 18 hours from when he last took his last dose (55mls) it's only a matter of time and it's going to be the same as last night "UGH" another stressful sleepless night ):  

And thanks Jaybay
I know I hope they lower his dose before something bad happens.. I know underneath all of this disease hes still there I know he is, and I know no matter what I say or do nothing will change him, hes has to be willing to do it himself..

[Jaybay]

He doesn't want you to go with him because he's got a great source for a legal buzz now.  He knows darn well that if you tell them about what you see every day, they'll knock his dose down to a non-buzzable level.  God only knows what he's telling them to get the dose increased that quickly, but I seriously doubt it's anywhere near the truth.

The danger with methadone is not so much seizures, but pulmonary failure.  Nod out; stop breathing; heart stops beating; death.

I'm sure you know by now exactly how manipulative addiction can make a person.  Everything you write tells me your boyfriend is not at all serious about treating his addiction.  He's just trying to get you off his back by going to a clinic, but he's still abusing drugs.  He's just switched from oxy to methadone.  

I suggest that when he goes to the clinic next time (and pray to God he's not so whacked that he gets into an accident) pick up the phone and call them.  Tell them what you've been seeing since he started therapy.  If he finds out you snitched, well tough toenails.  Be prepared to lay down the law.  Either he flies right, tells the truth, lets you go to appointments with him AND hold his meds and dose it out, or one of you leaves.  The man you love is still in there, he's just eaten up with a disease called addiction.  It's entirely possible that nothing you say or do will make a darn bit of difference to him.  That's why you have to be prepared to back up your words with action.  God grant you the strength to do what you have to do for you and your child.

[gnarly_1]

HI.....the clinics are bad about bumping up the dose it usually takes a bit longer here to get to 100ml but its not uncommon its just sad 30 ml is enough to hold most people over this just makes coming off it that much harder...the clinic will bring you down 2ml every 2 weeks
so its painfully slow....I hate to say it but most are in it for the money....all I had tyo say was my back is hurting and they would move my dose up...I got up to 150ml that was the max the clinic I went to would go.....all I know is you dont want to stay on it any amount of time
the withdrawals are miserable and last a long time...it took me 8 1/2 mo to get off of it
you can do a quick detox like 21 day that progam is different then maintenance and it sounds like there setting your b/f up for long term maintenance...kepp us up to date keep posting for support and good luck with this mess.......Gnarly    

[alwaysburbabee]

(2:30a.m. Sunday,Oct 24)
So a few hours have  past by and I got him on the couch asleep, he seems a bit better Im keeping an eye on him I can hear him breathing fine,  now the only thing is I don't want to close my eyes, I just want it to be morning already ugh!!!
Every little noise makes me get up to check on him, I walk slowly down the hall hoping hes not in seizure and that hes fine (I'm so scared) ..........

Oh and another thing is that he was trying to explain something about his METHADONE refill slip I noticed it was saying 100mg for the METHADONE and 15mg for the grape juice but then he was saying it wasn't 100mg..... UGH why dose this all seem like one big **** up, I also told him that I want it to go with him tomorrow when get gets his METHADONE so I could talk to someone about what dose hes taking but weird thing is he said that he don't want me to go cause he scared that I might get him kicked off the treatment..
But I wont... I know  I effin got him to this point damn it... Any ways I'm really hoping that they didnt fool up any thing on him ]0=  cause that may explain why hes so wasted going from he now says 35ml which I thought it was 45ml & then to 55mls tp 100mls hummm, I shall find out tomorrow for sure!!

Thanks for the support friends your very kind, night all (:

[gnarly_1]

HI....why did I just know they would move up his dose....GRRRR.....I hate methadone clinics
from what your saying things are not good normally methadone takes away the desire for the pills except if you want a buzz then people mix and it is dangerous to mix anything with methadone be especially careful if theirs the possibility of xanex being mixed in this is deadly especially for someone just starting out....your going to have to become pro active here and go doawn to the clinic with him and tell them whats going on....if hes using oxy they will ketch it in the first u/a they give him but the methadone alone can cause you to nod off he is still acting like an addict buy telling them he needs more if he was already noding he very well my be trying to get high on it and if dosed correctly methadone dosent get you high
for the sake of both you and your child together go to the clinic with him and speek to the nurse on call and tell her he is nodding off constantly or this is just going to get worst all he has to do is tell them it not holding him over and there going to keep uping his dose ...I really feel for you but the only hope is if you intervene keep posting for support good luck and God bless......Gnarly      

[Jaybay]

He's stoned out of his mind - not in withdrawal.  Whether it's just methadone or a mixture of methadone and oxy, only he knows.  You are right to watch his breathing and right to be very concerned.  It's entirely possible he'll nod out and never wake up.  If you can't rouse him enough that he can talk sense, call an ambulance and get him out of your house.  You aren't a doctor, and he needs medical help.  Can you at least call the prescribing doctor of the methadone?  Also, many hospitals and insurance companies have nurse hotlines to call for advice.  This isn't a law enforcement issue; it's a health issue, and maybe a life and death issue.

You are also "allowed" to be very angry.  We spouses of active addicts are hostages to their disease - if we allow ourselves to be.  For your sake, something's gotta give.  Either he keeps using and/or kills himself, or you remove you and your child from the situation.  There comes a point that being supportive turns into enabling, and it's a very fine line.

[feohmoon]

I commented on the wrong one first...
Read 'If you are considering...'